Wire Feed DC source for Stick?

[rohman]

I would like to know if the Miller 135 might act as an acceptable DC source for stick welding at modest current levels.

[hankj]

Welcome aboard.

The MM135 is a CV machine. Stick welders are CC (droopers). SMAW on a MM135 is not going to work too good!

Be well.

hank

[rohman]

Thanks, hankj.
So, a stick welder "droops." Does that mean that the voltage drops while the machine is maintaining current? Regarding the MIG MM135, then its voltage is constant (set at the knob), I wonder what's happening with the current.

[hankj]

I'm gonna try to explain this. If I blow it, I'm sure there will be someone else to set it sraight.

In a CC (constant current) machine, welding current will decrease as arc length increases (droop). This give the weldor more precise control of the heat input. If the puddle gets too big, or too hot, you back off a little. In the CV (constant voltage) machine, arc length is difficult to control, since you can't "back off" with a wire feeder. But, since arc length is proportional to arc voltage, controlling the voltage should have the desired effect on arc length. Heat (current) is determined by the wire feed speed. The more wire you push into the puddle, the higher the current needed to burn it off.

That's the best I can do!!

Be well.

hank