I am getting some stiffeners and have access to a Lincoln 3200HD but I want to get a welder for my own use and maybe to do the project with. My question is whether or not this will do the trick on the 3/16" stiffeners using self shielding flux core. Should I go on the 125 or wait and save for a bigger welder with gas? Either way I will have to get gas when I start doing the thinner floorboards, but I thought I could get away with flux for the stiffeners while I save for the reg and tank (the jeeps draining the pocketbook, I am sure you know what I mean!).

 

You should wait and get the highest rated amp welder you can.
That 125 might cut it for thin sheet, but you don't want to limit yourself
for later when you might want to build a bumper ect.
Hobart's handler 187 is a 210 (house current) mig unit and is under $600
I have a 140 and its fine for anything under 1/4" hell I can do 1/2"
With it. (that's its limit though)
A few guys on here will tell you to go with $1000+ miller rigs,
but realistically how much fabrication are you going to be doing
to warrant such an expenditure? and can you get the outfit to
pay for itself in the long run?
A 140 (110) or 187 (210) rig is fully capable for us weekend warriors
In the end its your decision.

 

Personally, I would feel safe with that. As long as they are good welds. I have a 125 lincoln. And I've welded a decent amount of 1/4'' stuff that has been okay. Just make em good welds. and you'll be fine on 3/16''. imo

 

I know the 3200HD can do it... you just have to run it at full power and high wire speed, while also moving really slow...

also you might want to consider flux core if your welder is a little underpowered for the job... I don't know why, but it seems to work well on plate

you might also consider preheating your projects

 

Buy a welder as big as your elect service and budget will permit. Nobody ever talks about elect service. Are you restricted to 110 or can you get 220 where you want to weld. What amp service is to your home. I'm stuck sharing a 100 amp service with my shop and house. $2500 to upgrade from pole to meter for 200 amp service.

 

I am going to save my pennies and go for the hh140, I want to stick to 110 for portability since I live in a college town and have to move a lot, once I get a little more settled or have better access, I will start looking at some 220s. Thanks for the input!

 

Everyone seems to get hung up on welder size. You CAN weld something in more than one pass! Even the smallest of welders can weld 1/2" with multiple passes. More work yes, more time consuming yes but works just fine.

 

That's what I thought (about getting so hung up on it) but after thinking about it a little more, the cost of the MIG kit for the 125 nearly offsets the difference so I am just going to save and buy the 140 which comes with a reg and is gas ready. I can use it with flux cored self shielded wire for the stiffeners and save for a tank to do the floors! I love toys, but hate how they constantly drain my wallet haha.

 

it more comes down to heat... you need to generate enough heat to start a pool of melted filler/wire, and also heat up the part you are working with enough for that filler/wire to melt into what you are working with

 

you should look at the harbor freight dual mig 151... it is a rebadged Clarke...

 

Are parts accessible? There are a bunch of Clarkes on Craigslist here but since the company went belly up I am worried about getting parts I need in the future. My friend was trying to convince me to get a cheapo Harbor Freight, I would rather stay away....

 

This is true, although welding does not require filler wire. Most applications use it but it is not necessary. My point was simply any welder you can afford will work its just the amount of prep and using multiple passes. It is definitely nicer to weld something like 1/2" single pass but its not required for a structurally sound weld.

 

get a Lincoln 180 or 175 if you want to stay with that small of a welder and they come with everything to run gas but comes with a spool of there .35 fluxcore wire

 

Why a Lincoln? The HH140 comes with a spool of flux self shielded, is gas ready and runs on household 110 which is important to me. If I had access to 220 readily available I would be asking a different question.

 

honestly if you saw how simple they where... you would not worry... you can get all the parts from any internet based electronics supply store

also Harbor freight offers a a 1 year warranty for $25, and you can renew it every year if you want to... they will replace it NO questions asked...


first thing I did was add a nice ground clamp and a 110CFM fan (instead of the stock 60CFM)

really increased the duty cycle


ALSO do not get too caught up on not using flux core... while gas will make a cleaner looking weld... if you are using a welder that is somewhat underpowered, it is easier to get a GOOD weld with flux...

also flux works better for portability and and in high wind situations (like welding outside)


this is a flux core weld I recently did... once it gets cleaned up with a wire wheel it should look pretty decent