Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm looking for a new mig machine I've got a Lincoln Tig 200 so I don't need a multi process machine. However I would greatly like a digital display for volts and wire feed so I can reproduce the settings and not just guess. I be looked all the big brands but find I can get a no machine as cheap as a mig only so I would like some comments on what others have used and liked or dislikes. At work I use a Miller 252 but don't feel that I will need that much machine for home. Mostly thin steel and maybe some spool gun . Thanks guys for all your help along the way.

i can't really talk brands.
however the features i would go for obviously volts/amps but also inductance. pulse if you can. i havn't tried it on steel yet but i understand you can do really thin metal with it.
i'm on the fence with synergic. i have a semi-synergic machine and its a pain in the butt. its meant to be handy that you wind up the wfs and the voltage goes up with it. but i find you still end up having to go through the menu to adjust the voltage.

Only thing I will say is this: ALWAYS buy more than you anticipate because with welding, you WILL encounter a need you had not anticipated. Maybe at home it's "small stuff", but the day will come when you want more, need more, and having it now is only a 20-25% increase as opposed to a 100% re-buy and loss on what you do have.

There's plenty of synergic style MIGs what would fit the bill. Not only do they have WFS/V displays, the preset curves are generally pretty good. You set the WFS, they set the voltage, although it usually applies to a fillet joint in the 2F position for large weld pieces, so there is always some tweaking to be done. The real question is: what is your realistic budget for the machine?

Find a good deal on a used 252, and don't look back.

1500 dollars my first thought was a eaab em 215 but I thought it might not be big enough looked at a few Everlast but never seen one in person. I didn't know how some of the new features like indication affects weld never had that option

Government welder wrote:1500 dollars my first thought was a eaab em 215 but I thought it might not be big enough looked at a few Everlast but never seen one in person. I didn't know how some of the new features like indication affects weld never had that option

I like to summarize it as follows:

if you plan to weld up to 1/4" at most, then a good 200-250A class machine will suffice, and it will likely be able to to 3/8" in a pinch so long as duty cycle is not an issue.

If you plan to weld 3/8" regularly, then you need to be looking at 300A class machines. They'll do 1/2" in a pinch so long as duty cycle doesn't come into play.

Anything 3/8 and up I'll probably stick with 7018 so I really appreciate everyone's help with this obviously you like htp machine which of there machine have displays does anyone have a opinion on Everlast and longevity machines.

Government welder wrote:Anything 3/8 and up I'll probably stick with 7018 so I really appreciate everyone's help with this obviously you like htp machine which of there machine have displays does anyone have a opinion on Everlast and longevity machines.

Both the Pro Pulse 220MTS and the Pro Pulse 300 have color digital displays and have lots of synergic programs built in that you can tweak (the voltage) for, as well as run traditional manual MIG. The 220MTS will also run basic stick (E6011/6013/7014/7024/7018) and DC scratch start TIG as the PP300, but the PP300 will run cellulosic E6010 as has full manual control of stick pulse parameters. Unfortunately both are over your budget as the 220MTS starts at $2200 for the basic steel package. HTP might have some traded-in Pro Pulse 200's from their promotions, they let those go for $1600 w/1yr warranty, but I don't know if they still have some. Those don't have stick welding though.

I have a Tig stick welder already so mig is all I really need I'll do some looking on there site. Thanks for your thoughts

Government welder wrote:I have a Tig stick welder already so mig is all I really need I'll do some looking on there site. Thanks for your thoughts

This is what the Pro Pulse 200 display looks like on one of the screens.


This machine is phased out and replaced with the multi-process 220MTS. Your best bet is to call them to see what they have in stock and what promotions they are running.

Government welder wrote:1500 dollars my first thought was a eaab em 215...

I picked up my Millermatic 252 for 1500 including a 40 lb spool of 0.035 ER70-s8, 100 feet of 8/3 SOOW power cord, and a Bernard 300amp Q gun all thrown in to boot. There are deals out there if you look.

Government welder wrote:does anyone have a opinion on Everlast and longevity machines.

Some people love them, some hate them. I will never go that route ever again. I will buy Harbor Freight before I buy from either of those companies.

If planing welding all time I would buy a CV welding transformer and wire feeder.
A all in welder is great for small shops.

When I shop all is I use transformer CV and wire feeders. Used 60 pound coils. The wire feeders would take 300 pound drums. I also used a track torch machine for 80 foot welds

Hope this helps
Dave

Louie thanks I looked at both them before when I bought my Lincoln Tig and just couldn't do it. Smith I don't have the room for a big transformer rig honestly I don't weld enough at home to justify it I liked the mp 210 until I seen the spool gun hook up and that was just a after thought Lincoln should have done better with that. I'm going to do some research on inductance today and see what that is about and if I feel I need it. Thanks

smithdoor wrote:

Government welder wrote:Louie thanks I looked at both them before when I bought my Lincoln Tig and just couldn't do it. Smith I don't have the room for a big transformer rig honestly I don't weld enough at home to justify it I liked the mp 210 until I seen the spool gun hook up and that was just a after thought Lincoln should have done better with that. I'm going to do some research on inductance today and see what that is about and if I feel I need it. Thanks

After sold my business I switched to small welder from Harbor freight mig 170
Fits under table and works on 240v 20 amp breaker.
It cost me $170.00 using E71T-11 0.030 wire no gas to haul around.

Dave

FYI: Building the welding cart low and wide wheel spacing also help on tipping over.