General Category > General Discussion
MIG Welder, what to look for?
guest22972:
For the first time in 3.5 years, I got enough motivation today to build a new burner.
I love welding but the old machine has spat the dummy on the wire feed side and the erratic delivery of the wire had everything looking like Bird shit.
I could not get it right and I know the gun and the feed mechanism is buggered so not surprised.
Mrs came home unbeknown and heard and saw my frustration and has insisted i buy a new machine before I really loose the plot.
Just wondering what the knowledgeable here recommend as features to look for?
I don't need a big machine, most of what I do is light but I want something decent, gasless and with a torch i can easy get parts for like tips.
I also saw on flea bay they have spool guns which look like I could hook them up to my old machine. It has the hard wired rather than the bayonet connections for the torch. Given it just seems all the wire feed side is stuffed but the rest is OK on my old one, I was wondering if I could just get one of those and resurrect the old girl?
I still want a better new machine, I bought this one cheap about 25 years ago as a get me by and i couldn't count how much welding I have done with it. I wouldn't think 100 spools of 1Kg wire was out of place. I usually keep 2 in the cupboard cause when I use it, I use it a lot.
The other question is would a TIG be worth it? I know I'd have to buy gas which would be a pain and I have had no trouble with gasless welding but any great advantage I might use with a TIG? No plans to do ally in the foreseeable future.
ajaffa1:
Hi Glort, my only advice is to bit the bullet and pay good money for a welder that will do everything you want it to do. I regularly borrow a welder from one of my neighbors, I`m too mean and poor to buy my own. :laugh:
The machine he has will do stick welding, Mig welding and Tig welding to around 180 amps, I should be seeing him tomorrow and will ask him for the make and model.
Bob
LowGear:
Hi glort,
I don't know squat about welders but I do know a great neighbor when I hear about one. You might consider moving closer to Bob. I hope his neighbor enjoys the complimentary lunches or getting his lawn mowed.
Welders and wire rust beyond belief here in Hawaii. There are few things that feel better than running a good bead. And few things that can cause the pistol to go off faster than an erratic piece of crap welder screwing with that near Zen flow of energy.
I'm with Bob on spending a couple of extra bucks and getting the unit you want and will use. You'd being doing your partner a favor - really! Not quite a "I'm doing this for you, Honey" but still a favor.
Aloha,
oldgoat:
Putting a new liner might make all the difference to the feed problem. I have a Lincoln with the 6 settings as well as a lot of other bells and whistles and you still have to adjust the wire feed on every setting.
38ac:
MIG and gassless is not possible, but appearantly you are one to call all wire fed processes MIG? The flux core process is. FCAW . Technicalities aside I have never in my life seen cheap and good go together as pertaining to a welder. Realize that I made my living welding for 15 years and I am a bit of a nut about quality tools so my opinion of shop tools is very canted, especially welders. I have a Miller 252 in the shop for wire fed processes and. 300 amp Miller for stick,and TIG. Parts and piexes for the torch and guns are everywhere and cheap. All that being said if you were satisfied all these years with a shitbox welder why go to any extra expense now? Buy another cheapo and be happy another 25?
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