Welder question
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 364
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Welder question
So I scored a 90amp flux wire feed welder for fathers day. 
Can you guys/girls give me some input and info on what max gauge or thickness of steel I can effectively use with this?
'm assuming I can't do anything too hardcore but I'm hoping I can do some light fab work and even body patch panels?
Can you guys/girls give me some input and info on what max gauge or thickness of steel I can effectively use with this?
'm assuming I can't do anything too hardcore but I'm hoping I can do some light fab work and even body patch panels?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 364
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Bigger = higher amps? At what amperage do you need to go 220 vs. standard 210?
Last edited by TigerDan; Jul 3, 2014 at 10:21 AM. Reason: fixed quote
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,605
Likes: 5,629
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
a 220 mig is where it's at. i had a 110 unit for 20 years, and did most of my welding with it. heavy stuff was done with the miller bluestar stick welder.
last fall the little mig started acting up and i went looking for a newer one. i found a lincoln powermig 200. i will never use a 110 mig again. the 220 machine will do the same job in 1/4 the time because it does not "fight" you to get the job done. the 220 machine will do in one pass what takes 2-3 passes with the smaller unit.
last fall the little mig started acting up and i went looking for a newer one. i found a lincoln powermig 200. i will never use a 110 mig again. the 220 machine will do the same job in 1/4 the time because it does not "fight" you to get the job done. the 220 machine will do in one pass what takes 2-3 passes with the smaller unit.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
More amps the deeper penetration. A 220V circuit is basically using two 120V circuits at the same time. Think of current (amps) as water pressure and the welding wire as the water stream.... In other words, 220v to 120v is akin to a firehose versus garden hose.
A 120v welder is only good up to 3/16ths because there is simply not enough current (amps) to push the heat deep into the work piece. 20 amps is a typical household circuit... I have a 50-amp circuit (30a is minimum) because I now I can use 100 feet of 8/3 extension cord without suffering a significant voltage drop at the end... I can weld on the other side of my house or across the street if I need to.
Miller 211... do it!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Proper prep means beveling thicker materials for deeper penetration. A 3/16th butt joint will be inherently weak if simply welded on the surface. Beveling on both sides of the joint will embed the weld for a much stronger joint because of the increased affected surface area.
More amps the deeper penetration. A 220V circuit is basically using two 120V circuits at the same time. Think of current (amps) as water pressure and the welding wire as the water stream.... In other words, 220v to 120v is akin to a firehose versus garden hose.
A 120v welder is only good up to 3/16ths because there is simply not enough current (amps) to push the heat deep into the work piece. 20 amps is a typical household circuit... I have a 50-amp circuit (30a is minimum) because I now I can use 100 feet of 8/3 extension cord without suffering a significant voltage drop at the end... I can weld on the other side of my house or across the street if I need to.
Miller 211... do it!!
More amps the deeper penetration. A 220V circuit is basically using two 120V circuits at the same time. Think of current (amps) as water pressure and the welding wire as the water stream.... In other words, 220v to 120v is akin to a firehose versus garden hose.
A 120v welder is only good up to 3/16ths because there is simply not enough current (amps) to push the heat deep into the work piece. 20 amps is a typical household circuit... I have a 50-amp circuit (30a is minimum) because I now I can use 100 feet of 8/3 extension cord without suffering a significant voltage drop at the end... I can weld on the other side of my house or across the street if I need to.
Miller 211... do it!!
I sort of had the feeling this little unit would make me want more.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,064
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From: Laramie, WY
Just use it for working on the body panels...then upgrade to a MIG that can use sheilding gas. I bought a Hobart 180 and it is cheaper than a Miller or Lincoln and works fine.
If I could afford one I would love to have a Miller Synchrowave.
If I could afford one I would love to have a Miller Synchrowave.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
When it comes to welders, a stick welder is much more versatile than a MIG welder. With one welder you can weld steel, iron and aluminum and can also use it for cutting. With the right electrode, you can weld anything a MIG welder can - and do it outside in the wind too.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
When it comes to welders, a stick welder is much more versatile than a MIG welder. With one welder you can weld steel, iron and aluminum and can also use it for cutting. With the right electrode, you can weld anything a MIG welder can - and do it outside in the wind too.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 16
From: DFW Texas
When it comes to welders, a stick welder is much more versatile than a MIG welder. With one welder you can weld steel, iron and aluminum and can also use it for cutting. With the right electrode, you can weld anything a MIG welder can - and do it outside in the wind too.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
If I didn't have any sort of welder and had to go buy one, it would definitely be a stick welder.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Az
That is the funniest thing I've read all day. I do however agree with you100%. I will say there is a place for a stick welder. Although you can cut with an air arc, I could think of a lot of different ways to cut more effectively. What a MESS!!! Just my opinion
Last edited by postmortum; Jul 2, 2014 at 08:37 PM. Reason: wrong emote