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Big on MIG

Equipment reviews of some of the newest MIG welding systems and accessories for the shop, the field, and for home hobbyists.

Posted: June 3, 2015

(Photo courtesy of Instructables)

Ideal for hobbyist, educator or small contractor and weighing only 40 lb, the Power MIG 210 MP from Lincoln Electric can go anywhere and weld up to 3/8 in thick steel and stainless materials or 3/16 in thick aluminum.

The new Millermatic 350P auto body aluminum repair system from Miller Electric provides a complete welding package, from the power source to the gun and wire, to provide high weld quality and simplify repairs on aluminum auto bodies, frames and beds, such as found in the 2015 Ford F-150 truck.

The 112-page full-color 2015 Full-Line Catalog of welding and cutting products from Miller Electric provides specifications and comparisons on MIG welders and other welding process equipment, as well as automation, training solutions, fume extractors and Arc Armor® welding protection.

The stainless steel outer tube and anti-twist device in the zero degree position ensure that the torch neck of the new PullMig welding torch from Fronius, which rotates 360 deg, remains extremely stable even in the event of harsh impacts with the workpiece. (Photo courtesy of Fronius International GmbH)

The motor on the new PullMig welding torch from Fronius is equipped with actual value pick-up and is connected to the power source via a high-speed bus to automatically synchronize the two PushPull system wirefeeder motors, a function that was previously carried out manually.

The Klutch MIG Inverter-Powered Wire-Feed Welder from Northern Tool + Equipment is ideal for industrial and commercial jobs with mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Its infinite wire-feed speed selector, infinite voltage dial and spot weld timer, combined with an optional spool gun, provides users with maximum control.

The 140 MIG Welder from Forney. Six new welders have been added to the Forney lineup, including the 140 MIG, 140 MP, 190 MIG and 190 MP. The 140 MIG and 190 MIG models are high quality welders at a fair price. The MP (Multi Process) welders offer the ability to MIG, Stick or TIG weld in a single machine.

The 140 MP Welder from Forney. Six new welders have been added to the Forney lineup, including the 140 MIG, 140 MP, 190 MIG and 190 MP. The 140 MIG and 190 MIG models are high quality welders at a fair price. The MP (Multi Process) welders offer the ability to MIG, Stick or TIG weld in a single machine.

The 190 MIG Welder from Forney. Six new welders have been added to the Forney lineup, including the 140 MIG, 140 MP, 190 MIG and 190 MP. The 140 MIG and 190 MIG models are high quality welders at a fair price. The MP (Multi Process) welders offer the ability to MIG, Stick or TIG weld in a single machine.

The 190 MP Welder from Forney. Six new welders have been added to the Forney lineup, including the 140 MIG, 140 MP, 190 MIG and 190 MP. The 140 MIG and 190 MIG models are high quality welders at a fair price. The MP (Multi Process) welders offer the ability to MIG, Stick or TIG weld in a single machine.

Six new welders have been added to the Forney lineup, including (l-r) the 140 MIG, 140 MP, 190 MIG and 190 MP. The 140 MIG and 190 MIG models are high quality welders at a fair price. The MP (Multi Process) welders offer the ability to MIG, Stick or TIG weld in a single machine.

Ideal for fabrication shops as well as DIY fabricators, the MIG 250 Welder from Eastwood can weld 18 ga up to ½ in steel, and aluminum up to ¼ in thick, using the optional spool gun.

Several structural changes have improved the thermal dissipation while also reducing the absorption of arc radiant heat. As a result, overall the welding torch remains cooler than its predecessor and the gas nozzle can be handled safely without gloves approximately one and a half minutes after welding (500 amps). The wire feeding of the new PullMig welding torch is even more precise, which means that users can benefit from the rapid arc control of the advanced the TPS/i MIG/MAG welding device platform without any restrictions. Despite its sophistication, this welding torch is even easier to handle in all aspects. For example, users no longer need to open the handle to thread a new wire. Time-consuming synchronization of the feeder motors is no longer necessary as this is now taken care of automatically by the power source. What’s more, all wearing parts have been optimized to achieve cost savings and simpler work procedures.

The PullMig welding torch boasts impressive user-friendliness, precision and cooling power. This new push-pull welding torch is 1.3 lb lighter than its predecessor and weighs only 14 oz more than a standard push welding torch while delivering great performance benefits. The main element of the decreased weight is the motor for the pull unit which is housed in the torch handle and was co-developed by Fronius. Not only is the brushless servomotor considerably more dynamic, it enables more precise control than the standard DC motors which used to be common in the industry and is also significantly more compact with a longer service life. If that’s not enough, the motor has also been equipped with actual value pick-up for the first time and it is connected to the power source via a high-speed bus. This means that synchronization of the two PushPull system wirefeeder motors, which was previously carried out manually, is now fully automatic.

Thanks to device IDs, the power source independently detects the type of welding torch in use and determines whether calibration is required. Furthermore, both drive rollers of the new PullMig are powered in the handle. Together with a special contour, this ensures that the system securely grips the wire and transports it through the push unit. To thread the wire, it is no longer necessary to open the welding torch or the drive rollers. All of this makes the PullMig the first welding torch that is as easy to handle as a simple push welding torch.

By extending the cooling ducts in the direction of the contact tip and providing additional cooling of the external sleeve along with a screwed rather than plugged-in gas shroud, it has been possible to considerably increase the cooling capacity of the PullMig welding torch. In addition, the multi-lock connection features an integrated water stop. This prevents the cooling water from escaping when the torch neck is changed while also closing the cooling circuit so that water can continue to be cooled in the circuit. The contact tip is now narrower to reduce the amount of arc radiant heat that is absorbed. This design feature alone keeps the welding torch cooler. This means that the arc is more stable and less cooling power is required. And, it takes considerably longer for the contact tip to wear down. Initial practical tests have demonstrated that this delivers a tenfold increase in the service life. This increases system availability and helps users to cut costs.

Additional cost savings are realized with the inner liners: a clamp system built into the torch body and improved clamping elements mean that inner liners can be changed without tools and unassembled inner liners can be used (by the foot/meter). To ensure maximum precision during wire feeding, inner liners which match the diameter of the wire used are also now used in the hosepack. Identification of the corresponding wire guiding system parts is simplified thanks to consistent color coding. The welding torches, which are designed to be operated with a welding power of up to maximum 280 amps (40 percent DC) for gas cooling and 320 amps (100 percent DC) for water cooling, can be ordered as versions without additional functions (standard) or with remote control (Up/Down and/or JobMaster function) in the handle.

Fronius USA LLC, 6797 Fronius Drive, Portage, IN 46368, 219-734-5500, Fax: 219-734-5502, sales.usa@fronius.com, www.fronius.com.

WELDING MILD STEEL, STAINLESS STEEL OR ALUMINUM
Northern Tool + Equipment (Burnsville, MN), a leading supplier of high-quality tools and equipment, recently introduced its exclusive selection of Klutch welders featuring inverter technology that adds a myriad of benefits to end-users, offering a more consistent power output leading to higher quality welds and cuts that are strong and smoother. They also bring efficiency to projects by using up to 25 percent less power than comparable traditional transformer welders. The products also weigh up to 50 percent less than comparably powered traditional welders, offering greater portability.

https://youtu.be/u7KQV7COEVw

“Klutch welders were designed with high performance and versatility in mind,” says John Bakke, the vice president of merchandising at Northern Tool + Equipment. “The numerous ways these welders can be used, paired with the advantages of inverter technology, make them an exceptional choice for a wide variety of welding projects.” Among the new offerings is one of the most versatile welders on the market, the Klutch MIG/Stick Multiprocess Welder, which can efficiently MIG or stick weld aluminum, steel or stainless steel. The quick switch between MIG welding to stick welding allows users to complete a variety of jobs. The infinite voltage dial gives users total control of the welding arc and helps to dial in the perfect A/C to avoid spatter and better control the weld puddle.

The Klutch MIG Inverter-Powered Wire-Feed Welder is built to handle industrial and commercial tasks with mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum. The infinite wire-feed speed selector, infinite voltage dial and spot weld timer, combined with an optional spool gun, provides users with maximum control. The industry leading selection of inverter-based Klutch welders is now available online and at all retail locations.

Northern Tool + Equipment, 2800 Southcross Drive West, Burnsville, MN 55306, 800-221-0516, www.NorthernTool.com.

WELDERS FOR WORK AND HOBBY
For more than 80 years, Forney Industries, Inc. (Fort Collins, CO) has held a leadership position in the welding industry with its comprehensive line of welders, and now they have recently expanded their welding line with the welding enthusiast in mind. “We have taken a thorough look at what our customer needs to make him/her successful in their trade,” noted Jason Mahugh, the senior manager of welding products and engineering at Forney. “This impressive expansion of welders completes all categories, for every kind of work and hobby. We not only offer the new welders, but we also added a significant amount of value and features to the line that we currently offer.”