roadhunter
Elite Member
Oh yea. I've got a little maxstar 150 that will burn 3/32 rod plugged into 120. I used to have a little thermal arc dragster 85 that was lots of fun with 1/16" rod.
120V MIG welders.
- Thread starter Mark @ Everlast
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Oh yea. I've got a little maxstar 150 that will burn 3/32 rod plugged into 120. I used to have a little thermal arc dragster 85 that was lots of fun with 1/16" rod.
Shield Arc
Super Member
That is so strange:confused3:! Something must have been wrong with it from the factory. I have one, used it to weld this bridge together. Ran 5/32-inch 7018 all day long, never once shut down.:cool2:
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Underdog57
Veteran Member
Now that really made me Laugh!!!! :laughing:
paulharvey
Veteran Member
Many of the 120 volt arc welders have really "ambitious" amperages. I just don't see how they are getting 120 amps out of them, (the transformers). The Everlast 140, and similar, I don't understand as well, so I guess they seem more possible to me. I think they might be rating them with 30 amp 120 volt; which is fine, easy enough to change to 30 amp set up; but your expecting to pull 120 amps+ out of the standard outlet; probably gonna be disappointed.
Anyway, all I'm really saying is you can Definitely hit the 10% duty cycle on these machines.
If I had my choice of "consumer grade" machines and didn't have to pay for them; I would take a big AC/DC 240 volt Stickmate and something along the lines of the Hobart-140. Then you have thin and portable covered as well as thick and heavy.
Anyway, all I'm really saying is you can Definitely hit the 10% duty cycle on these machines.
If I had my choice of "consumer grade" machines and didn't have to pay for them; I would take a big AC/DC 240 volt Stickmate and something along the lines of the Hobart-140. Then you have thin and portable covered as well as thick and heavy.
Scooby074
Super Member
Ive abused the living crap out of my Miller 130xp and only ever hit the overheat once. Like a timex it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Off the top of my head I dont know what the DC is, but its never came into play in practice.
MinnesotaDaveChalmers
Platinum Member
I'll second the praise on the miller maxstar 150s - mine burns rods nice on 120v and 240v.
If you get interested in them, the ESAB equivalent is much much cheaper.
Since you keep bringing it up, I'm puzzled by your constant assertion that 120v migs don't reach overheat when used.
The reason I bought my millermatic 210 mig is my small one kept getting hot and sputtering during longer sessions forcing me to switch back to stick to keep working. The mig did not have an over-temp shut off.
One day I got pissed at it too many times and drove to town with the checkbook...
My brother's miller 130 mig would get hot and/or kick breakers so much he sold it after a year - he's now buying a larger one (really he wants to buy mine actually and wants me to buy the miller 250 - lol).
Just my experiences, not the same for everyone.
To be fair - I'm very impatient when it comes to working and rarely slow down for any reason once I'm welding - so machines get the brunt of it.
Edit: I forgot to add, I'm very interested in the new inverter migs coming out - I think they will get more welding power out of a 120v plug.
paulharvey
Veteran Member
So, back to the original basis oof the thread; I look forward to seeing Everlast 140 MiG videos. It's been years since I tried mig, and at the time, I didn't much like it, but I didn't give it much of a chance.
rankrank1
Platinum Member
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Nothing to fret when it comes to paying for them: A decent 115 volt wire feeder and decent 240 volt stick welder gives one a pretty darned decent welding arsenal especially in relation to the minimal dollars spent.
Nice tractor choice by the way (wonder where I have seen one of those....)
Sodo
Elite Member
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By the way I do like your George Bernard Shaw quote.
Sodo "constantly asserts 120v MIGs don't reach overheat when used"? No Dave, that is your own creation. I never wrote that and never would write it. I wrote that my Miller 135 has never shut down, never thrown a breaker.
I am "polling" for some firsthand experience. I'd like to know whether it's internet legend, hearsay, department store welders, or good old "TRUTH". WHERE does this internet wisdom come from? So far I've come across no firsthand experience (with detail, settings, welder brands, timeframe etc). I've not seen a single 'experience' with enough crucial details to be usable for any "conclusion". Consequently my own experience (of never had the 135 shut down) stands out as pretty good info.
I have never tried my Miller 135 on a 15A circuit, only 20A. 15A may supply a lower setting, but blowing a 15A breaker sounds inevitable when the MFR specifies 20A.
And of course now we're off on a different topic, "120v Stick", which is a totally different animal. Do people still buy these now that great MIGs exist (since the '90s)?
As far as a 120v stick? 3/32" does sound like an upper limit. I recall welding with 3/32 and was no fun getting it struck. Even maintaining the arc with the flex of the (full length) electrode it was very difficult to control. Due to the flex you couldn't really feel the flux touching the workpiece. I recall burning 1/3 off the rod on scrap befor moving over to a critical weld on the workpiece. (this is 35 years ago!) I can't see any reason to use a 3/32 stick if there's a decent MIG nearby. I would try 3/32" stick again for nostalgia sake though. Maybe soon!
Sodo "constantly asserts 120v MIGs don't reach overheat when used"? No Dave, that is your own creation. I never wrote that and never would write it. I wrote that my Miller 135 has never shut down, never thrown a breaker.
I am "polling" for some firsthand experience. I'd like to know whether it's internet legend, hearsay, department store welders, or good old "TRUTH". WHERE does this internet wisdom come from? So far I've come across no firsthand experience (with detail, settings, welder brands, timeframe etc). I've not seen a single 'experience' with enough crucial details to be usable for any "conclusion". Consequently my own experience (of never had the 135 shut down) stands out as pretty good info.
I have never tried my Miller 135 on a 15A circuit, only 20A. 15A may supply a lower setting, but blowing a 15A breaker sounds inevitable when the MFR specifies 20A.
And of course now we're off on a different topic, "120v Stick", which is a totally different animal. Do people still buy these now that great MIGs exist (since the '90s)?
As far as a 120v stick? 3/32" does sound like an upper limit. I recall welding with 3/32 and was no fun getting it struck. Even maintaining the arc with the flex of the (full length) electrode it was very difficult to control. Due to the flex you couldn't really feel the flux touching the workpiece. I recall burning 1/3 off the rod on scrap befor moving over to a critical weld on the workpiece. (this is 35 years ago!) I can't see any reason to use a 3/32 stick if there's a decent MIG nearby. I would try 3/32" stick again for nostalgia sake though. Maybe soon!
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paulharvey
Veteran Member
That's a whole different argument Mig vs Stick. I prefer stick, but that's what I learned on. I've tried mig, but only once, and it didn't feel natural to me. I may get one in the future, but there doesn't seem to be nearly the number of used Migs for sale as there used Stick.