MIG o TIG for first welder?

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by ThomO

I have a 110v mig from eastwood does everything I need for resto work on cars. I just rent a big arc if I need to do anything heavyduty

I have a 220 mig from Eastwood. I don't know who makes it for them but it has been very reliable and didn't break the bank. I waited until it went on sale and got free shipping... I would recommend it.

[rusnak]

I have a 130 amp Lincoln MIG. The reason I use it is that I can take it out to the field and run it with my generator when stuff breaks down away from the shop.

For big pieces, I angle grind the part to get heat penetration, then pre-heat with a oxy-acetylene torch until cherry red. MIG is on highest setting "4" and then go. I use mostly flux-core when in the field working on rusty farm equipment. So far, this rig has worked really well. I've repaired the box scraper, forklift steering arm, and disc. Everything is still sticking despite heavy use.

[EarlyPorsche]

Wow awesome info all around.

Ok I think MIG it is until I am good.

So now its really 110 v. 220. I will probably want gas instead of flux core just because I prefer the gas to flux.

Getting 220 in the garage will be tough.

So hypothetical situation: on my engine swap I will probably have to make some motor mounts and maybe box a truck frame here and there. Nothing crazy but some of the steel can get thick...and its got to hold. Whats the deal with multiple passes or welding slower at high heat?

[rusnak]

You want heat to penetrate the joint so that you have a completely solid, single piece with no cracks. See if you can get a copy of "Welder's Handbook".

[pksystems]

If you are welding anything thick, you want 220v, or flux. I'd take 220 with gas over flux any day.

How far away is your garage from a power source? I run a 220v extension cord out to the garage when I need to weld.

[rusnak]

hmm...I technically can use 220 on the generator, but that one generator is rather large. I would fork it onto the Kubota RTV, then tow the RTV out to the site.

Permanent 220 might be as close as 400' but as far as a half mile.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Here's what you can do with a little 110 Miller 140 having no idea what you are doing.

[rusnak]

Shaun, looks good as always!

[Bill Douglas]

Wow, good skills there Shaun.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank you but it's all in the tool, I can assure you. I did find that I can weld much better with .024 wire than .025 and certainly .030.

[EarlyPorsche]

So change of plans (sorta)...so many people are saying 220 that I have to assume there is a reason for it. I'm gonna suck it up and just have 220 put in the garage. Shauns work is amazing with the 110 but I guess if I have a 220 I won't have to upgrade in the future. Im gonna start looking at craigslist for 220v gas welders and hopefully with the tanks included.

[bpu699]

Miller has mig welders that do 120 and 220. Diversion series or something like that. Wonderful because you can run it anywhere off 120 or so. And you have 220 if you need it.

Bo

[Don Ro]

Damn good!
.

.
Years ago when I wanted some welding done, I had a friend bring his 120v Lincoln wire-feeder over. I decided to buy one.
For the first 4 hours or so, I welded nails to scrap steel, scrap steel to scrap steel. Even wrote my name on a piece of flat iron.
By the end of that time I got decent...and trusted myself enough to weld for myself. I got better and better in time.
.
Good luck, EP...perfect practice makes for a perfect job.

[berettafan]

110 is sheet metal welding. Unibody cars like 911s are good uses for 110. I did my front pan with my 110 Miller and it was prefect. But to do it again I'd definitely go 220 and possibly even tig as I now have aluminum projects i would like to do.

Tig is HARD though. It's a serious skill IMO.

Gas is a must.

[john70t]

As mentioned above, 110V doesn't have the penetration for the big stuff.
Only 1/16"-1/8" max.
It can be tricky, and needs tweaking and grinding.

I sometimes compensate by grinding a v-groove, then fill in layers as hot as possible.
Or add reinforcement with a structural topper plate.

For most small stuff 110V is fine for now, but someday I'm hoping to run 220V to the garage as well.

[berettafan]

Btw stick welding is fun for heavy stuff too.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by berettafan

110 is sheet metal welding.

No, it's not. See above.

[wdfifteen]

You don't learn much about welding with a MIG, but you can get a lot done with one. You really need a TIG or a gas welder to learn the art of joining metal.

[berettafan]

Agreed. Mig can be used like a hot glue gun but tig is art.

[johnco]

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

I have a 220 mig from Eastwood. I don't know who makes it for them but it has been very reliable and didn't break the bank. I waited until it went on sale and got free shipping... I would recommend it.

bought the eastwood 220v mig last year. lucked out and got the 220v mig and plasma cutter on sale both for $799. mig came with free spool gun for welding aluminum. that sale lasted maybe 2 days. happy with the both of them.