What welder would be best??

[Big Barn]

At age 14, I still think the kid will like buying a pretty standard mig. I wouldn't spend a ton of cash on it, just a mid-priced decent one should do for many years. That 1/16" to 1/8" material will be much much easier to weld

That would me my vote also.

Terry

 

[Sodo]

Paul, I wrote this:

Keep in mind that any MIG machine will weld down to 1/16" (1.5mm) without too much trouble, and on the upper end, 3/8 (10mm) is reasonable. I prefer MIG with the C25 gas, there is no slag.

And this;

If Ferarri99 has 15A at 240v this could be good info, and on-topic too. My Miller specifies 3/8" thickness capability (~10mm) with 230v@20A which is a little more power than 240v@15A but close enough.

I did not intend this to go off into Arcs regaling their glory days but it did, as they often do. Please don't include me in that.

I think he's trying to figure out what he can do with 240v@15A. My contributions were on-topic (as I prefer ).

 

[Shield Arc]

If the kid could find one of these old Lindes. I paid $300.00 for this one. The inductance control is amazing!:cool2:

 

[Shield Arc]

I did not intend this to go off into Arcs regaling their glory days but it did, as they often do. Please don't include me in that.

At least we have glory days. You still won't admit you put out bad information!
You're so ignorant when it comes to welding, you are dangerous!:thumbdown:

 

[newbury]

<snip> Shield Arc was referring to his Everlast machines as the best arc for the money.<snip>

Yes, but when you spend $260 for a $600 machine like the SA 300 what do you expect? Now if he qualified it with something like "even at retail price" his comment would have more punch.

At least we have glory days. You still won't admit you put out bad information!
You're so ignorant when it comes to welding, you are dangerous!:thumbdown:

That's why many of us rely on those

welder pigs with 30 year old scar tissue

to tell us when something is incorrect and dangerous.

 

[Sodo]

At least we have glory days. You still won't admit you put out bad information!
You're so ignorant when it comes to welding, you are dangerous!:thumbdown:

Shield you forgot to clarify what was bad information. Again, I think members want to know, and some seem to rely on you.

The only "danger" here - is that the hobby/maintenance guy's advice might be good. And other hobby/maintenance guys might start to contribute too. If you arcs would just lighten up and let others contribute this crazy situation will fade away on its own

 

[DXN1EL]

SODO Where do you want to get to with all this? You want the "ARCS" to tell you that a 120V MIG can weld a 4" plate? or you want them to tell you that your cold welds are so good that you should be welding bridges, tanks? :confused3:

I hope they (the "Arcs") stick here on the forums like they have been giving feedback on welds, advise ets. so people don't attempt to build trailers with thei cold welds to haul tractors on the Highway. :thumbsup: :anyone:

 

[Shield Arc]

Shield you forgot to clarify what was bad information. Again, I think members want to know, and some seem to rely on you.

The only "danger" here - is that the hobby/maintenance guy's advice might be good. And other hobby/maintenance guys might start to contribute too. If you arcs would just lighten up and let others contribute this crazy situation will fade away on its own

First you say it is OK to Mig weld thicker material than the manufactures specs!:thumbdown: Anybody who knows anything about welding knows Mig welders are notorious for making cold welds. Especially in the hands of a novice!
Then you say Mig welders are limited to 3/8-inch thick material:thumbdown:. Pretty darn ignorant in my book!

 

[Sodo]

First you say it is OK to Mig weld thicker material than the manufactures specs!:thumbdown:

This is true. There are many ways you can weld thicker than the MFR specs and I am certain that you know many methods. For example methods used in that 1 7/8" weld.

Then you say Mig welders are limited to 3/8-inch thick material:thumbdown:

Never said that and wouldn't.
AGAIN, Here's what I wrote. This is in regards to what a new welder with 240v@15A might purchase.

Keep in mind that any MIG machine will weld down to 1/16" (1.5mm) without too much trouble, and on the upper end, 3/8 (10mm) is reasonable.

I believe this to be sound advice, and better advice than what you just provided. In fact I can't really see what value you are attempting to provide (in this thread). When it comes to beginners, your advice, choice of tips to offer and welding experience examples make me scratch my head.

Pretty darn ignorant in my book!

Sorry the hobby/maintenance welding world is just not that complicated. You can 'not know' many things and still do good work. Motivation and willingness to attempt projects is about the biggest contributor, and getting real help by someone looking over your shoulder too is a big help.

How about this: I post what I know that I think to be helpful information from a hobby/maintenance welder point of view. And if it's wrong, you Arcs clarify specifically what's wrong. When you simply imply that everything is wrong, nobody learns anything, except "don't oppose the Arcs".

It does seem like you guys want to help, but maybe consider it more like a discussion, rather than a podium.

 

[Shield Arc]

It does seem like you guys want to help, but maybe consider it more like a discussion, rather than a podium.

You are the only one who thinks that.
When you're wrong, you are wrong, plain and simple! What part of that don't you understand?:confused3: