Looking for a MIG NEED ADVICE
09-24-2010, 06:48 AM
#1
Looking for a MIG NEED ADVICE hey all,
im looking at purchasing my first welder. Im not shy about learning new crafts and honestly this is somthing ive always wanted to do.
First and foremost. I plan to use it for exhaust work to start, then after i get more familiar and better with it, i will move onto suspension work. my question is simple, suspension work and possibly roll cages.
if i was looking at a welder, id obviously want a 210/220 unit correct?? just need a model to start looking for and begin to budget accordingly. thanks,
i keep toying with the idea of picking up a 135/140. There are a couple for sale locally, but i dont want to pick something up that wont work when i decide to start my solid rear axle swap. which will more then likely involve welding 1/4 thick steel, and brackets to those plates and to the axle housing. any thoughts.
thanks
kyle
im looking at purchasing my first welder. Im not shy about learning new crafts and honestly this is somthing ive always wanted to do.
First and foremost. I plan to use it for exhaust work to start, then after i get more familiar and better with it, i will move onto suspension work. my question is simple, suspension work and possibly roll cages.
if i was looking at a welder, id obviously want a 210/220 unit correct?? just need a model to start looking for and begin to budget accordingly. thanks,
i keep toying with the idea of picking up a 135/140. There are a couple for sale locally, but i dont want to pick something up that wont work when i decide to start my solid rear axle swap. which will more then likely involve welding 1/4 thick steel, and brackets to those plates and to the axle housing. any thoughts.
thanks
kyle
09-25-2010, 05:27 AM
#3
I'm an amateur welder. Consequently, my welds looked like it.
I upgraded from my Miller 135 to a Miller 212 Autoset.
This is an amazing machine. Dial in the metal thickness and it automatically controls wire speed and amperage. Makes a hack like me look like I know what I'm doing.
I upgraded from my Miller 135 to a Miller 212 Autoset.
This is an amazing machine. Dial in the metal thickness and it automatically controls wire speed and amperage. Makes a hack like me look like I know what I'm doing.
09-26-2010, 07:53 PM
#5
I've got a Miller 210 and a Syncrowave 250... I've also used the Lincoln and Miller 110VAC units and they work great. If you do go the 110vac route (135 amps???) make sure you buy the gear to hook up gas so you can MIG and not use flux core wire...
Tig at this point is probably not what you should buy, but it's very versatile!
Andy
Tig at this point is probably not what you should buy, but it's very versatile!
Andy
09-27-2010, 12:25 PM
#7
Mike
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10-04-2010, 02:57 PM
#9
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Think of your purchase as an investment. If you ever see yourself welding something 1/4 or up down the road get yourself a Miller/Lincoln of 200 amps or up.
On top of it all, if you get a larger machine it will not have to work as hard and will last you much longer.
I see used MIG's going on Craigslist all the time for the same price as new. So don't think you are going to loose a ton of money on buying a bigger machine.
Oh, and read all the reviews you can on the machine you might pick up. Some of them look great on paper but might not suite your needs.
Good luck.
On top of it all, if you get a larger machine it will not have to work as hard and will last you much longer.
I see used MIG's going on Craigslist all the time for the same price as new. So don't think you are going to loose a ton of money on buying a bigger machine.
Oh, and read all the reviews you can on the machine you might pick up. Some of them look great on paper but might not suite your needs.
Good luck.
10-04-2010, 02:59 PM
#10
Thanks for the good advice man. i appreciate it, judging by your name, you are big into custom fab, lucky for me, i have a rock crawler boss who loves fabricating stuff.
i decided not to buy one yet, until i can budget for a miller 210 or 220. You are right, buy it once, buy it right.
i decided not to buy one yet, until i can budget for a miller 210 or 220. You are right, buy it once, buy it right.
11-07-2010, 05:25 PM
#11
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Is tig even recommended to a novice welder? I have been going over and over what I want for a first welder and I have become interested in Tig and found a few good deals on used. Will I be at a severe disadvantage trying to learn to tig first?
I want to take a few courses but the closest is a 90 mile drive, the college I am currently attending doesn't offer welding.
I want to take a few courses but the closest is a 90 mile drive, the college I am currently attending doesn't offer welding.
11-07-2010, 06:53 PM
#12
The best way to learn to weld steel is oxy-acetylene. It teaches you how to get the puddle started and how to feed filler. It happens at a slower pace than TIG, so it's easier to get a grasp of the process. If you already have oxygen and acetylene, a welding tip and some rod is a cheap way to learn. (TIG welding aluminum with an inverter machine is similar to steel, mainly it just happens way faster.)
Once you learn gas welding, TIG comes naturally. Also, it is a good basis for MIG welding, because you will be less apt to make welds that are just filler piled up without good penetration.
Once you learn gas welding, TIG comes naturally. Also, it is a good basis for MIG welding, because you will be less apt to make welds that are just filler piled up without good penetration.
11-07-2010, 06:57 PM
#13
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Thanks for the good info, when I get home I am gonna get my torch setup and practice before I make a decision to go either way.
I have been quite a few places and hadn't heard advice like that, can't learn if you don't ask.
I have been quite a few places and hadn't heard advice like that, can't learn if you don't ask.
11-08-2010, 06:15 PM
#16
Practice makes perfect with any welding.
With any welder, bigger is always better. Its better to have too much than not enough
.
I agree with MikeGyver, oxy/ace welding is a great way to learn. While it is a lost art now-a-days it is a good way to get started.
With any welder, bigger is always better. Its better to have too much than not enough
.I agree with MikeGyver, oxy/ace welding is a great way to learn. While it is a lost art now-a-days it is a good way to get started.
