iceT
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 posted on 8/7/03 at 12:03 PM |
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MIG Welder
Hi All,
I am looking for a MIG welder, preferably 130A and above. What's a good brand to go for? Any recommendations?
I found a few from Clarke, Miller and Hobart. Anyone has good or bad experience with any of these? Would appreciate any of your comments.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 8/7/03 at 01:40 PM |
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take a look on ebay - lots sold new on there and you will save a fair bit.
I have a clarke, red type. No problems at all.
Use argon / co mix. dont use a no gas.
atb
steve
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 8/7/03 at 06:02 PM |
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Steve, I will second that - Don't get a 'No Gas' welder unless you want to stick to mending garden forks
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kingr
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 12:05 AM |
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Miller and Hobart will be considerably more expensive, but not without reason, they will likely have copper windings rather than aluminium, copper is
thought to be more durable and more efficient. They will also likely have generally better internal components (which gives a better arc) and also
probably better wire feeds, they will also almost undoubtably be more repairable.
Clarke welders will doubtless do the job, but miller and hobart welders will probably give just that bit better results.
As with everything, there is very much a cost to value curve. My best advice would probably be speak to your local welding supplier and see what they
supply/reccomend, and make your choice based on what they say. Local suppliers are generally a lot more useful than mail order/machine mart, and in my
experience it's worth spending more buying the same thing from one than mail order (within reason obviously).
Kingr
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iceT
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 04:30 AM |
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Thanks very much guys! all very helpful.
Called a local Miller reseller today, they recommended the MIGMatic 201, can't seem to find more info on the website, not sure if it does gas.
Will definitely take your advice to go gas. As initially I was thinking to go with flux core instead. seems like you guys been down that road and
still reckon gas is better? Will take your advice! 
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 07:37 AM |
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I've now got flux-cored wire in my MIG, as I've pretty much finished welding on the car (I hope so, anyway!)
In my initial experiments, welding 1.6mm with this wire is very difficult and there's a high risk of blowing holes in the work. Unfortunately,
most of the work on the Locost is on thin steel! 
However, when welding 3mm and larger it works quite well, just leaving a dusty deposit behind, easily cleaned with a wire brush.
So, good for many jobs, but not a Locost chassis!
David
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iceT
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 10:18 AM |
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Aha! Thanks David! Was just about to ask if anyone tried flux-cored welding the 16swg RHS. So looks like CO2 is the way to go!
Having said that, the reason I wanted to go with MIG with flux-cored is the hassle of refilling the CO2 gas. As my local welders aren't the
friendliest bunch of people! If that's the case, should I consider going for TIG instead, since I have to mess with gas now?? Anyone used TIG
for the locost's chassis?
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 10:35 AM |
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Have you ever tried TIG welding? Whilst it gives the finest results, it is also one of the hardest skills to master.
You know that trick of rubbing your stomach with one hand while patting your head with the other? It's like that, but more difficult!
Assuming that you're right-handed...
Your right hand holds the torch, trying to hold the electrode about 3mm over the work. If you touch the weld pool you have to change the
electrode.
Your left hand holds the filler rod, feeding it in gently.
One foot is on the current control pedal, which turns the gas on then adjusts the amount of current through the torch. You start of 'hot',
then go back to 'medium' for most of your weld, then 'low' when you get near the weld.
Prior to all this you will have spent some time adjusting the maximum current, ramp up and ramp down, gas flow, etc.
As I said, good but difficult!
David
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 11:29 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by iceT
Aha! Thanks David! Was just about to ask if anyone tried flux-cored welding the 16swg RHS. So looks like CO2 is the way to go!
Having said that, the reason I wanted to go with MIG with flux-cored is the hassle of refilling the CO2 gas. As my local welders aren't the
friendliest bunch of people! If that's the case, should I consider going for TIG instead, since I have to mess with gas now?? Anyone used TIG
for the locost's chassis?
Having used co2 for most of my buyild and using of late argon co2 mix.............
DONT USE CO2 - use a mix.
its a lot easier and the welds have a better appearance.
atb
steve
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James
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| posted on 9/7/03 at 12:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by iceT
Anyone used TIG for the locost's chassis?
Yes! And I don't recommend it.
I know someone who's spent 6 years TIG'ing his together! 
Cheers,
James
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iceT
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| posted on 10/7/03 at 04:14 AM |
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Thanks everyone again for your inputs! well... I guess it is rather obvious that MIG with mix gas it is! I won't want to wait 6 years to
complete my chassis!
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