Welder advice needed

[ccracin]

Do a search in this section, you will find alot. Que Greg. He likes this subject! Good luck with whatever you choose. I have a 110 MIG from Lincoln. It has been great for 15 years. Would I like to have better/bigger, YES. Have I absolutely needed it, NO. If I am in over my head either skill wise or plate size, I get someone with the proper skill and equipment to do it. Good advice IMO.

[scherp69]

Originally Posted by ccracin

Do a search in this section, you will find alot. Que Greg. He likes this subject! Good luck with whatever you choose. I have a 110 MIG from Lincoln. It has been great for 15 years. Would I like to have better/bigger, YES. Have I absolutely needed it, NO. If I am in over my head either skill wise or plate size, I get someone with the proper skill and equipment to do it. Good advice IMO.

x2 on asking Greg....goes by GregWeld

[Roushy]

I'll shoot him a note. Thanks!

[DAREDVL]

If you are looking for a versatile all around great welder that will fit your needs, and have portability - buy the Millermatic Passport Plus. I bought one for all the reasons above. Plus, you can switch to 115V or 220V. It's a great MIG welder with capabilities to attach a spool gun (weld stainless) if you so choose. There are tons of great products out there, but I think this is a great purchase. I'm using this welder to complete my project (full rotisserie build). I have no complaints. I'll probably buy a spot welder pretty soon to finish up the 1/4 panels and such...mainly because I want another welder so I can expand my welding skills. Either way, good luck with your choice!

[GregWeld]

A spool gun is used for ALUMINUM... not stainless. Stainless wire will run on the spool that your other wire runs on...

When I weld SS with a MIG - RARELY since I also have a TIG machine - but when I do - I use a special Tri mix Stainless gas (90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide).

[JRouche]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

A spool gun is used for ALUMINUM... not stainless. Stainless wire will run on the spool that your other wire runs on...

When I weld SS with a MIG - RARELY since I also have a TIG machine - but when I do - I use a special Tri mix Stainless gas (90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide).

Hey Greg I have a Q. Sorry OP, not hyjacking, just a quicky. I have a few 25lb spools of 308 wire. I dont have a machine to use them with so I was gonna use the filler with TIG. I see you like helium with MIG welding SS wire. What do you think about me using the filler with my argon gas? I just hate having this much filler around and not being able to use it. I have a wire straightener project thats in the works to straighten the wire. Any thoughts? JR

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by JRouche

Hey Greg I have a Q. Sorry OP, not hyjacking, just a quicky. I have a few 25lb spools of 308 wire. I dont have a machine to use them with so I was gonna use the filler with TIG. I see you like helium with MIG welding SS wire. What do you think about me using the filler with my argon gas? I just hate having this much filler around and not being able to use it. I have a wire straightener project thats in the works to straighten the wire. Any thoughts? JR

Well... I usually have an answer for everything... But it seems to me that it's a lot of wire to straighten... 25 lb spool is a LOT of feet of wire. If it was me - I'd find someone that wants to buy it from you and just go out and get yourself some fill. I have a 25 lb spool of SS wire - I figure should last me the rest of my life... I just do a lot more TIG of SS than MIG... but you have to have it in "inventory" for those times when that's what you need. I kind of think that way.... I'm a "better to have it and not need it - than need it and not have it" kinda guy.

Somebody on here would surely trade you for the spool or buy the spool from you... maybe one of the shops... or maybe google the welding shops around you and see if they'd trade out?

BTW -- I just suck on the Helium tank...