mig and flux core tips and techniques, equipment, filler metal
steel409
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Tue May 02, 2017 11:19 am

Hello!

I recently purchased the Eastwood MIG135 MIG welder. I decided to go with this welder because it had so many great reviews (especially on many different forums), it was affordable, could do gas/less, and the Eastwood website said it could weld up to 3/16” (.1875”) w/ solid core wire and gas, and up to ¼” (.250”) with flux core wire. I had hoped to use this welder in my home garage (120V) for sheetmetal repair, exhaust tubing, and to weld in some sub frame connectors.

Now that I’ve got the welder home and have looked through the directions, I’m a little confused with the chart on the inside door of the unit. The first project this spring is to weld in Hotchkis subframe connectors into a ’70 Nova SS with stock rear frame rails. Instructions located: http://files.hotchkis.net/instructions/4007.pdf . The subframe connectors are made from .120 thk steel and I’ve received mixed feedback from automotive suppliers on the gage of the stock rails. Some say 14ga (.075”), others say 18ga (.048”), and in between!

With all of that information, and assuming .030 solid core wire, 75%AR/25%CO2 gas, and 18ga rear rails, how should the welder be setup? Do I set it up for the thicker material?

Is it not capable of using steel core/gas MIG weld effectively as .120 is greater than .105” on the “Suggested Settings for Welding” chart? The chart stops after 12ga (.105”).

I was hoping to use gas as it’s supposed to be a cleaner weld. I [obviously] plan on practicing with some scrap .120 / 18ga, but thought it best to investigate with friendly input because I’d like to ensure that I only have to weld connectors to the car, once!

Thanks, in advance!!
Poland308
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
  • Location:
    Iowa

If you can get feed wheels and tips small enough I wouldn't hesitate to go down to .023-.025 solid wire. 1/8 metal is thin enough that the thinner wire would still work but would allow you to slow down and have more control. It also works well for exhaust tube and floor patches.
I have more questions than answers

Josh
Mike
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:09 pm
  • Location:
    Andover, Ohio

409, welcome to the forum.
M J Mauer Andover, Ohio

Linoln A/C 225
Everlast PA 200
steel409
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Tue May 02, 2017 11:19 am

Thanks for the tips and "welcome"!

I don't have an issue going down to the smaller wire, but one of the neat things about this welder is that it comes with an "easy" programming chart...

http://www.eastwood.com/images/pdf/12011_chart.pdf

Do I set up the welder for the thicker subframe material, or thinner frame material?

Thanks in advance!
Poland308
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
  • Location:
    Iowa

Depends on the joint configuration. But if it's a standard lap joint or fillet, then you only need to make a weld as strong as the thinner metal. Anything over that is ok but it will just be for looks.
I have more questions than answers

Josh
User avatar
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:40 pm
  • Location:
    Near New Orleans

This is a personal preference, but for MIG on dissimilar thicknesses, I set the machine closer to the setting for the thicker of the materials. My reasoning is to be sure I have the required heat to penetrate the thicker material without cold-lap. Then not cutting too deep into the thinner material is a technique thing, timing of one's arc manipulation.

Steve
User avatar
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:57 pm
  • Location:
    Big Lake/Monticello MN, U.S.A.

Otto Nobedder wrote:This is a personal preference, but for MIG on dissimilar thicknesses, I set the machine closer to the setting for the thicker of the materials. My reasoning is to be sure I have the required heat to penetrate the thicker material without cold-lap. Then not cutting too deep into the thinner material is a technique thing, timing of one's arc manipulation.

Steve
I run the same - hot enough for the thicker material.
Dave J.

Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~

Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
steel409
  • Posts:
  • Joined:
    Tue May 02, 2017 11:19 am

Great! Just what I wanted to know.

Thank you!!!
Post Reply