Hobby Grade?

[mike73]

Hey all just got on to get schooled im going to be in the mak
rket for a 140A 120V mig to do work on my 79 Scout II most of the binder people gotta know how to weld they are rust buckets but their steel is undeniably thick anyhow gonna be doin some, frame,axle,and possibly a little cast! i done Spring over conversions on past scouts with a 120V before and had no problems but ill be looking forward to honing in on my skills and technique Ive done some mig welding for work i built steel gates and did a fairly decent job at it although i used a 220V mig there im confident i can get what i need done with a 120V unit but im open to all and any advice site direction or any direction at all would be great i have contemplated getting into the industry but?????!!!!!! Thanks and glad to be part of this !!!!!!!!!!!

[Broccoli1]

If you have access or can install 240v then that is the route to take as you get twice the machine for just a few dollars more.


If it's 120v only:

Hobart Handler 140

Lincoln Pro Mig 140 (Lowes)
Lincoln Weldpak 140 (Home depot)

The 2 Lincolns are the same machine just different names so the stores do not have to price match

[zapster]

Good Afternoon and Welcome!..

...zap!

[mike73]

Thanks I feel welcome!!! Ive been toying with the idea of going with a 220, but IDK, i dont really need a big machine, but I do want a machine that will do what I need to do to my truck, and possibly help other who want to do the same thing to their trucks. I also would like to learn the right way to weld the inner knuckle to the axle tubes when i do my cut and turn....

[Broccoli1]

Originally Posted by mike73

, i dont really need a big machine,.

You need one bigger than the 120v machine ya used- and if you can install a 240v Outlet you will be SO much happier if you go with a 240v machine

HH187

http://www.toolking.com/products/517...Search=500525A

Same price as a new Miller 140 or Lincoln 140

[mike73]

i am seeing the light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know if there is a thread on here that would show how to run 220? if not that would be a good one to start up????????? I am going with 220 just because i dont want to work with marginal tools and hey i might get to do other stuff too thanks broccoli! either way im sold on the larger unit i didnt realize they had refurbished units out there my first mig was a Hobart140 i was trying for a Miller this time around but i dont have any complaints at all with Hobart!

[DSW]

Welcome to the forum.

A 220v machine is definately the way to go. I started out with the little 110v mig and wished I had gotten the 220v machine to start.

As far as adding the 220v line, it depends on what you have. I ran my 220v mig with a special 50' extension cord when I lived in several apartments. I used the 30amp dryer plug or the 50amp stove plug to run it. That would be one option thats relatively simple. Theres a good thread in the electrical section on building a 220v ext. cord.

Running a new 220v line from your breaker pannel to the workshop / garage is the other option. How hard depends on where you have to run the lines. Generally I recomened most people have a licenced electrician run the line but it could be done if you know what you are doing. Even though I can run the wire myself, I had the electrician run the garage line when I had the panel in the house upgraded. It wasn't worth my time and I know it's done right.

The last option would be to have a seperate meter and drop installed. Like temporary power for a jobsite. We did this at my buddies shop as the run was too long to be ecconomical for a detached shop. It also allows you to moniter how much it is costing for your various projects.


Good luck.

[Oldiron2]

Howdy, Mike73;

Welcome to a good site; I'm fairly new too, but have already seen lots of interesting and informative material here. I second the idea of using 220v equipment because you need the power to also run a decent-sized air compressor,...
When we wanted to put a 220v, 50 amp outlet in the garage 40 years ago, my dad wanted it done right so insurance, etc. wouldn't have problems. He called the city planning dept. and was told that arc welders were not appropriate for residential usage! So, we installed a 30 amp breaker, the necessary type and size cable to carry 60 amps, and we finished with a 30 amp outlet. When the inspector came to check it, he questioned the wire size; I had to explain that my dad worked for the Government (actually Lockheed) so always overdid everything! Soon after, both the breaker and outlet metamorphosed into 50 amp units.

Once in a while when I turn on my plasma unit, the breaker will open; once going, I can run the plasma full blast (40 amps output) while also running a 3hp (true) compressor. The in-rush current seems to what does it.

[mike73]

Well im definitely SOLD on a 220 unit I appreciate all the input ive recieved already this is a good place to learn and be taught y'all are really good pple around here thank you all .....................now can someone point me in the direction to a good thread on how to weld cast to mild steel hehehehe thanks everyone!