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

[ThomasH]

As it is now a search on TBN can only return replies posted by members who do NOT HAVE A 120v MIG. This is a regrettable situation. I can't really understand why this is happening, and it does not serve forum members well.

...

ThomasH, you are mistaken. I'm trying to help others, but the thread is being driven off-topic with a vengeance. Most of the 14 pages is personal insults from (in your words) guys that loathe 120v MIGs.

Wow. I don't have any trouble finding welding threads assuming that the title reflects what I am searching for. I think you confuse a not particularly good search engine with what sounds like you are suggesting that they are filtering out 120v MIG. Take a little time with the search engine before accusing the site admins of conspiring on something that has never even crossed their minds.

I have read the entire thread several times, and I see a fairly small amount of information which might be helpful, with many times more personal insults, almost completely started by you. If you really are trying to help someone, then why not just do that? I have no dog in this hunt, except that I am tired of threads which contain personal insults and aren't particularly helpful. If you think that it is helpful to start off in the very first post referring to a thread that is an argument with you against "the pros", then you are wrong.

Although I have been welding off and on for 40 years, there are a lot of aspects of welding that I consider myself ignorant about, and find quite a bit of information posted on this forum to be helpful or interesting to me, such as in learning about other methods or techniques. Most of the welding that I have done is equipment repair / fab work via stick and some wire. For me, that leaves huge areas that I have not become knowledgeable about, mush less proficient in. If I have something that I think might be helpful, I post it with the caveat that "this has worked for me...". I don't see any point in adding personal attacks to the mix - it just poisons whatever point you think you might be making.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I personally welded a leaf spring bracket to the frame with a miller 135. 7 years ago and I'm still alive, just don't get in a hurry , prepare properly, and make several passes on load bearing items and a 110 welder will do just about all you need it far, by the way normally I would have used my stick for that job but I had a blazer in my barn I couldn't move right then, I also have a millermatic 210 mig I could have used but couldn't get to it! Lol

 

[Sodo]

Wow. I don't have any trouble finding welding threads assuming that the title reflects what I am searching for.

This thread is titled "Welding 3/16" & 1/4" with 120v wire-feed" and easily searchable, but in 14 pages there are perhaps 3 or 4 posts that are on topic and helpful in any way.

I don't see anything going on here but personal insults from a guy that seems to loathe people that help others. If you really are trying to help someone, then why not just do that? I have no dog in this hunt, except that I am tired of threads which contain personal insults and aren't particularly helpful.

Your advice is good but you are as guilty as anyone. :laughing:

I have read the entire thread several times, and I see a fairly small amount of information which might be helpful, with many times more personal insults, almost completely started by you.

">>>>Almost completely started by (Sodo)?" I disagree with that assessment, but 100% agree is it unnecessary.

If you think that it is helpful to start off in the very first post referring to a thread that is an argument with you against "the pros", then you are wrong.

I don't think it would have made any difference at all. With all likelyhood the thread would be driven offtrack immediately anyway. I'm trying to figure out how to get around the silly 120v MIG gag order and at this point it seems like 'we' just need to wear them down. This isn't WeldingWeb, it's a hobby/maintenance forum.

I don't see any point in adding personal attacks to the mix - it just poisons whatever point you think you might be making.

What you wrote is wise, I will try to keep it in mind and hope others can too, you too Thomas.

SO from here on out maybe we can attract members who are interested in "Welding 3/16" & 1/4" with 120v wire-feed"

 

[Arc weld]

Perhaps if the members are interested in a specific application for their welding machine, they should be the ones asking? Again, THIS is a welding forum. It is not specific in nature. I didn't see any rules anywhere that specify it's only for hobby and maintenance welding.

 

[nc redneck]

Back to welding, I just had to remove a loader mount bolt on my Kioti where the head sheared off. Thankfully the bolt was large enough to weld nut on broken stud without preheating. Something I have had to do on smaller bolts. Like 8 mm exhaust manifold on a old 6.0 chevy I owned.
This was done with commercial Miller 220 machine. It could have never been done by a 120 machine regardless of who made it.
120 volt machines don't even like extension cords. They have there place for light portability.
They can not replace a true welding machine. My Miller 220 volt can not weld a D-9 dozer blade correctly, not enough heat or penetration.
I would listen to some of these experienced welders and learn other than argue.
I try to.

 

[Jesse masterson]

Kinda like will a 22 lr kill a grizzley, sure it might, but I wouldn't try it! Not smart in a life death situation.

 

[Reverser]

Kinda like will a 22 lr kill a grizzley, sure it might, but I wouldn't try it! Not smart in a life death situation.

All you need is a sharp stick (to poke his eyes out).

 

[Sodo]

Kinda like will a 22 lr kill a grizzley, sure it might, but I wouldn't try it! Not smart in a life death situation.

Good thing that didnt come from the Arcs - the newbies would all have to carry around a 458 weatherby.

Back to welding
I would listen to some of these experienced welders and learn other than argue.
I try to.

Sounds like you're on the right path (for your situation).

Back to the topic , which is welding within the capabilities of a 120v MIG.

I don't have a D9, and have never done anything but hardface on a Dozer. But if I were welding some 3/16" material (on a D9, of course), My ezperience suggests that I would choose the same settings on 120v as on 220v.

Haven't seen this kind of guidance from the 'experienced' but there appears to be a need for it. Sorry I'm not the right guy to provide it just ther are few others willing.

 

[Fifelaker]

I adjust the machine to the heavier piece and wash the puddle onto the thinner piece. If you adjust to the thinner you will be WAY cold.

 

[Jim in ICT]

Sodo, it looks to me that your welds on the hitch will hold up to anything your ATV would throw at it. A couple of questions on the project - excuse me if these have been asked before, but it's a long thread. Did you consider beveling your joints, and why not go further back with your doubler to give more lateral strength?

Possibly the reason there are few 120V posts on the forum is there may be fewer members with machines of that size and capacity - who knows? Doubtful that's being controlled in one way or another. Seems like that type of activity would be done a forum for professionals only - not saying that it should happen.

On one of your later posts, I think you mentioned that you tried flux cored wire feed and didn't like it, but would rather mig with AR/CO2. If I had the capability of a portable multi-process machine and power generators at my disposal, I'd be all over the chance to learn the process. Granted, flux core welds don't have the visual appeal to mig welds, but the portability would be very attractive to me. Being proficient in the tig/stick process would also be a bonus.

I've used 120V and 230 V machines in all the colors and had my choice of them all when I was ready to own one. My first purchased machine was a MM175, then moved up to a MM250X when I was able to buy one right at an auction. I had access to 230 V service, wanted the extra capacity, knew I could dial it down & change wire if I wanted to weld thinner material. Was just a personal choice. Don't forget, there are a bunch of those Lincoln tombstones still running out there.

I think most of the comments made on this thread were made out of concerns of safety, and that some people may try to weld heavier that their machines are designed to produce. I've always been told the duty cycle on a machine refers to the amount of time within a ten minute span that the machine is being used, not that there's welding for that length of time without stopping. Example: a 40% duty cycle refers to four minutes out of ten, not four minutes without stopping. That can occur, but rarely does.