ejucate me about welders
- Thread starter pELYgroso
- Start date
You basically classified everyone that welds with a wire feed welder, a hairy mammal with an inferior brain. Personally, I think it takes skill and time to learn how to weld. I don’t care if it is with a stick or a wire feed, just saying that any tom, dick, or Monkey can do it is an insult to the ones that do it, and do it well.Supergper said:did I say make a perfect weld, NO. I simply said that anyone can weld with a mig, it may not be pretty but mig is so stinking easy that its deffinitely not a technique to learn on.
I would also like to add, to find out whether your welds are as strong as they should, weld two pieces together and then take the time to cut them apart. Look at the weld and see if it rides on the surface or if infact it is penatrating into the metal. You will find that most 110 welders don't have quite enough heat to burn very deep and they creat some what of week welds. Also, before you just dive into building a project that has some safety involved, practice, practice, practice. Get some scrap and weld away, watch what you are doing and learn from your mistakes.
way2nosty
Registered User
I agree with SuperGpaw, I started welding with a Mig, within 5 minutes, I could make a good looking weld, but I didnt' understand what the dynamics were behind making a strong weld until I started welding with a Stick too, A perfect example is vertical and overhead technique, with a stick technique is imperative. a Mig, You can get away with almost anything, I have since tigged and that is my favorite, ultimate control of penetration depth weld size and strength with the push of a petal
Shawn said:
no, I didn't...you're reading WAY too far into it. As way2nosty pointed out, he could lay a bead in no time with a mig, wether that was a good bead or not is a different story. Have you ever watched anyone lay their first bead with a mig? A lot of the time they can atleast get material on the work piece that kinda sorta resembles a bead, right? Have you ever watched someone try to weld for the first time with a stick (even if they know how to mig)? I have never seen a single person for their first time be able to start a stick and make sparks fly. They ALWAYS stick it, and once they figure out out not to stick it they still can't do crap with it until they learn some very basic priciples (like I said before) like puddle control, torch control, and holding your torch at the correct angles. Very basic things, but things that you won't learn (or not for quite a while) if you start out with mig because even though those things are important you can get away with not having them quite right with a mig. What I said is simply an expression, if you want to think I think anyone that welds with a mig is a big furry mammal then I guess I'm included and so is 99.9% of all other weldors out there.
Shawn said:
no matter what route you decide to go with, this is excellent advice. The only way to learn how to weld is to do it, you can have every book out there on welding memorized but it still doesn't mean you will know how to weld. Like Shawn said, practice, practice, practice.
BCGPER
Starting Another Thread
- Location
- Sunny Arizona
Bwahahaaa!!!!
Now, where's that damn popcorn????
Now, where's that damn popcorn????
Shawn said:
I"m buying a welder in Jan. with my tax returns, I'm thinking about getting Millermatic Passport . It's runs off 115 and 220, it's like having a MM135, 175 and 210 in one machine. The reason for this is the place I'm renting now has no 220 outlets but when I build/buy a house I'll have them. I also work for a Miller distributor and can get the machine at cost. (It's expensive!)
On another note, my welding instructor, who has a masters in welding engineering and works for Miller, says that teaching smaw and oxy welding first used to be the best way but now they are leaning toward teaching gmaw first. Which is what I started out on. But it's all greek to me so
On another note, my welding instructor, who has a masters in welding engineering and works for Miller, says that teaching smaw and oxy welding first used to be the best way but now they are leaning toward teaching gmaw first. Which is what I started out on. But it's all greek to me so
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dieslcruisrhead
Registered User
- Location
- Park City & Heber City Utah
There are a bunch of guys who still build their rigs using 110 machines and get away with it. Shamefully, I am actually one of those guys and I have done frame mods and all sort of major drivetrain modifications, cut and turn etc. I am not proud of it but my stuff has beyond held up and if you are smart and careful you can do some light-medium mods and do it well... I do have 100% confiedence in all of my welds though and know they are safe...
But everyone is right. In my case though, I do have a good power source, the most powerfully rated 110 machine they make [a 135, Lincoln in my case], and it works... With fluxcore (gasless) you can actually get pretty good penetration but you have to be smart. I would not even thing about running a gased (traditional MIG) wire with my 135 for anything other than sheetmetal, it does not burn in well enough... It does have some nice little advantages, such as being able to be plugged in anywhere. That said I cannot wait until I get my first 220 machine, it will be a big upgrade...
But everyone is right. In my case though, I do have a good power source, the most powerfully rated 110 machine they make [a 135, Lincoln in my case], and it works... With fluxcore (gasless) you can actually get pretty good penetration but you have to be smart. I would not even thing about running a gased (traditional MIG) wire with my 135 for anything other than sheetmetal, it does not burn in well enough... It does have some nice little advantages, such as being able to be plugged in anywhere. That said I cannot wait until I get my first 220 machine, it will be a big upgrade...
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420willys
Registered User
- Location
- holland mass yes its the east coast
i think one thing every one is over looking is a good fit up, this more important to make a qaulity weld. i have been welding for 13 years now and not just as a hobby as a carrier, ive done bridge work crane repairs and large pressure vesels, one thing i have picked up over the years is if the fit up is poor then the weld is harder to accomplish.
i welded a crane base that had a very poor fit ( was'nt mine ), gaps, slag left over form the cuts, it failed set-up inspection but got placed in the wrong area and i had to weld this sh*t, i did all i could to clean it before i welded it but there was not enough time, well to make a long stroy short two of my welds failed UT and i got blammed, they pulled my stamp and i had to sweep the floor till it was re-solved and it went back to the fitter and crane operator. so practice cutting and cleaning your parts before welding, jason.
i welded a crane base that had a very poor fit ( was'nt mine ), gaps, slag left over form the cuts, it failed set-up inspection but got placed in the wrong area and i had to weld this sh*t, i did all i could to clean it before i welded it but there was not enough time, well to make a long stroy short two of my welds failed UT and i got blammed, they pulled my stamp and i had to sweep the floor till it was re-solved and it went back to the fitter and crane operator. so practice cutting and cleaning your parts before welding, jason.
dieslcruisrhead
Registered User
- Location
- Park City & Heber City Utah
Bummer a good friend is a welding inspector and he says in one regard "know the limits of your machine" and gets pretty angry that I use my 135 for frame and axle work.. But at the same time he has inspected all of my **** and says it actually all looks pretty good..
Let me ask a question on behalf of I'llpullyaout to the group.
Lets use pullya as an example, it is his thread after all. He is looking to buy a welder set up. He is new to welding and wants something that will weld crawlers, sliders, bumpers, home projects, anything on an auto he wants.
I think that between stick, mig and tig that MIG is the best option for easy of use, speed of use, learning curve, etc. Overall cost may be higher with a MIG than a stick, but the MIG has a broader possible use, and it a few nights of practice, especially if someone can coach him, he could be good enough to start welding some non critical parts (ie hate to see him try a trailer his first night and have it fall apart and kill someone). With that said, I think that a MIG with gas is the way to go.
Knowing that a miller 110V Millermatic 135 costs $592, and a Millermatic 175 (220v model) costs $714, and the Millermatic 210 (also 220v big dog like Shawns) costs $1262 (prices were taken from Cyberweld.
I think that it is very easy to justify the ~$100 to upgrade from the 135 to the 175. That is an upgrade that moves you from a lightweight welder that *can* be used for frames to one that can easily weld heavy enough even for a noobie who does not have friends who can help inspect his welds. The 210 would be a killer welder to have as well, but the extra $500 may be a little hard to justify for the little he would get out of it at this point.
Other options that I like that were mentioned are the Passport ($1300) and the new DVI ($1036) that can weld both 110 and 220 which would be nice. That is a nice option if the 110v garage or a portable welder that can be used in the KOA parking lot is important. Personally for me if I was spending that much I would get the MM210 instead, but I can see why others would choose that option, it is a good one
Another option that he may consider would be a readywelder. That is the best in portability, and especially since he is into 4x's may be an excellent option.
Any reason not to suggest a MIG? Any reason not to *strongly* suggest that a MM175 over a MM135 since it is only ~$100 more? I have seem the 110's weld some heavy things, and I know they *can* work, but for a new guy buying equipment I would hate to see him make a $100 mistake he regrets later.
Lets use pullya as an example, it is his thread after all. He is looking to buy a welder set up. He is new to welding and wants something that will weld crawlers, sliders, bumpers, home projects, anything on an auto he wants.
I think that between stick, mig and tig that MIG is the best option for easy of use, speed of use, learning curve, etc. Overall cost may be higher with a MIG than a stick, but the MIG has a broader possible use, and it a few nights of practice, especially if someone can coach him, he could be good enough to start welding some non critical parts (ie hate to see him try a trailer his first night and have it fall apart and kill someone). With that said, I think that a MIG with gas is the way to go.
Knowing that a miller 110V Millermatic 135 costs $592, and a Millermatic 175 (220v model) costs $714, and the Millermatic 210 (also 220v big dog like Shawns) costs $1262 (prices were taken from Cyberweld.
I think that it is very easy to justify the ~$100 to upgrade from the 135 to the 175. That is an upgrade that moves you from a lightweight welder that *can* be used for frames to one that can easily weld heavy enough even for a noobie who does not have friends who can help inspect his welds. The 210 would be a killer welder to have as well, but the extra $500 may be a little hard to justify for the little he would get out of it at this point.
Other options that I like that were mentioned are the Passport ($1300) and the new DVI ($1036) that can weld both 110 and 220 which would be nice. That is a nice option if the 110v garage or a portable welder that can be used in the KOA parking lot is important. Personally for me if I was spending that much I would get the MM210 instead, but I can see why others would choose that option, it is a good one
Another option that he may consider would be a readywelder. That is the best in portability, and especially since he is into 4x's may be an excellent option.
Any reason not to suggest a MIG? Any reason not to *strongly* suggest that a MM175 over a MM135 since it is only ~$100 more? I have seem the 110's weld some heavy things, and I know they *can* work, but for a new guy buying equipment I would hate to see him make a $100 mistake he regrets later.
cuban b
You're all WEAK SAUCE!
- Location
- pleasant grove, UT
The only reason NOT to get the 220v machine is where to plug it in. I'm sticking with 110 for now because I can't afford the welder and the electrician. However, I will eventually move up to a larger machine. I know that I will still use the 110 for RC cars and for its portability so I'm ok with owning two welders at some point.
As a side note. The hobart handler 140 with a cart is @499 shipped from various welding supply stores on eBay. Hobart is a good company and that's probably the best bang for your buck out there.
As a side note. The hobart handler 140 with a cart is @499 shipped from various welding supply stores on eBay. Hobart is a good company and that's probably the best bang for your buck out there.