Anyone use or have one of these?

[toy]

Ok, all you pro welders out there. I'm sure you’re going to snicker, and I know it's a weak sister, but I have read it will weld up to 3mm steel if you go slowly maybe even 4 if you make up to 3 passes. I'm guessing 12% duty cycle means about a minute at a time before you have to shut it down to cool off ??

Has anyone bought one and what can be done with it? The price is right for a quick starter and some practice. I have a few attachments I want to make one being a grapple. I've already started working on the grapple using scrap metal that has some welding already done to it. I may not even need a welder to complete it, but I think it's time I bought a welder of some sort so I can start practicing for future projects

I don’t have 230 wired into my garage as of yet. What you say? Could I get any kind of practical use out of a 90 amp? Thanks Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I'm not a pro welder no where close but several years ago I asked a pro welder[my older brother] what he thought about one of the small flux core welders, the one that I was talking about was 70 amps, he advised get a larger one which was not what I wanted to hear. Regretably, I didn't listen and bought the small one which was also an off brand one I can't find parts for it since no one in the area handles them. It said in the manual with it that I could change it to mig but they didn't say anything about how expensive that would be, I now have an elcheapo that cost as much as one of the brand name larger ones. I still have it and it serves to remind me to check prices and take time to think about it a while before buying. When I innitually bought it I paid more than half the price of a larger one that came with the gauges and all that was necessary to hook it up for mig, except for the tank. If I had bought the larger one at first I could have saved over 30% on the rout I took because I wouldn't have to have paid the price for the cheaper one, I hope I'm making sense. When I was going to buy a stick welder I asked his advice on a lincoln tombstone welder , he said it was a good welder but he advised to get an ac/dc one. The ac one cost $249 I looked at the ac/dc one it cost $449 aproximate price, I took his advice and paid the additional $200 and got the ac/dc one, I'm glad I did. If I had bought the ac one first for $249 then tried his ac/dc one and liked it I would have had $249 plus the $449 that would have made me investing $698 for the welder I then could have sold the ac one for half what I had in it which would have brought the price back to $600 total investment in getting a welder that I was pleased with, but the way I did it I paid the $449 to start with and saved quite a bit. That being said I do know budget restraints can dictate to get the cheaper one and you settle for that. When I bought the cheaper flux cored welder my thoughts was I could get the cheaper one and have money left over to buy another tool, maybe someone else has made a decision using that train of thought and later regretted it.

 

[Barryh]

No, it ran on 220 volts. I did not weld 1/2 inch steel. I guess you could keep making passes and weld any thickness. I routinely welded 1/4 inch or a little thicker.

With gas you do not have to clean off the flux on the weld after welding. I think you are OK with the flux. You can still do serious welding with flux, although I have no experience with it.

I usually ran a step or two below full capacity so I think 90 amps will be OK. Just slower. Buy a unit and practice. If you really get into it you can spend more and you only lost $100. You can probably sell the old unit for something, so maybe not even that much. I think my welder originally sold for $1200, plus you had to get guages and a tank. So this is a huge step up.

Many people recommend that you take a class at a community college. I did not, but I have read a couple of books. Try "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch. Lowe's sells it and others too. I recommend it. Do this before you buy a welder. They have a 125 amp welder pictured that runs on 120 volts, but I don't know the current of the 120 volts circuit, but it says household current.

Hmmm they must have several units, the one I was looking at was also a Lincoln 135 and said 120 volt for around 540.00. Well maybe like Toy said, I should wait and think about it for a while longer. There is also this unit which looks like a nice compromise for the money. What do you think of this setup? Northern Industrial MIG Welder — 115 Volt, 22–135 Amp, Model# MIG 135 | Wirefeed Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Barryh]

First, I bought a used Lincoln AC/DC 220 for $100 on Craigs List. I know it is not Mig, but it works, and works really, well.

Second, I don't have time for classes (it is not that I don't have time, I just usually only get 24 hour notice before I start to work these days, so spending money on a class is not great). My friends have given me a few pointers, but I went and bought the DVD's from Northern Tool on welding and I have to say they are really good. Combined with friends and time and patience, I think they were a really great purchase.

Carl

Yes, I have found many great deals on Craigs list. Also sold a few things there, after you weed through all of the scammers that seem to come knocking.

 

[ponytug]

Carl,
There is a whole video library of technical how to rentals available from Technical Video Rentals. Here is the link to the welding DVDs;

It comes highly recommended, but I have never viewed them.

All the best,

Peter

 

[J_J]

Ok, all you pro welders out there. I'm sure you’re going to snicker, and I know it's a weak sister, but I have read it will weld up to 3mm steel if you go slowly maybe even 4 if you make up to 3 passes. I'm guessing 12% duty cycle means about a minute at a time before you have to shut it down to cool off ??

Has anyone bought one and what can be done with it? The price is right for a quick starter and some practice. I have a few attachments I want to make one being a grapple. I've already started working on the grapple using scrap metal that has some welding already done to it. I may not even need a welder to complete it, but I think it's time I bought a welder of some sort so I can start practicing for future projects

I don’t have 230 wired into my garage as of yet. What you say? Could I get any kind of practical use out of a 90 amp? Thanks Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Barry,

I have read some of the other replies, and I disagree with some of them. When someone says that it's good enough to get by, is leading you down the path, of, I wish I would have purchased the big one. Why, you say, I and many others have been down that road, and it is a waste of good money.
Like some of the others, I started out with the 225 Lincoln buzz box, and I learned somewhat. I then went to one of those cheap mig welders, and it did not hold up. What I have now is the Lincoln 175 PLUS, with variable voltage/amps, and variable wire speed. Some choose MIG over FLUX. Most machines will do both. They both have their place. MIG with say Stargon gas , will let you do some decent welding. MIG will let you weld very thin metal. FLUX will not do as well on thin stock.. Flux can well thicker metal on a single pass, with lots of smoke. . Some like the MIG because of almost no spatter, and slag to scrape off. However, if you use CO2, you will have some spatter. I would recommend that if you have the bucks, or a credit card, go for the Lincoln or Miller, something around the Lincoln 180. Sure it is a large investment up front, plus the gas, and I would recommend that you purchased the tanks. Automatic welding helmets are a good investment, If they ever fail, they will only go to a number 4. I check mine by looking off to the side when striking an arc. I did the rental thing for a long time. Big mistake. Most people starting up welding think they can get by, with bare minimums. I would also take that welding class or have a good friend show and tell you the complete story. On the subject of parts, and repair, this is another reason to get a name brand welder. Within 30 min, I can find about 4 welding supply places for parts, and answer questions. If you don't have 230 volts, that is a must for the larger welders. It is worth the cost. If you get the best up front, you probably will not hear yourself saying I wish I would have bought the other one. I am not an expert, but still trying hard. Try Ebay for welders, and parts. You might even have a friend that wants to upgrade, and will give you a good deal. Check them all out before you decide. We should all get smarter with age.

 

[Barryh]

Barry,

I have read some of the other replies, and I disagree with some of them. When someone says that it's good enough to get by, is leading you down the path, of, I wish I would have purchased the big one. Why, you say, I and many others have been down that road, and it is a waste of good money.
Like some of the others, I started out with the 225 Lincoln buzz box, and I learned somewhat. I then went to one of those cheap wig welders, and it did not hold up. What I have now is the Lincoln 175 PLUS, with variable voltage/amps, and variable wire speed. Some choose MIG over FLUX. Most machines will do both. They both have their place. MIG with say Stargon gas , will let you do some decent welding. MIG will let you weld very thin metal. FLUX will not do as well on thin stock.. Flux can well thicker metal on a single pass, with lots of smoke. . Some like the MIG because of almost no spatter, and slag to scrape off. However, if you use CO2, you will have some spatter. I would recommend that if you have the bucks, or a credit card, go for the Lincoln or Miller, something around the Lincoln 180. Sure it is a large investment up front, plus the gas, and I would recommend that you purchased the tanks. Automatic welding helmets are a good investment, If they ever fail, they will only go to a number 4. I check mine by looking off to the side when striking an arc. I did the rental thing for a long time. Big mistake. Most people starting up welding think they can get by, with bare minimums. I would also take that welding class or have a good friend show and tell you the complete story. On the subject of parts, and repair, this is another reason to get a name brand welder. Within 30 min, I can find about 4 welding supply places for parts, and answer questions. If you don't have 230 volts, that is a must for the larger welders. It is worth the cost. If you get the best up front, you probably will not hear yourself saying I wish I would have bought the other one. I am not an expert, but still trying hard. Try Ebay for welders, and parts. You might even have a friend that wants to upgrade, and will give you a good deal. Check them all out before you decide. We should all get smarter with age.

Looks like a good welder J.J. Also sounds like good advice. Guess I'll just wait until the money is right. Thanks to all for the help and advice it is appreciated.

 

[BobRip]

Barry,

I have read some of the other replies, and I disagree with some of them. When someone says that it's good enough to get by, is leading you down the path, of, I wish I would have purchased the big one. Why, you say, I and many others have been down that road, and it is a waste of good money.
Like some of the others, I started out with the 225 Lincoln buzz box, and I learned somewhat. I then went to one of those cheap mig welders, and it did not hold up. What I have now is the Lincoln 175 PLUS, with variable voltage/amps, and variable wire speed. Some choose MIG over FLUX. Most machines will do both. They both have their place. MIG with say Stargon gas , will let you do some decent welding. MIG will let you weld very thin metal. FLUX will not do as well on thin stock.. Flux can well thicker metal on a single pass, with lots of smoke. . Some like the MIG because of almost no spatter, and slag to scrape off. However, if you use CO2, you will have some spatter. I would recommend that if you have the bucks, or a credit card, go for the Lincoln or Miller, something around the Lincoln 180. Sure it is a large investment up front, plus the gas, and I would recommend that you purchased the tanks. Automatic welding helmets are a good investment, If they ever fail, they will only go to a number 4. I check mine by looking off to the side when striking an arc. I did the rental thing for a long time. Big mistake. Most people starting up welding think they can get by, with bare minimums. I would also take that welding class or have a good friend show and tell you the complete story. On the subject of parts, and repair, this is another reason to get a name brand welder. Within 30 min, I can find about 4 welding supply places for parts, and answer questions. If you don't have 230 volts, that is a must for the larger welders. It is worth the cost. If you get the best up front, you probably will not hear yourself saying I wish I would have bought the other one. I am not an expert, but still trying hard. Try Ebay for welders, and parts. You might even have a friend that wants to upgrade, and will give you a good deal. Check them all out before you decide. We should all get smarter with age.

Sounds like real good advice. Forget what I said earlier.

 

[J_J]

So your 135 amp ran off of 120 Volt?? And would weld up to 1/2 mild steel?? That’s pretty darn good. The one I'm looking at is flux cored wire only. So explain the benefit of, or purpose of added Gas?? Is this something I need to do any serious any welding ??

You don't need external gas to weld. If you do any thin metal welding, MIG welding is preferred. Some machines do not have the option to switch over to gas welding. Multiple passes will work to flux core weld thick steel, but you have to get all the slag out of the weld before the multiple passes. Any thing with flux in it is going to smoke a lot. The gas that is developed from the flux core, is what shields the steel from the air. The flux welding wire is more expensive. The flux core welding gun must be setup for DC neg polarity.

 

[Red Zebra]

First, I bought a used Lincoln AC/DC 220 for $100 on Craigs List. I know it is not Mig, but it works, and works really, well.

Carl

Stick Welders are great for bigger/thicker pieces. I finished a 12 week welding class last year...did stick, mig, gas, brazing, etc. Was great. We spent more time with DC stick welders than all else. Stick welder and plasma cutter are on my wish list.

I have the lincoln sp135t mig welder and Oxy/acetyline torch. It only takes time, money, and practice!

 

[Barryh]

You don't need external gas to weld. If you do any thin metal welding, MIG welding is preferred. Some machines do not have the option to switch over to gas welding. Multiple passes will work to flux core weld thick steel, but you have to get all the slag out of the weld before the multiple passes. Any thing with flux in it is going to smoke a lot. The gas that is developed from the flux core, is what shields the steel from the air. The flux welding wire is more expensive. The flux core welding gun must be setup for DC neg polarity.

J.J. Thanks for explaining the mig and gas setup. I really didn't plan on becoming a great welder. With lots of practice would just like to become good enough to make a few attachments and repairs if needed. Not only for my PT, but also for some of the other tractors I own. Johnny Bucket type stuff.

I'm thinking Flux Cored as in mostly thicker metals would be the ticket. Sounds like Bob’s Lincoln 135 might be just enough to get er done, after seeing some of the stuff he has made. That’s about what I had in mind. I’m sure your Lincoln 175 if more than enough welder and would make the job even easier. I’ll take yours and Toys advice and look around before I jump. Thanks