Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum

Mig welders

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
PaulT

11-02-2002 12:31:10




Report to Moderator

I am hoping someone can assist in some comparative MIG welder shopping. I'm comparing a Lincoln SP-135 to a Miller 135 and am confused. They seem to be similar in just about every aspect with the exception of one. The Lincoln claims to be able to weld up to thicknesses of 5/16" while the Miller literature consistenly says 3/16" on a single pass. If the specifications are identical how can the maximums be so different? I seem to be leaning toward the Miller if I can get this issue resolved. Additionally, my intended use for the welder is amateur automotive body restoration. The 110v versions of the above seem to be adequate, however, I would welcome an opinion and advice on either 110's or 220's. I am a novice and have only now started to weld.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
IH MAN

11-04-2002 15:58:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  

Tractor Supply stores carry the Hobart line which are made by Miller.
The best bang for the buck is the Hobart 175 220 volt mig which comes with a cart with wheels for $649.
I recently bought a Miller 175 220V just the welder, no cart and paid the same price. The cart is worth about $50..... ...happy shoppng



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Cliff Neubauer

11-03-2002 11:05:38




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  
I think both of those units are very comparable and either should be good. I'm not sure but I think the both offer infinite heat adjustment which I think is a must especially for autobody repair. I used to have a 130 amp Napa MIG welder and 1/4" was weldable with it but I wouldn't trust it for critical welds. If you have 220v available and don't mind spending just a little more money I think a 175 amp 220v MIG would be a better buy, they seem to be built more for shop use rather than homeowners. They will also have a much better duty cycle. A 220v unit is also harder for the neighbors to borrow. As the others have said be sure to buy one that you will get local service with and most shops will let you try one before you buy it.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ger

11-02-2002 17:38:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  
i just bought a lincon a couple weeks ago its was 115 volt never got to use it was to busy at other things , was getting ready to this weekend an the guy that owns the local welding shop told me that for light work on cars an such the 115 would be ok but for welding on the tractor be better with the 220amp , i exchanged it this morning sure glad i did it was only 100 bucks different an seems like a more heavyduty machine an the duty cycle is higher too, they say if they tell ya it will weld 1/4 it probably won,t so go bigger , so that what i did anyway , hope this helps . later ger

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Richard

11-02-2002 15:46:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  
Go over to www.hobartwelders.com and look around.
Hobart and Miller are the same people. I'm running all Hobarts here and love them. I was stuck between the 135 and the 175 and went with the 175amp. I'm glad I did, My neighbor bought the 135 and stated he kicks himself in the behind for not going to the larger machine. He thought the 110 would be handier but it's kind of limited to pretty thin stuff. Good luck.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DumOleBob

11-02-2002 13:57:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  
Don't forget to look at Hobart welders too. I don't think there is a ton of difference between the top name brand migs.


If you've got a good welding supply house that will take time to counsel you then go with what they suggest. If they are too busy to give you an introduction & a trial then go elsewhere. There is simply NO substitute for good local service! No substitute for having someone to "bounce questions off". Good luck & have fun

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
T_Bone

11-02-2002 13:54:36




Report to Moderator
 Re: mig welders in reply to PaulT, 11-02-2002 12:31:10  
Hi Paul,

If someone posts different results then I would go with there suggestion as I have not used a SP-135 nor any new welding machines.

I have a SP-100 thats rated for 1/8" and it won't do it without some help. More like 16ga or 1/16" is what I would rate the machine at. However I did use a Century 100amp machine and it would put my SP-100 to shame although the Lincoln was more quality built than the Century.

Miller makes fine welding machines and the best commerical Mig machines. Haven't used any of the 115v machines so I can't comment.

Any supplier should be happy with you wanting to try out the machine before you buy it. Take an experienced welder along and get there opinion.

I bought a cylinder of tri-mix cover gas, 75%HE 23%AR 2%o2, so I could use one cover gas for Tig, Mig or a purge gas. Although more expensive I only have to have one gas cylinder for all my welding needs so it's cheaper in the long run.

T_Bone

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DHunter n NOLa

11-02-2002 15:11:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: mig welders in reply to T_Bone, 11-02-2002 13:54:36  
T, Did I read the recipe on the gas wrong? My computer said 2% O2. Shouldn't that have been 2% CO2?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
T_Bone

11-02-2002 18:08:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: mig welders in reply to DHunter n NOLa, 11-02-2002 15:11:39  
Hi DHunter,

No, you read that correct, 2%-o2.

Helium adds high thermal conductivity with-in the arc reducing it's density. Read this as a cheap(free) amperage increase. Increases penetration and flatens the weld bead contour.

Argon adds arc stability with shallow penetration, lowers weld spatter and removes oxides at the weld surface.

Qxygen in amounts upto 5% can be added for broading the penetration in the center of the weld bead, controls undercutting and helps improve arc stability.

Co2 can be added but has a spatter problem on most thin gauge metals and defeats my useage. O2 on the other hand enhances the tri-mix.

This tri-mix is also compatable with most filler materials.

T_Bone

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy