Broken drawbar... chances a 'pro' welder can fix it

[Sodo]

I find it interesting that someone would buy a high dollar, major manufacturer, multi process welder with features he didnt even know how to use, and then recommend to any one else looking at buying a welder to not spend the money on a quality machine. He has even admitted he would like to have even more features on the machine he did purchase, but dont anybody else buy a quality welder, with lots of features, its a waste of money. It gets really old.

Mudd I'm sorry you didn't understand my point. You're not the first, I get typin' on my phone (and type too much, usually) and cuz I can't read the whole thing on the tiny screen I fail to DELETE unnecessary typing. You too, as I can see.....

My advice to TBN members is to get a welder of decent quality and just get started, learn along the way. Do this WHILE you have PROJECTS, don't wait until it's all regrets. I advise AGAINST putting a huge barrier in the way (the "go big or go home" theme). I bought my MultiMatic 200 kind of on a lark, but the portability, the versatility, and the multi-process opportunity to learn, have been fantastic. Portability because I weld in several places, not just in one shop. Ability to weld where there's only 120v has been a GREAT option. I could have done better by getting two cheaper machines, where one of them could do AC TIG, so there's that.

If I chose a big 240vMIG like most of the advice here I wouldn't have done a fraction of the projects I've done, and they wouldn't have been done one bit better. Maybe the welds would be 98% instead of 96%, which makes zero difference except for pics on the internet.

I would like to have a shop where I could park a 240vMIG. And an AC TIG. I will someday I suppose, hopefully while I still have projects!

 

[ovrszd]

Mudd I'm sorry you didn't understand my point. You're not the first, I get typin' on my phone (and type too much, usually) and cuz I can't read the whole thing on the tiny screen I fail to DELETE unnecessary typing. You too, as I can see.....

My advice to TBN members is to get a welder of decent quality and just get started, learn along the way. Do this WHILE you have PROJECTS, don't wait until it's all regrets. I advise AGAINST putting a huge barrier in the way (the "go big or go home" theme). I bought my MultiMatic 200 kind of on a lark, but the portability, the versatility, and the multi-process opportunity to learn, have been fantastic. Portability because I weld in several places, not just in one shop. Ability to weld where there's only 120v has been a GREAT option. I could have done better by getting two cheaper machines, where one of them could do AC TIG, so there's that.

If I chose a big 240vMIG like most of the advice here I wouldn't have done a fraction of the projects I've done, and they wouldn't have been done one bit better. Maybe the welds would be 98% instead of 96%, which makes zero difference except for pics on the internet.
I would like to have a shop where I could park a 240vMIG. And an AC TIG. I will someday I suppose, hopefully while I still have projects!

You were doing so good until you got to this paragraph. I used to have a 175 Miller. Traded it for a 250 Miller. No comparison. Much stronger welds.

If all you weld is light metal, the smaller welder is fine. If you weld 1/4" and/or above, the smaller welder will begin to exceed it's capacity and the weld strength will suffer.

 

[dieselcrawler]

While I agree with Richard, I have been able to do my projects well enough with my mig, a Hobart Handler 140, biggest 120v machine before input voltage jumps to 240v. Being able to use any 120v receptacles avaliable, even my portable generator, is nice. And I do realize I am often attempting to use my welder beyond its design limits. I often see this in its inability to get good penetration.

 

[Shield Arc]

If all you weld is light metal, the smaller welder is fine. If you weld 1/4" and/or above, the smaller welder will begin to exceed it's capacity and the weld strength will suffer.

With wire feed welders, all it takes is power!

 

[Shield Arc]

Here's what a 120-volt Mig welder can do.

 

[ovrszd]

I knew I'd get dinged over my comments.

Let me add,,,,, if you are using a light welder on heavy projects the experience and patience of the operator become paramount. A larger welder will better make up for operator inexperience.

I saw an Iraqi man weld with a gas engine powered generator using a piece of cardboard with a slit cut in it for a helmet. His work was respectable. But I wouldn't suggest everyone go buy an old piece of crap generator.

 

[dieselcrawler]

LOL.. Ding you Richard, ding you! *grin* not cuttin on you at all... respect your input.

We are getting a little off topic, but still relivent to the issue of welding, just not the broken draw bar. I think we all agree on that, a DC stick welder running 7018 is the trick there.

As to a small mig and running it above its ability, heating the material with a torch can help the mig get better penetration, as the base metal is that much closer to the melting point.

 

[ovrszd]

LOL.. Ding you Richard, ding you! *grin* not cuttin on you at all... respect your input.

We are getting a little off topic, but still relivent to the issue of welding, just not the broken draw bar. I think we all agree on that, a DC stick welder running 7018 is the trick there.

As to a small mig and running it above its ability, heating the material with a torch can help the mig get better penetration, as the base metal is that much closer to the melting point.

And that's the trick the novice will know nothing about.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Exactly why I posted it... now they do! *grin*

You, and others, make some good points...

I'm stuck in the small boat... I make do with my lil 27hp tractor, and 120v mig... where there's a will, there's a way, and just like eating an elephant, it's all just one bite at a time.

 

[ovrszd]

Exactly why I posted it... now they do! *grin*

You, and others, make some good points...

I'm stuck in the small boat... I make do with my lil 27hp tractor, and 120v mig... where there's a will, there's a way, and just like eating an elephant, it's all just one bite at a time.

Greg, I have no idea how many welding rods I burned up using a Tombstone Lincoln for a cutting torch because I couldn't afford to buy one.

"Use what ya got and be proud".