1st Gen Lunchtable Thread - General Discussion

This all sound good when you are thinking about a welding rig. Multi purpose units are appealing because, well, who doesn't like options.

My own opinion is that there is just not enough time in my day to keep up on my skills for several different welding types. I picked MIG because it is more useful for MOST of my welding needs. If I need TIG work done, I'm smart enough to know that there are others that have this skill and I'm willing to pay for it.

Look at @Bue92 example above. He admits his skills have faded and will need a block of time to dial his skills back to his standards. I don't have that worry, since I am often MIG welding and it is easy to regain the skills that lapse.

I will admit that TIG has it use, but it won't be used for working on a basic, Toyota Tacoma. When you start working on special, custom show cars, then go nuts with TIG.

 

Are you pics forwarded from Face Book? I can never see them on my work computer.

 

No they’re embedded from post image

 

Still no, go. Internet Gestapo blocks that on work machines.

 

My advice based on what you want to do, is a Miller such as https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc....qGgTP-zJ14RFRp48dgwj3DsX7jrXXZ-EaAsS_EALw_wcB. If you want to do aluminum, Id buy a seperate machine for high frequency, as that one wont do it. New or used, dont cheap out, dont waste time "restoring" anything. Dont get caught up in youtube welders and their sponsored chinese garbage machines either. Buy the best from the get go.

 

I just want quality work done, and I like working on my vehicles. I have no problem paying for work to be done, but I have a lot of it to be done always. It makes more sense for me to build a skill, I will get much more use out of a TIG than a MIG for my favorite types of fabrication. Helps that all of my car buddies in Spokane use TIG as well. You're right though just maintaining an old Tacoma I don't need to MIG anything unless I got into body work. But even a turbo 1st or 2nd gen, I don't think I could get away without learning to TIG, too much custom work (no one makes parts for real 1st gen or 2nd gen performance) so even for a turbo exhaust manifold I'd need to learn to TIG, or pay exorbitant amounts to have it built. I work on engine stuff the most, where you can't just swing a sledgehammer like a MIG gun around to get things done unfortunately. Intakes (not just piping, I'm talking full manifolds), exhausts, piping requires more precision to both function (turbos get fuckin' hot) and look half decent (no one wants the shapeless glob MIG welds on their exhaust header). It really depends on your uses, the good news is I don't think I could forget how to MIG weld haha and with enough hours behind the TIG torch I'm hoping I won't forget that ever either. I better not because at some point I want to start selling custom speed parts.

 

That’s unfortunate sir. I’m doing cool stuff

 

Yep, multi purpose machines really don't do all types of welding very good, just okay.

Like I said, who doesn't like options? We all do and the welding machine makers know this. New welders are going naturally gravitate to a machine that will give them the most choices.

 

You've never seen my tool chest, but for most things it's the best or nothing. I have a MIG, that I admittedly don't have much use for anymore, but it's like a good hammer you can't just throw it out. I have two friends ready to teach me, so I'll be learning on their nice Miller machines. That'll hopefully give me an idea what I want to buy. I refurbish cars, tools aren't worth my time to repair.

 

I can picture it in my mind, its breathtaking...

 

Sick tube work today my friend

 

Once you get good at tig, keep the skill up, weld weekly if you can. Even just a few beads will keep you from losing it.

 

Yeah couldnt agree much more here. Its kinda dumb of me to let the skill fade. I was taught to do structural tig (AWS 1.1) so I dont weld stack of dimes beauty, I weld to pass a bend test.

 

I admit it saddens me when I see a beautiful TIG weld on carbon steel. It's always a shame that weld will get painted.

 

Id rather have a seperate machine for mig, and one for tig/stick. Most multiprocess machines wont do high frequency is my main reason. I dont need fancy led screens either, just a dial and buttons or maybe an amperage display if Im feeling spendy.

 

The new Miller Multimatic (im blanking on model number) stood out to me because it actually has HF settings.

 

Yeah must be new. The chinese machines were the first to come out with it. Miller mustve taken their time and perfected it.

 

Are you thinking the MM350X ?

 

Yup. Or covered with more weld.