Very excited! Picked up a Miller Mig welder - it's a 130 XP. Got the tank filled and a new cart.
I hope to become a better welder now. Gotta look up Ax's welding lessons first!

 

Pretty exciting! I have a similar Miller unit. I got way better after I bought it. And don't forget the auto darkening helmet. I still have a long ways to go, but every once in a while I lay down a bead that looks almost professional. But sadly, still sometimes not. The new welder is a huge step though. Good luck.

 

Spending some cash on a new welder is a wonderful reason to practice . X2 on the helmet.

 

Here you go.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-practice.html

 

Already got the helmet... way better with the auto darkening glass!

Thanks for the link Joe!

 

Welding party at smallello. Just kidding! Congrats on the new welder... I wish I could afford one... Life, kids and the mortgage always get in the way... The truck comes in last

 

I have the lincoln version of the 130amp unit, you will be amazed what you can do with it once you get used to it. Check out youtube, there are actually some very good videos showing the correct way to prepare the joint and different techniques of moving the torch to get the desired penetration and a good looking weld. Takes practice but you will get used to it, get some scrap steel and try the different movements and torch angles. I set my gas reg to just let enough gas out to keep the weld clean, too much flow and you just blow the weld out.
Good luck!

 

Thanks! Yeah, I know welders aren't cheap... I know where you can get a great deal on a nice used flux core welder...

 

LOL... I have the use of a friends anytime I want (since it's in my garage at least)... What kind do you have? I've got a Miller Suitcase S32P12 that I would like to sell also... Don't have the use of a AC power supply anymore so it just sits in my storage.

 

Its a Sears Craftsman but I think it is actually made by Century. I think it can be converted to gas. I was thinking of doing that but then i came across the miller.

 

I'm a Hobart fan but they are owned by Miller now I think.

 

Did a few welds today and I don't know if it's the welder, the gas or the combination of both but... huge improvement!

 

Have fun, get some good heavy gloves also.

 

Congrats. It's always nice to get a new tool for the shop. Have fun.

 

First, DO get yourself a spool or two of the ESAB Spoolarc "Easy Grind" wire, .023 for sheetmetal, .030 for general welding. There is a link in my article for online source. This is the best wire I have found and really makes a difference, like the difference between a self darkening helmet and a flip one. The .023 especially will last a long time and can be used for up to 1/8" thick material with weaving the bead.
If welding indoors without drafts, you can use 10 - 15 cu ft/min shielding gas flow, will save a lot of money in gas refills. Test your gauges (the round dial type gauge is a lot less sensitive and accurate at low flow rates than the rising bead type flow gauge, so set your flow by testing rather than actual reading) set the rate to 15 with gas flowing (trigger pressed, set output for purge, or minimum heat and wire feed rate if your welder doesn't have a purge setting) run a test bead. If satisfactory, turn regulator down 1/4 turn and test again. continue turning down the flow until the bead turns "ugly" burned, pitted. Turn the flow back to the last good bead and do a final test bead. if all is good, just leave it there. As said too high a flow wastes gas and can draw in air rather than excluding it.