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HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get

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Offline obradleyo

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HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« on: February 07, 2010, 11:07:28 AM »
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Bobthebiker

Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2010, 11:24:50 AM »
I dont know much about welding, but I will say invest in something that is a KNOWN brand,  Miller, Lincoln, etc, not some no name crap from harbor freight.     

you may want to ask your welding instructor what he/she thinks is a suitable size machine for your needs. 
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Offline shakydoug

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2010, 11:35:55 AM »
Stick, Miller Thunderbolt.
MIG, Lincoln HD 3200.
Got from local classifiedds:  Southeasttexas.co = $450
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Offline obradleyo

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2010, 12:18:13 PM »
Hey shanky is your 3200 a 110 or 220v? also what kida work do you do with them?
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2010, 02:06:35 PM »
If you're also planning on doing bodywork then you need to consider the minimum thickness that you can easily weld.
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2010, 02:53:52 PM »
I have a Lincoln 110V weldpack 100, does most stuff up to
1/4 and if you bevel and heat the steel it will do 1/4 fine too

Wild
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2010, 03:02:40 PM »
I have a Hobart 175 and it works fine for welding 1/4".  I have welded thicker (3/8 and 1/2), but usually preheat the metal a little and/or turn the wire speed down and go really slow to get good penetration.  It is 220V, BTW.  I would not own a 110 welder, if you plan on welding anything thicker than sheetmetal....just my .02.
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Offline ROLLOVR

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2010, 03:11:00 PM »
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Offline shakydoug

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2010, 06:37:20 PM »
MIG is 110, work fine with correct wiring, welds to 1/4 no problem,
over 1/4", I  stick it out

Lincoln or Miller, cant go wrong
« Last Edit: February 07, 2010, 06:39:18 PM by shakydoug »
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Offline jawman

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2010, 08:43:07 PM »
it all depends on what type of welder you like stick or mig. it also depends if like new or used. sticks are cheap because they were the first to come out and even the oldest one you can find are sometimes the best. I picked up a Lincoln for $20 with no cables, but after $50 for cables it is still a good deal. I would always go with 220v, and defiantly name brand. Most of the stuff I have is miller because they are really common and can be easier, but I don't think they are the best.
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Offline jamrensuk1

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2010, 12:23:49 PM »
There is not much on a suzuki that is more than 1/4 inch. A 110v brand name welder will do fine. Bevel and pre heat anything larger and watch your wire speed (critical)
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2010, 05:05:31 PM »
Quote from: jamrensuk1 on February 08, 2010, 12:23:49 PM
There is not much on a suzuki that is more than 1/4 inch. A 110v brand name welder will do fine. Bevel and pre heat anything larger...

True.  But if you start making stuff.....bumpers, shackles, spring relocation mounts, skid plates, etc.  Then you usually use 1/4" metal for those (I do, at least).  When I weld 1/4" or bigger I preheat a lot of times (if it is something that I am worried about holding up), even though my welder is a 220V.
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Offline zukimoo

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2010, 05:25:13 PM »
I've worked with a miller that had both plug ins and it worked good. You could just yank off the 220V and it was a nice welder for body work and then 220 for the big stuff.
At the track I had a small 110V lincoln and I welded alot of big stuff. Built my RTI ramp with it and it held a Hummer H1. It's  all in the prep work and the welder. I know some people are going to argue but I've used this for alot of stuff.
Now when it came time to buy my own then I went right for what I think is the best....a 255 lincoln with the heavy whip. You can use the stock one but if you're going to do alot of flux core welding it'll burn the stock whip. I use flux core with gas and it's the best bead I've ever seen and very strong.

$2500 for a welder is alot of money. If your budget is low then save your cash and buy a good one. Cheap welders are not fun to work with and I consider them a safety issues.

My 255 is a little bit over kill for body work but if you tack all over like it's supposed to then it works. I've welded 1" plate with no problem.  My next project is a teeter toter for an upcoming event. and remember.....practice, practice, practice
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Offline obradleyo

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2010, 03:24:41 PM »
so here is what I got Its a Hobart 180 with cart, bottle, reg, 50 ft extition cordand 4 spools of wire for only 375 what a deal......
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1995 Kicker 5 speed, 4 dr, 4wd, Ac,Ps 16v 31" GT radial mudders,Calmini 3+3, torquer cam, magna flow with 2" tail pipe, calmini steering stablizer....... Sacramento,ca IMG]http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo327/obradleyo/rock.jpg[/IMG]
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Offline Drone637

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Re: HOW POWERFUL OF A MIG WELDER should I get
« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2010, 03:55:55 PM »
If you have to move it around the shop I highly recommend getting a cart.
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