I have a 110volt mig/flux 80 welder that I got to do some sheetmetal work with. My question is how much should I expect from this welder as far as metal thickness. If I need to weld tabs or brackets to a frame ,will my welds be strong enough? If not give me some suggestions on an upgrade. Thanks
I've used the little Miller 135 110 V Mig with flux core to build a couple of frames. Theres enough umph there to blow through 1/8" steel with no problem. I know a lot of people on here will not agree on doing frame work with a 110 welder, but if you know what your doing and set things up right they can work fine. You should practice on heavier material and see how it does.
we have a Lincoln 110V welder. My father changed it over so we use Argon gas, and fluxless wire. We have used it for frame work too, with no problems yet. Practice on scrap, and see how much penetration you get.
I used flux core on my cars. Once you get used to it ,it isn't any less strong,or more, than using gas. It is like using a stick welder,so you have to wire brush the slag off the top.to clean it up. I have used flux-core on stainless,and cast-iron with acceptable results. with plain carbon steel up to 3/16" you will be fine.
Scott.......I wouldn't use flux core wire on sheet metal, it's not as clean as gas(argon).......most welders can be converted to gas, well worth it!
Just bought the kit for My Lincoln 100. Makes such a difference in your welds. Built three frames or should I say cars with this welder. Just may take you a little longer to do the long passes but for sheetmetal you cant ask for a better welder.
are you saying its an 80 AMp or is the 80 a model number? If its an 80Amp you should be able to do a decent weld on two peices of 1/8" plate or a light bracket to an eight inch frame. Be sure to grind it clean and VEE the joint-you can also " weave "your pattern back and forth right to ltft to aid in heating and penetration. it sounds a little light so be careful and if it needs more hire it welded for peace of mind....
I believe it is 80 amp. And thanks for the lesson If something is really critical I will probably tac it and take it to a pro until I am more comfortable with my skill
Kenny is right, 1/8" is as heavy as I would go with that welder, and if it is anything critical you need to V the joint and watch the edges of the Bead itself. If the welder is set properly for the thickness of metal, the edges of the Bead will blend into the surrounding metal. If its not hot enough you will see a tiny "rolled" edge where the bead meets the base metal. This is called "Cold Lap", and asuuming you have the heat maxed out and the wirefeed set correctly, that will tell you that you are getting beyond the machines capabilities. When using small aperage welders it is also a good idea to grind away any "Mill Scale" present in the area of the weld. Basically, just make sure the joint is frshly ground and that you got all the black scale, or rust off it. Pre-heating with a torch helps as well when you are approaching the limits of the machine.
Also make sure your outlet is on a *GOOD* 30 amp circuit and if you use an extension cord, use an appliance/air conditioner cord up to about 12 foot length (about 8-10 bucks). overspray
I've been using a lincoln 110 welder for about 2 years now,I've welded the entire chop job on my lincoln sedan with it,including all the interior bracing wnich is quite thick,it takes practice but I have taught alot of people how to weld with a wire welder,most people pick it fast.
[ QUOTE ] an 80 amp wire feed welder is only rated to 16 gauge sheet. you guys scare me sometimes. [/ QUOTE ] You're right. I saw the 135 on the second post and thought thats what we were talking about. I guess I should pay more attention... I usually don't even respond to post's about 110v Welders because everybody expects too much out of them. We have a couple of 135's at my work that are used for sheetmetal and 1/8" angle. They are handy welders, but you have to accept their limitations.
Killer is probably on the money as usual,But as stated above the length and amperage capability of the extension cord could easily render a 135 AMP welder equal to a 75 AMPs power delivered at the gun.... another consideration often overlooked is that lots of small garages and shops have an electrical lead from a residences ENTRANCE PANEL to the shop....that in itself can lower your small welders capabilitys and its LIFE expectancy as well.
OK so if I wanted to look into a 220 machine what are the suggestions. Im not rich, but I want something that will do the job!
[ QUOTE ] OK so if I wanted to look into a 220 machine what are the suggestions. Im not rich, but I want something that will do the job! [/ QUOTE ] Lincoln SP175 is still easily portable, but has enough Power to do anything you need to do on a Car. I am sure Miller has a comparable Welder, but I just happened to have used the Lincoln a few months ago. A friend of mine bought one and used it to do all the Welding on his Roundy Round car. Frame and suspension work, Roll cage, etc. It had more than enough Power and is a very nice Machine considering its portability. http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=7083 Its only drawback is a 30% Duty cycle, but in the average Home-Shop you will rarely exceed that.
hey scott, like dirty31, i too have the lincoln 100. it works great but i stick to sheet metal work with it as well as using it for tacking 3/16" and thicker brackets with it and having a freind do the finish welding with a heavier duty machine. as for the question regarding strength differences between flux core and mig.....the flux core is .035" diameter. i haven't actually done it yet but if i switch my welder to mig, which i already have the kit and gas for it, the wire for it is only .030" diameter. i am assuming that the .035 might not require as much wire to do a job as opposed to the .030. just some thoughts for you to consider man, mike
Saw some Factory Re-Man Hobarts and Lincolns ata good price on Northern tool site- one year warranty.....
miller has a comparable welder to the lincoln 175, Its called the miller 175 and already has the gas kit. Lincoln you have to buy the kit and install.
[ QUOTE ] an 80 amp wire feed welder is only rated to 16 gauge sheet. you guys scare me sometimes. [/ QUOTE ] My thoughts exactly! If you want to weld sheet metal learn to gas weld. If you want to build a chassis buy a "real" mig.
I have a Miller 110V 135amp welder with gas. It works very nice and it's been my favorite so far. I did all the welding on my 31 roadsters 32 frame with it. The welder is rated to weld 3/16" and really works well on the 1/8" frame and boxing plates. A little more capacity would have been nice, but using the little Miller was a bit of an experiment to see if it would do what it was advertised/rated to do. That said, the Miller 175 (175 amps & 240 volts) looks like a good deal. Right now the 175 costs $723. - includes gas hose & regulator. (Free shipping on this particular model and you may save on tax depending on where you live.) This same outfit is selling the Miller 135 110v welder - similarly equipped for $709. I'd spring for the 175 since the prices are so close together. The 240 volt bit shouldn't hold you back either. Wiring up the garage for 240 volts is no big deal so I wouldn't let that stop me. Welder Deal
Here is a deal on a 110 welder that will do it for you. Hobart handler 180 amp NEW from Northern tool costs 649.99\also a 175 amp 110V??? Hobart is available for 499.00[fact- recon] from [www.factoryreconditionedcatalog.com/] I would not be afraid to buy the recon as sometimes something as simple as a switch/relay defect or cosmetic flaw sets em onto the recon list..........I have had good luck with them.[1 yr] warranty......
Yeah, wiring the garage will be the easy part for me,been an electrician for 20 years. Inever burnt anything down, but Im sure if you put a welder in my hand.....................!
I just bought the lincoln sp135 with the gas kit in it.It has to be by far the best 120v.welder I have used yet.I have welded 1/4 angle with it(NOT structural stuff)and it burns nicely.I went with the lincoln beacause the miller was $150. more than the lincoln
Scott ,here is my advice, I don't like the flux cores because they leave a lot of crap on the weld. But, If you need all the power you can get for a thicker material ,use the smallest wire you can buy for it.It kind of tricks the welder into thinking it has more power. If that is not enough tack the pieces together and then crank up the torch and preheat the heck out of it . It will help penetration tremendously and can get you thru a borderline situation. That being said, I think sheetmetal ,20 or 22 gauge for an 80 amp ,maybe 1/8 for a 135 machine,and 3/16 for a 150, just my opinion.
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