I have a Lincoln Pro-mig 140 (120 volt). Have only used it a handfull of times.

It can weld up to 5/16 thick (with multiple passes) and gives a very smooth and solid weld.

Is my welder up to the task of building a custom front bumper?

Ive always doubted the strength of smaller, hobby welding b/c I only produce insdustrial size and strength welds at work.

The flux core wire that I am using is a 70k wire.

Thanks guys.

 

Sure if you want to take forever what is the duty cycle at 125 amps, 10%? For a muffler or sheet metal repair it would be fine. If you got the time to wait 55 minutes out of every hour go for it.

 

Duty cycle at 140 amps is 20%

 

So let see 20% of 60 is.... So you can weld 15 minutes out of every hour @ 140 amps. You could tack it together in one day and finish it in a week.

 

^ Such positive thinking from this guy. I think it'll handle it fine. But like said above, might just take awhile so you don't burn up your welder.

 

15 minutes is a hell of a long time of actual welding....we're not talking production here.


You'll probably have no problem, spend your time fitting right and you'll be better off anyway.

 

It is not positive nor negative thinking it is 30 years experience welding. I am not knocking the welder I am just stating that it is not the machine you would want to be using welding up such a large project.
A flat plate, contoured bumper will require many feet of weld and a little hobby fluxcore welder is not what I would want to use.
A 20% duty cycle at its limit is going to cause you all kinds of frustrating delays. Every time you overheat it and it shuts down you will have to wait for it to cool off before you can weld again.
Like I said it is ok for sheet metal or welding up mufflers but for such a large project to me it will be time consuming and not worth the trouble. Sure it can do it but why, It would be like eating rice with chop sticks one kernel at a time, by the time your done you used more energy then nourishment received, and your still hungry.
Take your time tack it together with the 110v welder then when your ready to finish it go rent a decent 220v one for the day and finish it. Your welds will look better, better penetration less grinding and you will be done in a day instead of a week.

 

He didnt ask what you would want to weld with, he asked if it would work. And it would work just take forever. Maybe all he has is time? So whats the rush...

 

You can weld that up in a day. Lincolns are good welders. I have an SP-100 that I've welded with for extended periods of time, and it hasn't given me any trouble.

 

Yup. I was surprised how well it did when I welded the other day. I didnt think it would do that well considering you plug it into a normal wall socket.

I wont be using the welder's full amp output, and the time that I spend brushing off slag and inspecting the welds will help with duty cycle.

I know that I wont be able to run long passes for the plates, so I can use one of our bigger welders at work.

 

I didn't intend for you to get your panties in a bunch, The OP asked a question I gave an answer based on my opinion and experience.
You could weld it up with a oxy -acetylene torch if you wanted too Not the best or fastest process but you could do it. If all you have is a little hobby welder and you don't care how long it takes sure you could do it think of all the fun you will have grinding the slag out of your welds from the inner-shield with multiple passes.
I am just answering his question is a SP140 with inner shield to small of a welder to weld up a bumper,that will look good and you can be proud of to hang on your truck. In my opinion yes it is.

 

An SP-140 with shielding gas and regular wire would make damn fine looking welds. Flux-cored welding works, and it works well, but it doesn't look pretty.

 

it will handle it and if he chips his slag between passes his welder can rest and he wont have to grind flux out his welds

 

your welder will handle it but like the other replies state it will take awhile. I would suggest getting rid of the flux core wire and picking up a little bottle of gas and a regulator if your welder is compatible. Also make sure that you grind a bevel on all the ends your welding this will give your welds more strength when you grind them solid. Other than that melt some metal and have fun!

 

Not to be "that guy" but 20% of 60 minutes is 12 minutes, not 15.

But anyway, yes Taylor, that welder will work fine. Just make sure to take your time and take breaks. It's much easier then you think to go through a 20% duty cycle.

 

lol. I keep looking for the sniper username.

Yeah, breaks are a must. Im using flux core wire, so a wire brush will take up a lot of my time haha. Ill get started on this thing one day. My bent front bumper is getting on my nerves.

 

Yeah. With flux it should be too bad since it takes a minute to clean every pass before you can make your cover pass.

Good luck and make sure to post up pics!