Welding 3/16" & 1/4" with 120v wire-feed

[Sodo]

Weldermike, those are nice welds. You are an artist. However I'm not convinced you know about actual weld strength, or structure though, and what welds will bust (like a farmer would for example). Do you build stuff for yourself? Projects & repairs etc?

I guess some just like punishment.:confused3: This is a non thread. A Multi-Matic 200 is a $2000 machine!:shocked: Comparing it to the $199 specials isn't even close. Myself, for $2000 plus the cost of two Honda inverter generators could come up with a much better welding and/or generating set up for less money.

Is it possible that definition of "non thread" is a welding thread that "the Arcs" are not able to control?

Anyway I highly doubt that the generating setup you could envision, would be as quiet and easy to use for other stuff as having a pair of Hondas around. And you don't do "projects", you'd have to check with someone who does (to offer real advice). I will admit that the Miller salesman 'got me' but that's his job and he did it well but I'm still happy with the welder because it will do stick too (and TIG with more $$) and it's easy to throw it in the truck.

I'm not sure doing a groove weld on a 3/8" test plate is a definitive test for a 120 volt MIG. Groove welds by design make full penetration easier to achieve. I think a fillet weld break test would give a better idea of what it's limits are.

This is because a groove weld on 3/8" test plate will pass the bend test. Thank you for admitting it, I know it was difficult.

You could have written: (as a welding expert on a hobby/maintenance welding forum) "If you encounter occasional 3/8" thick welding tasks, a 120v MIG can do the job by compensating with a groove, or multi-pass whereas with a larger machine, this may not be necessary.

I don't think there are many people that will tell you a 110 mig is not worth having and they are fine IMO for 3/16 and down light duty cycles. However, when someone says 'what welder should I buy' and this being a tractor forum I assume the welder will also be used to repair things like tractors and implements. If you are going to buy one welder and will weld 1/4" and up you are doing yourself a disservice buying a 120v only machine. So I'm going to say it-if you are only going to buy one welder don't buy a 120v.

I would change that a little to say, if you already have a larger MIG, don't bother buying a 120v MIG. Also note that "duty cycles" is only for pro welding. Nobody would setup a pro, and have a fitter preparing welds for a pro with a 120v welder. Duty cycle is irrelevant.

If you already have a stick welder, a 120v MIG can become your favorite tool for any repair or project 1/4" and less. If you buy a 120/240v MIG, such as a miller211, you might never use that stick welder again.

 

[weldermike]

Weldermike, those are nice welds. You are an artist. However I'm not convinced you know about actual weld strength, or structure though, and what welds will bust (like a farmer would for example). Do you build stuff for yourself? Projects & repairs etc?

Is it possible that definition of "non thread" is a welding thread that "the Arcs" are not able to control?

Anyway I highly doubt that the generating setup you could envision, would be as quiet and easy to use for other stuff as having a pair of Hondas around. And you don't do "projects", you'd have to check with someone who does (to offer real advice). I will admit that the Miller salesman 'got me' but that's his job and he did it well but I'm still happy with the welder because it will do stick too (and TIG with more $$) and it's easy to throw it in the truck.

This is because a groove weld on 3/8" test plate will pass the bend test. Thank you for admitting it, I know it was difficult.

Let could have written: (as a welding expert on a hobby/maintenance welding forum) "If you encounter occasional 3/8" thick welding tasks, a 120v MIG can do the job. With a larger machine, a groove may not be necessary. For example a 2" weld is very easy to accommodate for any welder.

I would change that a little to say, if you already have a larger MIG, don't bother buying a 120v MIG. Also you mention "duty cycles" this is only for pro welding, nobody would setup a pro, and have a fitter preparing welds for a pro - on 120v.

If you already have a stick welder, a 120v MIG can become your favorite tool for any repair or project 1/4" and less.

Thank you. I build for a living, my job title is welder/blacksmith and i repair and rebuild heavy equipment through Boilermakers local 5, and also run a small welding and fabrication shop for my self that is geared towards race cars, motorcycles and farm equipment. All i do is fabricate and build.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Nice ride Mike!! :thumbsup::applause:

I don't believe I've seen that pic on the other site - now my Road King is looking at me all nervous like "what? I'm still good right?" :laughing:

 

[mikehaugen]

Nice ride Mike!! :thumbsup::applause:

I don't believe I've seen that pic on the other site - now my Road King is looking at me all nervous like "what? I'm still good right?" :laughing:

So that notorious "marking it's territory" thing with Harleys is even more pronounced now? :laughing:

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

So that notorious "marking it's territory" thing with Harleys is even more pronounced now? :laughing:

HAHAH!! That gave me a good laugh!!

 

[weldermike]

Nice ride Mike!! :thumbsup::applause:

I don't believe I've seen that pic on the other site - now my Road King is looking at me all nervous like "what? I'm still good right?" :laughing:

Thank you Dave. I put a lot of hours into that one. Minus the motor, tranny, part of the frame and some of the front end i hand fabbed everything as a one off. Tons of hrs.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Thank you Dave. I put a lot of hours into that one. Minus the motor, tranny, part of the frame and some of the front end i hand fabbed everything as a one off. Tons of hrs.

The hours definitely show Mike - Puts all my typical redneck dirty work to shame bud

...now I want to go ride somewhere LOL

 

[Sodo]

Thank you. I build for a living, my job title is welder/blacksmith and i repair and rebuild heavy equipment through Boilermakers local 5, and also run a small welding and fabrication shop for my self that is geared towards race cars, motorcycles and farm equipment. All i do is fabricate and build.

OK then can you tell me where this is going to fail, and what situation might fail it? It' has a large fillet on the backside too, so each of those supports has 4 inches of weld.

Undercut and sloppy means the equipment comes home still hanging. Cold lap means shlt is gone, on the highway, in a field, on someones head, or breaks off the back of a atv going up hill and crashes into your son with a pole saw hanging out of it that was following you. They serve a purpose no doubt, but just not for what most people believe. Dont be so quick on judging comments or advise.

Are you talkinng 'in general' or referring directly to this 120v MIG project that everyones seen pics of. If direct, can you give an expert assessment where it's going to fail?

 

[weldermike]

Nah bud, i think you were just getting ticked off and swatting at everyone. I was speaking in general to everyone with the undercut/coldlap deal. And my "ONLY" gripe was that ground up weld on the base of the hitchball. I didnt have a clue that you didnt weld it till you mentioned it, so all is squared away with that lol.

I argued with someone a short while ago that you couldnt weld 1/4 aluminum with a 180a machine. He fought me to death till i proved results. Point being....i can do it, just as you pulled off quality results with your thread. Just not good practice for newbies that say.....yo, soto says its good im going for it! You know what your doing, and have experience and know how to manipulate the job at hand and make it work for you. Most people dont and only hear what they wanna hear and run with it. Thats all bud, all good hear, and didnt want a battle, but im a hard headed bastard myself and embrace it lol. Cheers brother!

 

[brain55]

Point being....i can do it, just as you pulled off quality results with your thread. Just not good practice for newbies that say.....yo, soto says its good im going for it! You know what your doing, and have experience and know how to manipulate the job at hand and make it work for you. Most people dont and only hear what they wanna hear and run with it. Thats all bud, all good hear, and didnt want a battle, but im a hard headed bastard myself and embrace it lol. Cheers brother!

I think this sums it up. Being in the tractor repair business this is what I see. The neighbor gets a little 120v wire feed. My customer says "hey can you weld this?", "sure" says the now professional welder. Now I'm out repairing the bird crap welds that lasted until the first time my customer used their machine. It's not that the machine isn't capable if used within its limitations, it's the wannabe welder that thinks that because he has a welder he can weld.

Brian