On Mon, 30 May 2005 02:24:15 GMT, "Rick" wrote:

I went to home depot and got some 3/32" 7018 AC rods made by Lincoln.

This is too hard. The rods keep sticking to the work when trying to strike an
arc,
then the coating breaks off. I tried the current at 80 amps then 100 amps. The
1/8" rod at least I was able to get a weld going.

I forsee that even if I master this stick welding, it is going to take me
FOREVER to
weld up these 32 or so joints. If MIG is that much easier, it might be worth
the investment.

Lets say I have $1000 to spend on a MIG outfit, including a gas cylinder and an
autodarkening helmet.

Welder:

SP-175 PLUS - about $750
http://store.aglevtech.net/yhst-1586...pplmigwe1.html

Lincoln Pro MIG 175 - on ebay for around $475 new.
(is the only diff between this and hte sp-175 plus the tapped voltage?, ie, gun
and regulator the same?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9218 799&rd=1

I think i should go for a 220V machine since I use 220 in my shop, so maybe rule
out the 135.

Gas cylinder is probably about $100, and am guessing the HF helmet is less than
$200...

So which MIG?


You really dont need the gas cylinder. You can get very acceptable
welds with flux core wire. You just have to knock off the slag like
you do with stick. I keep an old Lincoln Weldpack 100 on a "hot cart"
with a spool of .035 Dualshield in it for fast tacks and bench
repairs. Its 110vt, no gas, and works like a champ on stuff up to
about 1/4"=5/16". Thicker than that and I run the bigger mig. If you
are doing thin wall..that would not be a bad MIG (or the later models)
for you. And you can add a solenoid and a gas bottle later. Ive gone
almost exclusivly to CO2 on my big MIG because of the cost and the
types of rough welding I do..it works just dandy.

Gunner

thanks for all the free help, btw!

Rick



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