Sell me on a welder..

[jshultz78]

So apparently the reason my buddy gave me his old welder is because it's a piece of ****. won't even hardly weld 1/8" angle pretty much solders them together.

What's the best for the money 110v flux/mig welder? I've been looking at the Lincolns from lowes and HD, but I dont like the fact they only have 4 heat settings, The miller is almost $1000, Don't really want to go that expensive, preferably around $500 or so.

 

[garboui]

Ive seen the millers starting around $650. this will get you something with infinite heat control which IMO is necessary esp when getting in to sheet metal work

 

[JJThrasher]

I paid $150 for a used Clarke mig. Its 110v 140a. It can do 1/2" depending on what's being welded.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jshultz78]

I was looking at the price wrong on the millers, it's 755.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00234

About 1100 for the 110/220v one.

 

[jshultz78]

There's a guy that has a "new" lincoln 140hd that's 525 from the store for 300 on craigslist near me.

 

[BD1]

Depending on what you want to weld will determine machine. Best bet would be a 220 volt machine. More money but more machine.
Miller has a current rebate program on many mig machines.
http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/ REBATE SITE

Your location will determine pricing. The 110 volt machines aren't gonna give you much. 3/16'' will be tops and duty cycle will come into play.
Sellers of Miller's by me try to get NEW prices for old machines.
The Miller 211 is more money but will give you everything you will need . It's
a dual voltage 110/220, auto set, and infinite settings, not taps. Buy once and you'll bet set.

 

[STANIMAL]

Just bought this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOBART-HAND...30979750777?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item35c7774b79

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Just bought this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOBART-HAND...30979750777?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item35c7774b79

+1, I had the same one a few years ago, great little machine.

 

[Bumknee]

Partial to Lincoln since they are HQ in my hometown, cleveland OH

Mig - model 180C. Its a 220. Very capable.

 

[jshultz78]

220v isn't out of the question, but I'd like to keep it 110v if I ever wanted to take it somewhere that didn't have 220.

Also we've got 220 in the shop, but it's got an old style plug for some old printing presses, and the electrician wants about $100 to just add a new style plug right beside the existing one..

 

[Scott r c]

Lowes sell the Lincoln 110v with 5 heat settings. I think its called a "pro" model.

 

[zkling]

Any of the Hobart, Lincoln or Miller main stream machines would be a good choice. I am partial to Hobart and Miller, but haven't had a problem with Lincoln.

If you can swing it, the ~200amp 120/230v machines would be nice as you would get the most out of the 120v side, and then in the future you could get a dedicated 230v line and still keep the same machine but with more performance. Something like the Hobart 210 or the millermatic 211 would be the best.

Welders are one thing that I think really pays to invest in up front. Not only will you really enjoy using the nice product but they will hold their resale value much better than a random off brand machine. A small ~130 amp 110v mig can be a really limited machine.

Maybe put a WTB out on your local craigslist. Lots of people buy welders then realize that it just wasn't for them.

 

[Fred K-OR]

Hate to say this, but a friend of mine bought a Harbour Freight welder and is very happy with it. Think he paid around $300 for it.

 

[JJThrasher]

Hate to say this, but a friend of mine bought a Harbour Freight welder and is very happy with it. Think he paid around $300 for it.

I know a guy that welds in roll cages using a HF welder. It just goes to show you that it's more about the operator than the equipment.

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[Hencini]

Just bought this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOBART-HAND...30979750777?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item35c7774b79

+1, I had the same one a few years ago, great little machine.

Great little welder. Made by Miller (my Handler gun has Miller stamped on it). It has gas capability for thinner gauge stuff but it will also handle (ha!) 1/8" in one pass no problem. I've even heard that some guys will do 3/16" in a single pass with it although I've never tried it myself.

Hate to say this, but a friend of mine bought a Harbour Freight welder and is very happy with it. Think he paid around $300 for it.

I know a guy that welds in roll cages using a HF welder. It just goes to show you that it's more about the operator than the equipment.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Harbor Freight stuff is great until it breaks. I've bought a couple electrical tools there, but I am always subsequently astounded by the lack of quality and functionality (and their hand tools are worse, IMO).

If it works for your buddy, more power to him. That's just not how I choose to spend my money.

 

[zcbauer89]

If you end up looking at 110v machines, stay clear of the Hobart EZ 125 Handler. I have one that I bought for smaller quick jobs but never ended up liking it at all, the wire feed was sloppy and inconsistent. I just rely mainly on my old Hobart ironman 230. That's a good machine.

 

[thinmac]

I've used Lincoln 110 welders for on-site jobs for quite some time. They hold up well, even in pretty nasty environments. If you set them the right kind of wrong they'll actually do some really serious welding, although with the settings that far out of whack it can be hard to keep control.

Either way, for gauge steel a 110 Lincoln will serve you well. The others probably would, too. If you aren't welding thicker than 1/8" much or pulling the trigger for more than 5 minutes straight the 220's probably overkill.

 

[tarbellb]

Be careful buying bigger tools like welders and such from HD. Often HD will have a huge contract with said supplier, Lincoln in this case where they actually build the welder to a lower sale price. Meaning, it will use cheaper internals to scale the price down to what HD sees fit.

The Lincolns will have more plastic parts inside then if you went to a dedicated welding supply store or perhaps buy online.

That being said, the Hobarts get a really good rep around here for being very versatile but its essentially a cheapened Miller. Go figure. Just to be clear, im a Miller/Hobart fan running a Millermatic suitcase 220v.

 

[Murphy4570]

Go on craigslist and get a used one. I got a lincoln sp-100 for $250. Works great.

 

[454ragtop]

220v isn't out of the question, but I'd like to keep it 110v if I ever wanted to take it somewhere that didn't have 220.

Also we've got 220 in the shop, but it's got an old style plug for some old printing presses, and the electrician wants about $100 to just add a new style plug right beside the existing one..

Easy enough to change a 230 volt outlet, the hard part is done, you have the wire there. Shut down the circuit, take the old outlet out, and screw a new one in. Most likely has 3 leads, the only one you need to get right is the ground, which is usually the round pin. If you post a pic, I'll bet we can walk you thru it.
Jim

 

[Iron Cat]

Hate to say this, but a friend of mine bought a Harbour Freight welder and is very happy with it. Think he paid around $300 for it.

Ive had 2 HF welders,the Chicago electric 90 amp and just bought the 170 amp.ive had no issues with either.However I do suggest a few mods for these welders,Upgrading the fan(35$)removing the plastic sleeve in the lead with a steel one (15$)and or replacing the lead assembly/gun(135$). and installing better ground cables.With that said it would basically be in the same price range(maybe a little cheaper) as one of the better quality welder brands.

 

[pipsters]

Get a 120/240 machine, dual voltage. More money now but they have a range of capabilities and they are inverter machines and much lighter than typical welder.

 

[jshultz78]

Got approved for a 1200$ loan today, going to get either the millermatic 211 120/240v or the Lincoln equivalent. I've heard good stuff about both, what's your guys opinions on them?

 

[trackwelder]

The 211 is a sweet unit, very good choice. And it is ready for a spoolgun down the road.

 

[91bronc300]

My personal opinion is that if you are going to buy new the Hobart MIGs are the best bang for the buck. I would at least look into them. Now that you have some spending cash I would also suggest that you figure out how to run a 240 volt circuit out to your garage FIRST. Then save some money on your welder by buying a 240 volt only machine rather than a dual voltage. IMHO.

 

[jshultz78]

Looking at the miller site, their 211 dual voltage one welds thicker than their cheaper 220v one... 3/8 on the 211 and 5/16 on the other one.

 

[johnny5c]

I've been using a 211 for a while now and overall I'm very impressed with it.

 

[MarkG]

Just buy a Hobart Handler and be done with it!

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Go on craigslist and get a used one. I got a lincoln sp-100 for $250. Works great.

That's my "go to" welder for sheet metal. My dad bought one brand new about 20 years ago and I've been using it since for restoration work. My buddy has one of the Home Depot 140 lincolns and it doesn't get nearly as hot as the SP 100. I think I'll own that unit as long as it's supported by Lincoln.

 

[jshultz78]

Are the regulators that come with the millers a good one? I don't want to spend $1100 on a good welder, and end up having to get a different regulator.

 

[SiGmA_X]

The reg on my MillerMatic 211 is a-okay. The machine doesn't leak gas either. Price was $1028 at AirGas. Toss on a bottle and a bigger spool of wire and it was around $1300 out the door. I forget precisely.

If that's too much, look for a used 175/180, or a 130/135/140. The 120v models run around $500 often with a bottle.

 

[jshultz78]

My next question is, will the 211 actually weld 3/8"? I doubt I'll ever need to do anything that heavy, just don't want to get one that says it'll do it, but actually won't.

 

[trackwelder]

I have welded plenty of 1/4" with power to spare. 3/8" should be no problem.
Miller has a rebate going now

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Are the regulators that come with the millers a good one? I don't want to spend $1100 on a good welder, and end up having to get a different regulator.

The regulators are ok. I would look to get a flowmeter over the standard regulator. You can dial in the gas flow easier with the flowmeter and they are VERY well built (the difference in price reflects that).

 

[crewchief888]

I have welded plenty of 1/4" with power to spare. 3/8" should be no problem.
Miller has a rebate going now

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

if i was looking for a dual voltage machine, i'd seriously look at miller, if only for the rebates they have going on now.
with the money i "saved" with miller, i'd invest in an AD hood.
miller pro-hobby is good inexpensive hood, especially for a hobbiest.
i have 2 of them

 

[jshultz78]

Well, I went and picked up my loan $ today, the local shop is $1200 out the door for the 211, but I found this company on ebay that has them for 1069+free shipping, That also includes the rebate form for the 5% cash back. So it would come out to about $1015 after I get the rebate check..

Decent deal?

 

[trackwelder]

The link I posted above, miller has it for $966 out the door with free shipping.

 

[Garage Dog]

You may have already made up your mind, but here is one more opinion. I bought a used Millermatic 175 with a tank on CL for $700 after thinking I needed a Miller 210

I really questioned if it would be enough welder, and for 90% it is. I have welded lots of 1/4" by making a little V-grove to fill and cranking her up. In fairness I also have a stick welder for heavy stuff, but that has seen limited service since I bought the mig.

People haven't talked much about duty cycle but that is the only issue I have run up against, but you do some welding, let it cool down and weld in sections. Probably get less warping anyway

My other thought is I wouldn't get one without shielding gas - just an opinion but the welds are much cleaner with shielding gas. Tanks are not free, so if you can find one with a tank it is a $150+ bonus.

BTW: I would go with 220v if you plan on welding any heavier stock.

 

[bcradio]

The link I posted above, miller has it for $966 out the door with free shipping.

No, it's a mail in rebate which could take a few months to get if they are slow on it. It is $1137 out the door with the future rebate check in the mail.

 

[jshultz78]

And it wouldn't be 966, that's after buying $150 worth of extra stuff and getting a 15% check back, it's only 5% back if you buy the welder alone.