JimJ wrote:
The weld-pak 100 will do 1/4" stock with flux core wire. I have had mine for the last 5 years and have had no problem with it. It is more for home use than commercial.
Hi JimJ I would agree that this welder might be all he needs,I just think that a MIG(metal inert gas)type does a better job.With that same welder I would either add a MIG conversion kit or just buy a gas type to start with.I think that with this welder you can attach any thickness of metals together but with less than 125 amps it's only going to penetrate about 1/8" or so.Again,not meaning to disagree with your experences in any way but this info I found may be usefull.
Ron
The acronym MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas welding. It is also referred to as GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding).
MIG welders are usually referred to as wire-feed welders. The word "Metal" in the process name refers to the consumable wire electrode used in the process. The wire and the weld joint are shielded by an inert gas and the wire electrode which is continuously fed into the arc and weld joint acts as the filler rod. MIG is most typically used to best effect in commercial fabrication settings where continuous welding is desired, and where environmental conditions, joint preparation, and materials can be controlled.
Unlike TIG and stick welding, weld quality results are affected by more machine controlled variables: the current generating capacity of the welder, the thickness of the material to be welded, the thickness of the wire electrode, speed of travel, type of shielding gas used, flow rate of shielding gas, and (of course) the preparation of the joint (i.e., clean, properly beveled, etc.).
About 1 amp of welding current is required for each .001" of material thickness. For example, assuming welding 1/8" plate in a single "pass" requires approximately 125A of welding current. Thicker material requires even more power. A powerful professional grade MIG welder can make beautiful welds of very high quality. However, many of the low cost, low power units sold for consumer use can produce less than acceptable results. Common problems with MIG welds, derives from the fact that many of the low cost MIG units which are sold simply do not have enough power to make proper welds on thicker stock. Usually, poor penetration and or internal cracking (invisible cracks which form under the surface of the bead) are seen.
MIG welders with flux cored wire are also popular in applications where gas shielding can not be accomplished (outside, drafty, or windy conditions), and where a somewhat lower quality weld joint may be acceptable.