Need HELP from you welders!!!! - Lateral-g Forums

CRCRFT78 · #1 04-03-2006, 10:12 PM

I'm interested in buying a MIG/TIG welder. Haven't decided which one just yet. I do have access to a MIG welder so I'm leaning towards the TIG. Problem is, I have no experience welding but plan on taking classes to learn. Need help from you experienced welders on what type of setup would benefit me the most. My plans are to use it for fabrication and automotive purposes. Also some light projects around the house and in the garage. Something portable and not too expensive. Remember I have NO experience welding. Just don't want to break the bank the first time out. Most likely will go with a TIG setup since I have access to a MIG but would like opinions on both. Such as brand (Lincoln/Miller), usage/purpose, benefits/disadvantages of both MIG/TIG, just a general honest opinion. I have "NO" welding experience so I'm pretty much counting on your opinions when it comes time for my purchase decision. Hope that doesn't put alot of pressure on you guys, THANKS.
Joe

Matt@Lateral Dynamics · #2 04-03-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRCRFT78

I'm interested in buying a MIG/TIG welder. Haven't decided which one just yet. I do have access to a MIG welder so I'm leaning towards the TIG. Problem is, I have no experience welding but plan on taking classes to learn. Need help from you experienced welders on what type of setup would benefit me the most. My plans are to use it for fabrication and automotive purposes. Also some light projects around the house and in the garage. Something portable and not too expensive. Remember I have NO experience welding. Just don't want to break the bank the first time out. Most likely will go with a TIG setup since I have access to a MIG but would like opinions on both. Such as brand (Lincoln/Miller), usage/purpose, benefits/disadvantages of both MIG/TIG, just a general honest opinion. I have "NO" welding experience so I'm pretty much counting on your opinions when it comes time for my purchase decision. Hope that doesn't put alot of pressure on you guys, THANKS.
Joe

Joe, how much welding experience do you have?

Some guys will tell you that MIG is easy to learn. Beware of those people. It's just as difficult to learn as anything else to do correctly.

Concerning brands, here's the rule to live by: If the brand name sells anything other than welding machines, plasma cutters, and their associated consumables and accessories, do NOT buy it. I'm talking about brands like Craftsman, Chicago Electric, etc. Any decent brand names will be fine in a hobbiest environment.

CRCRFT78 · #3 04-03-2006, 11:31 PM

Matt, I've been focused on either Lincoln or Miller. But I'm not to informed on the ins & outs of the machines and what would make a wise purchase. As you know, "I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE"

. (Had to throw that in 1 more time.) I understand that everyones experience and preference is different but am hoping to obtain enough GOOD general knowledge to aid in my purchase. Just a good solid TIG welder that can allow me to learn as I go but also perform good quality welds when I get the hang of it. THANKS.
Joe

hotrods · #4 04-04-2006, 01:51 AM

CRC I use Miller stuff in my shop and I am very happy with them, I dont know if you can afford it but the best bang for your buck would be the new 200 miller Tig that just came out it has a pulser and can go low enough to do sheet metal work so It is a very versatile machine to have around, the glory of buying a good machine like it is it will always be worth just about what you paid for it if you keep it in good condition, I dont think by the sounds of it you will use it a whole ot so it will likely be the last one you will ever need to buy. If you can not afford that try to find a 180sd it is also a great machine but does not have the pulser. well just my 2 cents

PhaseShift · #5 04-04-2006, 07:30 AM

Stick with a well known brand- Miller or Lincoln are commonly accepted as good equipment; others are available, but the big brands tend to have a lot going for them. We use Miller stuff in our shop for TIG work (Synchrowave 350DX I believe).

MIG is easy to learn and easy to use, but you are more limited in what you can do (unless you are a really good welder and in that case- this is all out the window). Someone else also pointed out that it is not easy to learn to do well- That is going to take practice and a little skill. If you can afford it, get somethign bigger than a little "econo-box" type deal with 110 volt inputs, especially if you intend to do any real fabrication or stressed welds.

TIG is more difficult to learn how to make good welds, but you will likely find that it is more flexible in terms of what you can weld correctly. You can also make the welds look really nice and it is far better IMO for doing tack and measure fabricaton (like a set of headers for instance). With a TIG setup, you also need a bench grinder to dress the electrodes- If you do not have that and intend to TIG, you need to have it on the list as well. I recommend getting a water cooled torch if you are going to be serious about this or be doing any really heavy duty stuff.

IN either case, when you buy the rig, get spares. Consumables for the TIG are unavoidable- electrodes, filler rod, torch parts are all going to be a must. For the MIG setup, a few spare nozzel hoods, some replacement tips and so on... Your dealer will be able to outfit you properly.
While it seems obvious, you also need to remember to clean the weld area prior to hitting it with current- remove paint, olis, flamable cleaners etc... I am constantly on my guys at the shop about not properly cleaning the joint area prioor to wedling- it is one of the keys to getting really good welds (appearance and more importantly, integrity).

There are a lot of resources on the web for welding tips and tricks. Probably read them and practice on scrap or get some new material and have at it- You mentioned taking a class; that is going to be a great way to learn and get practice with an instructor offering on the spot tips on how to improve or avoid problems.

Best of luck- let us know what you end up going with.

DRJDVM's '69 · #6 04-04-2006, 09:40 AM

Hey Joe
I was exactly where you are a couple of months ago. I've been taking some lessons at a local trade college and decided to buy a MIG welder for home use.

Pro-touring.com has a fabrication forum that was a ton of help to me. There are a few pro-welders that really know their stuff and are a great deal of help to use novice welders.

I went with the Miller 175 MIG, which ia a 220V machine. After all my research it was either the Lincoln or the Miller stuff, hands down. Dont even think about the other brands like Craftsman, Chicago electric etc. Hobart seems to be a decent respected brand too.

One piece of advice I was given over and over... buy the biggest machine you can afford. It may cost you more $$ upfront but it will pay off in the end as you find more an more uses for it down the line.

I decied to go MIG rather than TIG just because from what I've researched its easier to do and has a slightly broader range of apllications that would be apllicable to my needs/wants. And the nice machines are chaeaper that the nice TIG welders.

Ned

blacktopbutcher · #7 04-04-2006, 03:50 PM

I would stick with a mig welder for now if you have no welding experience.
Tig welding takes some real time to learn and requires alot of finess.
Chances of getting proper penatration with less warpage is easier with a mig welder.

I am a certified welder (Tig,and Mig) so I some what like to think I know what I am talking about.

At my shop a have a Miller DVI wich allows you to switch the welder from 110 to 220 just by switching out the plug. This will come in hady becuase you will not have to buy 2 different welders. One for welding thin sheet metal and one for welding thicker material.

Good luck with the classes and the purchase of a new welder.

CRCRFT78 · #8 04-04-2006, 06:48 PM

Ok, this is starting to get a little confusing. But I want to know your opinions on these 2 machines. I am considering purchasing both for the time being. Then make an upgrade once my skills are better. What do you think? http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/147256209.html
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/tls/148028997.html

one+g · #9 04-06-2006, 12:38 PM

Hey, I weld for Csx railroad and we Use Lincoln welders. Its all I have experience with but as an example they will be running for 4-7 hours a day minimum. Its a 600 amp unit. Much bigger than you will ever need. The unit we have now has been in heavy use for two years and has only had oil changes and gen service done to it. We had a 400 amp gas unit that ran and worked fine day in and day out for 9 yrs heavy use. The only one I had that broke needed a 150 dollar part. I dont have experience with the small units but I do agree with the buy as big as you can afford. The unit runs way better and last longer if it doesnt have to run at maximum output. Also if you go to get rid of it they will always bring a good price.

CRCRFT78 · #10 04-06-2006, 06:21 PM

I was considering something small to start with and practice on but I've decided to take some classes first to get a feel for the machines. Then I plan on making a purchase. I agree with you though, I will purchase the biggest welder I can afford when I'm ready. That way it will last longer and I won't need to upgrade.