The welders thread

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Ben Is this the new 3 process AC/DC machine I have been hearing rumors about ?????
The one I have is not but I do believe they will have a mp version.
I have an invision 352 mpa and this machine has most of the features of the mpa. That's all for now before I breach my agreement ;)
 
What pattern weave is this? Not sure I've seen this done with MIG before. Looks like a ton of overlapping tack welds.

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What pattern weave is this? Not sure I've seen this done with MIG before. Looks like a ton of overlapping tack welds.

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All continuous figure eight weave. Really no reason for it other than for fun and not many can do it, especially this small.
That is a 1/4" hole to the left. All my welds are continuous, no trigger welding! Here are a few more Of some different welds, all continuous, all with no clean up
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Ben..... I wish the welders I have to baby sit on a daily basis could weave a cap 1/10th as good as you do.....
 
Yeah, that's pretty. I'll have to try figure-8 :D You're doing bottom-right, correct? I don't think I've ever attempted that before.

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Yeah, that's pretty. I'll have to try figure-8 :D You're doing bottom-right, correct? I don't think I've ever attempted that before.

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Correct, with a slight back step and pause on the circles. It easiest to start with a larger weave and work your way down to the smaller weave. There will also likely be some setting manipulation to get the definition you want. I run cold and slow. The cold settings are a bit tricky to get a sound weld but as long as you adjusts your travel speed and technique accordingly good penetration can be achieved. I really just started really messing with the settings over the last 6 months and it's been fun seeing the results I can achieve by getting the settings just right.
 
K, don’t slam me... brand new to this world. Bought a used Lincoln Pro-Weld 100 a month or so ago not as cheap as I should have cuz I wanted it. Guy was cool tho and showed me it working. He had used it a bunch and just didn’t need anymore. He lost some washer or something so that’s why it’s set up w/ the clamp. He said it feeds ‘smooth now.’ I had read that was a con w/ this machine.
I know it’s not what I should have but it’s plug and play in my garage so that’s why I did it.
It’s got the port for mig (sorry pix is dark) and is included in the chart. Anyone ever do the conversion and how much better does it help?

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K, don’t slam me... brand new to this world. Bought a used Lincoln Pro-Weld 100 a month or so ago not as cheap as I should have cuz I wanted it. Guy was cool tho and showed me it working. He had used it a bunch and just didn’t need anymore. He lost some washer or something so that’s why it’s set up w/ the clamp. He said it feeds ‘smooth now.’ I had read that was a con w/ this machine.
I know it’s not what I should have but it’s plug and play in my garage so that’s why I did it.
It’s got the port for mig (sorry pix is dark) and is included in the chart. Anyone ever do the conversion and how much better does it help?

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Weld some with the flux-core you have in there and then try it with some gas... you won’t want to go back. Make sure you have the polarity set correct for whichever type you are using.

Also, make sure the contact tips are the correct size for the wire you’re using.

I started on the same machine.
 
Thanks Matt for the personal opinion. @cruisermatt did you do the conversion to yours?
 
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My understanding (and limited personal experience) is that in general terms, MIG is cleaner but FC gives better penetration. So for a smaller machine and especially a 120V one, FC may still be an attractive proposition if penetration is critical. I would not dismiss FC too readily. In fact, I know one pro welder who uses a little Lincoln 120V (I'm thinking it may even be a ProMig 100 or something like that) extensively to do structural welding on trailers etc but will only do so with FC.
 
Also flux core has the advantage when working outside and it might be breezy. No shielding gas to be blown away.
So for someone w/o a decent indoor work space it’s a worthy machine. :) Welder friend is coming by today w/ a big sheet of 1/4” plate for the table top. It’s official I’ll have no reason to not plug it in anymore.
 
Check to on the back of the machine for a threaded brass port. There wasn't anything to convert on mine. I do think they sold that machine without any gas port which may be what you have.
 
Check to on the back of the machine for a threaded brass port. There wasn't anything to convert on mine. I do think they sold that machine without any gas port which may be what you have.
Your right, no threaded port on the rear.
 
you can do a lot of stuff with a 120V machine. It's not like you can't ever weld over a given specific thin gauge. You can do multiple passes and weld thicker stuff too. Of course, it'll take longer, but running beads is great practice, right...? :)

As to the conversion, my first instinct is to say that doing an actual conversion from FCAW to MIG would certainly be feasible by a DIYer but may not be very cost-effective given how inexpensive 120V MIG machines can be had used. One drawback of FC is that the wire is significantly more expensive, though, but then you don't have to buy gas and get a tank. So there may not be a huge difference in cost at the end of the day, and if you don't mind cleaning a few more BBs I would think that you can be doing fine with FC alone for quite some time.
 
Thank you guys. I might be dragging my feet at this point. The anxiety is palpable. Metal is in hand and even a used decent hood w/ cheaters that can be added if necessary. I appreciate all the encouraging comments.
 
G'Day Fella's,

I hope this is in the correct place?

A mate of mine manages a Scrap Metal Yard and told me about a Plasmair Combo 30, Plasma Cutter that came in.
I picked it up for $30.00 (Mates Rates), and once I cleaned off the inch of dust and crap from it, this is what it looks like.

As you can see, the "Comb" part of it's name, relates to it being both 240 Volt single phase and 415 Volt 3 phase
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Here is the spec sheet details, from the side of this machine.
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I've never owned one before and only ever used one once years ago, I know bugger all about them. So any advice on the brand and other particular details (like what I need to look out for, etc), would be very much appreciated.

Regards
Homer
 
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