[AT] Mig welders for antique tractor sheet metal work??

[Jim and Lyn Evans]

I own a Hobart 135.  There is no comparison between it and the Weldpac 100s
that I have used.   The Hobart is hands down a better welder.  I guess it
could be that my Hobart was bought new and well cared for and the Lincolns I
tried were mostly worn out and not cared for at all.
Now you have completely conflicting opinions.  That should help your choice
:) 

I have a Lincoln 225 AC buzzbox that was bought by my dad in the late '60s.
It has many, many hours on it and is what I use for heavy welding or on
rusty stuff. The Hobart is set up with the Argon- 25% CO2 mix, and does a
nice job of welding 22 gage up to 1/4" stuff.  Mig doesn't like a lot of
rust or paint to weld through.  6011 on the buzzbox will cut through just
about anything.    
However, the Hobart came with a roll of flux core wire.  That little 110 v
welder had some amazing penetration even through rust with flux core wire.
Overall, I use the Hobart 95% of the time.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of David Myers
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 7:18 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Mig welders for antique tractor sheet metal work??


--- Dean VP <deanvp at att.net> wrote:

> About every 6 months I fall into lust attack for a Mig welder. Never 
> have owned one but would like to some day.
Dean, my opinion is that Hobart, Century, etc., are names to stay away from.
Personally have used Miller, and Lincoln commercial welders and own a
Lincoln Weldpac 100.  Also (unfortunately) have to use a Hobart commercial
type welder at work.  The Lincoln I own is great for sheetmetal and other
small stuff, someday I will get gas for it but for now use fluxcore wire.
BTW, flux core is fantastic outdoors where your shield gas will blow away.
Also flux core penetrates better and cuts through crud where solid wire
wants clean steel.  
The cheap welders like Hobart are NOT the same quality as  Lincolns or
Millers.  You may not be able to feel the difference but trust me, you will
always be fighting the cheap ones, usually wondering what it is that YOU are
doing wrong.  The current or wire speed varies and it is really aggravating.
I still like stick welders and use a Lincoln 250 AC/DC at work for all heavy
work.  At home I just have a Lincoln 250 buzz box which does 90% of what I
need.  
After all this dissertation I would recommend breaking down and getting one
of the small wire welders from Miller or Lincoln (with gas buiilt in).
Also, unless you really need it (probably not) don't spend your money on
tri-mix or similar gasses, just stick with straight argon, much cheaper and
will do 99.44% of what you will ever do. 
The preceeding represents the views of only me and not neccessarily those of
the general list, to paraphrase the hated info-mercials. <g>
    

=====
Dave Myers
Paw Paw, Michigan
The older I get the less I look forward to winter.


		
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