Results 120v MIG on 3/8 with bevel

[ericher69]

Let's compare price

120v

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=400740720261

220v

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=400761074583

Why even bother with 120v mig??????????????

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[Arc weld]

Those are the lower end Lincolns but their better line isn't much difference in price either.

 

[k0ua]

It's rather interesting that Lincoln lists 10 gauge as the single pass capacity for their 110 volt 140 amp MIG and the equivalent Miller is rated for 3/16" single pass. Maybe Miller has already over-rated their 110 volt machines? Also of note is that Lincoln doesn't recommend multi-pass MIG, only flux-core up to 5/16" max. Going by Lincoln's recommendations, trying to push the capacity of a 110 volt MIG is a moot pint...but then again Lincoln has only been around welding 100 years or so.

Yes, but that is professional welding spec's. For tractor forum welding you can do much thicker metal.. after all, good enough is good enough. Penetration testing? we don't need no stinking penetration testing! Heck just eyeball it, if it looks good, it's good enough for the girls I go with.! Why would anyone pay attention to what a manufacture of the product like Lincoln says.:confused2: No wonder Shield Arc gave up.

 

[Sodo]

James aren't you at all curious whether 120v can weld 3/8" and pass a bend test? What will you know if TBN cowers under the pressure and call it quits before trying all the welder tricks?

From what Fifelaker has posted so far about what it has taken to make a solid 6" weld on 3/8" plate, 3/8" is not reasonably possible... 5/16" might be though...

Aaron Z

Yep thats why 3/8 is good. Can try 5/16 next if necessary.

Yeah it's been a fight for that Lincoln SP135. Shutting down after an inch - Jeez I can see why 120v MIGs get a bad name if Lincoln is like that. It suprises me that the performance of a Lincoln isn't identical to a Miller. My Millers (135 and Multimatic 200) have never shut down ever, but then again I can't remember a time welding 6" continuous at full power. Many times 3" though, which has been,,,,,,, "good enough". I'll have to try 6 inches sometime now that it seems nobody who's willing to post seems to know much about 120v MIGs.

I had no idea it would be so easy to be a candidate for king of the 120v MIGs (with zero training). As recent as last month all it took to be king of the 120v MIGs was write "I never used one and probably never will but but with my 220v MIG I'd,,,,,"

Fife gonna take me down pretty quick I think. Maybe Roadhunter too thwarting certain death in the basement at the same time!

Would be fun to take my welder over to someones house (a very experienced MiG welder) and learn some tips about thicker material. (I'd leave my 240v adapter at home )

 

[ericher69]

Those are the lower end Lincolns but their better line isn't much difference in price either.

I realize that my point being; why bother with a limited machine when for $150 more you could weld 3/8" PROPERLY

Yes, but that is professional welding spec's. For tractor forum welding you can do much thicker metal.. after all, good enough is good enough. Penetration testing? we don't need no stinking penetration testing! Heck just eyeball it, if it looks good, it's good enough for the girls I go with.! Why would anyone pay attention to what a manufacture of the product like Lincoln says.:confused2: No wonder Shield Arc gave up.

Yeah let's take 6hrs to weld a 3/8" plate when it could be PROPERLY done in 10minutes. Makes sense to save $150...

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[Sodo]

I suspect it takes maybe 20 minutes to weld a 6" plate when a PROPER MIG can do it in 10 minutes. 120v beats the PROPER MIG hands down in a 120v garage.

It seems strange to have to write this it seems so obvious (IMHO) that people buy 120v MIGs because they dont have 220V at their welding area.

This is like some kind of twilight zone .

 

[muddstopper]

Having been house bound for most of this last wk, I have spent way to many hours researching mig welding, specificly welding thick metal with 110v mig Machine. I havent found a single wed site with any one recommending welding thick metal is considered acceptable with under powered machines. Still, as I have said in the other threads on this subject, I still believe with proper prep and best welding practices, there is a possibility that one might be able to pass a bend test welding 3/8 with a 110v machine. Of course best welding practices considered the topic might not be the best way to describe what is trying to be done. If I had a 110v machine and a press, I might be tempted to give it a try myself. The power to my house is actually 127v and that would give me a slight advantage. I would probably use the 023 wire at maxsettings and try for a 5pass weld in the 1g position.

I would like to see Fife test results before this thread gets locked like the others before it. He has already spent a lot of time on this project. It would be a shame to waste all that effort. Even if Fife's test welds manages to pass a bend test, I still dont think it would be justification to recommend anybody go out and buy a 110v machine if they are planning on welding 3/8 metal and my reasoning is quite simple. It takes a lot of prep work and time for an experienced welder to make it work and anybody just starting welding isnt going to understand the difficulties encountered just to make it work. I think it is totally irresponsible to tell anybody to buy a 110v machine and even suggest "sure you can weld 3/8 thick steel with it". Proving it can be done and then expecting every novice that buys a 110v machine to be able to duplicate the results just isnt reasonable expectations.

 

[Blade Breaker]

I don't own a 120v welder. Used about every popular brand of 120v welder for lots of things. Heaviest we have had success with was 1.5 sch 10 pipe. Anyone can use what they want but good advice would be to stick to sheet metal with 120v mig machines. If you can only use 120v in your garage go with a stick machine.

Do you weld for fun, home projects and repair or something else?

Blade if your 120v MIG could only weld 12ga (.109) that musta been a small machine! Agreed if that was somebody's only welder it might be a little too small to be of much use (for me anyway).

For many many folks, something that can weld up to 1/4" (and go a little thicker with reasonable techniques) it's a compelling purchase for the guy who wants only one welder or has only 120v available.

Anyway hope some members can find the time to show how they welded thicker metal (3/8?) and show more bend tests (hopefully without upsetting anyone ).

 

[Sodo]

If I had a 110v machine and a press, I might be tempted to give it a try myself. The power to my house is actually 127v and that would give me a slight advantage. I would probably use the 023 wire at maxsettings and try for a 5pass weld in the 1g position.

DONT DO IT MUDD ! I guess you're lucky you don't have a 110v that sounds risky as all good get-out! :laughing:

If you can only use 120v in your garage go with a stick machine.

I've welded with 3/32" stick ( 35 years ago ) - from what I recall thats only for guys who have no MIG!

Do you weld for fun, home projects and repair or something else?

What other kind of welding is there on a Tractor subforum?

 

[BethelHntr]

I completely understand and appreciate the welding with a 120v welder that some are doing here, I used one for years and years until it wore out, I had a lincoln 110v and it's all I could afford at the time and I made it work. Yes it took longer but it worked and worked good, I built winch bumpers, Wood stoves that still work today and imo you become a better welder cause that's all you have and you make it work!