Mig Welder

[fuzz8]

Mig Welder

I would like some advise from people that know. I'm just getting to where I enjoy welding, it fasenates me wish I would have relized long ago what all you can do with a welder.
Anyway what I would like some advise on is. I bought a used older 72 model 330A/BP which I lucked out on it works good. So as for aluminum I will use this it will weld heavy stuff with no problem.
So I wonder just for thin metal Is the Lincoln SP135Plus a good little welder I like Miller but these are on sale till Feb for $514 complete.Just checking on what you all think. Or does anyone no off any used welders or whats my best bet in this price range. Becouse I'd like to get a plasma then also.
Sorry I drug this out so long but trying to let you know where I'm at
Thanks to all
Fuzz8

[Paul Seaman]

Fuzz8: I had a small lincoln weldpac 100w/gas attachment to run mig, Trust me if you have any skill it will take about 1 day before you run out of duty cycle even on thin material. Welding steel 1" square 16ga. tubing I ran out of duty cycle and overheated the little red box it is a good machine for repair and hobby work, but not real fabricating. I bought the mm210 w/spoolgun about a year ago to replace the red box and never have regretted it it is fantastic. I sold the red box to the racing team I crew chief for, just to keep in the trailer since it can run off the generator with no trouble. The mm210 is more money but it is solid hardware, durable, and low maintainence. The lincoln weldpack was my first welder and I don't regret buying it, the trick is I was beginning not a welder of any accomplishment. You will in the end make the decision that is right for the work you plan to do compared with your ability. If you decide to buy a smaller unit also look at the handler fom hobart, and the millermatic 135 or 175, I think it pays to do some research. Weld well. pjs

[HAWK]

Fuzz8,

I welded with a Lincoln 135SP bought at Lowe's. I use did on 16 gauge mild steel this past week and it worked wonderfully. I was impressed.

[Paul Seaman]

I am not denying the abilities of the little red box. What I was doing when I hit the ceiling of its abilities was building shelving. All material was precut so all I had to do was burn metal and I did, for hours, and it got hot. It is a 20% duty cycle at higher amperage settings but at low amperage it is still only 60% I think. This is why it over heated. I think if you know its maximums then at least your informed and wont be dissapointed. Weld well pjs

[fuzz8]

mig welder

Thanks for info. I was wondering about a welder just for little jobs on thin metal, to make it easy as possible for me and still do a decent job. For as little money as possible.
Thanks alot for giffing me info to think about.
Thanks
fuzz8

[fuzz8]

mig
Oh I do like miller better Just the price of red is low. I just have a lincoln buzz box Ive had for years have to admit it shocke a person all they can do with them Then just got Miller 330A/BP. Like the tig real well
Just wanted to let you know I like Miller welders
Thanks
fuzz8

[Paul Seaman]

fuzz8: the price you said is a descent price look at the mm135 at cyberweld it is about $50 or $60 more money but I dont think they charge tax which makes the totals about even check into this. With what you plan to do I think your on track and wont go wrong either way and 110 volts is a great go anywhere advantage. weld wellpjs

[Blondie_486]

Fuzz 8

I have a SP125 and haven't had any problems with it. Of course I don't try to do heavy fabricating with it. As long as you keep the duty cycle in mind you shouldn't have any problems with it. But I will tell you if I had it to do over again I'd have rather had a Miller. But at the time I bought it I wanted to stay local and the local Miller dealer and I don't see eye to eye and I went to where I get my oxygen, acetelyne and inert gasses from and all they carry is the red machines so I ended up with a red one. It hasn't given me any problems and works fine when welding stainless steel exhaust systems together also.

Blondie_486

[fuzz8]

mig

Hi All, Just wanted to thank you all for your info. I went and got a miller 135.I like blue. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet. Will probaly be checking with you all a lot with questions. Sure is nice being able to get all this information
Thanks
fuzz8

[HAWK]

fuzz8,

Congratulations on your purchase. It will bring you many years of pleasure. Even with all my mobile equipment I sometimes wish I had not sold my 110V mig machine-even if it was red. Holler if we can help.

[Paul Seaman]

Way cool, let us know what its like after you practice with it for a while. Portable metal burner with a 110 plug, gotta love it. Say cheese, Weld well pjs

[hankj]

Fuzz8,

You've been welding longer than me, but here's `my take. The MM135 is what I bought to learn on. The dealer let me run a Handler and the MM machines - the blue seemed smoother. Now that I've burned 10#'s of .030 wire, I can tell you that you'll love the variable voltage ability rather than tap settings.

You're in the right place for help. Pjs, Hawk, SoCalITA, et al have been great. They don't hesitate to share experience.

FYI, if you are using straight CO2 at approx. 20cfh, you should run out of gas at the same time you use ten pounds of .030 solid wire! I learned that myself! Wow!

Fun ain't it?

Good luck.

Hank

[fuzz8]

Thanks , I wouldn't say I have been welding longer I'm not much of a welder. But I am getting to where I enjoy it, Like to watch it pudle then flow it blows your mind. Crazy but I can do better on aluminum than steel. It just seems unreal to me how it recasts itself back as good as ever.
I do learn alot from this site it sure helps me know what to try and do. I hope I have some luck with 135 and I like the fact how a person can take it anywhere
Thanks alot till later
fuzz8

[Paul Seaman]

fuzz8: I bought the spoolgun with my mm210 and had it in the box for 7 monthes before I did any Al and 1st time I turned it on bam It was no big deal. I welded 2, 1/4 plates together then built a racecar-push bumper for my truck 6'wide 18" tall 12" deep, I'ts a honkin bumper [more like overkill but its cool]. Now I work with 1/8"wall x 1 1/4 Al square tube and it is fabulous. If you get to buzzin Al it gets so much more fun. HINT--New Al welds better than old stuff that has oxidized even if you clean it properly new is better. I am glad your havin fun keep weldin well.