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View Full Version : Little welders and 1/4 inch plate



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.

violatedppl
06-04-2006, 01:18 AM
nice thing about inverter, almost unlimited adjustability with arc. used them in my welding class, great if you just need it to run a little higher, and still keep a close arc gap

OverkillZJ
06-04-2006, 08:07 AM
talk about going from underkill to holy crap that oughta do it!

Skyline
06-16-2006, 10:39 PM
Just curious, what does a welder like that cost?

c473
06-17-2006, 06:52 AM
$1700. You'll also need a bottle of Argone (130 for an 80 cf).

Skyline
06-17-2006, 09:49 AM
$1700. You'll also need a bottle of Argone (130 for an 80 cf).
Thanks for the response. One of these days I'll have to get one of those toys for my garage. I've only used 110 welders, but the've been fine for the sheet metal work I've done (mostly repairing rust spots on old car restoration projects). I think I need to take a course as well to learn sone of the techniques other than MIG.

nate
06-17-2006, 06:07 PM
Uh..
You mean Argon? :D

100% Argon is not used for mild steel welding. You would use it for Aluminum though.



$1700. You'll also need a bottle of Argone (130 for an 80 cf).

c473
06-17-2006, 09:05 PM
You got me. Must have been thinking of all the trips I've "gone" on to get gas for the last two days (three bottles of contaminated Argon:mad: ).

75% Argon / 25% CO2 is used for MIG welding, you could also use straight CO2 for more penetration on the thicker stuff.

100% Argon is used for TIG welding

Skyline
06-17-2006, 11:40 PM
You got me. Must have been thinking of all the trips I've "gone" on to get gas for the last two days (three bottles of contaminated Argon:mad: ).

75% Argon / 25% CO2 is used for MIG welding, you could also use straight CO2 for more penetration on the thicker stuff.

100% Argon is used for TIG welding

The 110v MIG I used had only one bottle. Does that mean the Argon came pre-mixed 75%/25%???

Do some welder set ups have two bottles with one Argon, one CO2 wiith a mixing valve?

c473
06-18-2006, 07:02 AM
I"ve never seen or heard of a welder with a mixing valve. The added cost wouldn't make much sense (my opinion), since you can buy different mixes.

nate
06-18-2006, 11:24 AM
I didn't read your first couple posts, I thought that was a good sized MIG welder. Argon is used with MIG for aluminum welding too.

I'm not very familar with TIG other than the general process. My brother does alot of TIG welding, but never had a chance to teach me.


I've never heard of a mixing valve. It's 1 tank and it's mixed at the store. For my 125 cu/ft tank it's like $40 to fill it up. And that tank will last me about a spool of wire (11 or 12lbs)