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The Water Cooler
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Miller mig welders
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<blockquote data-quote="Perplexed" data-source="post: 1547229" data-attributes="member: 7157"><p>Some thoughts from a beginner welder. I picked up a cheap Hot Max 120V MIG welder that's rated for 135 amps, and supposedly the unit will weld up to 5/16" mild steel. I've been able to weld 1/4" steel with no issues, though that does take some time to weld up, and I'm not sure I'd trust those welds for critical applications. The Hot Max package I got came with the basic essentials including a spool of flux core wire, which is very handy for learning and practicing welding without having to worry about a gas cylinder. After a weekend of practice, I was able to fabricate a sturdy metal-working table with a 3/16" thick plate steel top, a 1/8" thick storage shelf, and 2" square steel tube legs (3/16" thick) with 1 1/2" square tube cross-bracing. The table is heavy enough that I ended up cutting 4" off the ends of each leg to weld on locking caster wheels, so I can move the table around the shop as needed. Anyway, I do find that to weld 3/16" thick metal, I have to dial the voltage control knob up to about 2/3 of its range, but I haven't had any issues with the unit tripping a 110V 20-amp breaker. Overall, <strong>for the price</strong> I'm pleased with the Hot Max welder.</p><p></p><p>If I could do it over again though, I'd probably spend the extra few hundred bucks to get a nice used 220V MIG/TIG/stick welder from Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart. Then I could learn how to weld using those different approaches, and be able to adapt my welding to the situation.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Perplexed, post: 1547229, member: 7157"] Some thoughts from a beginner welder. I picked up a cheap Hot Max 120V MIG welder that's rated for 135 amps, and supposedly the unit will weld up to 5/16" mild steel. I've been able to weld 1/4" steel with no issues, though that does take some time to weld up, and I'm not sure I'd trust those welds for critical applications. The Hot Max package I got came with the basic essentials including a spool of flux core wire, which is very handy for learning and practicing welding without having to worry about a gas cylinder. After a weekend of practice, I was able to fabricate a sturdy metal-working table with a 3/16" thick plate steel top, a 1/8" thick storage shelf, and 2" square steel tube legs (3/16" thick) with 1 1/2" square tube cross-bracing. The table is heavy enough that I ended up cutting 4" off the ends of each leg to weld on locking caster wheels, so I can move the table around the shop as needed. Anyway, I do find that to weld 3/16" thick metal, I have to dial the voltage control knob up to about 2/3 of its range, but I haven't had any issues with the unit tripping a 110V 20-amp breaker. Overall, [B]for the price[/B] I'm pleased with the Hot Max welder. If I could do it over again though, I'd probably spend the extra few hundred bucks to get a nice used 220V MIG/TIG/stick welder from Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart. Then I could learn how to weld using those different approaches, and be able to adapt my welding to the situation. [/QUOTE]
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