Do I need a MIG Welder?

sixdogs · Jan 14, 2014

GPintheMitten said:
I think your right. I took a welding class about 30 years ago but I need some learning. I'm sure I forgot more than they taught me.

I took the class twice. After the first time I was good but still a little bewildered. During the second class I was much more relaxed and really soaked up the info and got some great practice in.

Arc weld · Jan 15, 2014

Nothing better than having someone with experience beside you. You'll be pleased with all the projects you'll be able to do now.

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

Ok, here's some pics.

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

More pics. And a video.

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

Some more pics.

In this photo, you can see the "output plug" hanging down and not connected to the positive port. That's the reason I couldn't make a weld on my first try. After checking out youtube I found a video where it was plugged in and knew it was my problem.

And here's my test welds. You can see part of the weld on the left that was a fail because in my haste, I forgot to turn the gas on. The 3 welds on the right are after I turned the gas on.

And the last pic is of the scrap turned over to show penatration. My hand was not steady and my travel speed was inconsistent but I guess that will come with practice.

ericher69 · Jan 15, 2014

Mark @ Everlast said:
The manual for that unit is online: www.everlastgenerators.com/downloads/mig.pdf This covers our smaller units. It uses the Power iMIG 205 as the base for instruction, but features, knobs and functions are essentially the same. One error correction: The arc force control DOES affect the arc (Contrary to the early manual that says it does not). My suggestion is to set it to around 7 and fine tune from there, unless you are a die hard Miller lover, then that case you may want to set your inductance (arc force control) to a wimply 2 or 3. lol.

Wouldn't need that dial if the unit was quality...lol

GPintheMitten said:
Some more pics. In this photo, you can see the "output plug" hanging down and not connected to the positive port. That's the reason I couldn't make a weld on my first try. After checking out youtube I found a video where it was plugged in and knew it was my problem. http://s467.photobucket.com/user/GPintheMitten/media/20140114_122647_zps3bkypczx.jpg.html And here's my test welds. You can see part of the weld on the left that was a fail because in my haste, I forgot to turn the gas on. The 3 welds on the right are after I turned the gas on. http://s467.photobucket.com/user/GPintheMitten/media/20140114_135350_zpssssiu4gl.jpg.html And the last pic is of the scrap turned over to show penatration. My hand was not steady and my travel speed was inconsistent but I guess that will come with practice. http://s467.photobucket.com/user/GPintheMitten/media/20140114_135420_zpsjcwmekmu.jpg.html

Congrats on the welder.

Shield Arc · Jan 15, 2014

GpintheMitten it is hard for anybody to make welds look good on a flat plate. And how many times are you really going to do that? I'd jump right into lap, and fillet joints. First in the flat position, then vertical up hill, then over head. Then think about doing some V-butt plates in all 4-positions.:thumbsup:

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

Am I supposed to push the gun into the weld or pull it like I would a stick electrode? I had a hard time trying to see the puddle. But I only had a couple of minutes because I had to go out of town. I'll try some more this afternoon.

I'm anxious to weld on my new cab but I think a little practice with scrap first is called for.

Thanks guys.

Mark @ Everlast · Jan 15, 2014

GPintheMitten said:
Am I supposed to push the gun into the weld or pull it like I would a stick electrode? I had a hard time trying to see the puddle. But I only had a couple of minutes because I had to go out of town. I'll try some more this afternoon.

I'm anxious to weld on my new cab but I think a little practice with scrap first is called for.

Thanks guys.

I'd push it. Some people will tell you to pull. You have to lean in while you are welding to see the arc with about any process. The biggest mistake most beginner welders make is trying to stay upright. Unless you are good and experienced, that just doesn't work. Use both hands if necessary to steady and prop. There's no shame in that. It'll help keep speed consistent too.

Shield Arc · Jan 15, 2014

GPintheMitten said:
Am I supposed to push the gun into the weld or pull it like I would a stick electrode? I had a hard time trying to see the puddle.

A lot of people will say it makes no difference, I'm like Mark, with Mig I push, with anything that produces slag I drag.
Here is a good chart by Miller.

oldun · Jan 15, 2014

hi,i personally would not go with the"pocket mig" as we call them in the UK as they can be very fussy to set up as the wire feed motors are pretty crap & the control board likewise. either get a mid priced 180-225 amp set or have some practice with your AC/DC stick with some 2mm 6012/13 rods ,DC positive 45 to 70 amps & try this on some scrap the same spec as you intend to use. keep the joints a good fit, no gaps & use fillet joints in the design as much as possibl

LONGEVITYsimon · Jan 15, 2014

GPintheMitten said:
OK, thanks. I didn't know that. This is new to me and frankly more than a little confusing. I've been reading the posts about Everlast and see that several members here have purchased from them. It seems not so much from Longevity. I don't really know why. I also don't know whether I need to go with Lincoln or Miller like sixdogs is suggesting. I don't think I want to spend $700 to $1100 ... hard to justify in my mind.

I was thinking about the Longevity 140 for $350 plus gas cylinder and consumables. MIGWELD 140 - MIG Welders (GMAW) | Longevity Global Inc

Our MIGWELD 140 has a lot of good reviews on it over the net. It can do GAS of FLUX. For the price, it works very well and you can add a spool gun to it as well to weld aluminum. We can do a free shipping on the unit for you as part of our promotion this month.

If you need more power, we have the MIGWELD 200s 200amp MIG/STICK for a bit more, which is going for $599.99.

LONGEVITYsimon · Jan 15, 2014

Arc weld said:
I think I'd look at an Everlast. Mark is very knowledgeable on this forum and is a regular contributor to it. The extended warrantee for the Longevity is outrageous!:shocked: The 2 year extended warrrantee is almost as much as the total purchase price. That's just ridiculous!:confused3: Solid wire MIG is the way to go though.

The MIGWELD 140 comes with a 5 year warranty on both parts and labor, which is above industry standard. Those extended warranties are set on categories like MIG vs each individual machine unfortunately.

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

oldun and Simon, I already purchased a mig welder. Bought it about 10 days ago.

Mark and Shield Arc, thanks for the tips. I'll try pushing as suggested. Thanks for the chart.

LONGEVITYsimon · Jan 15, 2014

Yep, i just saw that! Sorry we did not get to you in time. Let us know if we can help with anything and happy welding!

GPintheMitten · Jan 15, 2014

Thank you Simon.

lostcreekranch · Jan 15, 2014

Have been looking at MIG welders for a few months and mentioned this to my, down the road, neighbor last week.

He told me that he has a Lincoln Weld Pak 175, in never opened box, that he bought about 4 years ago at Home Depot on a whim that he "needed" to learn how to weld. He also bought Lincoln (he thinks) MIG welder cart, several 2 lb. rolls of wire in various sizes (flux core and solid core) and two Lincoln ( he thinks) auto adjust helmets. Also a small box of other welding tools, magnets etc.

He offered it to me for $300 for all. I jumped on it immediately, even though my research is pulling me to a 200 amp+ machine. I think it will be a more than sufficient " learning" machine for me. Looks like I will only need to get a bottle gas to use with the solid wire.

Asked him why he never used it and he said he got interested in woodworking? My gain, I hope

Not to de-rail this but, appreciate any available advice here. Picking it up Friday. Already have an extra 230 volt outlet in small workshop where we plan to do metal work but will probably have to change the outlet to match the Lincoln plug. We also do woodworking in large workshop and don't plan on mixing sparks with sawdust.

Thanks!