Shopping for Welding gear

[bobfowler]

I've been shopping for a welder and am considering the Lincoln Pro-Core 125. Does anyone here have any experience with this unit? I'm looking for something simple (my reason for flux core rather than MIG) to use for frame repairs and other similar projects.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by bobfowler

I've been shopping for a welder and am considering the Lincoln Pro-Core 125. Does anyone here have any experience with this unit? I'm looking for something simple (my reason for flux core rather than MIG) to use for frame repairs and other similar projects.

Bob, that one is a very light duty welder, good for hobby and very occasional use on light materials. It has a 20% duty cycle. Weld for 12sec out of every minute, if I undersand this correctly. I am sure it is a nice little welder, just make sure you understand it's limitations before plunking down the cash for it. Talk to a professional about it.

[HiHoAgRV]

I bought a SP-175T just because I have 220v available. I can tell you is has a lot more grit than my neighbors 110v version ( I have used both extensively). The 110 is really marginal on 3/16 and above but the 220 fried right through the task. I have used Miller commercial units and I've been very happy with this unit in a home fab/ Farm setting.
Home Depot had a sale on it when I purchased if I remember correctly.

[klattu]

A waist of your time, money and energy.

At least get a stick welder.
If you want to wire weld, get a gas type, MIG.
Buy a small cylinder if renting is not for you.
Get one from same place your going to get supplies from.
The flux cores are junk, and your welds will be same.

Skip the mistake many of us have made.

Each welding type has benifits...

TIG
Super slow
Super precise
Super beautiful
No sparks

If your torch is water cooled you may weld non-stop.
Most below 200 amps are air cooled = cycle time on and off.

I use it every day at work...a Lincoln 275..excellent and expensive
At home I have a small 120 amp cheap generic combination TIG/Plasma cutter.

Main problem with a TIG is access to weld area, and controls.
A thumb control would solve the foot pedal problem while welding on your back.
You have your hands full and reach is limited.

MIG dumps metal and is fast, be carful with penitration.
Shoots out great balls of fire too.

Stick is the standard to base judgement.
Cheap
Messy
Easy
Long reach, with new sick
Penitration is great and controlable.
Lots of sparks and slag.

Having a TIG in your shop is one of those really special 'toys' that makes a big differance in your projects success and quality.

A link to welding frames, and recomended welders...

TIG welding for a new frame

[byamcaravanner]

I work for a structural steel fabricator and talked to our field guys about a good welder for frame modifictions/repairs on my A/S. The Lincoln 140C is the unit they suggested. It can use either flux-core wire or gas shielding. It has 120V input and DC output which are both important for versatility and ease of use. It can be purchased for between $500 and $600.

[thecatsandi]

I can already tell this wil do no thicker than 1/8 inch metal. What did you have in mind for welding?
I have a Lincoln SP 175 TIG setp. I like it. If I had to do it again I would move up to something in the low 200s That way I can weld 1/4 inch steel.

I also have a Miller 375 Plasma Cutter.

I have also used a Miller MIG 252. I like it as well. Each has its benifits.
Once again what do you have in mind for welding?
For us TIG is for aircraft repairs and construction. MIG for general shop repairs.

[Pick]

I've got a Lincoln SP-100 and have done extensive welding on 1/4" plate using flux core wire. (Multi pass) Yes, the duty cycle is low, but fine for doing repairs. If you are going to work on a fabrication project, then the low duty cycle is not good. The welder will start to smell funny when the duty cycle is exceeded.

For aluminum, you need a spool gun. In these types of welders the wire has to travel too far from the welder to gun, and causes problems with the aluminum wire breaking and jamming.

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Pick

For aluminum, you need a spool gun. In these types of welders the wire has to travel too far from the welder to gun, and causes problems with the aluminum wire breaking and jamming.

You can buy the Magnum 100SG spool gun for the Lincoln 140C for welding aluminum. It sells for about $175.

[bobfowler]

Thanks guys, looks like the 140C would be a much better choice for all around lightish duty.

[SilvrSausage]

Definately bite the bullet and get a MIG or TIG welder.

I am very happy with my millermatic 135! I paid about a grand for a turnkey setup brand new, boy have I done a lot of welding with it! This is one of the better 110 volt jobs around IMO. They tell me for about another 800 it can be adapted to aluminum, but results are poor with the wire binding in the cable on the way to the torch.

Also invest in a pair of leggings and leather apron! Sparks always burning through folds in the clothes... a minor annoyance. Nothing like a large molten BLOB falling into your shoe... amazing how fast you can descend a ladder and unlace a steel-toe boot when a quarter-size hole is being burned into the top of your foot!!

Also get an auto-darkening helmet.

-SilvrSausage

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by SilvrSausage

I am very happy with my millermatic 135! I paid about a grand for a turnkey setup brand new

I'm glad you happy with your Miller, I've heard they can be troublesome.

Here is a Lincoln to Miller Comparison ...Admittedly published by the Lincoln folks.

I agree, an Auto-Darkening helmet is the only way to go.

[remcolent]

also think about a used pro welder.
you can spend about 1000 usd on a not that good new setup.
but for the same $$$ you could get a good used pro setup.
I just bought a used Esab aristo 500 MIG pulsMIG TIG AC/DC combo
adjustable form 15 till 500 amp with remote controll and all
sold new for a little over 15000 euro ( 21000usd) for 200 euro it needs a 500 euro repair but still not a bad deal

[bkahler]

I'm with remcolent. I'd take a little time to look around for a good used professional welder. Over the last couple of years I've managed to pickup a couple of heavy duty AC/DC Stick/Tig welders for next to nothing. Of course they weight around 900 lbs each but thats besides the point These welders were built to last with no electronics inside to get zapped. I also managed to find a real nice Hobart BetaMig 200 that is the smoothest welder I've ever used. Price for it was less than the new light duty mig welders on the market now.

Bottom line is don't ignore older heavy duty used welders. There are some real bargains out there now because everyone seems to think they need the latest and greatest to be able to weld. NOT true

Just my $0.02

Brad

[john hd]

i have to go with the last 2 posts.

i had a 16 horse lincoln dc 225 basicly given to me by a friend who ran out of space for it.

other than a pair of batteries and a tune up it works perfect!

if you get something like this you can get smaller electrodes (stick) and throttle it back. the other added benefit is the 3KW generator that is built in!

the thing is a tank and weighs in at around 700 lbs, i got 50 foot 2/0 cables with it. so i don't neet to move it often.

john