MIG welding is so easy I tought my 16 year old girl friend how to do it when we where dating. Now we have been married 32 years and she can use my Miller 250X as good as anyone.
i dont see here that you have an OA setup, i have a miller 251 mig, a miller dynasty DX tig, i have a spool gun, today i'm going to do a little welding on a model-a and i will be welding it with OA, if your son wants to learn welding then teach him OA welding first, my two years in community collage welding program start with 8 months of OA welding, then on to stick, then mig then tig, along the way OA cutting as well.
Go to your local welding supply house and look at the machines.120v or 220v make shore your curcit can handle it.120v machine need good juice an very little extention cord.Used Miller stuff an other top brand are good.Don't buy that harbor freight crap.Then get some welding books an check into some nite welding classes.Practice practice practice.
Other than I have a few years on you, you sound like me(almost), Thanks to Uncle Sam, on board ship during the Korean war, I was taught by my metalsmith 1st class, his excellent method of cutting & arc welding procedures. Those lessons lasted thru out my lifetime as a certified welder in my union in L.A. Of course,back then there were no mig-tig-etc.(only heliarc used mainly by women during WWII), However, mig started becoming more popular in mfg.& in our pipe welding trade about 1965, before that everything (pipe) was either gas or arc welded. Now, back to the question, I agree with some of you that say "why fool with Harbor Frieght cheapies" when in reality spend a few more bucks & get good American made equipment that will do the job? Before retiring, at my shop I had a 3 phase big ol' lincoln that would handle anything that came along for mig using .035 wire. Also, thats great that you teach your son the basics of gas welding/cutting, arc welding, mig up to 1/4 inch with the 250 series, plus all the hand tools, grinders including the "peanut" grinder, electric saws & drill press & using safety goggles!! I taught my son when he was 10----Now he is 51, & he continually makes use of my knowledge passed on so many years ago, now grandson (21)has continued the legend, when he's not surfing!!!---HA!! Some of you have mentioned about "Working with hands" That is going to be the next shortage of basic skills in our country I think!!-----Enough from the old guy!!!!---------Don
If you know how stick weld specially with AC, you will know how to MIG weld in no time, now, personally I will recommend you a 220V. LINCOLN ( SP-175 PLUS) They get very good penetration on thick metal with flux wire or argon gas/ wire I do guarantee that, on thin metal they are absolutely a charm I love mine, but remember is (SP-175 PLUS) I repeat that because they make (Lincoln) some that look alike Joe.
This thread is very much a description of myself and the welders I have. I have the good old Lincoln 225 Ac welder and OA gas. Learned welding in High School and did alot of it when I was young and doing engine swaps and such. Funny story was when I was about 25 I was living in an apt. and had no way of running my 225 and needed some simple welding done. So I found a welding shop that was reasonable so I took the metal to the shop and the guy mig welded everything per my instructions. When I saw the finished product I flipped out at such a beautiful weld and no slag. I said "GOTTA GET ONE OF THEM". Well here it is 30 some years later and no MIG yet. But I saw one at a farm supply firm awhile back and thought that I would get one for some of my newest swaps. It is a Hobart 220V with gas cylinder hookup. It was somewhere in the $500-$600 range. Sounds really good to me. Glad to hear that a stick welder person can do mig welding without a hitch. I will keep on looking, but will definitely go with a name brand and 220V with gas capabilities.
DonMan, My father taught me how to stick weld (and torch-weld) when I was about 13 or so, he's a (now) retired steamfitter, so he taught me well. 35 years later, I'm still stick welding with a Lincoln 225 as well, for the heavy stuff. When I started my truckrod project, I needed something that could weld sheetmetal, and I wasn't comfortable using the torch on it out of fear of warping the panels. So I picked up one of those cheap HF "mig" welders. Used it for about an hour, then donated it to the local firehouse! What a POS!!! I then picked up a Lincoln WeldPak (gas-less wire feed welder). I love it! I'm not sure what I'm missing by not using argon gas, but the welds are super strong, and pretty clean. Yes, there is some spatter, but not a whole lot. Anyway, for the type of work I need it for (welding patch panels, etc., it's the best $250 I've spent yet. For whatever it's worth..... Ant
As others have said, if you are good with a stick you will be just as good with a wire, after a bit of practice of course... I also agree that you should buy a bigger machine than you think you'll ever use. It is easier to 'dial-back' a big unit than to try and turn-up a unit that is at its capacity. My MillerMatic 250 gets plenty of use at lower settings. And, No, I did get rid of my old AirCo 220v stick when I got the wire. And dust does not collect on it. And, also as said, it won't be long until the "everybody has to have a BA or BS just to flip burgers" mind set goes away and the need for skilled hands returns. You are a good man to teach a willing man-cub some valuable skills. As a side not, You and the man-cub might want to take a look at the Job Corps for a FREE welding programme. Yes, FREE. They will not only train you for any one of dozens of occupations, they will also give you a weekly stipend. When finished with the programme, they also assist in job placement. Yes, this is taxpayer money, but I will gladly support this kind of hand up! .
Thank you guys ( again ) for the great replies. Some of you replied that I should continue to use my Lincoln 225 for the heavier projects and maybe get a smaller mig for sheetmetal work. etc.. I am thinking that may be a good start, for now. I have seen the Hobart units at Tractor Supply -- Hobart any good ? I think I would rank them 3rd, behind Miller and Lincoln. What about the smaller Lincoln migs at Home Depot ? I think I saw the Hobart and Lincoln machines for under $300 ... ?
DonMan I agree with budd about teaching your son. I would also start with Oxy & Acetylene Welding (Gas Welding) it will teach the basics of welding puddle add rod. You can also weld aluminum this way which is a dying art. If you buy a jewelers torch you can do thin gauge sheet metal also. Go to your local welding supply store and ask for a demo on some welders, sometimes you can get a good deal on the demo models if they have new machines coming in.
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