1/8 steel and 3/16 steel and the Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder

[Alec217]

Folks I'm considering the purchase of the Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder. My hobbyis is to design and fabricate steel ornament work with 1/8 and 3/16 steel. My 2 questions are,. the LE Handy Mig welder is spec out to weld up 1/8 steel,..I have a 1/8 thick by 2" wide and 24 inches long steel curved in the shape of an "S". I want to weld this "S" shape steel standing on the surface of 3/16 thick steel plate (10x30x3/16), though this mig welder is spec for "up to 1/8 steel", will I be able to accomplish the weld with this mig welder?

I plan on only using flux wire in all my current and future welds,.. will I get enough power from the LE Handy Mig using flux wire to accomplish this?

I was also considering the Hobart Handler 125 (which can weld steel up to 3/16 thick) from online, but would like to stay with Lincoln Electric only because I can gets parts easily and quickly at Home Depot, Lowes and Sears. And I haven't found a Home Depot, Lowes or Sear to stock Hobart parts. And I have considered the Lincoln Electric 125, but the price is too expensive for me.

Thanks everyone.

[MarkBall2]

Isn't the Lincoln Handy Mig a 100 amp machine? I don't know, mine are 220 Volt.

[Alec217]

Mark, the Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder is actually a 115volt setup and 35-88amps.

[Broccoli1]

Alec,

The HH 125EZ gets really good reviews. Buy a few spare tips and yer good to go.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ighlight=125ez

read Rocky D's post and then search out his profile and other posts on welding.

I wouldn't worry too much about being limited to On-Line for supplies.

You can get the wire at HD, Lowes- and that is usually what you run out of anyway.


Heck, buy the Lincoln and try it, don't like it return it.