Improving your welding?

[downsizingnow48]

I bought my Thunderbolt ACDC about 25 years ago, and had a torch before that. For a long time I got along OK with those. Last night finally decided to get a MIG machine, for about the same reasons as KubotainNH. Our house in town has 120, the country place has 240. So I got a dual voltage machine. This has the advantage I didn't have to come down on either side of the debate.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Your thunderbolt is going to be jealous! Lol
Nice machine from what I've heard

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought my Thunderbolt ACDC about 25 years ago, and had a torch before that. For a long time I got along OK with those. Last night finally decided to get a MIG machine, for about the same reasons as KubotainNH. Our house in town has 120, the country place has 240. So I got a dual voltage machine. This has the advantage I didn't have to come down on either side of the debate.

Bingo! That's what I 'settled' on. Even got high marks from Shield Arc! I love the 120/240v ability.

 

[KubotainNH]

So I got a dual voltage machine. This has the advantage I didn't have to come down on either side of the debate.

Sweet. Man, I love tools. I need to get out more...lol.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I started casually investigating MIG welders late 2013, gathering some really educational information, mostly on TBN. Was starting to close in on the Millermatic 211. Happened to run into one of my ranch neighbors who told me he had bought a Lincoln Weld Pak 175 at Home Depot in about 2010 because he thought he "needed" to learn how to weld. Short story is that he lost interest before even opening the box in almost 3 years. He offered to to me for $300. Told him I would take it and picked it up later that week. When I came by to pick it up he had, not only the unused welder, but a cart for it, 2 auto adjust helmets, several rolls of wire (flux core and solid), and a nice collection of magnets, tools etc. I thought he was going to ask extra for the additional but, he gave all to me. Gave him 4 x$100 bills and we both parted smiling. I just need to go get a gas bottle and will be up and running soon. Been busy with business travel so, have not used it yet.

I know that the Lincoln Weld Paks are not great welders from info on the Internet but think it will be sufficient as a " learner" welder.

1. Price was great.

2. It is a 230 Volt machine.

3. I can get my money out of it in a year or two if I want to get a better welder.

Last time I welded was in 1960's in high school shop with stick welders so this is like starting all over again.

Planning to spend some weekend time with local guy who retired and sold his fabrication company (U stamp / R stamp) in Houston. He retired and bought out local welding shop near our ranch. Think he will be a great teacher / mentor if he will take me on.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[ThomasH]

<snip> I know that the Lincoln Weld Paks are not great welders from info on the Internet but think it will be sufficient as a " learner" welder.

I helped a friend do some fab and repair and used his Lincoln Weld Pak 175 (he said it was about 5 years old and hardly used). It worked fine for the 3/16 material I was welding. The only thing was that I had to stop once or twice for a minute and let the welder cool down, but other than that it was fine. I was using ER70-S2 .035 wire and the welds looked nice and were plenty strong. As far as I know he is still using he spring harrow that we fixed.

Sounds like you got a bargain, with all of the accessories/helmets...

Good luck!

 

[ThomasH]

Duplicate...

 

[PhysAssist]

I thought it was a collective of expertise across all the different areas.
I have and will continue to seek out the more experienced advise for my needs. Not saying I can't learn from others by any means, but if I were seeking marriage counseling I would ask the couple who were married for 50 years, not for 5.

What he said!

I look for the folks who know stuff to help me learn stuff.

If I can share my piddling bit of knowledge I try to make sure that I really know what I think I do before posting it.

Being sort of humanoid, I am occasionally proven wrong, and try to accept the lesson gratefully.

Arc, and the rest you pro welders, I for one really appreciate and take to heart the information you present here (and on the Welder's Web when I can get over there) as well as watching and rewatching the videos that are sent out or posted.

It is this forum and the range of folks here that has made me even begin to think that doing some metal joining is not out of my reach, including the advice from the pros, the examples of the not-so-pros who are willing to share their learning process, and being able to read the advice given to them by the pros, hopefully saving me some steps in learning, even though I know that hands on practice is the only way to really get better.

Soapbox mode off...

Thanks to all who contribute.
Thomas

 

[Tor Arne]

If it is thicker than 5mm I use a stick welder 220V 20A. thinner than 5mm I use a mig welder 220 16A 3Ph. It's not often I work with metal that is thinner than 5 mm.

 

[roadhunter]

IMHO it is really low class to come on a forum and make personal attacks. If you want to actually help someone, please do. Otherwise you help no one and run people off with this kind of trash.

Don't bother replying, I am through trying to ask people to be helpful ...

Funny stuff. You tell me I'm low class and what I posted was trash and then not to make personal attacks. What do you call telling someone they are low class and their post is trash? LOL. You need to practice what you preach. I never said anything to you, you chose to quote me. Then you have the nerve to tell me not to respond.

You also tell me only to post if I am going to help and then you turn around and post exactly what you claim you want to stop. And it contributed nothing to the conversation.

You are very good at telling people not to do things and then you go do those exact things yourself. Pretty funny.