welder question

[MadReferee]

See the thread I started a little earlier on the same subject. I've been wondering the same thing about whether I can get by with a 160 amp mig doing multipe passes for 3/8 or more. I too didn't want to get stuck with a machine and then wish I had 200 amps DC.

I did plenty of 3/8" and 1/2" welding for several years with MM175 mig. I condsidered the machine as marginal in overall performance with thicker material but it worked just fine using multiple passes with .030 wire. Joint prep and patience was the key to good results. I eventually got tired of the multiple passes and upgraded to a MM251. I still do multiple passes but not as often.

 

[Sully2]

...
But, if I say MIG - then people immediately think of a wire feed welder. The substitution and use of flux core wire with a MIG machine is as simple as loading the wire into the machine and then not opening the valve on the gas bottle.

EXACTLY! And when Im "verbalizing" to someone ( and NOT typing it on a BB posting) I always say that I have an XX MIG welder than Im using flux cored wire with. ( Lots easier to SAY than to TYPE....

 

[horseman1]

"The substitution and use of flux core wire with a MIG machine is as simple as loading the wire into the machine and then not opening the valve on the gas bottle."

And changing the polarity

 

[thingy]

Depends on what fcaw wire your using,thingy

 

[horseman1]

Is there no easy answer to the madness?

 

[thingy]

Probably not,,but there is plenty of madness to the easy answers[just made that up,on the spot],I'm good,,,thingy

 

[ovrszd]

I came in the house tonight after a day of tinkering in the shop and stumbled onto this thread. You guys need to spend more time in the shop and less time on this forum. You can weld a battleship with a 150 amp welder if you have patience. Go weld something.

 

[thingy]

You're right,lets go,,[where we going now?],,all,battleship,,good good,,,thingy

 

[swines]

"The substitution and use of flux core wire with a MIG machine is as simple as loading the wire into the machine and then not opening the valve on the gas bottle."

And changing the polarity

You know, at some point, this isn't a tutuorial on welding with every parameter covered. My suggestion is to buy several welding books and do your own research. By the way, Thingy is correct, the polarity for flux core wire is wire dependent. So..your point is...? Or, would you like to expand on your comment further? Please, continue the tutorial. I love people who snipe comment with no additional information provided.

 

[Sully2]

You know, at some point, this isn't a tutuorial on welding with every parameter covered. My suggestion is to buy several welding books and do your own research. By the way, Thingy is correct, the polarity for flux core wire is wire dependent. So..your point is...? Or, would you like to expand on your comment further? Please, continue the tutorial. I love people who snipe comment with no additional information provided.

My HH140 manual doesnt say its wire dependant (flux core to fluxcore) All it says is that with fluxcore you do it one way...solid wire and gas you change polarity another way..???