What welder do I need???

[4Lo]

I have been looking for a small mig pack to start doing some hobby type metal work and came across this

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 2688&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396673312&bmUID=1165085853295]




Now my question is will this setup provide me with enough to build things such as a small utility trailer and a fabbing sas brackets and such for my truck??

[miller]

Your link is bad...but if you're talking about the Migpak 15 then it will do you fine. It has all the same specs and some better than the millermatic 175 and is about half the price.... I think even less when it goes on sale. Everything in this thread is done with the Migpak 15

http://bb.bc4x4.com/showthread.php?t=100658

Joe

[4Lo]

I know I was having trouble with making that link work....HELP anyone?

I can do without the ****ty 8A angle grinder. This machine is only 70A is that enough??

[4Lo]

Duh I dun fgurd it out.
So for a guy that's never welded a spot in his life you figure this is a good machine to learn and practice on? Eventually I want to start sas work on my truck but obviously I need the experience first before I tackle that project. I will start by building myself a basic utility trailer and work up from there.:read

[Road Dog]

70A seems kind of low. It uses flux core wire. If you want solid then you still need a bottle and fill ($100). A 220 volt welder is much better than a 110.

You still need a way to cut metal -- a chop saw or band saw.

Start with projects that don't involve catastrophic failure.

[Toynut]

you can buy my welder for $100 its a 80 amp campbell hausfeld , i bought it off a board member for the same price to do weld in my rear shock tube .

[4Lo]

Thanx toynut but in my research for a good welder, I have found that an 80 amp is quite low. I am now looking for 120amp and up to 150 amp, 110v since 110 is more portable (easier to find power for). I suppose I might end up with 220 since I have that hookup. Ima probly looking for something in the 4- $600 range since I don't want to be left with a machine that I am going to out grow

Catastrophic failure well I hope not. I am going to just weld scrap pieces together to start just to get the feel of what the hell it is I'm up against before I attempt building my utility trailer and ultimately my sas in the next year or 2.

Any other bits of info or opinion feel free to sound em out. thanx.:cwm30:

[jasonmt]

http://www.kmstools.com/scripts/products/cat.php?649&137%3C-%3E640+

[Road Dog]

Catastrophic failure well I hope not. I am going to just weld scrap pieces together to start just to get the feel of what the hell it is I'm up against before I attempt building my utility trailer and ultimately my sas in the next year or 2.
I took an evening course (8 weeks). When practicing I section (cut across) the weld to check the penetration and bonding. With MIG it's possible to have a nice looking weld and no penetration at all. The filler just puddles on top.

There's lots of online info too. A good start:

Secret welding course materials (http://64.78.42.182/sweethaven/BldgConst/Welding/)

[bigger air]

The Millers have a better drive roll system in the small mig welders. The rolls have a aluminum bracket that holds them in place. Alot of smaller mig's have a plastic bracket for the drive rolls. We bought a few lincons with the plastic setup for a job, and returned them within a day. The Millers have treated us well. Also buy a 220 if you can. We run over 100 ' of extension cord without any problems.

[miller]

This is the one I have clicky (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6672983&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441900867&bmUID=1165111088644&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true)

Go with 220 if you have the ability....you'll want it for anything solid in this hobby.

It goes on sale every once and a while to like $450.

[4Lo]

The Millers have a better drive roll system in the small mig welders. The rolls have a aluminum bracket that holds them in place. Alot of smaller mig's have a plastic bracket for the drive rolls. We bought a few lincons with the plastic setup for a job, and returned them within a day.


Interesting. I will look for the aluminum type bracket.

Also do wire feeds jam up alot and how long can you lay a weld before the welder gets too hot?

[dhoffryn]

If you want to try before you buy, kmstools does 1/2 day intro courses where they let you try a bunch of the millers and hobarts, little ones to big ones. If you buy stuff after, they usually cut you decent deals. I bought a passport and accessories after the class and got my $60 class fee back plus some.

[bigger air]

Interesting. I will look for the aluminum type bracket.

Also do wire feeds jam up alot and how long can you lay a weld before the welder gets too hot?

Feeding problems vary. The manual that comes with your machine will help. Usually they feed with no problem.
There is a duty cycle on all welders, Again check your manual for it.
We ran the Millers real hard, until the thermostat kicked in. We just let them run so the fan would cool the welder. And when the light went out we kept welding.

[4Lo]

I knew about the kms welder course but thanx for reminding me. I think I'll be signing up for that. A mig pak 15 is a fairly common unit I believe I've seen it plenty of times around the net on various forums.

[4Lo]

Does anybody recognize this unit?? There's not much (any) info on it.
http://vancouver.craigslist.org/tls/242299090.html

[4Lo]

Or this one
http://vancouver.craigslist.org/tls/239044921.html

[shushuwa]

Both are stick...

[zedjay95]

ok to start with on 110 you'll get a max of 135A output and when running at 90A you'll have a 20% duty cycle which means you weld for 2 min let machine sit for 8 mins. Miller is the only one as far as i know to use a metal bracket for the drive rolls even the hobart wich is owned by miller has the plastic holder but works very well. what is more important than the drive roll holder is the bracket that holds the cable to be made of metal most cheaper welders that peice is made of plastic and is very subceptible to breakage to go to a 175 machine like the millermatic 175 you'll have a max output of 175A whith 30% at 130A. both miller and hobart come ready to run with all the hardware for gas welding all you need is a bottle and gas when you see cheaper machine they usually don't come with the regulator, hose, and sometimes even the solinoid for running gas. So the best bet do your research and always buy the best you can afford if you need to talk to someone give me a call at KMS TOOLS in Abbotsford (604-853-5598)


Rob

[4Lo]

So I've narrowed my search down to a migpak15, but I have found a scookum deal on a migpack 10. What can I do with a mig10. Can I weld together material to build a utility trailer with this unit??

[miller]

Get the migpack 15....you'll want something with more juice soon after you start. Just wait till it goes on sale at Canadian Tire..you'll save like $250 if I remember right.

Joe

[bobknob]

The 110 welders don't generate much heat even on 20 amp circuit. But really handy for body panel repair etc. Try it before you buy it.

[4Lo]

Mig 10 is out and the mig 15 is the one i'm getting. They go on sale @ can tire but not saying when cause they only have 3 and I want to make sure I get one:redneck :cwm30: :p I hope it's enough to fabricate a 4x6 utility trailer.

[Buster Cherry]

I bought one of the biggest 110V welders I could find for the portability aspect.. BIG mistake. Getting enough power to the welder seems to be my biggest issues. 105 amp welder that can only really run at half of what it should because of blown breakers all the time. I'm (from what I've been told) at the limit of the wiring in the garage and still can't turn the welder up... anything heavy requires turning off lights and stereos and stuff and even then I can't weld very long at one time. It's blowing the garage breaker... not taxing the welder at all.

In hindsight, a 220V welder would have been a much better choice. I wired it in for the air compressor about a month after getting the welder, and am kicking myself ever since. IF you can find a good deal on a used welder, that's where I would start. Be honest with how much you will use it... occasionally for this, and now and then for that is a lot different than running it 8 hours a day in a shop 5 days a week.

[belmont mild]

I have been looking for a small mig pack to start doing some hobby type metal work and came across this

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 2688&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396673312&bmUID=1165085853295]




Now my question is will this setup provide me with enough to build things such as a small utility trailer and a fabbing sas brackets and such for my truck??

mine its cheap and does the jobs you will need

[4Lo]

What is the biggest difference between the mig pak 15 and the millermatic 135?? is it the voltage

Belmont tried calling yo @ 7pm tonight. Will try again.
:boring

[miller]

Really it's no comparison...you should be comparing the Millermaic 175 to the migpak 15...the specs are closer...sameish power.

[belmont mild]

he took my stick after a couple test runs should be blazing beads in no time

[4Lo]

:redneck he took my stick after a couple test runs should be blazing beads in no time


Hey jason to the uninformed reader that could sound a little wierd.:confused2

I bought belmonts miller 225 today for a great price.

Thanx again man.:redneck

[miller]

Nice....now make some stuff and add the projects section.

:beer

[4Lo]

Most definately. I laid my first weld today so I think I'll hold off on posting any pics till I get the hang of it. :redneck I'm pretty happy that I didn't get the mig pak.

I need to get a shield and some other small sh!t as well. Belmont gave me a healthy supply of rods so I am good to go for a while. I don't even have any junk/ scrap to mess around with yet.

.

[Road Dog]

If you watch for it, KMS Tools runs a special on auto-darkening helmets once in a while. $50. Or you can get a basic helmet for $10 - $20. Don't forget to button your shirt. Instant tan.

[belmont mild]

:redneck


Hey jason to the uninformed reader that could sound a little wierd.:confused2

I bought belmonts miller 225 today for a great price.

Thanx again man.:redneck


rofl i know i read it aftewards and lauffed it off:cwm31: