I went out and got the Millermatic challenger 172 MIG welder the other day. I have read a bunch of the books and such but there are still a bunch of questions that need asking.
1. The Welder is designed for 230V power. Will it damage it if I use 220V? I am moving in 10 days so don't want to pay someone $200 bucks or so to put in a 230V outlet until I move into the new place. Can I just plug it into the outlet where the dryer plugs in? I know this is a common sense question to some of y'all, but I would like to know the answer and then why.
2. I can't see anything when the dark lens is down on the welding helmet. I have to aim, keep really still while I flip the lens, squeeze the trigger and then see where I am at. By that time I am at least a few mm off and sometimes miss the whole thing if I am working with something small. What do y'all do to overcome this problem? I know they have autotinting lenses. Do they work well? How fast do they tint and then untint? Do your eyes ever get "flashed?" I think this is my biggest obstacle at this moment.
3. What do you recommend for clamps and such for holding the pieces of metal together.
4. What is the procedure for clipping the excess wire sticking out of the gun? Should I turn the machine off before I clip? What would happen if I accidently activated the trigger while I was clipping? I know it's energized when it is feeding and I would think that it would shock you. I am assuming you can touch the piece of metal you are working on and not worry about getting shocked because the piece is grounded.
Also, if you have any info or tips that you feel will keep a rookie welder alive and welding high quality welds will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Bakes
83 Scrambler
http://www5.ewebcity.com/4x4trails
1. The Welder is designed for 230V power. Will it damage it if I use 220V? I am moving in 10 days so don't want to pay someone $200 bucks or so to put in a 230V outlet until I move into the new place. Can I just plug it into the outlet where the dryer plugs in? I know this is a common sense question to some of y'all, but I would like to know the answer and then why.
2. I can't see anything when the dark lens is down on the welding helmet. I have to aim, keep really still while I flip the lens, squeeze the trigger and then see where I am at. By that time I am at least a few mm off and sometimes miss the whole thing if I am working with something small. What do y'all do to overcome this problem? I know they have autotinting lenses. Do they work well? How fast do they tint and then untint? Do your eyes ever get "flashed?" I think this is my biggest obstacle at this moment.
3. What do you recommend for clamps and such for holding the pieces of metal together.
4. What is the procedure for clipping the excess wire sticking out of the gun? Should I turn the machine off before I clip? What would happen if I accidently activated the trigger while I was clipping? I know it's energized when it is feeding and I would think that it would shock you. I am assuming you can touch the piece of metal you are working on and not worry about getting shocked because the piece is grounded.
Also, if you have any info or tips that you feel will keep a rookie welder alive and welding high quality welds will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Bakes
83 Scrambler
http://www5.ewebcity.com/4x4trails