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

[Shield Arc]

Lots left for me to learn in this field - I'll keep after it :wave:

Dave it's a never ending process in this trade. I learn from you, and numerous others here, and WeldingWeb.:cool2:

 

[Reverser]

You have to realize that alot of farmers only have a $200 welder because that's what a lincoln stick welder cost. Many many many times a mig just wont burn hot or deep enough to get the job done, yes even 220v MIG's. MIG's are a bit picky when welding crap encrusted steel, whereas a stick it don't matter. I have all 3 kinds 110 lincoln 140 pro, and older Miller 220 and a lincoln stick. To be honest I weld with tthe stick more often than not because the penetration seems to be better. There is a welder for every job, I will even use my 140 pro with innershield to weld 1/4" all day and think nothing about it.

Yep! Those old 220v buzzboxes are cheap, powerful and so darn reliable. There ought to be a law against a farmer getting by so cheaply. :laughing:

When you break the frame on your old rusty buck rake, you just go in the barn, shoo the rooster off the old buzzbox, look to make sure there's no spiders hiding in the stinger handle. Flip on the switch and wait for the dust to settle.
Then you put a 6011 rod in, take your glove and knock most of the old dried horse manure off the broken piece, and weld 'er up.

Ah, ain't nothing like the smell of burnt horse manure in the morning.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Dave it's a never ending process in this trade. I learn from you, and numerous others here, and WeldingWeb.:cool2:

That's exactly what I like these websites for - no telling what new thing I pick up each day that makes things easier for me, and the next guy I pass it to Good chance anything you picked up from me I already stole from someone else! LOL

"Never ending process" - ain't that the truth! Sometimes I wish I could just weld 500 of the same thing sometime.
In my head when someone brings me the next new thing to build or fix, my brain goes "Good Lord! Another thing I've never done!" :laughing:

 

[haveissues]

"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."

I would change that a little to say "duty cycles is irrelevant if you only plan on doing 6" welds like me". My Lincoln 140 will lay down a 4 or 5 inch bead once it is warmed up and then force a 5 minute cool down with the settings cranked. If I have several feet of welding to do, needing multiple passes, having to wait 5 minutes to cool down is a bit useless.

Also, I'm not sure what is up with the attack on this forums welders? These guys reply often and with good advice. I'm guessing they are about as threatened by a homeowner with a welder as the guy down the road with the peterbilt was when I bought a new pickup.

 

[haveissues]

:hissyfit:

 

[Sodo]

I would change that a little to say "duty cycles is irrelevant if you only plan on doing 6" welds like me". My Lincoln 140 will lay down a 4 or 5 inch bead once it is warmed up and then force a 5 minute cool down with the settings cranked. If I have several feet of welding to do, needing multiple passes, having to wait 5 minutes to cool down is a bit useless.

Only when you more than a couple 4 or 5 inch beads doesn't sound like much of a problem, useless is a pretty strong word. I have never used a Lincoln 140 though, if I was hitting the duty cycle limits often that's a sure indication you need a more robust unit. Wait was this once? Well congratulations are in order then! :cool2:

I have never had my Hobart or Miller shut down over a period of 20 years. From that I can conclude that duty cycle is irrelevant for a hobby maintenance welder. I'm not sure if I recall 4 or 5" beads on anything I do. Normally I skip a section if its that long. Mostly I weld sq. tubing and angle iron, and the biggest is dimension across the rectangle being is about 2" sometimes 3" or a longer diagonal. If it ever happens it probably won't happen again for a few years.

If it happens often yeah you need bigger eqpt but at least now you know. For me duty cycle has never shut me down and if it did I could cut & fit somewhere else on the project..

Also, I'm not sure what is up with the attack on this forums welders? These guys reply often and with good advice. I'm guessing they are about as threatened by a homeowner with a welder as the guy down the road with the peterbilt was when I bought a new pickup.

Its not an attack, it's just standing ground.

I suppose "the welders" often have good advice, but they clearly have little or no experience with 120v MIGs (note thread title Welding 3/16" & 1/4" with 120v wire-feed) yet are compelled to offer advice without basis.

If you want an analogy it's like when you already have an F150 that suits you well. Then your Peterbilt neighbor says you shoulda bought a 350 because he has a big truck. You can't carry pounds that you didn't buy etc etc etc all the while people are doing great with F150s. I bet that happens on the truck forums too.

 

[nc redneck]

What if poster took same project turned it upside down and it tight quarters where vision and access is very limited. Also only acetylene or stick welder to use. The results would be very different.
True welders can do it and it is amazing what they can do.
I have not stick or acetylene welded in years it separates the talkers from the welders very quickly, oh and also do it upside down.
Scott

 

[brain55]

It's interesting that Sodo (his welds or his machine) feels attacked. I post some of the things I weld here because I think they're interesting, or sometimes for advice. I weld, but will be the first to admit I'm not a welder. I'm a mobile equipment mechanic. My profession nearly forces me to weld, if I didn't I'd be leaving money on the table. I have never once felt attacked and have received compliments and suggestions from the "Arcs" (typing that makes me chuckle) which humble me. I'm not usually in the position after the fact to correct what I have done, but I file it for future use. I can only imagine the outcome if I had attempted the repairs or fabrication I have brought here with a 110v wire feeder. I likely would be shopping for the right equipment now. But I was never delusioned about my abilities vs an inadequate machine for my use. I truly believe that the right machine can make an intermediate talent look good, and the wrong machine, not so much.

Brian

Oh and I absolutely take pictures of my best welds from the best angles if I'm looking for compliments.

 

[Sodo]

WOW! You convinced me. I seen your pictures earlier, so I ran out to Wal-Mart thank God they are open 24-hours, and bought myself a 120-volt Mig machine. Headed out to the shop now to play with it, will report back later with the results.:laughing:

WOW! OK I can see I'm out gunned here with you and Sodo's vast welding knowledge. You two field all the welding question here for a while.

I guess some just like punishment.:confused3: This is a non thread.

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It's interesting that Sodo (his welds or his machine) feels attacked.

Yeah that's strange isn't it, Sodo must have some thin skin. :laughing: Geez you guys, let me repeat some wise words above "GIVE IT A REST".

Why can't the subject remain on the title "Welding 3/16" & 1/4" with 120v wire-feed". There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this 120v weld on 3/16 and 1/4" steel.

 

[haveissues]

You repeat over and over the title of your thread but you are ignoring your first paragraph.

"There seems to be considerable debate whether a 120v wire welder is worth having. I don't understand why this debate needs to happen. I suspect it's one of those situations where pros don't want the homeowner doing "their job". But it's NOT their job - it's NOT pro welding, it's just welding in a garage, it's making stuff, which people like to do."

That first paragraph set the tone by saying those dastardly welders are conspiring against you out of fear for their jobs. I'm guessing most of them wouldn't go hungry if those bread and butter push mower repair jobs stopped coming in to the shop. You started a negative thread and now you are surprised you got one?