How to transition to MIG?

[ArlyA]

Me too Pat. I think in my case I move a bit too fast.

I do the same. I set the welder a bit higher/hotter than whatever is call out for the material thickness, I get fewer cold welds.

 

[ovrszd]

I do the same. I set the welder a bit higher/hotter than whatever is call out for the material thickness, I get less cold welds.

My Grandson is 21 years old. Certified Welder. Currently working on a Government project in Virginia. I asked, "Dylan how do you make such great welds"? He looked at me dead serious and calmly said "Grandpa, welding takes patience".

Most profound thing a 21 year old has ever said to me.

 

[metalmagpie]

I have welded most of my life.

First thought is, if you have to weld outside and the air is moving at all, forget MIG cuz the wind will blow your shielding gas away and your welds will turn to Swiss cheese. You can use fluxcore wire but your welds will look like goose poop even if they're strong enough.

For outside welding, I recommend you stick with stick.

Small wirefeed machines are handy but be sure you get a 220V one. And pay attention to duty cycle! If it says 20% duty cycle that means weld for two minutes then sit on your thumb for 8. The only way around that is to buy more welder. If you consistently exceed your duty cycle you WILL fry something. That's when most guys sell their welder, saying it needs a little adjustment. So my final suggestion is to buy new because that way you know some meatball hasn't already ruined the machine.

metalmagpie

 

[ArlyA]

People MIG weld outdoors all the time. If the wind is blowing, set yourself up a wind block.

I have welded most of my life.

First thought is, if you have to weld outside and the air is moving at all, forget MIG cuz the wind will blow your shielding gas away and your welds will turn to Swiss cheese. You can use fluxcore wire but your welds will look like goose poop even if they're strong enough.

For outside welding, I recommend you stick with stick.

 

[BigBlue1]

More good info. Thanks. Most of my welding will be done inside. I'd be doing mostly fab work and not that much repair and I am fortunate to have a huge shed anyway that can accommodate anything I'd be working on.

There was a comment about looking into a multi-process machine. That would be great to have something like a Miller Multimatic 215, but at close to $1850 for one (with TIG kit) that's a whole different investment than an $800 210MVP. If I could get into one for a few hundred more than the 210 I might consider it. Is there anything else out there that fits that bill?

ETA: I see there is a Klutch MP200siDV MIG/TIG/stick/spoolgun welder out there at NorthernTool for $860 (TIG torch is another $99). Is that a decent multi-process unit or is this a Harbor Freight level item?

Regarding the duty cycle comment above... A Hobart Handler 210MVP, which is pretty highly regarded as a great MIG welder (for non-production use) has a 30% duty cycle (230 V: 150 A at 23 VDC, 30% duty cycle). 30% duty cycle at that amperage must be pretty decent when you get right down to actual use or this model wouldn't be so well thought of. It's certainly not a "entry level, cheapo" unit. I totally get that if you're a fab shop welding product all day you're not using one of these but for hobby/home/garage use it must be pretty capable & suitable.

Rob

 

[coxhaus]

The multi-process machines sounds nice but once you get one setup you don't want to change it. It takes too long to set it up and get it working the way you want.. You will want a different machine so you can switch quickly. Just buy a single process machine and then when you are ready buy another for the new job. Don't forget cutting. You will want a torch and plasma at some point. Otherwise you will be limited. I started with a torch because I bought a Victor 40 years ago before plasma. I recently bought a small plasma to cut thin steel as the torch melts too much when the steel is thin. The plasma is pretty nice. I wish I would of bought a bigger one. But I guess that is always the case. Now days I don't know which I would buy first. You can wash with a torch but not with a plasma.

PS
Duty cycle is important for the life of the machine. Remember duty cycle is for max weld power. Usually on lower power you have a higher duty cycle. I don't think duty cycle is as important for the home guy drinking beer as for a production run trying to make money. Just live by the duty cycle and you will have long life on your welder. But I do think 220v is a better buy than 110v. You are just too limited with 110v unless you have a stick welder to take up the slack. I think my stick welder is 100% at less 130 amps and 20% at above 130 amps.

 

[dragoneggs]

The multi-process machines sounds nice but once you get one setup you don't want to change it. It takes too long to set it up and get it working the way you want.. You will want a different machine so you can switch quickly. Just buy a single process machine and then when you are ready buy another for the new job. Don't forget cutting. You will want a torch and plasma at some point. Otherwise you will be limited. I started with a torch because I bought a Victor 40 years ago before plasma. I recently bought a small plasma to cut thin steel as the torch melts too much when the steel is thin. The plasma is pretty nice. I wish I would of bought a bigger one. But I guess that is always the case. Now days I don't know which I would buy first. You can wash with a torch but not with a plasma.

PS
Duty cycle is important for the life of the machine. Remember duty cycle is for max weld power. Usually on lower power you have a higher duty cycle. I don't think duty cycle is as important for the home guy drinking beer as for a production run trying to make money. Just live by the duty cycle and you will have long life on your welder. But I do think 220v is a better buy than 110v. You are just too limited with 110v unless you have a stick welder to take up the slack.

Good post. I agree on all points!

 

[WranglerX]

Another thought (which didn't see voiced or I missed it) is what is size of welding projects.... I have 120 VAC Hobart Handle 140 (top end 120V machine) and it fits most of my needs for projects with in size range I usually build.... For the 5% of what it can not handle, I just farm out to shop down the road a bit....

Funny with all the negative comment some profess I don't really have all the problems with bad welds that some claim MIG is responsible for.... I can ever weld vertical with my MIG which is something I could never do with stick....

The funny thing is MIG has replaced a lot of manufacturing welding previous done by humans and now by robots.... If a mindless robot can weld, what can a thinking person do....

Dale

 

[coxhaus]

Another thought (which didn't see voiced or I missed it) is what is size of welding projects.... I have 120 VAC Hobart Handle 140 (top end 120V machine) and it fits most of my needs for projects with in size range I usually build.... For the 5% of what it can not handle, I just farm out to shop down the road a bit....

Funny with all the negative comment some profess I don't really have all the problems with bad welds that some claim MIG is responsible for.... I can ever weld vertical with my MIG which is something I could never do with stick....

The funny thing is MIG has replaced a lot of manufacturing welding previous done by humans and now by robots.... If a mindless robot can weld, what can a thinking person do....

Dale

I never claimed bad welds. Your welder is a good one. The problem is over extending what the machine is capable of.

Yes MIG can run at a 100% where stick can't. But you won't want to pay for a real 100% duty cycle MIG. At some point you need to change the wire feed rolls.

 

[California]

...220v is a better buy than 110v. You are just too limited with 110v unless you have a stick welder to take up the slack.

Adding this trailer ball mount is what I consider the maximum I could do with a 110v welder. (Century 130 DC, using flux core). When I had that welder I would go to my old 230a-AC buzzbox stick welder for anything heavier.