new welder
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,307
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
If you can afford the welder, getting power f/ use is the easy part.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 108
Likes: 35
From: United States
I rent a small place and I am trying to keep my metal work on the down low. If I ever get my own place I will for sure have 220.
My brother wants me to get a multi process machine to tig with.
My brother wants me to get a multi process machine to tig with.
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 77
Likes: 23
From: Alaska
I'll preface by saying that I am a welder in my day to day life. I've welded pipe, worked in structural steel, and these days do lots of aluminum work. Trained, certified, all that happy horse****. All this to say, I might have some answers if you have questions, and I'd be happy to talk. I greatly enjoy teaching others.
The truth of the matter is that 110v welders will leave you wanting. For steel, you can get away with a 110v machine if you're TIG welding or stick welding up to about 1/4" material, but beyond that it won't have the horsepower to perform. And if you want to weld aluminum, 220v is absolutely necessary, I don't care what the brochures say.
If all you've run so far is self shielded flux core (FCAW-S) then you should be pleasantly surprised with a MIG welder. Self shielded wire is used by pretty much nobody outside the pile drivers union, it's not well suited to a fabrication environment, which I assume is what you're trying to do.
As for manufacturers, you can't go wrong with either Lincoln or Miller. I would stay away from the lesser known brands. The market is dominated by these two, for good reason. You'll have to decide what type of work you want to do, and that will dictate which processes you need, which will in turn determine which welder would be the best choice. I'll tell you right now, you won't be able to find one that does everything. You can find multiprocess machines that will do a lot, but they aren't a one stop shop.
The truth of the matter is that 110v welders will leave you wanting. For steel, you can get away with a 110v machine if you're TIG welding or stick welding up to about 1/4" material, but beyond that it won't have the horsepower to perform. And if you want to weld aluminum, 220v is absolutely necessary, I don't care what the brochures say.
If all you've run so far is self shielded flux core (FCAW-S) then you should be pleasantly surprised with a MIG welder. Self shielded wire is used by pretty much nobody outside the pile drivers union, it's not well suited to a fabrication environment, which I assume is what you're trying to do.
As for manufacturers, you can't go wrong with either Lincoln or Miller. I would stay away from the lesser known brands. The market is dominated by these two, for good reason. You'll have to decide what type of work you want to do, and that will dictate which processes you need, which will in turn determine which welder would be the best choice. I'll tell you right now, you won't be able to find one that does everything. You can find multiprocess machines that will do a lot, but they aren't a one stop shop.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 655
Likes: 759
From: Coconino County AZ
Been welding for more than half a century and for many years made my living welding -- pipe fitter, structural, and specialty welding in a variety of materials and processes. And both my boys followed me in the trade.
If you want to weld anything substantial forget the 110VAC machines -- these are very limited. And if you're teaching yourself to weld by watching YouTube videos, a cheap welder is not helping. If you do get good at it you'll outgrow them in no time. As Ak dyna said, Lincoln & Miller are top of the line machines (I own a few of each) and I'll add Hobart to that list. I had one Hobart multi-process I welded with for 40 years before selling it to make room for a square wave TIG -- buy quality equipment and it will last a lifetime. Stay away from the off brands and China crap -- waste of $$. If this is a hobby you love, spend the $$ and get good equipment.
If you want to weld anything substantial forget the 110VAC machines -- these are very limited. And if you're teaching yourself to weld by watching YouTube videos, a cheap welder is not helping. If you do get good at it you'll outgrow them in no time. As Ak dyna said, Lincoln & Miller are top of the line machines (I own a few of each) and I'll add Hobart to that list. I had one Hobart multi-process I welded with for 40 years before selling it to make room for a square wave TIG -- buy quality equipment and it will last a lifetime. Stay away from the off brands and China crap -- waste of $$. If this is a hobby you love, spend the $$ and get good equipment.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 1,003
just combining 2 110vac circuits MUST be two out of phase feeds, seen this before, will not work.
110 or 220 really does not matter energy wise, tit-for-tat. 220 will see less fluctuations on the line current which sometimes feeds through into the arc. a real issue for cheap units and notorious on cracker boxes. not to say it will not happen on a 220 as my lincoln 180t blew the circuit board but then again, the 220 is split off so 110 feeds the control and 220 the transformer.
110 or 220 really does not matter energy wise, tit-for-tat. 220 will see less fluctuations on the line current which sometimes feeds through into the arc. a real issue for cheap units and notorious on cracker boxes. not to say it will not happen on a 220 as my lincoln 180t blew the circuit board but then again, the 220 is split off so 110 feeds the control and 220 the transformer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
just combining 2 110vac circuits MUST be two out of phase feeds, seen this before, will not work.
110 or 220 really does not matter energy wise, tit-for-tat. 220 will see less fluctuations on the line current which sometimes feeds through into the arc. a real issue for cheap units and notorious on cracker boxes. not to say it will not happen on a 220 as my lincoln 180t blew the circuit board but then again, the 220 is split off so 110 feeds the control and 220 the transformer.
110 or 220 really does not matter energy wise, tit-for-tat. 220 will see less fluctuations on the line current which sometimes feeds through into the arc. a real issue for cheap units and notorious on cracker boxes. not to say it will not happen on a 220 as my lincoln 180t blew the circuit board but then again, the 220 is split off so 110 feeds the control and 220 the transformer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 1,003
220 service really does not require a neutral to operate, however a ground is needed in case of insulation failure or leakage to frame, some get around this by using double insulation methods, aka, non conductive housing. even so, double insulated tools are banned in certain industries.
since the two legs are out of phase, return currents are inter-twined.
to answer the ?, no!
the 110 is taped off the 220 connection and sent to the control board where it is converted to 12vdc to control things like relay,spool feed and gun trigger.
i would post the schematic but my junkified epson printer is clogged up again so i cannot make a post-able jpeg image from the pdf.
lincoln has great support but their lower end migs work when they work but have issues. just like hd, they engineer to operate at cheapest cost. you can rebuild the boards with higher capacity components. for what it does, should have lasted a life time, never more that a minute at a time if that as it only takes seconds to attach a bell crank to a shaft. small whip beats the huge spool gun for the miller, which i will use if i decide to make welded frames, cheaper and quicker but leaves the frame as not repairable like a fastened frame and i had one come through the shop that was used as a weapon in a bar fight, never say never, alcohol, men and women do not mix very well, i guess the guitar was better than a gun, gone the days of just duking it out!?!
since the two legs are out of phase, return currents are inter-twined.
to answer the ?, no!
the 110 is taped off the 220 connection and sent to the control board where it is converted to 12vdc to control things like relay,spool feed and gun trigger.
i would post the schematic but my junkified epson printer is clogged up again so i cannot make a post-able jpeg image from the pdf.
lincoln has great support but their lower end migs work when they work but have issues. just like hd, they engineer to operate at cheapest cost. you can rebuild the boards with higher capacity components. for what it does, should have lasted a life time, never more that a minute at a time if that as it only takes seconds to attach a bell crank to a shaft. small whip beats the huge spool gun for the miller, which i will use if i decide to make welded frames, cheaper and quicker but leaves the frame as not repairable like a fastened frame and i had one come through the shop that was used as a weapon in a bar fight, never say never, alcohol, men and women do not mix very well, i guess the guitar was better than a gun, gone the days of just duking it out!?!