welder strong enough?

[RODRIG3911]

Hey guys, I was wondering if my 110V Lincoln 140 amp Mig welder would be strong enough to weld on my long arm brackets and shock hoops? I run an Argon CO2 mix and have .30 wire in it right now. If it will work, do you guys have a suggestion on wire size and tips for best penetration? I hear if I do 15psi gas it'll go deeper.. Any thoughts?.. I've only got a couple years experience welding, but use it alot and feel pretty confident

 

[Brent13]

I think you would be better off using flux core wire with a 110v machine.

 

[gotdads68]

It'll be close to the limit of your welder but if you crank up the heat and turn back the wire speed a bit it should be good if you can find that balance. Preheating would help a lot too.

 

[Broncobowsher]

It can be done. But pushing this upper limit of the machine it is no longer a drunk monkey putting down an OK bead. Now it matters what your skill level is.

I've welded in 2" receiver hitches with a 110V machine. I could do 2" at a time before the machine would thermally shut down and need a cooling. Took a long time for that little amount of weld.

The only time I couldn't make a 110V machine put down a good bead (when I think it should have) was welding to the center of a thick plate. It just sucked the heat faster then it could make it. I was about to do a 2-man pre-heat with a torch when someone else showed up and used a nice big 220V machine.

 

[Broncomt]

Gas won't make a deeper weld. Gas is a flux only. Heat and wire speed is the key. And.....take your time you can make several passes. Make sure you have a "v" at the connections. First pass down in the center then work your way up and out. Don't hurry. And yes, the 110 migs usually have a 20% duty cycle, so if you're laying down a large bead it may shut off on you. Just have to let it cool off.

 

[Teal68]

Good advice above. I'll just add too much gas actually has a cooling effect...quite handy when welding sheet metal, but dial the gas back as much as you can for a clean weld for the thick stuff.

 

[5001craig]

I have a buddy's Hobart 140 amp 110 volt machine that I did all my welding with. On the thicker steel welds it was at maximum amps and the wire speed was turned all the way up. I went through around 1.5 spools of wire on my work and I only remember the machine shutting off once. I feel I have good penetration. My buddy did the critical welds like these:

 

[Slednut10]

023 solid wire will lay down a better bead and penetrate better than 030 in a 110v welder.

 

[Steve83]

The frame is only made from ~1/8" thick (~0.125", ~11ga) steel; how thick are these parts you plan to weld on?

 

[dave67fd]

I have had no problems with my Eastwood 135 doing all frame repairs including the Duff hoops.

 

[RODRIG3911]

Thanks guys! Lots of great advice. I think I'll try it with my gas around 10psi and do it sober lol. Sounds like it might overheat, but if it does I'll let it cool down and hit it again. I swear us Bronco guys are the most crafty, talented and handsome car guys (Maybe not handsome)hahah

 

[JB Fab]

If you have to use an extewntion cord, use the shortest heaviest extention cord you can!

 

[RADO]

The key for me when welding suspension components with a 110v welder is to preheat the metal. Starting with hot metal will help the bead penetrate.

Good Luck!

 

[RODRIG3911]

I have noticed it over heats faster with an extension cord... I've got a torch, so I'll either try preheating or call and borrow my uncles 220V. Thanks again guys

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, even though I don't need them as much anymore (now that the core garage wiring is more sorted!) all of my important extension cords are 12ga.
I still have some 14ga cords, but they're either shorter or relegated to lighter duty stuff.
Slowly getting rid of the old 16ga stuff that's kept in the shed and still used for things like electric weed-whackers. But anything important gets a more "house-wire" sized 12ga cord.

Never used an extension on 220 at the house, so don't know what's appropriate there.

Paul

 

[Steve83]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/332049576413
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371242358876

 

[CraigS]

Gas won't make a deeper weld. .

Gas does make a difference in penetration. Pure CO2 will penetrate further than mixes with argon because it is a reactive gas. It also produces more spatter if you're trying for a clean weld and it will not work with non ferrous metals (aluminum).

 

[Rustytruck]

If I was in your shoes Id go rent an arc welder from Home depot and buy a box of rod and weld it right. Its a suspension mount for gods sake. The life you save might be your own. Otherwise tack it in place and let a pro or at least someone with the proper equipment get it welded up.

 

[Skiddy]

Gas is a flux only. .

Not true 75-25 is a great combo for solid wire

 

[NC-Fordguy]

A 220v lincoln tombstone stick welder is budget friendly. Stick welding is not as easy to learn as mig welding but totally doable