I'm a pretend welder for about 1 weekend per year. I have a base model Lincoln MIG (yes it has gas), and I'm wondering how accurate the charts are on the inner panels of the welder. Can I really weld 1/4 steel with this thing? I've always done small, odd job welding projects, but will this thing do the job if i want to weld a motor mount, or any frame mods? Thanks for the help....
It will weld it but not for long. The weld cycle is very short, the welder shuts down when overheated and you have to wait till it cools. This makes long penetrating welds difficult. Short beads and patience makes it possible, but frustrating. This has been my experience with the little boxes.
yes and no. i've known people who could,and i might try myself,but you need a lot more experience with welding in general so you can tell whether you're getting the right penetration. i have a small MIG and i have done a few jobs that i know will not fail,but i used flux-core wire (burns nice and hot ) and the maximum amperage on the machine. i also added a cooling fan to my machine,so it won't trip the circuit breaker if i weld more than a 2 inch bead at the top setting.
Sure it'll weld 1/4" on the high-end of the heat setting but, your duty cycle will be very short. Just be patient and weld a little at a time giving the machine time to "catch it's breath" in between welds.
I really don't know much about welding. I can hold my own though. I use a Lincoln mig and have gotten pretty good results. Just make sure you have a good clean tip on it and go slow. Mine seems to do pretty well with some of the thicker stuff.
Don't think about welding it with one p***. "V" it out and run stringer p***es. The first or "root p***" should burn through and then fill in the V with stringers from the bottom up. This is where the duty cycle comes in. It will take some time including the time to let the machine cool down but if you take your time it can be done. Don't rush it.
if you have to ask this question and you intend to weld a motor mount, or any frame mods I would suggest having an experienced welder to the work. don't even think about any suspension or steering work.
Tommy and Ratfink are right dead on!! Listen to them. A welder with a low duty cycle can weld thick materials but do as Tommy says and preheat and keep the torch heat on the weldment. This helps the welder run at a lower amperage for heat and penetration. I agree if you have to look at a chart for a weld settings don't weld on anything structural.
Ya, don't worry. I'm not welding anything structural on my car. It's on another guys car, so we're good.... Thanks for all the tips!
Can you show a picture or elaborate please. I too have a 110v Lincoln and want to get all I can out of it.
my MIG is an AstroPower made in Italy,it had a perforated section on the back cover that was obviously for a fan,but they didn't install one at the factory,probably because most MIGs get used for bodywork where there's very short almost spot welds being done,so you never exceeed the duty cycle. all i did was get a 110v muffin fan and bolt it in there,i might have had to drill the mounting holes,then i just wired it right to the on/off switch. i don't know much about the Lincoln,there might not be enough room for a fan?
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