Lincoln Mig Pak 180

[Hilbilly]

Just watched this video and learned a lot. I now see that I should NOT be using my little mig for thicker materials.
Modes of Metal Transfer | Short Circuit vs Spray vs Globular

So I have a couple of questions.
1) Does flux core give better penetration?
2) What welder should I use for thicker materials, the AC stick or should I have a welder that can do spray transfer (sure like the penetration that gets).

 

[deereman75]

Gas shielded fluxcore (such as Lincoln outershield or arctec XR71) is really nice stuff. Self shielded works well also.

Stick is a very good option for heavier or more critical materials. With AC I'd be using 6011 and 7014 (or 7024 if you're doing flat position only)
DC stick is still king though.

 

[BukitCase]

If you can afford it, it's nice to have a machine that's beefy enough to handle spray transfer; but you should read up on spray BEFORE deciding on a machine. Spray is NOT what you want for anything other than heavier stuff and FLAT welding ONLY. Doesn't work well on vertical or overhead welds. (also known as OOP, Out Of Position)

I tried spray on my MM252, makes REALLY PRETTY (and STRONG) welds - TOTALLY different sound from short circuit.
Downsides - needs different gas, so one more bottle to keep, will blow through thinner materials real easy. I've found it's simpler to just use stick on heavier stuff, especially if it needs to be welded OOP. I also have a MM211, so I COULD leave the 252 set up for spray and use the (not quite balls enough for spray) MM211 for short/circuit lighter stuff - IMO it's just not worth the hassle.

I think I saw something about PULSED spray being a LITTLE BIT more forgiving OOP, but that tends to raise the cost of the welder even MORE... Steve

 

[Hilbilly]

I think I will stick with what I have. It's been good enough for the last 17 years and it should be for the time I have left on this side of the grass.

I tried the 180 last night with mig, C25 gas and 0.030 wire. Settings were 9 E, which is max voltage and one step down from max wire feed. I used that setup to weld a 5/16" thick sprocket onto a mild steel stepped hub that was 3/4" at the thickest part and about 1/2" thick at the base of the step. I'm pretty sure the 180 produces more heat than the Mig Pak 15. I welded the backside of the sprocket to the thickest part of the hub (I chamfered the hub) and the outside face of the hub turned blue from the heat. I then compared some 6013 and 6011 to the same mig setup, on some scrap 1/4" angle. Judging by the discoloration on the backside of the steel, it looks like the mig was just as hot or hotter than some of the stick welds. I think I will cut the angle iron later to see what the penetration looks like.

I also setup the spool gun. All I need now is some Argon so I can try my hand at aluminum.