We want to buy our metal fabricator a wire feed as a gift for his excellent service over the years. We know very little about the subject aside from
the fact that it looks like an excellent tool for him. An important consideration would be his operating costs using this technology. Any
recommendations?AguaDulce - 6-3-2016 at 07:18 AM
lincoln wire feeder. 110 volt input, They sell them at Home depot. I like the fact that you can also get the gun contact tips and nozzle insulator
there. I own several of them. Also owned miller but liked the lincoln better. I still own Miller TIG and generator but those lincoln are rock solidrts551 - 6-3-2016 at 07:24 AM
Do not buy a cheap unit for a fabricator. minimum is going to be $1500.
Operating costs include wire, gas, and tips. tip cost is minimul, wire (30 LB) $45, Argon Gas mix $1 per cu ft (cost depends on size of bottle
(40 lb bottle = $40).
Depends on how much welding as to how often replenishment occurs.
Is there Argon or CO2 gas available close by...It is the item most often in need of purchasing. wessongroup - 6-3-2016 at 07:33 AM
Pretty handy tool to have around .. at times AguaDulce - 6-3-2016 at 07:54 AM
if it is for outdoor use ,go with flux core wire.035.winds over 5 mph will blow away the argon/Co2 mix. Indoor you can go with a bottle and wire as
the welds have no slag and are pretty much paint ready. It depends what your uses are. One welder cant do it all.ehall - 6-3-2016 at 08:15 AM
What kind of fabbing would he be doing?rts551 - 6-3-2016 at 08:19 AM
He says the guy is a fabricator. I would not get a smaller home unit for a fabricator. For the occasional small job a 110 unit might be fine...not
for everyday use.
if it is for outdoor use ,go with flux core wire.035.winds over 5 mph will blow away the argon/Co2 mix. Indoor you can go with a bottle and wire as
the welds have no slag and are pretty much paint ready. It depends what your uses are. One welder cant do it all.
I have a Miller 185 and occasionally use it outside. Use a 2-sided shield if the wind is blowing. 55steve - 6-3-2016 at 08:28 AM
This is what I would recommend - I'm sure Lincoln makes a comparable machine.
if it is for outdoor use ,go with flux core wire.035.winds over 5 mph will blow away the argon/Co2 mix. Indoor you can go with a bottle and wire as
the welds have no slag and are pretty much paint ready. It depends what your uses are. One welder cant do it all.
I have a Miller 185 and occasionally use it outside. Use a 2-sided shield if the wind is blowing.
I currently have a Miller 210 but my Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 flux machine gets more use these days. AguaDulce - 6-3-2016 at 08:34 AM
Yes what type of fabricator? gates fences? 110 will do 95% of all 3/16 easy and no structural . I would not put on a trailer hitch with it. like i
said 1 welder will not do it all ,and dragging around a large welder from job to job with a tank is a bear. 5 mph is code from my welding business.
220 volt , then he needs 220 power at job site. AKgringo - 6-3-2016 at 08:42 AM
In Anchorage, I have a Lincoln model 110 flux core welder. It is a very versatile, portable welder, and I am very pleased with it's capability.
I needed a welder in CA, so I fell for the low price lure of a Harbor Freight wire feed welder, and it is a complete piece of trash!larryC - 6-3-2016 at 09:00 AM
Just my 2 cents, but I bought this eastwood mig welder 175 amp and it comes with a spool gun for use with aluminum. All for $500. It also does
stainless and 3/8" mild steel. I have had it 2 years now and no problems. If you run out of gas then it also will work with flux core wire.
I guess it depends on how much you want to spend for you fabricator. http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welders-175-amp-mig-welder-w-spo...
ncampion - 6-3-2016 at 11:20 AM
Another nice option is one I recently picked up (used) The Lincoln Dual MIG 180. It can use either 110vac or 220vac. Better duty cycle on 220 but
for field work the 110 is available.
Eduardo has a typical metal shop making: gates, stairs, handrail, windows, shade structures and the like. Most work in 1/4" mild steel or less. 95%
is fabricated in his shop. He has a portable "stick" welder for jobsite installation. I just figured in my daydreams it would cost about 5 hunnert
bucks but if a grand is what it is so be it. Fifteen hundred seems like a stretch but I don't want to get him a p.o.s. that is toast in 6 months. It
needs to be rugged because care and maintenance aren't high on the list of a typical Mexican worker trying to bang out a living. Many thanks to those
of you that have taken the time. The research continues. Next step - dealers in La Paz. rts551 - 6-3-2016 at 02:47 PM
or craigslist. I checked Tucson and there were a number of possibilities.
larryC - 6-4-2016 at 09:40 AM
$500 bucks gets him a 175 amp welder with a spool gun so he can do aluminum also. if it was me I would ask him what welder he thought would help him
the most. Might as well get him what he wants instead of trying to guess what will help him.wessongroup - 6-4-2016 at 03:33 PM
Good on ya wee bray ... for thinking about things that help folks in your area
