Doc Sprocket
*********
Which, according to my mental math, would require twice as many amps if it were 115v- so 20A...
Choosing a Welder
- Thread starter Azliyx
- Start date
- Status
devino246
Official DIYGK Chem Nerd
Yup. He did say he was running a 130A, though.
Doc Sprocket
*********
Still adds up. I have run Lincoln 125's, 135's and a 140 at 20A, 115-120V.
devino246
Official DIYGK Chem Nerd
That's true.
Lincoln is one if the best brand welders out there. Along with Miller and Hobart.
Mig is one of the easiest welding you can do, very strong also. The Lincoln has a hole in she back of the welder which is used for sheilding gas. If you bought a small tank with some gauges it will be a very nice set up. Gas has much cleaner welds and it is a lot less messy. If you wanted to use gas, I have neeb using 100% CO2 for 8 or 9 years now for mild steel.
Mig is one of the easiest welding you can do, very strong also. The Lincoln has a hole in she back of the welder which is used for sheilding gas. If you bought a small tank with some gauges it will be a very nice set up. Gas has much cleaner welds and it is a lot less messy. If you wanted to use gas, I have neeb using 100% CO2 for 8 or 9 years now for mild steel.
Br@ndoM@n
Dude with a gokart, a MIG
115v Welders I seen say use 20amp circuit and 220v welders I seen specify 50amp circuit. Also when figuring ur amp calculations 115v is old school term. Its actually a 120v. Also machines are rated at certain Hz if ur power supply is lower Hz ur duty cycle drops slightly too.
realfast89gt
Kart Krazy!!
I have to disagree with anyone stating harbor freight welders are crap and not to buy them.
I have owned the less expensive flux wire welder for 2yrs which uses a standard outlet(they rec. Using a 20amp circuit) . I havnt had one problem with it. If you read the many reviews on their website even guys that weld for a living leave great reviews on them.
The welder makes the same quality weld as any other standard outlet flux wire welder.
The only reason I would spend more money on a welder is for a more powerful unit.
Edit: 22 months into using it the wire feed stopped working. I payed 19.99 for the 2 yr warranty when I bought it . All I had to do is return it at harbor freight and they gave me a new one. Now I have a brand new welder with another 2 yr warranty.
I have owned the less expensive flux wire welder for 2yrs which uses a standard outlet(they rec. Using a 20amp circuit) . I havnt had one problem with it. If you read the many reviews on their website even guys that weld for a living leave great reviews on them.
The welder makes the same quality weld as any other standard outlet flux wire welder.
The only reason I would spend more money on a welder is for a more powerful unit.
Edit: 22 months into using it the wire feed stopped working. I payed 19.99 for the 2 yr warranty when I bought it . All I had to do is return it at harbor freight and they gave me a new one. Now I have a brand new welder with another 2 yr warranty.
devino246
Official DIYGK Chem Nerd
Well if you want to get that technical, the voltage measured at the outlet is actually about 123.
Doc Sprocket
*********
110v, 115v, 120v, sometimes even 125v are all pretty much interchangeable terms at this point. (round here, anyways). And like Devino stated- I've used my DMM many times over the years when checking questionable voltage, and have pretty much never read an "even" number.
With regards to welders- I've never used a chinese machine. But I can tell you this- if the transformer and feed unit are good, then they are good. But my own experience is whatever machine you use, stay with name brand wire. Recenty, my brother-in-law bought his first wire feed- a chinese unit from Princess Auto. He was ready to return it, until I convinced him to buy a spool of Lincoln Innershield. Smooth sailing from there on out.
With regards to welders- I've never used a chinese machine. But I can tell you this- if the transformer and feed unit are good, then they are good. But my own experience is whatever machine you use, stay with name brand wire. Recenty, my brother-in-law bought his first wire feed- a chinese unit from Princess Auto. He was ready to return it, until I convinced him to buy a spool of Lincoln Innershield. Smooth sailing from there on out.
exenos
Project Nut
It depends on where you live, I've had a reading of 105V at the socket.
OzFab
Well-known member
240V to be precise. I suppose that would make a difference; you guys only have 110... but I was referring more to the "cheap chinese" comments
realfast89gt
Kart Krazy!!
I agree with toystory on cheap flux wire. The stuff that comes with the cheaper welder is exactly that, cheap. It leaves a messy weld and isnt as smooth while using it.
I figured i would learn to weld with the spool that was supplied with the welder, but it was so much harder to get a nice looking weld than with the lincoln wire. I will never go back, lincoln wire all the way, throw the other stuff in the trash!!
I figured i would learn to weld with the spool that was supplied with the welder, but it was so much harder to get a nice looking weld than with the lincoln wire. I will never go back, lincoln wire all the way, throw the other stuff in the trash!!
Doc Sprocket
*********
I was into a project awhile back, and for the sake of being cheap, I bought a 2lb spool of the imported crap. I think I used maybe 2 feet of it before lobbing the spool across my shop and heading off to Home Depot for some Innersheild. Ain't doing that again. He//, the only reason I even used 2 feet is because not only am I cheap, I'm stubborn. I tried to convince myself that since I paid for it, I would use it. Perhaps altering my technique and/or settings... Nope! Crap!
pipehack
New member
Is there something wrong with Oxy/acetylene??? You can weld anything with that. Except titanium. Learn O/A and everything is much MUCH easier.
fowler
New member
that is the slowest weakest form of welding
brazing isnt any good for big structureal stuff like a chassis
thee isnt the penetration on thick stuff
brazing isnt any good for big structureal stuff like a chassis
thee isnt the penetration on thick stuff
Doc Sprocket
*********
I think in some jurisdictions you need a license to purchase the gasses. That can be a problem. Transporting the tanks can be a problem. Not sure about cost factor either, but if you can get a cheapie chinese wire-feed for (say,) $100 on sale and it's quite easy to learn, well- there you go!
I really have nothing to say (+ or -) regarding OA. Haven't touched one since high school (let's say 20+ years) and since my lunchbox suits all my needs, I have no reason to do anything else.
pipehack
New member
The weakest??? Ok... You're right... So all the airplanes and racecar chassis welded with O/A are weak? Yikes! They should get rid of it all together because it over 100 years old. A lot of oil refinery work requires either O/A or TiG because there won't be any cold start ups. The rest of the welding world is wrong and you're right. Thanks for steering us all in the right direction.
OzFab
Well-known member
I would have to agree with fowler, to a point. O/A is a slow process, as is TIG. Don't get me wrong, They are both great in certain applications & much better than anything else for detail work. I thing O/A is awesome but it also takes a lot to master it & creates more distortion on lighter guage materials if you don't know what you're doing (speaking from experience).
IMHO, MIG/MAG & arc/stick welding is better for "beginners" (& I use that term lightly) whereas O/A & TIG are more for those of us who are slightly more experienced (as you obviously are) or want a bit more of a challenge. If you can master O/A you can do any type of welding.
Jfive
New member
There are guys that modify the harbor freight 90 amp welders, and the 151s and have get them to weld even better. I personally like a miller 251 or a lincoln thats about the same, but not everyone can afford one. Eastwood has some chinese made machines with a warranty, and they have good reviews. The one comes with a spool gun so it can weld aluminum. Everlast has a few migs too, and a 5 year warranty. These guys aren't like the lower end chinese units as they have people make sure they are built to spec, with the proper stuff. Hobart has a good line up of beginner welders, and are sold all over, but the parts are probubly made in china or mexico just like everything else.
Br@ndoM@n
Dude with a gokart, a MIG
Hobart machines are "hobby" low cost versions on Miller units. Basically either a Miller with a feature or two missing to sell cheaper or a rebadged older miller model. They are made in USA but who knows where the componants come from. I know Lincolns are made from various places. some say Mexico.
When I buy wire I have to order online cause it seems my local weld supply store only carries china crap, Mostly Forney products.
I tried getting some Lincoln Innershiel MP-211 since 95% of people I talked to love it and consider it primo but they didnt carry nor did they carry Hobart wire.
I live in a small town so they probably dont sell enough wire to make money, plus they charge more for china Forney wire than what it would cost to buy Lincoln or Hobart online and to have it shipped.
If I were to purchase a china welder for my self I think id buy a Everlast unit because they actually have a warranty. 30 to 90 days is not a warranty. lol
U can also go to there website and give them a offer for a welder and that can save u hundreds.
I wouldnt really weld with oxy/act only cause its slow and old school. yes they did build airplanes with them but those planes are nothing like todays planes. I would reserve oxy/act for cutting and brazing. A good oxy/act setup can cut some really thick stuff and not all setups cut like crap. Look at the Smith Equipment setups for a badd@$$ setup. $500 range but cuts **** near anything and there are some fine tips that will cut pretty dang straight and clean plus lifetime warranty. But factore in cost of buying two tanks its not cost effective or productive as a unit u would use as a primary welder.
When I buy wire I have to order online cause it seems my local weld supply store only carries china crap, Mostly Forney products.
I tried getting some Lincoln Innershiel MP-211 since 95% of people I talked to love it and consider it primo but they didnt carry nor did they carry Hobart wire.
I live in a small town so they probably dont sell enough wire to make money, plus they charge more for china Forney wire than what it would cost to buy Lincoln or Hobart online and to have it shipped.
If I were to purchase a china welder for my self I think id buy a Everlast unit because they actually have a warranty. 30 to 90 days is not a warranty. lol
U can also go to there website and give them a offer for a welder and that can save u hundreds.
I wouldnt really weld with oxy/act only cause its slow and old school. yes they did build airplanes with them but those planes are nothing like todays planes. I would reserve oxy/act for cutting and brazing. A good oxy/act setup can cut some really thick stuff and not all setups cut like crap. Look at the Smith Equipment setups for a badd@$$ setup. $500 range but cuts **** near anything and there are some fine tips that will cut pretty dang straight and clean plus lifetime warranty. But factore in cost of buying two tanks its not cost effective or productive as a unit u would use as a primary welder.
- Status