Talkin to a welder friend last week and he says I should get an AC/DC maching and forget bout a Tig,,,???

 Anyways,,back to the Pro Mig 140,I got to thinkin maybe the power cord might be some marginal so I installed a 15' piece of  #8 cord I had left over and gave it a try and SAME CHIT,,,,,then,,,,then,,,I notice the wire speed knob was settin on 5 which is  half of the dial so I set it on 2 like book had advised and,,,and,,,thet sob took off like a freakin  rocket,,,it went to fryin eggs like nobodies business,,,who'd a thought,,,?? Jeeeze,,I feel so ,,,,,NO,,,I FEEL GOOD,,,!!!

I've had a Lincoln AC225 for 25+ years, replaced the amp switch this summer. Tried a fluxcore MIG, didn't like it, As long as I use quality 7018AC rods I can weld anything from rider decks to heavy plate steel. If I need any preceson or odd welding, my neighbour does that for me.

Jay

 I'm just curious,,what is the advantage of an AC/DC machine,,?? The cracker box I have is a AC machine and I weld pretty dang good usin the 6013 I buy at Ms Big Ones,,,gulp,,I meant TSC,,,,,,,,

a DC machine will produce a 'better' weld or is supposed to. I have the diodes and choke to pervert my AC into a DC,never got around to it. DC can be easier to weld in 'all positions'. I have a 90% box of 6013 here, yuck... went back to 7018AC MUCH smoother, easier to use. Has to say 'AC' on the end, it's designed for AC welders !!

Honestly buy a brand name package of it, try it, you'll never go back to 6013.

I uses 3/32 7018AC at 40A for rider decks, 1/8" 7018AC for bigger stuff.

Jay

 

When I weld with 7018, the weld looks like a roll of nickels beautifully laid over right out of the sleeve.....and don't hold for chit!

 

I'm a pretty terrible welder....what am I doing wrong?

  OK,,I gather the DC machines give you better control on overhead welding,,? I cannot weld for chit in the overhead position, and some vertical welds too. I'd rather take a** chewin than do an overhead weld. 

 Hey Jay,,I have very good results using 6013 Hobart rods that I get at Ms Big Ones on my old arc machine. They look to have been made specifically for this cracker box. I can make the prettiest welds with good penetration with these rods. I have never tried 7018 as I always thought it was for DC machines,,,??

7018AC ! gotta be AC on the end....

one of those 'read the instructions' deals....

'AC' designated rods  must have some better coating of flux as regular 7018 don't work on an AC welder....

problem is some stores don't carry 7018AC....

easy enough to remember though AC.. Allis Chalmers !

Best little welder I had was an AEAD Miller. That had a ripping roar at the rod end when welding and really penetrated where other welders just sputtered along.

When using rod, I like having an old file laying along side to swipe the rod across to get rid of any build-up on the tip and then it starts welding easier.

Wirefeed welders where you use the flux core wire takes the opposite polarity than the solid core wire with gas does.

 

Did I mention I ain't much of a welder?  I'm self taught....using the term loosely.  Dad "welds" too.  He's much better at it than me I'd say....but he isn't much for being able to pass along any knowledge on the subject.  Need more frequent practice.

Tbone, At least your man enuff to admit your not much of a welder, ... but then again, you might be a better welder than you think or say that you are...

 

Hahaha...Yeah, I may be better than that guy.

 

I think I'm pretty good with a flame.  Solder, silver solder, brazing, welding, even fusion.  I reckon that's a fair bit easier though!!

 

Joe, does your wire feed welder use a CO2 gas bottle for purge, or do you have shielded wire ( flue core)........ the gas purge REALLY makes a clean ripple finish.

 Hey Steve,,,I have both,,,the first Pro 140 Mig was warranteed and they sent me a new Pro 140,,,the older machine, after repairs,,, I have it set up with flux core wire and this new one I have set up with solid wire and CO2 for purge. Now that I figured the wire speed issue,,it works many wonderfuls,, but it will not do for chit in a slight breeze,,it is strictly an inside machine for sure

 Well,,,,you best be startin to practice till you can do some pretty flowin welds,,,,,you ain't puttin no gorillas on my FORD trk,,,,,,,

 

Maybe the time to throw that old rod away is now, when dad's on vacation!  Nah....He'll notice, and that won't be a comfortable conversation, no need to put him through that. 

 

If I know I'm going to weld, and if it's a nice day, I'll stick a bunch of rods in the ground nearby, spaced apart, so the sun shines on them and the air moves around them to dry them out, helps a lot, but not as good as keeping them warm to begin with I fully realize.  I like JC's idea of the file.

 

Like to get a MIG someday.....Like to try a DC someday....I don't know what model our Miller is, but I think it's a decent welder.  It's been around a while, probably late 60's?

I run a Miller Bobcat 250 engine driven unit on the service truck. AC/DC/ CC/CV. Also has a 10kw generator. That one belongs to the company. I have a 225 Bobcat that needs a voltage regulator, but gets donated a spare boat battery and run from time to time. Have an old Miller SP38 "suitcase" wire feeder that runs off the Bobcat if I want to run any wire. About as fast to just get a 3/32" 7018 out rather than hook up and set the wire feeder. I usually run a 7018 1/8" rod or 5/32". Run all positions, since im usually welding structural steel for an overhead crane or runway.

If you are having problems with a 7018 penetrating and staying together, you must either have wrong polarity or not enough heat. I find that they weld well even when the steel isn't clean. Burned in through paint before with no problems. If the weld looks good, then there has to be something else going on. A 7018 that isn't hot enough usually just leaves a big series of lumps and boogers.

I would look at Lincoln or Miller for a good machine. I have been told that Everlast makes good, lower priced welders, but never ran one. Personal experiences only, I DO NOT  like ESAB machines. Don't seem to be good quality. Have heard some good things about the Vulcan welders that Harbor Freight is selling now too, but haven't spoken to anyone at length about them. Supposedly, the guy who started the company used to work for Lincoln or Miller. May not be true.

Rule of thumb with Mig. If the wire is stabbing into the metal you are welding, feed speed is too fast for heat setting. If the wire is burning back toward the gun and "dripping" onto the steel, feed speed is too low for the heat seting. Go up or down with either, preferably on a piece of scrap, til you get the wire to burn right into the puddle, and you see that weld is penetrating the base metal without burning through it. That should give you the egg frying sound, but with really thin stuff, you may have to short stitch, which means start and stop. You will see the puddle turn bright yellow just before it burns through. Know this well. Ive burned A LOT of holes through metal.

 What,,,?? you thinkin I spend too much time at the dump or what,,,,???

Wait,,,Gotta go get ready ,,,weekends comin up and Saturdays are best day of the week when them rich city boys do their shop clean-ups and toss all kinds of great ,,,,,,,stuff.

 I will keep my eye open for a welder if you want me to,,,,,,, 

Yea, he wants to keep his "new" old welder unused. LOL

 You will have to fire it up for nim and weld all the nozzels shut on thet (hidden out back) machine of his...    

 Well JC,,,,,Don't you be exposin my plans,,,,but My plan is to load thet machine on the trailer when he ain't lookin and take it down to ole JohnKC's place,,,cause he told me he has one of those BIG metal chomper Uppers,,,,PLUS iron is comin on up and we can both make some serious money,,,,,had to talk him out of rollin it off into the Mississippi,,tho,,,,

OH GAWD NO JOE!!! Don't be rollin thet thing into the Mississippi... Jus think how bad he makes it on the end ah his garden hose... thet thing would prolly make the second ice age look like a walk in the park on a balmy day...

Shameless machine suckin water outta the mississippi...