I am preparing to purchase a Lincoln retail MIG machine.
My preference is for one of the 220v supply machines, but other considerations may dictate a 120v supply machine.
The only reason I am set on MIG rather than a flux core machine is that, I consider it to be more versatile for uses after finishing the project that I am buying it for.
I worked several years as a welder in the '70s repairing SS ship wheel castings.
Carbon arc and MIG were my main tools.
With a fair amount of stick work for cope repairs.
I'm thinking that MIG will take care of any of my personal welding needs in the future.
My only questions at the moment is which will fill my needs best, the 120v or 220v machine?
Other than more duty-cycle, up from 20% to 30%, and 40 more amps to the work, what considerations would make a 180 series MIG a better purchase that a 140 series MIG?
Size and weight are also considerations.
Later this summer, after this project is completed, I will be moving from AK to HI.
I plan to ship the machine to HI along with the other tools that I will be keeping.
Another consideration is efficiency.
Electrical costs in HI are very high.
Many years ago, I was given information that said that the higher the voltage, the less the cost of the electricity required to do the job.
220v will do the job cheaper than 120v.
440v will do the job cheaper than 220v, and so on.
Any truth to that, or is it an "old wives tale"?
My preference is for one of the 220v supply machines, but other considerations may dictate a 120v supply machine.
The only reason I am set on MIG rather than a flux core machine is that, I consider it to be more versatile for uses after finishing the project that I am buying it for.
I worked several years as a welder in the '70s repairing SS ship wheel castings.
Carbon arc and MIG were my main tools.
With a fair amount of stick work for cope repairs.
I'm thinking that MIG will take care of any of my personal welding needs in the future.
My only questions at the moment is which will fill my needs best, the 120v or 220v machine?
Other than more duty-cycle, up from 20% to 30%, and 40 more amps to the work, what considerations would make a 180 series MIG a better purchase that a 140 series MIG?
Size and weight are also considerations.
Later this summer, after this project is completed, I will be moving from AK to HI.
I plan to ship the machine to HI along with the other tools that I will be keeping.
Another consideration is efficiency.
Electrical costs in HI are very high.
Many years ago, I was given information that said that the higher the voltage, the less the cost of the electricity required to do the job.
220v will do the job cheaper than 120v.
440v will do the job cheaper than 220v, and so on.
Any truth to that, or is it an "old wives tale"?