mig welders

[kcobra302]

looking on opinions on mig welders. in particular flux migs. are they useful in a home garage or would it be better to go with a gas mig.

looking to do panel repair, exhaust, 1/4" plate or less

 

[chaka]

I was told that the gas shielding is much better and after watching an instructional video I see why. The gas mix of argon and co2 help control the arc.

Hobart, Miller, and Lincoln are all good brands. I was told you can't go wrong from one of those three. Also there are Mig's you can use 110V and be able to weld up to 1/4"

Here are some options:
http://www.ramweldingsupply.com/products-list.mcic?c=300&m=0

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

We use Liccoln SP100, SP125, SP130 daily and are very pleased with the performance.

About the only circumstance where they wouldn't be suitable for automotive work is if welding heavy plate (hitches, etc) or full-frame (truck or older vehicles) sections. Work super on unibodies.

 

[parthos]

I still have an old century 110v mig welder that I use. Go with gas, but you can still run flux. Flux wire is good when you have air circulation, such as outside that would blow the shielding gas out of the way, and flux wire penetrates a little deeper. I've been looking at getting a bigger wire feed to speed up welding bigger stuff that I normally would stick weld. One thing to look for is independent controls for heat, and wire feed speed. Some you have only one knob that adjusts both, you don't have the fine tuning you need sometimes. The hobart 175 I was looking at was like this, the miller version had the independed controls.

 

[Wart]

Question: Do you have 220 available or are you going to have to get a 110v buzzer?

 

[Wart]

I still have an old century 110v mig welder that I use. Go with gas, but you can still run flux. Flux wire is good when you have air circulation, such as outside that would blow the shielding gas out of the way, and flux wire penetrates a little deeper. I've been looking at getting a bigger wire feed to speed up welding bigger stuff that I normally would stick weld. One thing to look for is independent controls for heat, and wire feed speed. Some you have only one knob that adjusts both, you don't have the fine tuning you need sometimes. The hobart 175 I was looking at was like this, the miller version had the independed controls.

I've been doing some shopping for a MIG myself, I forgot about welders that haven't got independant controols. That tells where I've been shopping.

And yes, air movement will screw your shield. That's when there is some form of flux needed.

Keep this in mind: If you have never welded before you'll probably be happy with a buzz box. OTOH if you have even a passing acquaintance with a real welder the buzzer will drive you nuts.

For this reason the machines I've been looking at start around $1,300. Thank God Wife doesn't mind me buying toys ... tools .... she use to but then she saw what I do with them and now she's supportive.

 

[kcobra302]

thanks for the info guys. although i have used a mig, i have very little experience with it. the shop that i used to hang out at has closed up so i wanted to get something for my garage. looking to get something in the 400-600 range.

by the way i have access to 110 and 220

 

[parthos]

I would go with something like this: http://store.cyberweld.com/millermatic175.html I purchased my miller dynasty from them since it was the cheapest place I could find. the Miller 175 is almost the same machine as the Hobart Handler 175, BUT has independent controls. On a side note, if you ever build a shop, or have to have electrical power run to a building see if you can get three phase power. I've been to places that have three phase quipment for dirt cheap, no one can use it unless you're wired for it.