Welder recommendation?
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Storm lake Iowa
Welder recommendation?
My new shop is finally just about finished, and I'm taking the plunge on a MIG welder. I have single phase 220V power and a dedicated 50 amp breaker.
I'm looking for a 200amp range unit, preferably good used, and wonder if those of you who weld (This means you, TwinTurbo, and not you, Jughead
) can make a recommendation? I have a friend with an old Lincoln Idealarc SP-200 that he'll sell me, hasn't given me a price yet, I'm going to go over on Saturday and play with it a little before we come to any specific terms. The thing is pretty bulky but will roll under my welding table so shouldn't cause space problems. He claims he can weld 1" steel plate with it, which is far beyond what I'm likely ever to need! At 135 amps output it's duty cycle is supposed to be 100% all day long...
My other thought is to look into a combination unit that will do TIG and stick as well as MIG...
Any input appreciated
I'm looking for a 200amp range unit, preferably good used, and wonder if those of you who weld (This means you, TwinTurbo, and not you, Jughead
) can make a recommendation? I have a friend with an old Lincoln Idealarc SP-200 that he'll sell me, hasn't given me a price yet, I'm going to go over on Saturday and play with it a little before we come to any specific terms. The thing is pretty bulky but will roll under my welding table so shouldn't cause space problems. He claims he can weld 1" steel plate with it, which is far beyond what I'm likely ever to need! At 135 amps output it's duty cycle is supposed to be 100% all day long...My other thought is to look into a combination unit that will do TIG and stick as well as MIG...
Any input appreciated
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Sounds like a good welder, somewhat like what I have (mine is 200 @100% and 270 @ 60 but that's way overkill for what we're using it for. Mine has 2 heat ranges, I and II and I almost exclusivly use I and hardly every use II, on II w/ the voltage cranked to max I can easily burn though 1/2" thick steel)
Is it a gas unit? Does it have a trigger contact or constant contact (as in, you can place the wire whre you want to weld and it only starts when you pull the trigger???)
Is it a gas unit? Does it have a trigger contact or constant contact (as in, you can place the wire whre you want to weld and it only starts when you pull the trigger???)
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I like the Lincoln 175, It is a 220 volt 30 amp unit. I only believe in gas and solid wire, NO flux core. NO way you would weld 1 inch plate, one pass. I have welded 1 inch thick but only after beveling all the way through and building with numerous passes.
You don't need something that big. I could buy a much bigger unit from work cheap but it isn't worth the hassel working with old equipment. It takes more room, it's top end power is never needed and more chance of breaking down. The new units have 3 years warranty and like most shops will not see the many hours and industrail one has seen.
My lincoln was $1000 CDN plus tax
You don't need something that big. I could buy a much bigger unit from work cheap but it isn't worth the hassel working with old equipment. It takes more room, it's top end power is never needed and more chance of breaking down. The new units have 3 years warranty and like most shops will not see the many hours and industrail one has seen.
My lincoln was $1000 CDN plus tax
Race Director
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
1000$ canadian? Wow, that is a good price, welders run way over 2500$ here for a quality unit.
I do have a seperate tig power supply.
Race Director
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12 pounds, are those those small rolls? i have large 50+ pound rolls in mine. Lincoln is not common here, Hobart is more common but still not sold widely. Most here sell Kemppi, Lorch and Fronius and they are very expensive
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by Grinchia
My new shop is finally just about finished, and I'm taking the plunge on a MIG welder. I have single phase 220V power and a dedicated 50 amp breaker.
I'm looking for a 200amp range unit, preferably good used, and wonder if those of you who weld (This means you, TwinTurbo, and not you, Jughead ) can make a recommendation? I have a friend with an old Lincoln Idealarc SP-200 that he'll sell me, hasn't given me a price yet, I'm going to go over on Saturday and play with it a little before we come to any specific terms. The thing is pretty bulky but will roll under my welding table so shouldn't cause space problems. He claims he can weld 1" steel plate with it, which is far beyond what I'm likely ever to need! At 135 amps output it's duty cycle is supposed to be 100% all day long...
My other thought is to look into a combination unit that will do TIG and stick as well as MIG...
Any input appreciated
I'm looking for a 200amp range unit, preferably good used, and wonder if those of you who weld (This means you, TwinTurbo, and not you, Jughead
) can make a recommendation? I have a friend with an old Lincoln Idealarc SP-200 that he'll sell me, hasn't given me a price yet, I'm going to go over on Saturday and play with it a little before we come to any specific terms. The thing is pretty bulky but will roll under my welding table so shouldn't cause space problems. He claims he can weld 1" steel plate with it, which is far beyond what I'm likely ever to need! At 135 amps output it's duty cycle is supposed to be 100% all day long...My other thought is to look into a combination unit that will do TIG and stick as well as MIG...
Any input appreciated
The consensus is, if you can afford it, go TIG. Reason being that MIG produces a lot of "splatter" by design, and if you want nice "clean" welds, you need to go TIG.
The Harley guy also suggested the "variable frequecy" type for the best job.
This is not MY opinion, just what they told me. So I put my money back in my piggy bank and decided to wait until I have enough for a good TIG system.
Keep in mind that I was asking in reference to stainless and aluminum... so their responses may have been slanted toward that goal.
.0000000001 cents.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Storm lake Iowa
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Sounds like a good welder, somewhat like what I have (mine is 200 @100% and 270 @ 60 but that's way overkill for what we're using it for. Mine has 2 heat ranges, I and II and I almost exclusivly use I and hardly every use II, on II w/ the voltage cranked to max I can easily burn though 1/2" thick steel)
Is it a gas unit? Does it have a trigger contact or constant contact (as in, you can place the wire whre you want to weld and it only starts when you pull the trigger???)
Is it a gas unit? Does it have a trigger contact or constant contact (as in, you can place the wire whre you want to weld and it only starts when you pull the trigger???)
Norval, I'll have to do some more shopping, but the 175-200 amp high duty cycle welders I've checked down here are not as cheap as $1000cndn...more like $1800-$2000+. I'd better go have another look!
Edit: I just checked the Lincoln 175, you're right Norval, they go for right around $500 U.S. plus shipping on E-bay...the reason this welder didn't catch my eye before is the rated 25-30% duty cycle. Granted, that might be enough, but I don't want to find myself in the position I'm in with my air compressor...I love it, but even with the "7" (yeah, Right
) horsepower motor and 60 gallon tank, I only get about 50% duty cycle when sandblasting (but then again, it's a crappy little suction type blasting unit...I need a pressurized tank type!).
Race Director
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For looks nothing beats TIG but it's slow, harder to learn and expensive. for a ground build up home built chassis all show project I'd go tig. since the general treated us to the possibly worst welding on this side of the galaxy super nice tig beads won't make the factory job look more appealing so I think it's not worth the effort. With a bit of practise you can make very nice looking mig welds
Straight c02 shielding gas gives the most penetration, however it spatters like crazy, it's cheap though
I use 75/25 mix, good penetration, not too much spatter and nice penetration.
Straight c02 shielding gas gives the most penetration, however it spatters like crazy, it's cheap though
I use 75/25 mix, good penetration, not too much spatter and nice penetration.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Grinchia
Yes, it is a gas unit. My friend has done welding and fabrication for a living for nearly 40 years, so he should know what he's doing, but he HAS been known to exaggerate...TT, I recall from prior posts that you like a fairly high C02 content in your gas for nice wet/flat puddles...this guy uses straight C02 for everything. I'm not very well educated in GMAW theory, but doesn't having at least a little truly inert gas in the mix help somehow?
Norval, I'll have to do some more shopping, but the 175-200 amp high duty cycle welders I've checked down here are not as cheap as $1000cndn...more like $1800-$2000+. I'd better go have another look!
Edit: I just checked the Lincoln 175, you're right Norval, they go for right around $500 U.S. plus shipping on E-bay...the reason this welder didn't catch my eye before is the rated 25-30% duty cycle. Granted, that might be enough, but I don't want to find myself in the position I'm in with my air compressor...I love it, but even with the "7" (yeah, Right ) horsepower motor and 60 gallon tank, I only get about 50% duty cycle when sandblasting (but then again, it's a crappy little suction type blasting unit...I need a pressurized tank type!).
Norval, I'll have to do some more shopping, but the 175-200 amp high duty cycle welders I've checked down here are not as cheap as $1000cndn...more like $1800-$2000+. I'd better go have another look!
Edit: I just checked the Lincoln 175, you're right Norval, they go for right around $500 U.S. plus shipping on E-bay...the reason this welder didn't catch my eye before is the rated 25-30% duty cycle. Granted, that might be enough, but I don't want to find myself in the position I'm in with my air compressor...I love it, but even with the "7" (yeah, Right
) horsepower motor and 60 gallon tank, I only get about 50% duty cycle when sandblasting (but then again, it's a crappy little suction type blasting unit...I need a pressurized tank type!).Yes the lincoln only has 30% duty cycle but don't tell the machine that. I run on the highest voltage setting with high wire feed rate and keep at it to do any job I so far have asked of it.
It has never shut down and I do have 2 of the units. Both lincoln 175's and both bought new.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
For looks nothing beats TIG but it's slow, harder to learn and expensive. for a ground build up home built chassis all show project I'd go tig. since the general treated us to the possibly worst welding on this side of the galaxy super nice tig beads won't make the factory job look more appealing so I think it's not worth the effort. With a bit of practise you can make very nice looking mig welds
Straight c02 shielding gas gives the most penetration, however it spatters like crazy, it's cheap though
I use 75/25 mix, good penetration, not too much spatter and nice penetration.
Straight c02 shielding gas gives the most penetration, however it spatters like crazy, it's cheap though
I use 75/25 mix, good penetration, not too much spatter and nice penetration.
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From: Storm lake Iowa
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
No way your friend would run straight CO2 I teach a welding coarse and yes I use stright CO2 for demonstrations but it's weld deposit is short circuit, very messy and not much penetration. I have my own gas mixer so I can run any percent I want and I vary it in lab classes but the most common mig gas is about 85% argon 15 % co2 for wetting. Argon just builds a bead to top of the plate, co2 spreads the weld out.
Yes the lincoln only has 30% duty cycle but don't tell the machine that. I run on the highest voltage setting with high wire feed rate and keep at it to do any job I so far have asked of it.
It has never shut down and I do have 2 of the units. Both lincoln 175's and both bought new.
Yes the lincoln only has 30% duty cycle but don't tell the machine that. I run on the highest voltage setting with high wire feed rate and keep at it to do any job I so far have asked of it.
It has never shut down and I do have 2 of the units. Both lincoln 175's and both bought new.
I'd love to test drive the Lincoln 175...if it would do as you say with it's own power supply (as opposed to the TIG supply you stated you're using), it would sure be nice to have something fairly cheap, much more compact, and new with a warranty!
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Grinchia
Norval, I saw his setup, he really does use straight CO2, and he manages to get very nice looking welds out of it, I saw a large cattle chute he was building and the welds looked great to me. I'm no expert, so I can't comment on how he does it
I'd love to test drive the Lincoln 175...if it would do as you say with it's own power supply (as opposed to the TIG supply you stated you're using), it would sure be nice to have something fairly cheap, much more compact, and new with a warranty!
I'd love to test drive the Lincoln 175...if it would do as you say with it's own power supply (as opposed to the TIG supply you stated you're using), it would sure be nice to have something fairly cheap, much more compact, and new with a warranty!
Guns are rated for amperage, a 200 amp gun is rated using Argon as the shielding gas. If you run pure co2 through it you double the rating. or a 200 amp gun can take 400 amps if the shielding gas is CO2.
Trust me Grinchia a cheap 175 amp outfit like miller or lincoln will do all for you. I like my welds hot and fast and the 175 has no problems.
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Co2 only gives short circuit and globular transfer, not spray transfer.
I personally think Hobart are better welding machines than Esab but I'm talking about the ones made by Hobart brothers in Amsterdam, they're the ones now being built by thermal arc in the US, not the ones Miller makes
I personally think Hobart are better welding machines than Esab but I'm talking about the ones made by Hobart brothers in Amsterdam, they're the ones now being built by thermal arc in the US, not the ones Miller makes
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
I have a Millermatic 175 and absolutely love it. I bought it from one of the large distributors on eBay out of Indiana I believe. I got free shipping and a great price. I was originally looking for a used one but the new one was hard to beat. I've had it a year or two and think I paid ~$675 and it came with a free cart. I bought my gas bottle at a local distributor where they sell welding gas. Good luck - it's a lot of fun!
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Grinchia
Norval, I saw his setup, he really does use straight CO2, and he manages to get very nice looking welds out of it, I saw a large cattle chute he was building and the welds looked great to me. I'm no expert, so I can't comment on how he does it
I'd love to test drive the Lincoln 175...if it would do as you say with it's own power supply (as opposed to the TIG supply you stated you're using), it would sure be nice to have something fairly cheap, much more compact, and new with a warranty!
I'd love to test drive the Lincoln 175...if it would do as you say with it's own power supply (as opposed to the TIG supply you stated you're using), it would sure be nice to have something fairly cheap, much more compact, and new with a warranty!
Straight CO2 is used with FLUX core wire, It give better penetration and will weld better through paint and rust.
Argon/CO2 mix with solid wire hates paint or rust.
The flux core wire acts more like stick welding and uses the flux within the wire to get wetting.
For your work on the car you will want a Argon/CO2 mix. Any local welding supply company will have there own special blend but it will turn out around 85% argon 15% co2.
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Co2 only gives short circuit and globular transfer, not spray transfer.
I personally think Hobart are better welding machines than Esab but I'm talking about the ones made by Hobart brothers in Amsterdam, they're the ones now being built by thermal arc in the US, not the ones Miller makes
I personally think Hobart are better welding machines than Esab but I'm talking about the ones made by Hobart brothers in Amsterdam, they're the ones now being built by thermal arc in the US, not the ones Miller makes