Welding Continuously

[Bob La Londe]

Ok... what is the smallest rig that will weld continuously for atleast a
couple feet without getting hot and shotting down or getting hot not welding
well?

I've got a little flux core wire feed from Harbor Freight, and on a ncie day
like today, I can weld about 3-6 inches on 1/8 to 1/34 cold rolled before it
starts to spatter. At that point no adjustment works, and if I do push it a
little further the thermal overlaod kicks it off anyway.

I don't really have a problem with that, except that it takes forever to
cool down enough to weld good again.

I need something better. Yeah, I know you get what you pay for. I just
don't know if I can swing 2 or 3 grand for a really nice rig. I do have a
regulator and mix bottle already, and I've tried it with this little 110
welder. It makes a slightly cleaner weld than the flux core, but t doesn't
weld any further before shutting down, and I use this little toy in a lot of
places where lugging the bottle around just isn't practical. As a result I
just leave a big spool of flux core in the unit and use it.

Anyway, when (not if) I get a bigger rig with a longer duty cycle it will
not totally replace the little carry box. I will still need it
occassionally in the field.

Heck, I'm rambling and letting my welder cool down so I can finish my
project. So what's the smallest unit you would get if you wanted a really
high duty cycle? Seems I weld a lot of 1/8 upto 1/4" cold rolled. Rarley,
but occassionally 3/8.

I've got outlets wired for 30amp and 50amp equipment in my shop, and by the
overhead doors so I can work outside.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Dang. Wrong group.

 

[tourman]

Ok... what is the smallest rig that will weld continuously for atleast a
couple feet without getting hot and shotting down or getting hot not welding
well?

I've got a little flux core wire feed from Harbor Freight, and on a ncie day
like today, I can weld about 3-6 inches on 1/8 to 1/34 cold rolled before it
starts to spatter. At that point no adjustment works, and if I do push it a
little further the thermal overlaod kicks it off anyway.

I don't really have a problem with that, except that it takes forever to
cool down enough to weld good again.

I need something better. Yeah, I know you get what you pay for. I just
don't know if I can swing 2 or 3 grand for a really nice rig. I do have a
regulator and mix bottle already, and I've tried it with this little 110
welder. It makes a slightly cleaner weld than the flux core, but t doesn't
weld any further before shutting down, and I use this little toy in a lot of
places where lugging the bottle around just isn't practical. As a result I
just leave a big spool of flux core in the unit and use it.

Anyway, when (not if) I get a bigger rig with a longer duty cycle it will
not totally replace the little carry box. I will still need it
occassionally in the field.

Heck, I'm rambling and letting my welder cool down so I can finish my
project. So what's the smallest unit you would get if you wanted a really
high duty cycle? Seems I weld a lot of 1/8 upto 1/4" cold rolled. Rarley,
but occassionally 3/8.

I've got outlets wired for 30amp and 50amp equipment in my shop, and by the
overhead doors so I can work outside.

RHC: Bob, Hobart make a professional quality MIG welder that is as
professional as it gets. It sells for about $1100 new, but is used in
factories extensively for up to 100% duty cycle. I have used mine for
years and takes the place of my computerized Lincoln for most jobs. It
is 110, and draws about 20 amps at maximum capacity. But it is
professional quality equipment so it never overheats. It will weld all
day up to quarter inch, but will weld up to 3/8 inch steel too when
needed

At the moment I am in Florida, so I cant give you specifics about the
model etc, but it should be possible to locate it through Google.

 

[Bob La Londe]

RHC: Bob, Hobart make a professional quality MIG welder that is as
professional as it gets. It sells for about $1100 new, but is used in
factories extensively for up to 100% duty cycle. I have used mine for
years and takes the place of my computerized Lincoln for most jobs. It
is 110, and draws about 20 amps at maximum capacity. But it is
professional quality equipment so it never overheats. It will weld all
day up to quarter inch, but will weld up to 3/8 inch steel too when
needed

At the moment I am in Florida, so I cant give you specifics about the
model etc, but it should be possible to locate it through Google.

I'm looking at a Hobart Ironman 210 or 250 230 volt, but I have to consider
price too.

 

[alarman]

Ok... what is the smallest rig that will weld continuously for
atleast a couple feet without getting hot and shotting down or
getting hot not welding well?

Jeez, Bob. You weld your keypads to the wall or what??
js

 

[Bob La Londe]

Jeez, Bob. You weld your keypads to the wall or what??
js

Nope, but I have been known to make my own antenna and camera mounts for
special applications. Actually the project that's driving my to frustration
right now is converting an old boat trialer into a flatbed to haul the kids
dune buggies to the bowl so the can run around on some new ground... er and
to haul equipment for work mostly of course. LOL. I would have been done
already if I had a better welder.

 

[Bob La Londe]

The bowl?

Its a local ATV riding area.

 

[alarman]

The bowl?

That's what the "zonies" call the CA desert.

 

[Bob La Londe]

That's what the "zonies" call the CA desert.

There is a spot out in the Glamis sand dunes in Ca called "The Sugar Bowl."
I was actually refferring to a more local spot.

 

[Bob La Londe]

P.S. I'm definitely getting better. To the point when I know if the
chicken splatters on the metal are me or the machine.