How to transition to MIG?

[searcyfarms]

FYI - there is a big difference between a Red Lincoln AC buzzer and a Red Lincoln Tombstone AC/DC unit for sure. Anything DC will weld better most all the time hands down.

i love mig for pretty but for down n dirty farm stuff so you can get back to work with cobbled up old rusty crap bring on the stick

 

[Big Barn]

FYI -

i love mig for pretty but for down n dirty farm stuff so you can get back to work with cobbled up old rusty crap bring on the stick

Agreed

 

[crazyal]

Have you thought about a machine that's capable of doing more than one type of welding? I have a Lincoln powermig 255 and it does everything I want as far as mig welding goes. But there are times when I would like to do tig welding. If I had to do it again I think I would find something that can do AC TIG welding and think of it as a machine I would never have to upgrade. You'll spend more but you're not going to say 5 years from now I want to be able to weld Aluminum (which a spool gun for a mig will allow you to do but not was well as a tig).

You will want a mig that has shielding gas. Flux core is fine in some cases but you can't easily make multiple passes without stopping.

 

[BigBlue1]

Mine is the AC only Lincoln.

I can do semi-decent welds in good conditions but sometimes, especially interior right angles I just can't get the settings and technique right with stick. The picture of the hydraulic cylinder bracket below is an example of the bad stuff. The other part is something I was practicing on.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Have you thought about a machine that's capable of doing more than one type of welding? I have a Lincoln powermig 255 and it does everything I want as far as mig welding goes. But there are times when I would like to do tig welding. If I had to do it again I think I would find something that can do AC TIG welding and think of it as a machine I would never have to upgrade. You'll spend more but you're not going to say 5 years from now I want to be able to weld Aluminum (which a spool gun for a mig will allow you to do but not was well as a tig).

You will want a mig that has shielding gas. Flux core is fine in some cases but you can't easily make multiple passes without stopping.

This thread really isn't about choosing a machine. I'm mainly looking to understand what the knowledge and technique info I would need to MIG weld, as compared to stick welding. As some have pointed out, wire speeds, voltages, rusty parts, wind, etc. are all factors with MIG that aren't the same as stick. Going to try to watch some youtube videos one of these evenings.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[WranglerX]

It seems as thought the Hobart Handler 190 MIG (220V only) might be a more cost effective option for the OP.
TSC lists it at $649.99, and it is a great machine.
Lots of very poisitive reviews!

True... BUt the 210 MPV gives you a portability to where 240VAC may not be available...

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Here is quick and easy video to solve most any issues you may have IF you decide to go MIG... Or if you need some help understanding some of the processes

How NOT TO Weld: Most Common MIG Welding Mistakes - YouTube

Dale

 

[ovrszd]

FYI - there is a big difference between a Red Lincoln AC buzzer and a Red Lincoln Tombstone AC/DC unit for sure. Anything DC will weld better most all the time hands down.

i love mig for pretty but for down n dirty farm stuff so you can get back to work with cobbled up old rusty crap bring on the stick

Yes. Very big difference.

 

[Stimw]

At a company that I used to work I talked the owner into buying a 250 class MIG. All they had was a couple stick machines.
A week or so later first thing in the morning the foreman calls the owner over and announces "that thing is a piece of junk!" as he pointed to some bird poop globs on a piece of metal that he tried to weld.
I casually turned the machine on, picked up the torch and with my hand shielding my eyes (not even looking) I ran about a 2" bead that was near perfect looking!
I then announced You have to turn the gas on!!!
If he would have just ask me what was wrong I would have showed him but when he tried to make a scene game over!
I have had a MM210 for 20 years, 6 years ago the board went out and I had to have a welder right then in my business so I bought a Hobart 190.
The 190 does such a great job I still haven't fixed the 210!
Back about 1971 I got to use a MIG for the first time after using stick for a few years.
It took me about 15 minutes to get the hang of it. I would compare it to using a caulking gun, it's that easy to weld with.

 

[s219]

I started stick welding in high school and can't say I ever fell in love with it. I got a mig a couple years ago and I only use flux-core wire with it (it is gas capable, but never set that up). It's super easy to use and has worked out well. I'd say it is an easy transition and you might not want to go back to stick (but I suppose it has its place).