We had one where I used to work. It is an excellent machine! That is a better price than the price we paid 10 years ago! My suggestion is to forget the coated wire and use gas. The coated wire just doesn't make as good a weld. Also, try and keep the cable as straight as possible. It lets the wire flow much more smoothly! Those are the only issues we ever had with it!
Not all flux-cored wires are created equal. I've used Lincoln flux-core, 'cause it came with my welder, and it spit and splattered like crazy. By suggestion from a pro welder I got some Hobart Fab-Shield 21B. It runs in a nice smooth arc without much splatter or slag. I use it for everything now.
I will try to get some of that wire for my mig next time. Where did you get it from? :Handshake By the way I have the Clarke 135 amp (110V) welder and I love mine. It does all that I need to do.
The little 2 lb spools are around $20. I found a 10 lb spool on eBay for $32. :bananaman Probably a lifetime supply for me.
Make sure it comes with the gas gun or you will be spending another $200 to be able to run solid wire and gas.
Good point. Except for the dedicated flux-core models they usually handle gas, just gotta change the cup at the tip.
You can buy a treatment pad that wipes and cleans the wire as it comes off the spool. Or some will clothes pin a piece of scotchbrite just in front of the feed roller.
Yep, My Lincoln will do both but I failed to notice tthat it did not come with the gas gun, or cable or regulator. So the kit will cost me almost as much as the welder.
I paid $266 for my Lincoln Handy Mig from Sears online. Not sure what amps it is, but it came with hoses and a regulator, just no guages. It also has a spool of flux wire, and a spool of mig wire with it. I haven't got it out of the box yet, just opened it make sure it was all there.
