Mig inverter or transformer on thin sheet, what's the difference?

[Maxakarudy]

There is a discussion going on at the moment on mig wire, is 0.6 or 0.8 more suitable on thin sheet metal for car repairs.
I'm curious to what people actually produce in terms of weld beads on 1mm sheet, imo the welding machine seems to be the crucial factor not
the welding wire spec.
I haven't used a transformer welder for decades after getting my first inverter based mig welder, but as all machines have improved over the years
are the mini mig type transformer machines capable of running a stable arc and bead without burning through on thin sheet metal, show me what yours is capable of
for comparison please.
Here's my CrosArc 160MF inverter machine running 0.8mm wire, I didn't rush across the coupon, the bead is quite shallow, heat zone constant, penetration is 100%
for scale that is 1.6mm welding rod



This is my CrosArc 291C, running 1mm wire, I think it's was easier than the 0.8mm wire



So if you love your transformer machine can you show me what it's capable of, I know you would probably never run a 6" weld, but it would show the difference, if any, there is
between inverters & transformers.

 

[BrokenBiker]

my inverter mig is far more stable at the lower end than my transformer used to be...that said, i could still weld bodywork just fine with the transformer mig, i just ran it hotter and used a bit of manual pulsing...my inverter is a single pulse semi synergic and i can run longer beads on thin metal with that than i could with the transformer

 

[Turbo]

I started out with one of the sealey transformer mini migs with just the 1/2 and high/low voltage selector switches. I could never get a good weld using it.

I hired a 180a sip mig to build a roll cage for stock car. Straight away I was producing decent welds.
So I saved up and bought a Sealey Supermig 180 transformer welder. I used it for many years and I thought is was decent enough. It has a 6 voltage settings and you could usually get it running ok, though it was hard to get a nice consistent weld on the lower settings on thin metal.

I came across a good deal on a used Rtech 180 inverter mig and bought it based on its good reputation on here.

It has been a revelation. Once you get it tuned it you can get it running lovely welds every time. Because the voltage setting is infinitely variable you can tweek it to the perfect setting you need. On a transformer mig you might find one setting too high and another too low.
It will work well on all settings, even on thin metal.
Then you have all the options on better models like pulsed mig.
It will also run a lot better on a less than perfect power supply because it hasn't got a big transformer wasting energy.

Another big bonus is the ability to use it for stick welding. My Rtech is one of the nicest smoothest stick welders I've ever used.

I've no doubt that a transformer unit is more robust and easier to repair but for most of us amateurs a unit like the Rtech with a good reputation and service backup will last for many years.

 

[Shedendman]

I was a transformer worshipper,squeeze that trigger and zap,when i tried early inverters(thermal arc fabricator) all i could get was a pop pop zap,it didnt go down well with me esp on thin stuff(i'd say more me than the machine)
So,went back to transformer(tecarc 211i),was back to normal,but,i really needed less bulk,so moved that on for a oerlikon 180,great thing about that unit it had settings for 0.8 0.6 plus manual mig,good on ali to,but that went bang one day,no longer worky worky Then in comes the game changer an Esab rouge 180em,i was going old school and tuning it in via the settings,but then gave the synergic setting a try,wow,set metal thickness play with the arc force and this this could weld a *ock on a snowman,again,a game changer,ones well happy
Now,would i use a transformer again,well yes,if in the workshop banging out the heavy stuff why not,but as i'm a mobile guy,no,inverter for me,only massive downside is missing out on the cost of a 15kg roll of wire to having to now buy 5kg rolls
Its all horses for courses i guess

 

[MattF]

and this this could weld a *ock on a snowman,

 

[Maxakarudy]

Opinions seem to favour inverters at the moment.

 

[jo1010]

The best performing transformer migs on thin stuff will have 20 or 25 amp min settings....with 0.6 wire they'll produce your seamless weld profile (think Oxfords and tec arcs). Murex autolynx's also go low as well - I've got autolynx 2 or 3 and never need it on lowest setting for most body stuff...

It's horses for courses tho....portability would favour inverter.....repairability *might* favour inverter

 

[minimutly]

I was a transformer worshipper,squeeze that trigger and zap,when i tried early inverters(thermal arc fabricator) all i could get was a pop pop zap,it didnt go down well with me esp on thin stuff(i'd say more me than the machine)
So,went back to transformer(tecarc 211i),was back to normal,but,i really needed less bulk,so moved that on for a oerlikon 180,great thing about that unit it had settings for 0.8 0.6 plus manual mig,good on ali to,but that went bang one day,no longer worky worky Then in comes the game changer an Esab rouge 180em,i was going old school and tuning it in via the settings,but then gave the synergic setting a try,wow,set metal thickness play with the arc force and this this could weld a *ock on a snowman,again,a game changer,ones well happy
Now,would i use a transformer again,well yes,if in the workshop banging out the heavy stuff why not,but as i'm a mobile guy,no,inverter for me,only massive downside is missing out on the cost of a 15kg roll of wire to having to now buy 5kg rolls
Its all horses for courses i guess

Interesting experience, so not all inverters are equal....

 

[Maxakarudy]

The best performing transformer migs on thin stuff will have 20 or 25 amp min settings....with 0.6 wire they'll produce your seamless weld profile (think Oxfords and tec arcs). Murex autolynx's also go low as well - I've got autolynx 2 or 3 and never need it on lowest setting for most body stuff...

It's horses for courses tho....portability would favour inverter.....repairability *might* favour inverter

I'd like to see to the comparison of transformer mig to what I've produced, I think there is a lot more to just low amp settings & seeing the difference
is not the same as discussing it.
Anybody out there willing to show what they can achieve with a tranny welder.

 

[Maxakarudy]

Interesting experience, so not all inverters are equal....

I would hope that to be the case, or everyone would buy Hitbox's

My welders would be classed as low-mid range welders, but as I'm only asking about thin sheet metal where nice looking welds are not a requirement
ie. with thin stuff, the minimal amount of weld deposit necessary to do the job is required, so resulting in minimal grinding & distortion, so all the fancy
functions of high end welders I think are not required ( unless can be demonstrated) just pure controlabilty.