Mig Welding..

[Superduper]

See "Bill C's" post....

It doesnt produce as clean a looking weld as gas ( MIG) does...but for working outside..its just too easy and too convient.

I had a conversation with a person who welds alot for a living and was told that for outside work, he just cranks up the gas and goes at it. I've seen his work and it looks good.

 

[MJPetersen]

I had a conversation with a person who welds alot for a living and was told that for outside work, he just cranks up the gas and goes at it. I've seen his work and it looks good.

That is my experience too. Just increase the gas flow a bit and it works.

Mike

 

[yomax4]

The New Thermal Dynamics units have 20 more amps for free and a new 4 yr Warranty. We are Celebrating our 51st year making Plasma Cutters. The Factory is in West Lebonon New Hampshire. Check Pricing and Compare amp output before Purchase. You will be pleasantly Surprised. Thermal Arc is Manufactured in Malaysia ( Except for Transformers and Contactors. USA ) Pleanty of parts on hand if ever needed. As a matter of fact warranty parts are shiped Next Day Air no Frgt. Charge. Most Welder manufacturers buy most of the components that the machines are made of and many of the electrical components are made over seas. They then assemble in the USA.

Just an FYI. I am a Thermadyne Sales Rep.

MM.

 

[Sully2]

I had a conversation with a person who welds alot for a living and was told that for outside work, he just cranks up the gas and goes at it. I've seen his work and it looks good.

INcreased "gas flow" is NOT the proper way to do it. TOO MUCH gas can cause as many if not more problems than low/no gas flow. Thats why the fluxcore wire was created.

Proper gas flow should be in the range of about 20 PSi plus or minus 5 PSi BUT people do go up higher to about 30 if its "drafty"...but ya really cant "jack it up enough" to do a proper job if its "windy".

Along with that...fluxcore doesnt REQUIRE as clean a weld area as solid wire ( MIG) does..and if your welding rusty etc..etc..parts using MIG...all you have done is wasted your time

Lots of difference btween "welders and people that can weld".!

 

[Pennsylvania Weldor]

I have been welding for 45 years and sometimes when MIG welding outside the shop I have to "crank it up" if it's breezy. I have gone to 40 PSI on mig welding steel. For clarification, if MIG welding aluminum a Flow Meter is used. These measure in Cubic Feet per Minute, not PSI. My Lincoln SP250 Digital Mig (which I leave set up for steel) does use a PSI regulator. I use a Miller Spoolmatic 2 and WC3 Contactor attached to a Lincoln TM300/300 for doing aluminum.

If super windy, I won't MIG weld outside. Actually have had a job that was too big to get in my shop sit for a few days until the wind died down.

Also, I don't use flux cored wires. Too messy of welds, too much weld splatter. To each their own. The intent of flux cored wires and flux coated welding electrodes is the flux creates a "gaseous shield" to protect the welding arc from the elements and possible weld contamination. In windy conditions, these fail also.

Hope this helps.

 

[Sully2]

I have been welding for 45 years and sometimes when MIG welding outside the shop I have to "crank it up" if it's breezy. I have gone to 40 PSI on mig welding steel. For clarification, if MIG welding aluminum a Flow Meter is used. These measure in Cubic Feet per Minute, not PSI. My Lincoln SP250 Digital Mig (which I leave set up for steel) does use a PSI regulator. I use a Miller Spoolmatic 2 and WC3 Contactor attached to a Lincoln TM300/300 for doing aluminum.

If super windy, I won't MIG weld outside. Actually have had a job that was too big to get in my shop sit for a few days until the wind died down.

Also, I don't use flux cored wires. Too messy of welds, too much weld splatter. To each their own. The intent of flux cored wires and flux coated welding electrodes is the flux creates a "gaseous shield" to protect the welding arc from the elements and possible weld contamination. In windy conditions, these fail also.

Hope this helps.

Your right..I meant CFH but typed PSI.

The messy part of using FC wire can be rdduced drastically by using an FC nozzle on the gun that allows a guy to get in REAL close..and by keeping the stickout to a bare minimum..and of course "too much spatter" is all relative. Whats a mess to some might not mean anything to another person. If its really bothersome a guy can use a spatter spray and any spatter wipes right off after everything cools down with an old shop rag.

Brand of wire makes a big difference also..and I mean a BIG difference. Some are "pure trash"..while others arent too bad.

The absolute best protection for either method is a decent wind shield if one HAS TO do their welding out of doors

 

[wushaw]

The New Thermal Dynamics units have 20 more amps for free and a new 4 yr Warranty. We are Celebrating our 51st year making Plasma Cutters. The Factory is in West Lebonon New Hampshire. Check Pricing and Compare amp output before Purchase. You will be pleasantly Surprised. Thermal Arc is Manufactured in Malaysia ( Except for Transformers and Contactors. USA ) Pleanty of parts on hand if ever needed. As a matter of fact warranty parts are shiped Next Day Air no Frgt. Charge. Most Welder manufacturers buy most of the components that the machines are made of and many of the electrical components are made over seas. They then assemble in the USA.

Just an FYI. I am a Thermadyne Sales Rep.

MM.

I noticed Northerntool had a TA 210 and TD 70 in stock, I have heard nothing but good things about TD products but not much on the TA mig machines. I did look at the TA210 faricator and it looked like a quality unit.

I have my sights set on a TD52 for next year purchase to add to my toys.

 

[bobodu]

Gee....with so many ways to go wrong...the good old stick looks better and better!!!
Ran 5 lb. of 6013 Saturday in 30 mph winds without a hitch...

 

[Sully2]

Gee....with so many ways to go wrong...the good old stick looks better and better!!!
Ran 5 lb. of 6013 Saturday in 30 mph winds without a hitch...

And thats exactly why...for MY work...I use the fluxcore wire with my wire fed welder.

 

[2manyrocks]

Mig welding is not cheap by the time you factor in the additional cost of a good mig welder, gas, and cylinder. It is easier to weld on thin metal if you use the right diameter wire. But for plain welding of thicker stock, it's hard to beat a stick welder for versatility, weld strength and economy. It's easier to change rods than to change wire and shielding gas.