Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

[kenimpzoom]

Guys, what are your thoughts on these "gasless" wire feed welders?<br /><br />We are looking at them for just easy welding. Also, would like to be able to do the "weld new nut onto old stripped nut" trick.<br /><br />Do they work good? Are they easy to use for a novice?<br /><br />Thanks, Ken<br /><br /> http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00920568000

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I can answer this one. Ive used both kinds a lot. Mostly with gas. It all depends on what you are going to do with it, and how much you are going to use it. If all you are going to do with it is an occational spot weld job, or VERY light duty, it will fill your needs fine. The gassless models use a flux wire that splatters badly and leaves a coating like an arc welder that you have to chip off in places, Its not a real clean weld, but it is strong. Also look at the duty cycle,(20%) that means you cannot use it to build large projects as it wlll heat up and click off on you. If you intend to build trailers or such, you should step up to a 220 volt with gas capabilities. If using for sheet metal, say in autobody type welding, use a 25% Argon and 75% CO2. You will get much less splatter. I hope this helps.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

Thanks lubedude. We wouldnt use it for any large building projects, just quick easy stuff.<br /><br />Ken

 

[ndemge]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

As long as you don't have to weld anything thick. One thing to keep in mind, if you can't penetrate, look at your power source.... You need 20 amp, and a GOOD extention cord. Make your own with 8 awg, voltage drop will kill ya.<br /><br />I've got a 220V Gas Millermatic, paid almost a grand for it, but my needs wouldn't let me get by with a 110 model. There are times though that I wish I had the portability of a 110 for smaller jobs.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

Yeah, for light duty they are fine. There's no reason to spend $1000 on a good one to be used occasionaly. I have one, and it does make some pretty strong welds. They just usually don't look very good, because there is splatter everywhere...

 

[muskyone]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

most of the gasless welders can be converted for around 50 bucks plus the cost of the tank i have a centry and i love it and use it for everything and have never had a weld break

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I have a Century with about the same specs as that Craftsman... <br /><br />Had I known, would have spent the $$$$ and got something better... (snapper really wants a TIG machine ) Don't get me wrong, it's good for what it is, just does'nt suit my needs anymore..<br /><br />Gasless is pretty easy to learn with and if "weld new nut onto old stripped nut" is all you intened to use it for, it's perfect... Makes very strong and nasty welds.. <br /><br />Grind/sand first.. Clean metal.. Thats the ticket..

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I have a little 110 volt gasless Century I bought a number of years ago for light duty work. I have welded 3/16th with no problem. The welds were hideous but unbreakable. The angle grinder took care of the hideousness. Its great for the odd small job I have once in awhile. We have a big ol 220 MIG at work if I have something big that needs welded. I want to buy a TIG setup one day, but its at the bottom of my priority list...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

One thing you might want to think about, if you're only welding nuts to stripped bolts, etc, is that you can actually arc weld pretty well from a couple of car batteries wired in series. You wouldn't be able to weld long without recharging them, but it would give you a nice looking, clean weld.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I bought this one,<br /> http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00920559000 <br />Used, with a broken switch(switch was 13.50 from Sears), on ebay last year, for $100.00(with the Lincoln gas conversion kit,haven't used It thou)............<br />Since then I've taught my Queenie,+ her 13yr.old to weld with it........<br />For a Practice piece, We built a 4'X35' Dock, out of 1/2" pipe, for my Lodge up in Maine with it.....<br />Owen is building Himself a Go-Cart with it.....<br />And, I built a Trailer out of the same pipe for my 4-wheeler.....<br /><br />Used .035 Fluxcore wire.... Lots of Splatter, But Super Welds.....<br /><br />One of My Better ebay Deals....................

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

kenimpzoom<br /><br />You will find that fluxcore will weld hotter than gas shield. It will work fine for your requirements. The splatter issue can be easily addressed by using a spary can of preweld. It allows easy removeall of the slag.<br /><br />The only draw back of fluxcore is that its too hot for body work....

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I have a Hobart Handler 35. I use it almost exclusively on gas. I keep a spool of flux core so if I have to weld in the wind or on a late night and I run out of gas. I love the gas mode and hate the flux core. I find myself having to make lots of filler weld on parts that don't necc have to be super strong, just completely attatched. Trying to get all of the slag out is a pain. With the gas I just keep on burning till the hole is filled.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

Gas does not cost that much more when you buy the machine and offers a lot of versatility. Get a gas machine, it will come with flux core wire with it. That wayyou can get a gas cyliner later and see for your self the difference. When you get a welder, you will end up using it a heck of a lot more than you ever thought. I have both inner shield and non shielded wire and use gas almost exclusivly because of the cleaner welds. If I were to over again I would get a higher amp 110 machine with more than 20% duty cycle if they make one.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

ZMOZ:<br /><br />You are the "master" of things you can do cheaply. Beleive me , Im not dissing you at all, quite the contrary, I have to admire someone that makes the best out of what he has. Why spend money you do not have to? I have to admit to doing things that way myself at times.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

You should see what the inside of my garage looks like.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

ZM get's an A+ when it comes to imaginative thinking I cannot forget him wanting to make a compressor tank out of a beer keg , one of these days he's going to hit on something big and could become very wealthy You go ZM!<br />I just wish that i had that kind of inventive streak

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

I'm working on getting a patent on one of my contraptions, actually.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Thoughts on gasless MIG welders

When I was younger and had a working air compressor that was too small, I rigged up a large old freon bottle in the hose to give me greater volume so the pump wouldnt kick on so much.<br /><br />Worked really well.<br /><br />Check with an A/C man to see if he has any laying around that can take the pressure.<br /><br />Ken