Tig Welding

[GeorgeTelford]

Stick welding involves easier to lug machine, you can chuck it in the boot (trunk) and go, a bit harder to use on really thin material. Slower than Mig, If you are welding where there is a breeze its better than Mig (unless you can shield for the gas on mig. Mig certainly quicker.

Tough call, If always in a snug workshop Mig would be my choice, ANY breeze get the Stick

Portability stick usually wins Mig needs the gas bottle lugging.

I assume we are discounting the Devils spawn (gasless Mig)

[cracker39]

I checked with my son-in-law this morning. In my earlier post, I said he would teach me stick welding, but he will be doing MIG welding, so that’s what I will try to learn. He says it’s the easiest to learn to do.

[bg]

I must be backwards, I sold my mig after I realized that the 45 year old miller stick machine I have was what I really needed.

[48Rob]

I suppose one of each would be nice, but they sure don't give 'em away!

My ancient Marquette stick works as well as a fancy new one...at least for the type of general repair welding I do.

Not very pretty, but it's paid for!

[Micro469]

I suppose one of each would be nice, but they sure don't give 'em away!

My ancient Marquette stick works as well as a fancy new one...at least for the type of general repair welding I do.

Not very pretty, but it's paid for!

I think I saw one of those in an antique store... It was more expensive than a new one......

[48Rob]

Gosh!

You know, it could be worth a lot of money

I gave $50 for it 20 years ago...hmmm probably go at least ten bucks on Antiques Roadshow

[lauriandgary]

I remember seeing one of those machines as a kid in my uncle's oil field service shop. It must have been in the mid to late 60's. Damn, I'm old.

[IndyTom]

Okay, I cannot see the words "devil's spawn" without getting interested. Are the flux cored units really that worthless. I was looking at the model 151 frome Harbor Freight. They have refurb units now for $159. The welder is dual use, with or without gas. I was planning to use flux core wire to eliminate the need for the gas. But it that is really "Devil's Spawn" maybe I need to reconsider my plans.

[dhazard]

I have the model 151 from Harbor Freight, it worked ok for “gluing” my frame together. For anyone that is thinking about getting one this is my opinion of it.
The Mask that comes with it is a joke, so get one of the auto dimming masks with it. The $60 bucks is money well spent. The welder comes with a 2lb spool of flux core wire that is on a small spool so it is very curly, the feeder had some problems pushing the wire, I had to keep the feed line almost straight or the wire feed would pulse making it hard to get a good weld. When I bought the welder I also got a 10lb spool of flux core wire. As I was welding the frame I ran out of the 2lb spool and had to use the 10lb for the last few welds on the frame. When I switched to the larger spool it was like I was using a different welder, the feed was very smooth and much easer to get a good weld. Overall for the price and what I will use it for I am happy with it.
One other thing the 10lb spool has a large hub opening and it dos not come with an adaptor so I had to make an adaptor out of the empty 2lb spool.

[Nitetimes]

Okay, I cannot see the words "devil's spawn" without getting interested. Are the flux cored units really that worthless. I was looking at the model 151 frome Harbor Freight. They have refurb units now for $159. The welder is dual use, with or without gas. I was planning to use flux core wire to eliminate the need for the gas. But it that is really "Devil's Spawn" maybe I need to reconsider my plans.

It's not as bad as it sounds. If you take the time to practice a bit with it you can do some good welding with the flux core. If not, you will think it sucks. I can burn some steel with it no problem and you can weld heavier steel with it than you can with hard wire and gas. 'But', I've also got over 25 years experience welding. You have to consider that if you are going to be welding any thin sheet metal get yourself a bottle of gas and a roll of hardwire, fluxcore ain't worth a sheeit for sheet metal. MIG is pretty easy to learn just practice and the 10-12lb spools do feed better than the 2lb ones and you will save money in the long run. If you get a bottle and decide to use both wires don't forget to reverse the polarity, makes a big difference. One other thing, push hard wire, pull flux core.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi

Sorry if I over did it calling flux cored the devils spawn, its personal opinion, if you can mig with gas the flux cored never seemed as good, messy and awkward.

[asianflava]

To me it seems that if your machine is capable of using a shielding gas, use it. If you can't, then you can't.

It's almost like using a tablesaw with a dull blade. A new blade will make the work go much easier with better results.

[mikeschn]

But', I've also got over 25 years experience welding.

Oh then you're the person I need to see to tig weld a bunch of aluminum coke cans into a 4x8 aluminum skin!

Mike...

[Nitetimes]

But', I've also got over 25 years experience welding.

Oh then you're the person I need to see to tig weld a bunch of aluminum coke cans into a 4x8 aluminum skin!

Mike...

That sounds like too much fun for me!!!

[IndyTom]

Every time I post a question here, I know why this forum is so great. There is so much experience here from so many different fields. Thanks. As soon as the IRS sends me my stinkin money back I am getting the Mod. 151, and a larger spool of wire.