Do I need to get a 220v mig

[jpsaf8geusa]

Great feedback! Thank you so much.

- When I have to do this again I will try the preheat. It is a good tip. I was actually doing the opposite. I was waiting for the metal to cool down between segments.

- I will get a new ground clamp, cheap insurance.

- removing the cup, would never have thought about that.

- I did clean the metal.

- I got the job done but I as soon I get time I want to practice some these tips.

Again thanks for the help.

 

[jpsaf8geusa]

Like everyone is saying, clean is best, and like said flip the polarity for flux core.

I have a Titanium MIG 175 set up with .035" Lincoln flux core right now on 220V and it welds great following the chart on the door, but I haven't used it for 1/4 and checked penetration yet... For heavy welding my go to is my AC/DC Century stick welder on DC with 7018 1/8" rod, but 6011 is close behind, I have a gross of both...

My nephew keeps nagging me to get on the stick welder! I guess I better get practicing. Thanks.

 

[Sonny580]

My century 200 is a 220-v machine and it does great for a wire welder----I am not a fan of wire and use my Lincoln 225 ac stick welder for the important stuff. All of my welding is rusty iron so for the most part wire is out, but I do play with the wire and can get decent welds with it, just gotta waste a lot of time grinding the rust off the iron first.
220-v welders are the best.

 

[fried1765]

I might look at a Hobart 190 or 210 at TSC if you are looking for MIG. If your bucket is heavy not garden tractor size then I think I would want to stick weld it. A stick welder and a Miller 140 would be a good combo. I have not been happy with my Harbor Freight purchases.

The Hobart Handler 190 is 1,000% better than the HF MIG stuff.
Then too: If the Hobart should ever break, (it won't) you can get it fixed.

 

[shaeff]

The Hobart 190 is 1,000% better than the HF MIG stuff.
Then too: If the Hobart should break, you can get it fixed.

I've got an older Hobart Handler (LOL) 210A unit from a few years before they came out with the MVP (multi-voltage plug). It's a fantastic machine and I love it. I laugh about the "handler" part of it because it's bulky and it's gotta be all of 80lbs which makes it awkward if you actually need to carry it anywhere.

I've had it for years, countless large spools of wire, it's been dropped, bumped, kicked, stuff fell on it, grinder shavings slung all over it, plasma sparks blown all over it. Never gave me a single issue. One thing I'll suggest, get the 20ft MIG gun for ANY wire feed welder. You'll thank me later. And ALWAYS upgrade the crap ground clamp.

I use one called the Ground Hog. It's a bit of a pain, but it's provided me with an absolutely solid ground point every time I've used it. Edit: Mine's the vice-grip style:
Grounding Clamps - Strong Hand Tools

 

[Industrial Toys]

Actualy some very critical guy tore apart a HF mig and was quite amazed that it was not as junky as he had predicted.

My feeling. 110 volt flux core migs are just for light sheet metal work. If there isn't penetration, it's not a weld but just what one Scottish welder I knew who made Stainless boats called SNOT.

 

[metalbender]

Upgraded from a Lincoln 180c to a Lincoln 210mp. Best of both worlds. Plenty of grunt in mig mode for decent welds, plus the stick for burning some serious rod. Haven't used the Dynasty in stick mode since the purchase.

 

[STERLING351]

So I have a couple different machines (MIG, Stick, TIG) I recently bought a new HF Vulcan MigMax 215 and actually like the machine.I mostly run it for fluxcore. It is light and easy to move and welds nicely. My biggest complaint is that the knobs and carry handle are what feel like cheap plastic. But overall it has served my needs and allows both 240v and 120v operation. And it is much lighter than my Hobart!

 

[Smokeydog]

Bought a miller 211 MIG auto set 10years ago, no regrets. Three buddies bought the same after trying out. Novice to professional like these. I need all the help I can get. Makes me look like I know what I’m doing.

 

[aczlan]

I bought a HF 110v stick welder and it was absolute garbage. Would stick constantly. Gave it to a buddy who also hated it and tossed it. Have a Lincoln HD125 gasless wire feed and do 3/8 all day long on 15a 110v.

Harbor freight has some great ****. I have all their sockets, wrenches, and even their 70lb hammer. But their welders, not so much.

Out of curiosity, did you try a different roll of wire in it? Apparently there was a batch of them that were shipped out with wire that was garbage and that caused a lot of them to have issues very much like you're describing.

Aaron Z