I am planning to take a class to learn welding. Is this too much machine for a beginner? Also, can it be used for stick welding?
224769
This is a good machine for a beginner and also a good choice for an experienced welder. You can run flux core wire or solid wire if you purchase an argon tank. I like argon because the welds are clean and no slag to chip off. This welder does not do stick. My first welder was a lincoln 100 wire feed with flux core wire. It was just fine for starting out and not a lot of money.
224770
I am by no means an expert as this was also my first welder. In my opinion it is close to the absolute minimum to do any serious welding. Buy anything smaller and you will be upgrading very soon. No it can not be use as a stick (arc) welder.
224771
No it will not do stick welding, but with this machine why worry about that. It is excellent for a beginner.
1929418
I think it would work fine. On high speed the unit moves the air quite well. If your welding with a shielding gas, it might pose a problem with weld quality. None the less, you have medium and low speed too! I'd give it a try. I'm very happy with my unit.
407416
Yes! This kit is very good for beginners. I'm a beginner as well and it worked great!
928040
In case no one saw my comment, this is a GREAT machine, NOT a sander!! I don't mean to be crass, but if you do not know what your ordering, you tube How it is used, before you ruin your physical self forever.. Wood working is fun, not feeding yourself is the end... ( no fingers ) .?
1686781
its a great welder. i mainly run it on 220volts. just welded up my frame and made hardcore plate bumper. very strong. i also had to make floor pans out of 18 gauge. the original pans were probably only 22 and some spots kinda thin. it did very well. half way through i ran out of wire and had to use 0.35 flux and still performed well. the settings are fine and honestly only use three of them one for thin another for exhaust and than all the way with thick. i mainly change the wire speed. i have ran at max for probably too long many times and no problems. only tricky thing was first setting up wire tension. now it never jams. overall love it its a great welder. i mainly run it on 220volts. just welded up my frame and made hardcore plate bumper. very strong. i also had to make floor pans out of 18 gauge. the original pans were probably only 22 and some spots kinda thin. it did very well. half way through i ran out of wire and had to use 0.35 flux and still performed well. the settings are fine and honestly only use three of them one for thin another for exhaust and than all the way with thick. i mainly change the wire speed. i have ran at max for probably too long many times and no problems. only tricky thing was first setting... » Read More its a great welder. i mainly run it on 220volts. just welded up my frame and made hardcore plate bumper. very strong. i also had to make floor pans out of 18 gauge. the original pans were probably only 22 and some spots kinda thin. it did very well. half way through i ran out of wire and had to use 0.35 flux and still performed well. the settings are fine and honestly only use three of them one for thin another for exhaust and than all the way with thick. i mainly change the wire speed. i have ran at max for probably too long many times and no problems. only tricky thing was first setting up wire tension. now it never jams. overall love it « Show Less
469951
You are within the capabilities of the welder on 230V. That said there are lots of factors that are not known. How many feet of weld? 10? 100? 1000?, penetration? time between welds, flux wire or gas shield gas? wire size? material prep?, piece fitment, welder's skill? Time between welds or series of welds greatly increases the duty cycle time. This is not a production line type of welder like the bigger machines. It can handle some serious welding and I have never had mine hit the high temperature limit yet. My guess on 1/8" material you will get tired and stop before the machine will. You are within the capabilities of the welder on 230V. That said there are lots of factors that are not known. How many feet of weld? 10? 100? 1000?, penetration? time between welds, flux wire or gas shield gas? wire size? material prep?, piece fitment, welder's skill? Time between welds or series of welds greatly increases the duty cycle time. This is not a production line type of welder like the bigger machines. It can handle some serious welding and I have never had mine hit the high temperature limit yet. My guess on 1/8" material you will get tired and stop before the machine will.
755654
I am a beginner and I am loving this machine. It comes with many "foots". Once you get the hang of it, Its like YES! I am a pro. Not really but its fun to dream. You will have no problem getting the hang of it. Do a simple project first then the sky is the limit.
1240202
Not sure what yer asking for here. You should probably try "Google." A CEM 140T is a great welder if you want to spend the time tracking down all the upgrade parts from other machines to make up for the garbage the put in the box. This type of machine has a lot of hobbyist support on the internet. Again, "Google."
998819
YES...this is more for the "around the home" jobs and toying with working on vehicles. My husband has taken on line classes but YouTube is great also. I believe there are classes out there and you can go through wherever you get your tank filled for the welder. They usually know where classes are offered. Good luck! He LOVES this welder and they seem to last forever from what our friends who own them have told us.
1678705
I am sure It will get the job done. With enough wire and a grinder. I only posted because I had an issue with them calling it a mig (metal inert gas) welder when it is in fact a flux core welder.
2266256
I am not a pro. I think that 1/8" thick metal, is you probably can weld that thickness metal with the machine at the 100%the duty cycle. 3/32" rod is the maximum rod size I would use. You can weld 1/4" metal in a pinch, with multiple passes, let you welder cool down, so you don't burn out the welder. Good luck
1120196
The autoset feature of the miller was the selling reason why I spent the extra money over the Hobart. I've used both machines and there both great but the miller is worth the extra money. If your going to be welding structural you want to know your welds are penetrating to the depth they need to be. Without the auto set its sort of a crap shoot.
672069
The mask is great for both beginner and advanced welders. I have used this for welding 16ga body panels up to 3/8 steal tubing, with a 220 welder. I would and have recommended it to anyone looking for a great all around mask.
939184
It all depends. It should be good for a couple of hours of welding. Get a bigger bottle if you can afford it, them refills will be cheaper per cubic foot.
276235
It is a good welder, you will have enough problems starting out welding that you don't need to be sorting out problems with the welder. Not so with this one. It is good up to 1/8" and possible to do thicker, but at 1/4" things are pretty much out of its range.
626541
I use it for woodworking. Not sure how it would work for welding. Personally, I would be a it leery about sparks and how well it would fit under a welding mask.
1132224
It will weld 1/4 with two passes to be very strong, it's better for 3/16" or less. It is rare to weld 1/4" for most homeowner use. I suggest to get the 140 amp if you can afford it. This welder works very well and I have not needed to weld 1/4 in the couple three years I had it. I have not welded 1/4" to date yet myself. The problem with mig is that the weld can be pretty on the surface but not enough penetration. There are tricks like having a gap between the two pieces being welded or grind a bevel gap when the two pieces are together. If welding a lot of 1/4" I suggest getting at least a 140amp welder. For occasional 1/4" welding it is fine with two passes and the techniques mentioned. It will weld 1/4 with two passes to be very strong, it's better for 3/16" or less. It is rare to weld 1/4" for most homeowner use. I suggest to get the 140 amp if you can afford it. This welder works very well and I have not needed to weld 1/4 in the couple three years I had it. I have not welded 1/4" to date yet myself. The problem with mig is that the weld can be pretty on the surface but not enough penetration. There are tricks like having a gap between the two pieces being welded or grind a bevel gap when the two pieces are together. If welding a lot of 1/4" I... » Read More It will weld 1/4 with two passes to be very strong, it's better for 3/16" or less. It is rare to weld 1/4" for most homeowner use. I suggest to get the 140 amp if you can afford it. This welder works very well and I have not needed to weld 1/4 in the couple three years I had it. I have not welded 1/4" to date yet myself. The problem with mig is that the weld can be pretty on the surface but not enough penetration. There are tricks like having a gap between the two pieces being welded or grind a bevel gap when the two pieces are together. If welding a lot of 1/4" I suggest getting at least a 140amp welder. For occasional 1/4" welding it is fine with two passes and the techniques mentioned. « Show Less