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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 610
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Mig: 220 vs 110
When I built my house, I had them run a 220 outlet into my garage.
Well, its time to finally buy a welder and learn how to weld. My question is, does a novice welder really need a 220 welder for simple "garage projects" and automotive project? I have never welded before and it seems like going straight to 220 is overkill. Conversely, I am really cheap and it would piss me off to have to buy a 220 welder in a year after already buying a 110...
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Silverwhaletail (used to love slutty women and run-down apartment buildings, not necessarily in that order) |
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03-08-2010, 03:36 PM
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Senior Advisor
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220 all the way. 110 is good for sheet metal and quick welding not good for deep penitraiting welding (like roll bars). And short duty cycle (time the unit is welding) will drive you crazy!
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08 Cayenne Turbo |
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03-08-2010, 03:46 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Pay up now.... or you will be buying a 220 later on.... I have messed with a 110 machine once and I was about ready to throw it away after a few hours... of course I am spoiled. We have a late '70s millermatic 220. thats a damn fine mig.....
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03-08-2010, 03:50 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 5,472
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Before I bought my Lincoln 140c three years ago, I really debated the very same thing. The 180c (220v) version was only $150 more.
What tipped the scale for me was mobility. I really wanted to be able to bring it to the cottage, to a friend's house or whatever... and 220V isn't always available there. I went with the 140c (110v) and am really glad I did. I've had a couple situations where bringing the welder TO the task at hand really saved me a ton of time and hassle. And in the past 3 years, I have NEVER had a project where I needed more juice... just more skills and technique. My 110v mig has welded up bodywork, the frame on my 4runner, my old dbl axle trailer, countless homemade tools, brackets & pins for the docks at the cottage, plow mounts for the Suzuki... As for Roll bars, I can't see why a 110v mig wouldn't work great. My machine will burn through 1/4 plate, surely you don't need more juice than that to do a roll bar/cage
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Jake Often wrong, but never in doubt. '81 911 euro SC (bits & pieces) '03 Carrera 4s '97 LX450 / '85 LeCar / '88 Iltis + a whole bunch of boats |
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03-08-2010, 03:59 PM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cridersville, OH
Posts: 1,879
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I agree with Jake. I have access to several 220 welders (I build nascar chassis') and have a 135 Lincoln (110v) at home. Way more welder than what I've ever needed at home. I've even welded 3/8 plate and a complete trailer deck and never had it cycle out.
Mobility is the key and a good 25 ft. extension cord. Yes if I was building car chassis' (more than one a year) or dump truck beds at home I'd have a 220. And yes I have 220 in my garage and have brought home a 220 welder but used my 110 more.
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75 911 Indian Red- RUFWAN2B 2000 Boxster 2000 & 2007 Dobies www.stahlwerks.com Cages and preparation for your Porsche “People who never make mistakes must get tired of doing nothing” Bill : The origin of the orgy of Porsche |
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03-08-2010, 04:19 PM
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Quote:
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A nose heavy airplane flies poorly, a tail heavy plane flies once. |
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03-08-2010, 04:26 PM
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Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
Posts: 2,738
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Quote:
A few of the Miller products will run on 120 & 220 the 120 is reduced output lower duty cycle I would check the Lincoln site for that feature. Don't buy the cheap offshore crap you will dislike welding. Quality equipment makes a big difference with quality and ease. Check out this site for some tips. Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info
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MT 930 1987 930 - Gone but not forgotten A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth - Steve McQueen американский |
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03-08-2010, 04:34 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 5,472
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Quote:
If you get good equipment, you'll find it far easier and more enjoyable. My training consisted of the 20 minute DVD that came with my welder, some youtube videos and the chart that's printed on the side of my welder. That was enough to get me going until I got a feel for it. What a great tool, it has paid for itself so many times.
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Jake Often wrong, but never in doubt. '81 911 euro SC (bits & pieces) '03 Carrera 4s '97 LX450 / '85 LeCar / '88 Iltis + a whole bunch of boats |
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03-08-2010, 04:52 PM
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i want one of those...
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: formerly a grass shack in Hawaii, now Peoria, AZ
Posts: 3,030
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why not best of both worlds? this is what I have:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_211_autoset/
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Jeff '72 911 T Targa widebody VTK #111385 http://www.911vtk.com |
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03-08-2010, 05:45 PM
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I just had to borrow a friend's 110V setup because my 220V didn't have a low enough setting to weld thin sheet metal for my brake cooling ducts. Kept frying right though them on the lowest setting on my 220V.
Now, that's not to say all 220V welders don't have a really low setting, but mine doesn't. The way I figure it though, I'd rather have a welder with a great low end than the the capability to occasionally do really big stuff. If I'm going to need to go more that 5/16" or whatever you can do with the 110V, I might hire a pro 'cause that is some serious chit. Ask yourself what you are more likely to weld...thin sheet metal for your race car, or a massive, structural I-beam for that Waco-style compound you're building? That and, as someone said, the mobility is an issue. Try going to Home Depot and buy a 50' extension cord for your 220V welder.
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1979 911 SC Silver 2002 996 race car 2005 Ford Excursion Last edited by TechnoViking; 03-08-2010 at 06:39 PM.. Reason: spelling |
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03-08-2010, 06:34 PM
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Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
Posts: 2,738
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Quote:
Use .023 Wire for the thin bodywork with 25/75 Gas
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MT 930 1987 930 - Gone but not forgotten A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth - Steve McQueen американский |
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03-08-2010, 07:06 PM
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1980 911 SC
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I bought the Millermatic 140. It was more than enough for welding typical sheetmetal on a porsche. For around the house stuff it'll do just fine. If I was out on a farm welding heavier steel I'd probably get something bigger. If your main use will be for auto body I would go with the 140.
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Life's a Beach |
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03-09-2010, 06:39 AM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,484
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Another vote for the 110 volt welder for the same reasons Jake outlined. It is great to be able to haul mine to the project and not the other way around.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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03-09-2010, 08:11 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Also keep in mind, you can get a cheap stick welder if youre going to be doing heavy stuff later on
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Jake Often wrong, but never in doubt. '81 911 euro SC (bits & pieces) '03 Carrera 4s '97 LX450 / '85 LeCar / '88 Iltis + a whole bunch of boats |
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03-09-2010, 08:31 AM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
1979 Porsche 911SC
2015 
911SC
