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Posted by Kelly Jones on July 7, 2008, 11:46 pm
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Hi all:
I want to get into welding (home hobbyist). My available power is single
phase 120V, 20 amp, but I'm not against putting in another 230V outlet (to
match the milling machine and lathe), but I'd rather have the flexibility of
moving the welder around the shop as required.
I would like to weld no more than 1/4 inch thick and a 20% duty cycle would
probably be fine. Most of what I will weld will be mild steel, but I might
want to try some aluminum or cast iron from time to time. I expect to weld
less than 10 times a year.
My primary objective (other than cost) is to be able to perform quality
welds with minimal training and effort. (Even though I expect some learning
is required, I don't want to make learning to weld the task.)
I've looked at both the Miller and Lincoln web sites and thought at first
that either the Millermatic 140T or the Lincoln Power Mig 140C would be the
ticket. But now I'm not sure. I droped into the big box hardware store and
they had Lincoln Weld-Pak machines, which appear to be wire feed, MIG
upgradable, machines.
My question: If I purchased a Weld-Pak, or equivelant, would I regret it?
Would I find I needed to upgrade immediately to MIG? Would the Weld-Pak be
sufficiently flexible for the small jobs I have described? More
importantly, is there another factor I haven't thought of that would
influence my decision?
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Posted by Leo Lichtman on July 8, 2008, 12:17 am
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"Kelly Jones" (clip) My primary objective (other than cost) is to be able to
perform quality
> welds with minimal training and effort. (Even though I expect some
> learning is required, I don't want to make learning to weld the task.)
> (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Take a welding course first. Welding is a skill--not a turnkey operation.
From my own experience, learning to weld was half the fun. I'm 80 years
old, and have been welding at home for maybe 50 years, and I'm still
learning. Forget the idea that you can just jump in and get it done.
I don't know how anyone can get along without welding :-)
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Posted by Michael Koblic on July 8, 2008, 1:01 am
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Forget the idea that you can just jump in and get it done.
>
> I don't know how anyone can get along without welding :-)
In all fairness, define get it done.
I bought Millermatic 90 over 10 years ago. Read books, watched the video.
Welded. Would a professional accept all my results? Probably not. But I do
not recall having a failure.
If you are prepared to learn by experimenting *while being anal about
safety* I see no reason not to get on with it.
It depends of course what kind of welding you want to do and what results
you are expecting.
Of course none of this answers your question on equipment choice. I am still
using the old Millermatic...
--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC
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Posted by Joe Pfeiffer on July 8, 2008, 1:07 am
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> "Kelly Jones" (clip) My primary objective (other than cost) is to be able to
> perform quality
>> welds with minimal training and effort. (Even though I expect some
>> learning is required, I don't want to make learning to weld the task.)
>> (clip)
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Take a welding course first.
Fantastic advice -- I took the beginning welding class at the local
community college last year and had a blast. Got to play with oxy,
stick, and MIG.
> Welding is a skill--not a turnkey operation.
Truer words were never spoke.
> From my own experience, learning to weld was half the fun. I'm 80 years
> old, and have been welding at home for maybe 50 years, and I'm still
> learning. Forget the idea that you can just jump in and get it done.
>
> I don't know how anyone can get along without welding :-)
I've only been at it for a year, and I wonder the same thing now.
Back to the original question: if you're going to be welding 1/4",
you need a 220V welder. The 110s just can't put out the current
needed for something that thick.
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Posted by Ignoramus27232 on July 8, 2008, 1:18 am
Please log in for more thread options I am not seeking any kinds of extremes, etc and usually weld stuff
that is useful around the house, trailer and so on. No bridges or
battleships. But in my, very short, home welding career I already
encountered a few situations when I had to weld thick things to thick
things. Such as a 4140 bar to a railroad rail, for example. If I had a
welder that could only weld objects under 1/4", I would be
disappointed.
i
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> learning is required, I don't want to make learning to weld the task.)
> (clip)