wanting to get a new mig welder, and just wondering what the duty cycle should be. 30%?

What models are you looking at?
Post some links please

As you know, duty cycle is a measure of the time you can actually weld with the machine in a 10 minute period. A 20% duty cycle means that you can weld continuosly for 2 minutes out of 10 without the machine overheating. Welding longer than the rated duty cycle causes damage, or if the welder is thermally protected, causes the machine to shut down.

If you're doing mostly stuff at home, and not interested in continuous production welding, a good Lincoln or Hobart 135-145 amp machine with a 20% duty cycle at the highest rated amperage will be just fine. These machines are in the 400 dollar range.

Spend the extra bucks to get a machine that has a solenoid, valve, and regulator for your shielding gas. Your tank will set you back another 100-175 dollars if you buy instead of rent it.

Also ask yourself what kind of material you're gonna be welding. The MIG/wire welder is great for thinner guage metal, but is marginal for heavier plate. Heavier (3/16 and above) materials require more heat, and generally are welded at 120 amps or higher.

I own a Lincoln "crackerbox" 225 amp AC/DC. A Hobart Handler 135 wire welder. And a Lincoln Ranger GXT. Far and away, the "crackerbox" gets the most use. The MIG, and portable are mostly for specialized applications.

Also consider your power source. If you only have 120v household current, and don't know how to set up a 220v circuit (electricians will charge around 250 to do this), the wire welder is your best bet. It'll run on 120v.

Happy welding, and make sure to wear that #$@&^% mask. Retina burns are painful. And don't let some damn fool tell ya that you can get away with less than a #10 lens with a low power welder. Use the #10

Sam

yea less to then #10 lens and your looking for truble no matter what you doing with a welder. if its just around the house . i would a 120v miller. lincoln i dont like to much, its seem to be harder to set up. if you doing fine work i would say if you know how us a tig welder. they have 120v tig welder but there are only a hand full to chose form. anther way. you cant go worng getting a bottel if the welder will hold it, it will prove to be a lot better then gas less. and hold a lot better.