Welder Question

[dieselscout80]

I have a Craftsman 140 amp Mig welder that I have used for years and it does a good job on 3/16" or less steel.

I am needing to weld some plus 3/8" steel however it is not often.

I would like a 220 volt Mig welder, but they are expensive for something that I don't use often.
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I have thought about getting a Arc (stick) welder.

Sometimes older ones can be found used, but I saw this new inverter welder a Hobart Stickmate 160i Dual Voltage DC Arc Welder Inverter, 120/240Volt, 20?60 Amp Output, Model# 160
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How good are these inverter stick welders and will I see enough of a jump in capability to weld 3/8" steel in a single pass?

 

[RandyT]

I have found that my Hobart 160i set at about 80 will out perform my Hobart 140 mig welder running at 140 which in reality is probably only about 90 amp

 

[WranglerX]

I have found that my Hobart 160i set at about 80 will out perform my Hobart 140 mig welder running at 140 which in reality is probably only about 90 amp

Beg to differ.... Might want to look at page 10 of this document.....

https://www.hobartwelders.com/files/owners-manuals/O258267G_HOB.pdf

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

I have a Craftsman 140 amp Mig welder that I have used for years and it does a good job on 3/16" or less steel.

I am needing to weld some plus 3/8" steel however it is not often.

I would like a 220 volt Mig welder, but they are expensive for something that I don't use often.
Error | DNS Resolution | Northern Tool + Equipment

I have thought about getting a Arc (stick) welder.

Sometimes older ones can be found used, but I saw this new inverter welder a Hobart Stickmate 160i Dual Voltage DC Arc Welder Inverter, 120/240Volt, 20?60 Amp Output, Model# 160
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How good are these inverter stick welders and will I see enough of a jump in capability to weld 3/8" steel in a single pass?

Might try multi pass welds on thicker materials... I glued a piece of 1 inch thick plate onto of a piece of 1/4 inch wall steel pipe for "T" post drive with my HH 140 and welds have not failed yet....

Dale

 

[dieselscout80]

Might try multi pass welds on thicker materials... I glued a piece of 1 inch thick plate onto of a piece of 1/4 inch wall steel pipe for "T" post drive with my HH 140 and welds have not failed yet....

Dale

I have done that but the duty cycle can still limit the process.

I have even tried preheating the steel with a torch to help, but I think that need a more powerful welder.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, I spoke with a guy that runs a big outfit that fixes all manner of (commercial) welders and cutters. His opinion, no good at all. Not compared to the old transformer based technology. He said, they will all be long gone when the old stuff is STILL around.

 

[Birdhunter1]

You can also bevel each side of the 3/8" plate and multipass weld it. I have an Everlast 140 amp mig that if I feel I am starting to run out of steam I get my 200 amp arc welder and burn some rods. My arc welder is a 200 amp Everlast Powerarc, I feel the two welders are a very good combination.

 

[yomax4]

Transformer machines are long life units for sure. They do have a lot of limitations like size, weight, mobility and power consumption. Don't get me wrong, I still like them but they are not long for this world. A few home shop units are about all that is left for tranny stick welders. Everything has moved on to Inverters. Lots of good used stuff out there too.

 

[RandyT]

I have found that my Hobart 160i set at about 80 will out perform my Hobart 140 mig welder running at 140 which in reality is probably only about 90 amp

Beg to differ.... Might want to look at page 10 of this document.....

https://www.hobartwelders.com/files/owners-manuals/O258267G_HOB.pdf

Dale

I said that because I have come across people that stuck amp clamps over the leads and were only getting about 90 amps. The Handler 140 is a constant voltage not constant amps. So could peak at 140 but doesn't mean that is actually putting out that amperage all the time where as the Hobart 160i is a constant amp machine.

 

[yomax4]

The 115v welder numbers keep creeping up. fact is it's difficult to get more than about 90 amps out of a 115v circuit for all practical purposes. You can sweeten the deal if you choose a machine with Power Factor Correction ( PFC ). One year the welders were sold as 100's the next year nothing changed except they called them 115 or 120's and the next year they call them 140's. Also A dual voltage machine on 115v will weld circles around a straight 115v machine. Try it.