JUST Tell Me What To DO!! LOL!!!

[SweetMK]

When my mother reached my age,, and someone asked her preference as to what to do, (or even cook for dinner!!)
her response was always the same "Just tell me what to do!!" !!

I kinda feel that way now, on the welding forum,, I want a new machine,, "Just tell me what to do!!"

I live in Virginia, after spending my first 20 years in Pittsburgh,,

I was trained in welding by the USN,, and welded more 3/4" thick "coupons" (if you can call 3/4" that) than I care to remember.
We only welded vertical, and overhead,, they told us we could learn to weld "flat" when we got to our ship,, LOL!!

Anyways, my preference is stick welding,
I am getting old, maybe it is time to learn MIG?? (I have two 80CF bottles, so I am part way there,,)

70% of my welding is to build playground equipment for my grandchildren,,





The grandchildren keep me busy,,,

I will get around to starting a thread as to what machine I should buy,, next!!

[John T]

Anyways, my preference is stick welding,
I am getting old, maybe it is time to learn MIG?? (I have two 80CF bottles, so I am part way there,,)
.!

Lots of good mig machines....
but why bother?

seems your doing a fine job burning rod.

Nice job on the rolling bench..... I really like that.

[Lis2323]

Welcome! but I can't view the pics for some reason.


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[psacustomcreations]

Welcome from Fredericksburg, VA.
I used to live in Newport News then in York County.


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[SweetMK]

Welcome! but I can't view the pics for some reason.


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Yea, some people can not see IMGUR pics for some reason,,

Is this better?

[Lis2323]

Yea, some people can not see IMGUR pics for some reason,,

Is this better?

Yes thanks. Very cool bench


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[mla2ofus]

Welcome!! As for a mig welder depending on the budget I'd go with blue, red or yellow machines and 240v on any of them.

[SweetMK]

Lots of good mig machines....
but why bother?

seems your doing a fine job burning rod.

Nice job on the rolling bench..... I really like that.

Yes thanks. Very cool bench


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Thanks,, I wanted a bench that could easily be moved so the grass could be mowed,
and
I also wanted a bench that the kids could not tip over..

Heck, this bench is hard for an adult to tip over!!

With the wheels, the bench is easily moved for grass mowing.

[CAVEMANN]

Welcome!

[whtbaron]

I second the suggestion for name brand machines... decide how much you want to spend and get the most expensive 240 volt you can afford.

[MinnesotaDave]

Welcome!

That rolling bench is cool!

[N2 Welding]

I like the tractors. Oh yeah the bench is cool too

[SweetMK]

Welcome!

That rolling bench is cool!

I like the tractors. Oh yeah the bench is cool too

When I first started the bench, I told everyone that it was gonna be a 4 row corn cultivator for the garden,,,



When it did not work out as a cultivator,, I changed it into a bench, rather than tossing the failure on the scrap pile!! LOL!!

[N2 Welding]

That tractor behind the last pic look just like the 950 I use to use at my fathers place. So that's your story and your sticking to it?

[whtbaron]

I like the "farm use" plate on his trailer... need one of those for my grain truck...

[SweetMK]

That tractor behind the last pic look just like the 950 I use to use at my fathers place. So that's your story and your sticking to it?

That one is a 650, but, very similar to the 950,, they all looked the same in those years,,
In this pic, it is the one on the left,,

[SweetMK]

I like the "farm use" plate on his trailer... need one of those for my grain truck...

I think the "Farm Use" tag was about $4 at Tractor Supply,,

[Lis2323]

I should get some “Farm Use Only” caps and tee shirts printed up.


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[Louie1961]

OK, I'll bite...go get this. https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/ei...F:X:0558012701

ESAB Rebel 235ic with cart. The price is a huge bargain right now at this particular supplier. Lots of other places are out of stock. Its a good stick welder with the benefit of being a good MIG welder, and DC TIG thrown in to boot, if you want to learn that too. Seems like they might be discontinuing this machine, but I wouldn't let that bother you. ESAB is good about standing behind their products. Weldingsupply.com has a really wonky looking website, but they are a reputable dealer. I have bought from them on a number of occasions.

[SweetMK]

OK, I'll bite...go get this. https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/ei...F:X:0558012701

ESAB Rebel 235ic with cart. The price is a huge bargain right now at this particular supplier. Lots of other places are out of stock. Its a good stick welder with the benefit of being a good MIG welder, and DC TIG thrown in to boot, if you want to learn that too. Seems like they might be discontinuing this machine, but I wouldn't let that bother you. ESAB is good about standing behind their products. Weldingsupply.com has a really wonky looking website, but they are a reputable dealer. I have bought from them on a number of occasions.

The machine at the link you posted states that the machine is a dedicated MIG only machine,,,
"the Rebel is a complete package MIG-only system for dedicated MIG and Flux-Cored welding. 4,8 and 12" spool compatible. Weighs 53lbs."

I am really hoping to get a multi process machine,,

[N2 Welding]

The machine at the link you posted states that the machine is a dedicated MIG only machine,,,
"the Rebel is a complete package MIG-only system for dedicated MIG and Flux-Cored welding. 4,8 and 12" spool compatible. Weighs 53lbs."

I am really hoping to get a multi process machine,,

You are correct. The EM is mig only. The EMP would be the multi process machine. I have the Original Rebel EMP 215ic and I like it. It is not as powerfull as the 235 but it is not as expensive either.

[Louie1961]

Yeah, their web site is a bit wonky like I said. I searched on the multiprocess machine but got the wrong answer back. THIS is the right one I believe, although it doesn't seem to include the cart. https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/ei...F:X:0558012702

[Louie1961]

I am normally a fan of the Miller products, but the Miller Multimatic 215 and 235 just don't have all the same features and adjustability that the ESAB machines have at this level. Things like inductance, arc force, hot start, etc. You don't really get those in the Multimatic until you get up to the Multimatic 255, which may be out of your budget...not sure.

[SweetMK]

You don't really get those in the Multimatic until you get up to the Multimatic 255, which may be out of your budget...not sure.

The Multimatic is in my budget,, if it is the right machine,,
the more I read, the more I want to stick with blue,,
lots of people seem to comment that they can tell the arc difference between the BLUE welders, and other brands.

In my stick welding, I have a hard time telling machine "A" from machine "B" ,, I think that is because I have subconsciously learned how to compensate for different arc characteristics.

Some machines like to weld with different arc lengths, that is typical of what I think I change without thinking about it,,

I may not be able to do that with a MIG machine,, surely I do not have the skill level to do more than basic MIG welding.

[Welder Dave]

The problem with Miller's, especially the Multimatic 200 since it was the first, is that's over priced for what it is. Lincoln and Esab came out with similar machines with more features for less money. Looks like you already have a decent stick welder so might find a good used Mig machine and save some money. Welds look to be done with 7018 is why I think you have decent stick welder.