From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 2/18/2025 11:23 AM, Richard Smith wrote:   
   > "Jim Wilkins"  writes:   
   >   
   > ...   
   >   
   >> Nice!   
   >> Do you think MIG is better / worse / just different from 7018 for jobs   
   >> like that? I weld outdoors.   
   >   
   >   
   > Jim, everyone   
   >   
   > Reality for most - first response is from "industrial" situation with   
   > 3-phase power, etc.   
   >   
   > Second response from anyone working in a shed, in your yard, etc.  Hi   
   > everyone {wave} !   
   > NOTHING beats the fusion power per Amp of a 7018 rod.   
   > You can weld any thickness (no upper limit) of steel from a wall-socket   
   > electric power supply with 7018.  Certainly in the UK with 13A from a   
   > 240V supply.  You can run a 3.2mm / 1/8th-inch 7018 to max. current from   
   > that domestic wall-socket, especially with an inverter welding set (very   
   > efficient - high-90's% of power goes into the welding arc).   
   >   
   > So you have to keep running welds until you build up the weld size you   
   > need.  But you can get there with what you have.   
   >   
   > 7018 properties are really good.  Is both tough and strong.   
   >   
   > So I offer another completely different response.   
   > Which is equally true.   
      
      
   Makes me wish there was a thumbs up button.  I appreciate you providing   
   alternatives to welders most of us can't afford.   
      
   You may under evaluate the garden shed welder a little though.  A lot of   
   us are running a little more than that.  Most guys who are half serious   
   garden shed (more likely carriage house(garage)) welders are running a   
   200-250 amp machine off a 230V 50 amp dryer outlet, or they have   
   installed a larger breaker just for their welding machine.  My Miller   
   212 says it really should be on 60 amp circuit, but I have it on a 50,   
   because it was convenient. Most of my welders can plug into the same   
   outlet.   
      
   Sure there are plenty of little 150/180 amp machines out there for light   
   gage work (I have one of those as well), but there are plenty of home   
   shop guys running a little more than that.   
      
   While I won't do anything but proper setup on the welding table to do it   
   with the 212 in straight MIG welding the application table says it will   
   run 3/8 mild steel.  I won't show my welds because my fragile ego   
   couldn't take the criticism, but I've welded 1/4 and 3/8 wall box tube   
   to solid steel round bar.  The convenience hitch (moves my gooseneck and   
   tow trailers around the property) I use on the back off the little   
   tractor (snaps into the quick hitch) is made with such welds.  I   
   wouldn't have made it outdoors or in vertical or overhead positions, but   
   it has stood the test of time.   
      
   If I have to weld outdoors and in awkward positions I tend to run flux   
   core gasless wire instead.  That's what I keep in the little WeldMark   
   (Hobart) machine.   
      
   My first (arc) welder was a little Lincoln tombstone that I struggled   
   with.  I have since learned it was likely as much the machine as it was   
   me, but I still tend to shy away from stick, even though I now have   
   decent 200 amp AC/DC machine (my TIG power supply) that should run it   
   better than that old AC cracker box.   
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --   
   This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.   
   www.avg.com   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)