Thinking of buying some new welding equipment, need input

[rick-l]

I thought this was stitch welding

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/flash/controller-stitch-weld.htm

[mb911]

Originally Posted by rick-l

I thought this was stitch welding

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/flash/controller-stitch-weld.htm

YUP L-P would be a variations of this

[red-beard]

Well, I picked up a $119 "MIG" shielded gas flux wire feed welder. And I spent $69 on a self darkening helmet.



Crappy first welds



Better welds after flipping the bracket, speeding up the wire feed, and letting more material melt as I slowly stroked the flow. I also think I need to adjust the darkness of the helmet. I think it will help.

[Zeke]

Pretty good for your second weld. Steady your hand with the other one. That's the beauty of stick and MIG, one hand.

I was gas welding flares today and the vertical stuff is tricky. I may revert to some MIG work in those out-of-postilion welds.

[red-beard]

Seriously, I think I need to adjust the shade value on the face mask, as I can barely see what I'm welding. I started with the value set to the maximum.

I'm welding 2 handed, and I'm using the outer tip to steady my hands. I drink way too much coffee for this free, one handed stuff.

[Gordo2]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I drink way too much coffee for this free, one handed stuff.

I find that beer does a good job at offsetting the coffee.

[kycarguy 935]

I have the auto shade on my mask set at 9 if that helps you. Today I was TIG welding for about 3 and a half hours and on 9 you can see everything. Double check your batteries in your mask. If they are bad everything will be dark until you strike an arc and light up the place.

[Rufblackbird]

When I went through welding school in the military (Aberdeen Proving Grounds) all they had were Millers, which is why I bought one, and have been very happy with it. I'm sure you can't go wrong (like others have said) with either the red or blue.

However, you can get extra parts for the red one at your local Home Depot, which is handy if you need extra tips/supplies on days/hours the local welding supply shop is closed.

[berettafan]

When it comes to welding equipment i say shat on homey depot. We NEED specialty welding shops like Airgas and should support them so long as they are in the ballpark.

Anyways i bought a Miller 110v Mig w/ the auto-set feature and i love it. Everything from lawn art to the front pan in my 911. I pretty much never fiddle with wire speed, just set it to wire thickness and turn the power knob till i get what i want.

Would REALLY like a tig but the best part of tig'ing as i see it is thin aluminum so that means high dollar machines. Just can't justify that for a hobby.

[berettafan]

not to mention i found tig work to be several times harder than mig and waaaaaay harder than stick.