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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Wire Welders

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BK

08-06-2003 19:30:28




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I've been looking at wire welders recently and I thought I would start my research here. Any advise on these welders would be great. I have had some experience with the type that uses Argon gas and know that they weld great. Could anyone also tell me if the flux core wire is worth having . It seems to me that this is very handy not having to worry about the argon but, is it better or worse. Thanks!

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JMS/MN

08-08-2003 00:13:49




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
Bought a Miller 200 about 15 years ago and hardly ever used the stick welder since. Get the Tweco gun (#4?). Better than the Miller. Just used CO2 all these years- check with a local welder for advice on using argon, or Stargon mix. Always used the straight mild steel wire, .035.



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tortmort

08-07-2003 20:39:22




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
I settled on a Lincoln from either Lowes or Home Depot. They buy truckloads of 'em and they have the best price.You can use gas or flux with the machine with results per the other posts.



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TimC

08-07-2003 20:16:29




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
My dad has been using his ESAB for the last 10 years on a regular basis. He welds light stuff like exhaust work but mostly .125 up to the very thick stuff. No complaints.



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Mike

08-07-2003 17:48:16




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
Check out the Hobart site and search through the weld talk discussion board and you will find lots of info.Sign up and you will find all kinds of good opinions and can ask lots of questions.
Personally I own two Lincolns(SP-250 mig and a Squarewave 175 Pro tig/stick) and have NEVER been sorry but I am also looking at the Hobart Handler 175 for a smaller mig machine.

Mike



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Bob

08-07-2003 09:31:25




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
Based on your needs, you can buy a Gas/No Gas welder. You can change them back and forth based on your needs.

Gas welding gives you a nicer finished weld, but not good for outdoor use as most any breeze will blow the gas away from the weld.

Flux core leaves a messy weld, but can be used anywhere.

With wire and rod, remember if they get old, they wont work well. Buy in small packages.



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Tim

08-07-2003 07:37:45




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
Flux core is fine for light stuff but if you want to weld real metal always use a gas mix. The Miller 250 does everything from exhaust work up to welding the hinges for a dump bed on a truck. We use a 75%/25% mix for most things and argon for delicate work.



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rustyfarmall

08-07-2003 05:04:54




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
I've used nothing but flux core wire with mine, I didn't want the hassle of running out of argon gas right in the middle of a project. I am sure I don't get as pretty a weld as if I was using the gas, but after grinding it down and painting, you can't tell the differance.



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gatractorman

08-07-2003 04:51:23




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
I'm looking at welders too, I visited a new welding supply place that just opened close to me, I need a good sized welder so I was looking at the 250 amp machines, they had Miller, Esab, and Lincoln, they were really pushing the Esab machine over the other brands. I'm interested to hear the replys about the flux-cored wire as well, from what I understand it is more for light duty applications.

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BFO

08-07-2003 04:49:06




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
I keep one machine(millermatic 200) with Er70s-6 .035 solid wire and 75%/25% gas and the other machine (invertec v350) with Er71T gas shielded flux core, and also use 75%/25% gas. Same problem as Richard with moisture. After use I bag the wire, the flux core especially. Once the wire picks up moisture, you'll see "worm holes" along the entire bead.
Have never used self shielded flux core.



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Richard

08-07-2003 04:19:18




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 Re: Wire Welders in reply to BK, 08-06-2003 19:30:28  
I have a Hobart 175, I started to buy the Hobart Ironman 210 but I liked the portability of the 175 since it only has 15' of leads. Great for purlins and stuff. Outside, in the wind I use fluxcore, and inside for pretty welds I use 75x25% mix. I haven't had any problems out of it at all except for one time when I had that weird humidity thing that caused my shop to be soaked everywhere (condensation). The wire got wet and had some surface rust on it, caused it to jump and slip. I new rold of wire, and a cork wiper fixed that problem. I keep 1-1/2" square tubing on hand and I use it a lot. With a mig, chop saw, and tubing I can knock some simple projects very quickly. Good luck on your search.

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