Well I just acquired a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 from my granddad. I know its not a very big or powerful machine, but you cant beat free, he had it 10-12 years and never used it and so he let me have it to use. Never really welded before so any suggestions on getting started would be greatly appreciated. It didn't come with any wire, any suggestions on a good roll of wire to get started with? He never bought the gas conversion kit, do yall think it would be worth it to get it or just save the $150 or so and use it later on to get a bigger machine that already comes gas ready? Thanks.
CK5
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Just acquired a welder
- Thread starter kicker30
- Start date
If you're inside (in a shop or garage), it's well worth getting gas put over the weld. If you're outside just use fluxcore as the gas will blow away in a breeze.
Praxair's or Airgas' stuff is fine and easy to get a hold of in most places. Harris is also good wire, as are Lincoln and Miller brand wires.
Praxair's or Airgas' stuff is fine and easy to get a hold of in most places. Harris is also good wire, as are Lincoln and Miller brand wires.
For that machine I'd suggest-
Solid wire (for use with gas)
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=314899&WT.svl=314899
You don't have to get the Radnor brand...nothin wrong with it, but the main idea is to get the ER70S-6 alloy. It works better with steel that has a coating of mill scale. (the gray/black 'coating' you see on hot rolled steel.) The S-3 alloy is slightly less tolerant of heavy mill scale and rust etc.
Flux core- (no gas)
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=12627&WT.svl=12627
For gas....I like the 75/25 c02/argon mix, or "Gold Gas"- smoother weld, less spatter, but more expensive that straight co2.
You can also get "dual shield" flux cored wires...meant to be used with gas too. Reallly smooth and hot welds. Not sure how'd they work on a baby machine though. No experience with that.
I would save the $150 towards a bigger machine. You WILL get frustrated that little 110/120v welder sooner or later.
Also, if you don't go with the gas kit...don't be disappointed with your first flux-cored wire welds. Flux cored welds are butt ugly, not very appealing. 'specially with one of those little machines. But they will get the job done, within the scope of what they were meant for.
Solid wire (for use with gas)
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=314899&WT.svl=314899
You don't have to get the Radnor brand...nothin wrong with it, but the main idea is to get the ER70S-6 alloy. It works better with steel that has a coating of mill scale. (the gray/black 'coating' you see on hot rolled steel.) The S-3 alloy is slightly less tolerant of heavy mill scale and rust etc.
Flux core- (no gas)
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=12627&WT.svl=12627
For gas....I like the 75/25 c02/argon mix, or "Gold Gas"- smoother weld, less spatter, but more expensive that straight co2.
You can also get "dual shield" flux cored wires...meant to be used with gas too. Reallly smooth and hot welds. Not sure how'd they work on a baby machine though. No experience with that.
I would save the $150 towards a bigger machine. You WILL get frustrated that little 110/120v welder sooner or later.
Also, if you don't go with the gas kit...don't be disappointed with your first flux-cored wire welds. Flux cored welds are butt ugly, not very appealing. 'specially with one of those little machines. But they will get the job done, within the scope of what they were meant for.
