c473
06-03-2006, 10:19 PM
Don't get along so well. I got tired of the big bevel/multiple pass/questionably consistent penetration a long time ago. But I kept trying to convince myself it was fine and I didn't neet anything bigger than the century built (snapon) 140 mig running on 110 (maybe 90 amps). After several attempts at perfect prep/weld on test coupons that came apart with the vice/hammer test, I went to the closest welding store to get a real machine.
The 110 machine is now on the bench, only coming out for exhaust/sheet metal duty.
The main machine:
1087
Stick
HF Tig
Lift Tig
AC/DC
High Freq
Pulse
Runs on 220 an pulls 42 amps wide open with stick, 38 on Tig.
Yes, it is slower than a mig, but I'm not a production shop. I almost went with an ESAB multimatic 260 (Mig, Stick, Tig). The Esab has a great mig and only an average (DC only=steel only) Tig. The Thermal Arc is 1/4 the size/weight and has a great Tig. Not the best tig, since it's an inverter type, but much easier on the wallet and shop space than the top of the line rectifier types. Now I will have beutiful welds, no splatter, and I won't have to do that silly dance we all do when a weld-cherry finds flesh.:rolleyes:
Bottom line, it will weld anything I come across on a normal type build.
The 110 machine is now on the bench, only coming out for exhaust/sheet metal duty.
The main machine:
1087
Stick
HF Tig
Lift Tig
AC/DC
High Freq
Pulse
Runs on 220 an pulls 42 amps wide open with stick, 38 on Tig.
Yes, it is slower than a mig, but I'm not a production shop. I almost went with an ESAB multimatic 260 (Mig, Stick, Tig). The Esab has a great mig and only an average (DC only=steel only) Tig. The Thermal Arc is 1/4 the size/weight and has a great Tig. Not the best tig, since it's an inverter type, but much easier on the wallet and shop space than the top of the line rectifier types. Now I will have beutiful welds, no splatter, and I won't have to do that silly dance we all do when a weld-cherry finds flesh.:rolleyes:
Bottom line, it will weld anything I come across on a normal type build.