welder question
I have used Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, and honestly all 3 are excellent machines. You can't really go wrong with any of them.
You start getting into the other brands, you start getting hit or miss. I hear people talk about the everlast tig machines all the time but they arrive broken in shipping a lot, and it's only a matter of time before one quits on you. Granted they are good about replacement parts, but it's the hassle that I wouldn't want to deal with.
You start getting into the other brands, you start getting hit or miss. I hear people talk about the everlast tig machines all the time but they arrive broken in shipping a lot, and it's only a matter of time before one quits on you. Granted they are good about replacement parts, but it's the hassle that I wouldn't want to deal with.
I have used Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, and honestly all 3 are excellent machines. You can't really go wrong with any of them.
You start getting into the other brands, you start getting hit or miss. I hear people talk about the everlast tig machines all the time but they arrive broken in shipping a lot, and it's only a matter of time before one quits on you. Granted they are good about replacement parts, but it's the hassle that I wouldn't want to deal with.
You start getting into the other brands, you start getting hit or miss. I hear people talk about the everlast tig machines all the time but they arrive broken in shipping a lot, and it's only a matter of time before one quits on you. Granted they are good about replacement parts, but it's the hassle that I wouldn't want to deal with.
Saving to buy a Tig from them next
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
.02 from a welder of 10+ years.
I don't seem to have any issues with 75/25 with .023 wire, I just keep the wire feed rate up and the heat a little on the low side. Have absolutely zero issues. Pipe fitment, is absolutely critical like everything. I would never fabricate an exhaust with gaps that big.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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Verdad Gallardo Well aware I probably have a thousand hours with a helmet on, I've burnt over 200 lbs of wire they my 180 Lincoln at home now.
And after it all in still find myself stitching stuff together.... 3 quick tacks on a pipe and smoke locks it in place, and then I can just stitch it and have zero mess, nothing piled up, no burn thru's ever, etc. Everyone has they're own style and find a way to get results.
And after it all in still find myself stitching stuff together.... 3 quick tacks on a pipe and smoke locks it in place, and then I can just stitch it and have zero mess, nothing piled up, no burn thru's ever, etc. Everyone has they're own style and find a way to get results.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
I think I'm only on my 3rd or 4th 10 pound spool on my personal Lincoln (owned it probably 6 years). That's been mostly exhaust, trailer stuff, small fabrication trinkets. I don't get to weld much anymore. It's fun though. I've taught a few guys too, got something setup with a guy soon to teach him the ins and outs. If you learn how to weld then you've taught one person, if you teach someone, then it can pass on over and over and over again.
welder question
Originally Posted by JL ws-6
Dunno where you heard that but I have a direct contact at Lincoln, all lincoln 180 mig's are built on the same line, and the only difference from a 180 HD, 180 L, and 180 pro, is the packaging. Pro is for a Lincoln welding supply store, HD for home depot, L for lowes.
Buy from wherever you can get the best PRICE. Ebay has people selling brand new machines 80 bucks LESS than lowes or home depot. That's where I bought my 180 Lincoln 5 years ago and it's been a great machine. Everything from thin sheet metal work to 5/16 plate and I have had no issues doing any of them.
Buy from wherever you can get the best PRICE. Ebay has people selling brand new machines 80 bucks LESS than lowes or home depot. That's where I bought my 180 Lincoln 5 years ago and it's been a great machine. Everything from thin sheet metal work to 5/16 plate and I have had no issues doing any of them.
To the op, I have a Hobart 140 I bought 8 years ago and it's never let me down. I also have a Lincoln 180 that I've never had a problem with either. I do like the arc better on my Lincoln than the Lincoln. I use a miller at work every day. Figure out what thickness metal you plan on welding. .001 thickness needs 1 amp for good penetration with a single pass. Just a very crude way to figure out how many amps you need.
welder question
Originally Posted by Suncc49
I have been messing with the lincoln 140 pro mig. It works well. I was using 100% argon and .035 wire, which I know is not the best for the material I am using.
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
Definitely learned that. I am just a noob and practicing on scrap exhaust. I learn things very quickly though lol....
75/25 will do pretty much all the welding you will do with a machine like you have, if you want more heat tri-mix will help. I use that with my 189 when doing heavy stuff, like when I'm plating up snow plow brackets that are getting 1/4 inch thick doubler plates due to the holes all getting egged out from years of abuse. Makes good penetration on the thick metal easier, and allows a good single pass stitch to get it done.
Tri mix is generally for stainless but I find the welder seems to create a lot more heat with it. At least for me. I only go to that if I'm trying to do heavy stuff that is pretty much the maxing what the welder is capable of, 5/16 type stuff bracing up things with .032 wire.
Normally I leave .023 wire in the machine and run 75/25 as that seems to work for most things.
Normally I leave .023 wire in the machine and run 75/25 as that seems to work for most things.
welder question
Originally Posted by JL ws-6
Tri mix is generally for stainless but I find the welder seems to create a lot more heat with it. At least for me. I only go to that if I'm trying to do heavy stuff that is pretty much the maxing what the welder is capable of, 5/16 type stuff bracing up things with .032 wire.
Normally I leave .023 wire in the machine and run 75/25 as that seems to work for most things.
Normally I leave .023 wire in the machine and run 75/25 as that seems to work for most things.
