Hubs Smubs, Flanges Smanges.

[Mike L]

I do have a few things going for me.

1. I'm not from the midwest.
2. I weld better than you.
3. I'm not from the midwest.

:shocked: :flame: Got Burned?

 

[Captain Ron]

And here I thought you just had your Harbor Freight knob turned down to minimize crappiness!

Works for me.

...
wish I had 3-phase electrical at home

It certainly keeps the bills down.

A power unit is basically an isolated, purely resistive load, similar to a light bulb. So from an unit efficiency standpoint, no real gain, a bigger unit is a bigger unit. I've thought about running 3 phase a few times, but in the power range I target, single phase is just fine at 240V. I've also thought about running 480V too. But I keep hearing something like "You can survive 110V, 220V is really iffy, but 480V is forever..." in my head.


240V verses 208V Y leg is a big difference, something alot of commercial property users have to deal with out here.

...
His TIG is a 300 amp single phase. I'm guessing that would be around around a 40 240v draw and it would probably be setup for a 50 amp service. Is that about right?

It depends alot on PFC. If the unit has it, running at max rated output (300A), the input rating will be what you think it will, close to 55 Amps on most all modern Lincolns and Millers. Without it, 77-80 Amps. Big difference. Thats a full conductor size in service.

In practice, pushing full rated current and voltage running TIG is rare, very rare, with a properly sized unit for the day in and day out work anticipated. If you are, you'll have a bunch of other issues other than your service. Arc stability will be crap, your torch cables will be toast in short order, and even really good units rated at 300 amps only have a duty cycle in the 25 - 30% range.

...
I kind of lucked out. My house was built with electric heat so I ended up with a 250 amp service. The electric heat has been romoved so I should have no problem running whatever I like.

That's not so common out here. Sheesh, a majority of commercial properties out here barely have that.

...
I'm really need to look into forming a "I hate the Captain" club.

No cutting to the front of the line.

--ron

 

[Lincoln]

If your not careful Ron we'll have everyone posting their shitty welding pics for you to evaluate.

I would really like to have a decent sized multi process machine and tag on a wire feeder. I'm still using my little mig (175 home jobby) and I fire the stick box up once or twice per year and that's usually to practice so I'm not setting new levels of crappiness when I need to use it for real.

The TIG I would like to have for aluminum. I do ok with the MIG but it can be a real PITA some days. I trashed three tips setting it up for about 18" of weld one day. I'd hit the trigger then it would pop and weld the wire to the tip. No matter how quick I was it would still mess up the wire at the rollers. A spool gun would work but TIG seems like it would be easier.

One more queston. If I bring the welder to bed will I become better by being one with the machine?

 

[Captain Ron]

...
I would really like to have a decent sized multi process machine and tag on a wire feeder. I'm still using my little mig (175 home jobby) and I fire the stick box up once or twice per year and that's usually to practice so I'm not setting new levels of crappiness when I need to use it for real.

At home, a single power unit might make alot of sense. The thing I run into is that it always seems like when I need to squirt something, it's on the other side of the shop, or it's just plain convenient to roll up to what needs doing. So a separate wire feed works out great in the end.

I also have major animosity towards spool guns, I don't like the restricted reach in some cases, hefting the wire around all day gets old, and they just never seems to feed as nicely as standard feeders.

The other thread going mentions a 175. I'd say it's a well sized unit for 90% of general fab. In the end, just like machine work, it's all about speed and feed.

I like the 251 because I can really push it, sink a ton of wire into fillets when needed, it's been around forever so service is great if you should need it, and it'll run all day in production mode at over 22 volts.

The TIG I would like to have for aluminum. I do ok with the MIG but it can be a real PITA some days. I trashed three tips setting it up for about 18" of weld one day. I'd hit the trigger then it would pop and weld the wire to the tip. No matter how quick I was it would still mess up the wire at the rollers. A spool gun would work but TIG seems like it would be easier.

TIG is the way to go on aluminum. It's not always possible given equipment on hand, but beats wire feed with a stick and then some when it is. I've been forced to use spool guns on aluminum before, 100% hassle. I have one, but damned if I'll use it.

I did a 12 meter with the precusor to this:

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=7066

If it's possible to fall in love with a piece of equipment, this is it after weeks with a spool gun.

One more queston. If I bring the welder to bed will I become better by being one with the machine?

I'm not inclined to think so. I think it would also be detrimental to your love life and your reputation. Keep the welder in the garage.

--ron

 

[FarmerMatt]

One more queston. If I bring the welder to bed will I become better by being one with the machine?

I don't think they make rollers for that small of wire Lincoln...

Ron,
Very cool info. I only wish I could weld like that. It's sexy wnhen you get down, dirty & technical... or maybe it's the hair. You need some one to test out your flange thingabobbys?

Matt

 

[Mike L]

I don't think they make rollers for that small of wire Lincoln...

Ron,
Very cool info. I only wish I could weld like that. It's sexy wnhen you get down, dirty & technical... or maybe it's the hair. You need some one to test out your flange thingabobbys?

Matt

The flange thingabobbys are for a web wheeler that you all know, but I have been sworn to secrecy. :shocked:

-Mike

 

[Lincoln]

I don't think they make rollers for that small of wire Lincoln...
Matt

I thought I could get by with .023". :dunno:

I still haven't taken the time to read all of Ron's wisdom. I promise, tonight.

 

[Lincoln]

Ron,

I've been happy with the 175. The last year or so I've been doing more and I do a lot more tacking then burn it in one sitting. Having it shut down annoys the hell out of me.

The other part that gets me is overhead welds. Right or wrong I like to crank it up and move quickly to keep from burning holes. 3/16 I can get close to what I like but occasionally I do some 1/4 and I just have a crappy time at getting a decent weld.

I've looked at moving up to something like a 210 but then I think about how the $1200 would go quite a ways towards a multi process box if I shop well. Then when I'm messing around with aluminum I would have a pretty decent setup. I would be happy with 200 amps on it.

Next time I'm working on this I'll let you setup a tent in the neighbors yard (you can ignore the lack of level floatation):

 

[GSequoia]

I dunno when you're going to get rid of all that tinkertoy fabrication shit you have Ron and get some real Advanced Fabrication Tools.


(Click to make bigger)

 

[Captain Ron]

...
You need some one to test out your flange thingabobbys?

Matt

I'm hoping I get to see them in action this weekend at JV...

...
The other part that gets me is overhead welds. Right or wrong I like to crank it up and move quickly to keep from burning holes. 3/16 I can get close to what I like but occasionally I do some 1/4 and I just have a crappy time at getting a decent weld.

Ditto. Overhead with wire feed is a less than ideal situation. Even on a lift, with more postioning options, it's still a major compromise. I had to relearn some of the MIG stuff in the last few months since the build bug hit. I'd say it has been more than a few years since I've used it.

I've started dialing back in situations where multi thickness lap joints are involved, although at first I was doing what you are. I'd just spot along if necessary. It sounds like hell, and I have to do a spiral feed, which takes forever, but the results have been pretty good. On the thick stuff, I'm running the same setting I would in any other position... good or bad, and just working with it.

I got a TIG unit over by the lift now, solved everything.

I've looked at moving up to something like a 210 but then I think about how the $1200 would go quite a ways towards a multi process box if I shop well. Then when I'm messing around with aluminum I would have a pretty decent setup. I would be happy with 200 amps on it.

Something to watch is the auction notices (look in the major papers, they post a legal notice). I see some great stuff go on the block everytime an operation shuts down. I'm not talking about the garage type shop, but larger manufacturing operations. If you see a precision sheetmetal house go on the blocks, run, don't walk, with your checkbook in hand there. I've seen unreal deals on equipment just about everytime I go to one, and usually the welding stuff just gets passed over.

Next time I'm working on this I'll let you setup a tent in the neighbors yard (you can ignore the lack of level floatation):

Cool, they'll love me... your neighbors...

...
real Advanced Fabrication Tools.

Like a Mobi Arc?

--ron

 

[Mike L]

I'm hoping I get to see them in action this weekend at JV...

And..........................

 

[Captain Ron]

The owner made it out, but not the rig. We'll have to wait for the next run.

--ron

 

[Mike L]

The owner made it out, but not the rig. We'll have to wait for the next run.

--ron

Cool, then I didn't miss much. Where are thie pics and updates on your rig? :shocked:

-Mike

 

[Captain Ron]

Cool, then I didn't miss much. Where are thie pics and updates on your rig? :shocked:

-Mike

Coming. I'm back on it after a 4 week break to deal with work.

--ron