Welder question: MIG or TIG?

[mdross1]

[quote=Bernica;1371595]I decided to take welding classes a few years ago and learned traditional stick, FCAW, Oxy/Acet gas, MIG welding and plasma cutting. Tried a little TIG, but not much. To me, TIG was like trying to play a drumset! But the welds were awesome. I use the MIG most of the time and agree about the splatter spray. It works great.

So that led to the disease...
And I now own a great Millermatic 180 AutoSet on a cart with a big bottle, a complete Oxy/Acet setup with big bottles and Victor Journeyman hose / torch setup, and a Powermax 45 plasma cutter (love it!). Then of course you have to get a cool auto-dimming Miller helmet and lots of accessories for all the stuff! Then you end up buying or building a rolling welding table.

Then you want to start making stuff all the time, so I pulled out my old broken-down circa 1980 Lincoln AC225 stick welder and completely rebuilt and restored it and made a very cool cart for it. Now I think I have it all covered!



Almost decided what my replacement welding machine will be to replace my Miller Mig and 1970's vintage Lincoln 225 it will more than likely be the Lincoln Power Mig 210MP.
Was going to sell the old machines but really like the idea of rebuilding the Lincoln 225 is was my first new welder. Thank you Bernica for the inspiration.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by mdross1

Was going to sell the old machines but really like the idea of rebuilding the Lincoln 225 is was my first new welder. Thank you Bernica for the inspiration.

The 225 was my first welder too. We used to call them "buzz boxes" or "tombstones".

This one was dragged through many construction sites over the years, then sat in the rain and weeds for more years. I found parts still available from Lincoln (even a new faceplate), rebuilt the switch and wiring, and put in a new fan. Did some sandblasting and bodywork and had a friend spray it with good epoxy paint. New leads etc and it works as good as new! The old ones are way better than the new ones you get at Home Depot. I also added a small rod heater for 7018 rods to the back of the cart.