Which Welder?
- Thread starter otlski
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MinnesotaDaveChalmers
Platinum Member
Along with the 10 min period knowledge, it's also helpful to know that many machines carry their rating at 104°F.
So at lower ambient temps, the duty cycle goes up.
From ESAB while referencing a 40% duty cycle at 285 amps:
"We evaluate duty cycle at a specific ambient temperature葉ypically 104 F. In cooler ambient temperatures, duty cycle increases. For example, when welding at 70 F, you could experience close to a 100-percent duty cycle耀pecifics will vary by machine and actual parameters, but welding in cooler temperatures definitely boosts duty cycle."
So at lower ambient temps, the duty cycle goes up.
From ESAB while referencing a 40% duty cycle at 285 amps:
"We evaluate duty cycle at a specific ambient temperature葉ypically 104 F. In cooler ambient temperatures, duty cycle increases. For example, when welding at 70 F, you could experience close to a 100-percent duty cycle耀pecifics will vary by machine and actual parameters, but welding in cooler temperatures definitely boosts duty cycle."
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Actually it's higher now if the product goes to Canada. The 104F/40C rating will likley begin to fall away since it's easier to certify all product to the same standard for both countries. I think the new standard is 117. Why, I don't know since the last time Canada saw 117F temps was probably when a T Rex roamed the earth. Many of our machines are now rated at the higher standard.
Keep in mind duty cycle is out of 10 minutes. Some people argue this should be a statement of infinity. But a product rated at 100% duty cycle at 10 minutes does not mean it is at 100% duty cycle at 15 minutes..though I've heard some argue that at the machines 100% duty cycle rating a product should run indefinitely.
Keep in mind duty cycle is out of 10 minutes. Some people argue this should be a statement of infinity. But a product rated at 100% duty cycle at 10 minutes does not mean it is at 100% duty cycle at 15 minutes..though I've heard some argue that at the machines 100% duty cycle rating a product should run indefinitely.
cqaigy2
Super Member
I'd be ok with 100% duty meaning you can weld all day at 117F, but i'd sure don't like being in that kind of heat while welding. My duty cycle is much shorter. 
yomax4
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I'd be ok with 100% duty meaning you can weld all day at 117F, but i'd sure don't like being in that kind of heat while welding. My duty cycle is much shorter.
Yeah, My duty cycle is 10-20% @ even 70 degrees.
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
That's not quite where mine is. But I think age is making mine go down. Either that or the mild heatstroke I had makes me more sensitive. If it's above 90, I am not welding anymore unless it has to be done and I have a fan blowing on me. It sneaks up on me. I"ll be fine one minute, and all of sudden I feel it working itself up into a frenzy in no time.
WranglerX
Super Member
Stay hydrated.... You get to intense on welding and forget to drink liquids, better liquids are one that contain electrolytes as sports drinks (Gatoraid)...
Live in foothills of calif and see 90-100° temp daily through summer....
Dale
cqaigy2
Super Member
If you've had heatstroke you are more sensitive to heat and more susceptible to a repeat so be careful Mark.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Yesterday I did a couple of hours of welding in the sun at 85 degrees, and I noticed the beads I was making while they started out good, after about an hour they started to really suck. It didn't help that a lot of the last ones were overhead, and the fact I got some splatter down just above my welding sleeves and burned thru my shirt and into my arm. That felt really nice, then I noticed I was so exhausted I was kinda wobbly on my feet. I had to sit for a while. I think the heat and old age is catching up with me. About 20 or 30 degrees cooler would have been nice. My "duty cycle" seems to be a lot less than the welding machine.
OP
otlski
Platinum Member
Once again, thanks to all for your opinions. In the past week I had three welding sessions with the old MIG which went flawlessly until today when the feed went erratic prompting me get moving on the replacement.
I have learned a few things from this thread and given it a lot of thought. I am highly likely to go the Lincoln 210 route or similar. Given the general recommendations not to weld over a 1/4" thick mild steel in a single pass; I know that I am not good enough to bypass that "rule". In the end the value of being able to weld the thicker cross-sections with the Hobart seemed a false advantage. The Lincoln with its better controls and more versatile setup guidance seems the best fit for me. I did in retrospect come to value the notion of portability and 115 VAC operation. I do most of my work in the woods in steep and very rocky ground; remote repairs have been needed.
So, given the choice of the inverter style, I have a few more questions. First, what would be the closest offering that Everlast has that is most similar to the Lincoln 210 MP? I find that Everlast has so many choices it is hard to understand which one might be a comparable capability machine. Second, a knowledgeable guy I work with is suggesting that I consider a much less expensive machine, citing that for $500-$800 less money than the Lincoln, and going "off brand", you can get the same current/duty capabilities. His recommendation is the AHP brand.
AHP AlphaMIG 25 , the $95 25 AMP MIG! Complete In Depth Overview! - YouTube
Maybe not that exact unit but something similar. I argued that reliability might be compromised but he disagreed having owned one for a bunch of years.
I have learned a few things from this thread and given it a lot of thought. I am highly likely to go the Lincoln 210 route or similar. Given the general recommendations not to weld over a 1/4" thick mild steel in a single pass; I know that I am not good enough to bypass that "rule". In the end the value of being able to weld the thicker cross-sections with the Hobart seemed a false advantage. The Lincoln with its better controls and more versatile setup guidance seems the best fit for me. I did in retrospect come to value the notion of portability and 115 VAC operation. I do most of my work in the woods in steep and very rocky ground; remote repairs have been needed.
So, given the choice of the inverter style, I have a few more questions. First, what would be the closest offering that Everlast has that is most similar to the Lincoln 210 MP? I find that Everlast has so many choices it is hard to understand which one might be a comparable capability machine. Second, a knowledgeable guy I work with is suggesting that I consider a much less expensive machine, citing that for $500-$800 less money than the Lincoln, and going "off brand", you can get the same current/duty capabilities. His recommendation is the AHP brand.
AHP AlphaMIG 25 , the $95 25 AMP MIG! Complete In Depth Overview! - YouTube
Maybe not that exact unit but something similar. I argued that reliability might be compromised but he disagreed having owned one for a bunch of years.
