Welding 1/4" steel- Mig or stick?

[Sully2]

Well, that's understandable from someone who can't strike an arc...

Keep on stikin', sparky.

Thats pure assumption on YOUR part. I never said I COULDNT strike an arc...I said I find it MUCH EASIER to use DC and 7018 rods than a 60XX series on AC

 

[johnnydel29]

I am new to welding, and when I was researching welders, I came across this thread and now that I purchased a Lincoln Pro Mig 140 and have been practicing quite a bit, here is my .02.

Some of you may disagree.

I have been experinmenting w/ various metal thinknesses. This 120 Volt machine does an outstanding job on clean steel up to 1/4". I found that the key is cleaning the meatal properly, and moving slowly. I have spoken to numerous exprienced people that welded for many years about 120 volt migs about their capibility of welding thick steel, and many have said pretty much the same thing. Proper set up and speed is a contributing factor to good welds with a smaller machine. I am truely amazed on how good my 120 volt machine works, and I definitely think 120 volt migs are underrated for being abole to weld thicker metals. Like I mentioned, I am new to welding, and I did some pretty amazing stuff w/ this machine welding 1/4" angle irons with absolutely no problems at all.

 

[IslandManMitch]

Hey SULLY, The fish that ignores the bait never has a sore lip.
Just an old Granddaddy-ism that came to mind.

 

[Egon]

Darned, I'm all confused?? Here I thought welders came on the back of 3500 series trucks, had a four cylinder engine and had LINCON on the name plate??? And came with a certified pressure welder!

How times change!

 

[Sully2]

Hey SULLY, The fish that ignores the bait never has a sore lip.
Just an old Granddaddy-ism that came to mind.

Not being a fish nor a grand daddy..I wouldnt know?

 

[gerard]

Boy - what a bunch of different opinions and here's one more from someone who has an ac 225 stick welder and a 110volt mig.
1. I think you're pushing the limits with the mig BUT I would use the mig to tack everything together, then finish it with stick.

2. Industry went to mig for production runs but for heavy field welding ie girders, colums etc - they use stick - go figure!

3. learning stick is fairly easy, just have to figure out what size rod and amp setting to use but you can figure that out pretty quick with a bunch of scrap pieces.

4. Sticks are so cheap for farm welding I wouldn't be without one + with a 6011 rod you can weld rusty/dirty/painted metal which you cannot do with mig.

5. I'd love a 230 volt mig but not for $1000 - can't justify it for the amount of welding I do.

 

[RobJ]

Well, that's understandable from someone who can't strike an arc...

Keep on stikin', sparky.

Sorry but this is really funny. If a person can't strike an arc with ac, they are just doing something wrong, amps to low for a large rod, old wet rods, striking to heavy, wrong position to name a few.

It ain't rocket science folks.

 

[RobJ]

2. Industry went to mig for production runs but for heavy field welding ie girders, colums etc - they use stick - go figure!

Simple stick gives more penetration than mig, and thus is stronger.

And someone made a comment about a mig laying more metal. Not! There is an old thread in the hobart forum of a guy repairing a giant press weight or something. Had to cut part of it out then fill the gap. Huge amout of weight. The welding rods were something like 3/4" thick. Talk about laying some metal. No girly mig there.

I did a quick search but could not find it.

 

[xlr82v2]

Sorry but this is really funny. If a person can't strike an arc with ac, they are just doing something wrong, amps to low for a large rod, old wet rods, striking to heavy, wrong position to name a few.

It ain't rocket science folks.

That's my whole point... instead of learning proper technique and what to do when and with what, instead he went out and bought a different and more expensive machine to solve the "problem", still none the wiser, and now is advising others on what to do based on his "experience" of what is required to achieve success.

A beginner giving out bad advice to other beginners... I'm sorry, but that just isn't right... it's not the right thing to do.

But hey, I know how it is here on TBN... he who types the loudest, with the most buzz words and the most posts is perceived as the smartest, usually. So be it. His advice to all is worth what everyone here has paid for it...

Like I said, I'll step in the mud, but I'm not going to get down and roll around in it. I've got better things to do, and it isn't my money.

 

[Egon]

An interesting site on automated welding!

Pipeline Construction Utilizes Mechanized Welding

I can remember 40 years back or so watching a wire feed automated welder build up a gravel crusher roller.