Welder Recommendation-Campbell Hausfeld

[Model A Fan]

I am looking for a welder to add to my set of tools. I'd like to have a decent welder to start off learning as I have a car project that I need to cut out rusty patches and weld in new pieces of patch panel/skins. What I am leaning toward is a flux/mig combo as I can learn to weld with the flux setting and once I have a hang of it, step it up to the mig with gas for cleaner and nicer welds.

My hope is to be able to make some home made fabricated projects. I've been inspired by the numerous welding projects showcased in the many threads. I'd like to be able to weld some metal tubing frames for work benches or equipment (like nine4gmc).

I have selected a few from my local Grizzly Industrial that I'm considering. If I go with a flux unit that doesn't do mig, am I shooting myself in the foot because I'll have to upgrade sooner? Are they more robust than the flux/mig combos? The minimum gauge they weld (all of them) is 24ga metal and max is 3/16" metal.

Here are the three:

Only Flux:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/WG3080-Pro-125-120V-Flux-Core-Welder/T23138

http://www.grizzly.com/products/WF2150-Flux-Core-Wire-Welder/T23744

Flux/Mig:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/WG2160-MIG-Flux-Wire-Welder/T23745

They're all about the same price except the WF2150 Model. It is $70-$100 cheaper. I don't mind paying more for a nicer welder though, something that will last longer and produce nice finished products while being versatile.

I didn't have my heart set on this brand, Grizzly is just having a decent sale ($40 off their Campbell Hausefeld models).

There was also this big daddy at $428 with a regulator:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/120V-Flux-Welder-with-Regulator/T23393

Any recommendations on the ones I have listed or other ones you know about that would be good for a beginner would be much appreciated!

 

[ibedayank]

hobart lincoln miller
fluxcore will NOT do thin sheetmetal

 

[RedneckWelder]

hobart lincoln miller
fluxcore will NOT do thin sheetmetal

I'll also add HTP to the mix for that. But yeah sticking with the biggies is the best way to go.

The HH140 would not be a bad route to go at all.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/hobart-handlerreg;-140-mig-welder

 

[crewchief888]

i'd be looking at a name brand welder, lincoln, miller or hobart.

pick your favorite color


all but the smallest ones (lincoln handy mig 100 for example) come set up with a regulator.

welding sheetmetal with fluxcore is possible, (i do it all the time), but is time consuming and frustrating, especially for a beginning welder.

 

[trackwelder]

It sounds like you have and don't mind spending the cash on a quality machine.
Buy a nice machine and enjoy it. No matter what the cheap guys say here stay away from the garbage, junk machines.

Check out this thread of a member buying a nice machine and not dealing with the frustration of welding with a piece of junk.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291229&showall=1

 

[trackwelder]

I would recommend a 180 amp class minimum. I like Miller but Lincoln, Hobart,Esab, will serve you well. You can't beat solid wire and 75/25 mix for your body panel project.

 

[BOONEY7750]

I'm not an expert, I went through this. Been looking for a used Miller 140 for two years. Gave up and went for the 211. Then I found the Lincoln 210 mp, which is what I bought. It's easy to get carried away, but I have seen many Miller 130 and 135 variations used for around $350 with regulator. Seems a better bet on the long run.

 

[ibedayank]

i'd be looking at a name brand welder, lincoln, miller or hobart.

pick your favorite color


all but the smallest ones (lincoln handy mig 100 for example) come set up with a regulator.

welding sheetmetal with fluxcore is possible, (i do it all the time), but is time consuming and frustrating, especially for a beginning welder.

I have a Campbell Hausefeld and with only high and low power settings damn near impossible to weld anything thin with .035 wire .030 just spins in the rollers

 

[chevelle598bb]

I have an Eastwood Mig 135 and it has served me well. Its great for stuff around the house and garage. I have access to a Miller 211 and Miller syncrowave at the shop if needed.

 

[chevelle598bb]

i have an eastwood mig 135 and it has served me well. Its great for stuff around the house and garage. I have access to a miller 211 and miller syncrowave at the shop if needed.

Sorry guys the Tapatalk app turned my photo sideways when it posted. Don't give me too much hell.

 

[Angry welder]

Try the tweco welders. I have the 181 fabricator which is a 3 in 1 it does mig stick and tig. it is a nice welder but run only on 220v. if your want a smaller one you could get the 141 fabricator, it is still a 3 in 1 welder but does everything on 120, and don't quote me but I think can also with the change of a plug also work with 220v power as well.

 

[RandyZ71]

Been there, done that. Get a good mig as has been suggested. The flux core, if you get it to weld the thin stuff, is much messier and harder to cleanup. I had a CH flux core and upgraded to the Hobart Handler 190. BIG difference!

 

[Model A Fan]

Thank you for all the help, and I apologize for the delayed reply.

hobart lincoln miller
fluxcore will NOT do thin sheetmetal

I'll look at the big names, they seem to be a better bet.

i'd be looking at a name brand welder, lincoln, miller or hobart.

pick your favorite color


all but the smallest ones (lincoln handy mig 100 for example) come set up with a regulator.

welding sheetmetal with fluxcore is possible, (i do it all the time), but is time consuming and frustrating, especially for a beginning welder.

I guess I'll have to start looking at what color they come in

It sounds like you have and don't mind spending the cash on a quality machine.
Buy a nice machine and enjoy it. No matter what the cheap guys say here stay away from the garbage, junk machines.

Check out this thread of a member buying a nice machine and not dealing with the frustration of welding with a piece of junk.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291229&showall=1

That's correct, I don't mind paying a bit more for a nice machine that will last a longer time. I would like to be able to eventually step into building metal framed tool chests (like nine4gmc makes for his custom cabinets and lathes) and also like the ones for the Harbor Freight cabinets.

I don't want to cheap out and have a machine that doesn't do enough work, fast enough or not able to handle what I want it to do. I've got a good job, so paying for one won't be too much pain.

Would you recommend a 110 or 220? I imagine 220 will be far superior, but I have only one outlet with 220, so it might be a bit of a juggle to get it to do that.

What are the pros and cons of 110v vs. 220v?

 

[RedneckWelder]

110v has two cons- you can only weld thin stuff and duty cycle *****.

If all you are doing is sheet metal and light stuff up to like 1/8-maybe 3/16 on non-critical applications, and you can deal with the duty cycle limitations at the top end, then 110v Mig isn't a problem.

If you want to weld thicker with the Mig process, then shoot for a 220v machine.

 

[trackwelder]

Thank you for all the help, and I apologize for the delayed reply.



I'll look at the big names, they seem to be a better bet.



I guess I'll have to start looking at what color they come in



That's correct, I don't mind paying a bit more for a nice machine that will last a longer time. I would like to be able to eventually step into building metal framed tool chests (like nine4gmc makes for his custom cabinets and lathes) and also like the ones for the Harbor Freight cabinets.

I don't want to cheap out and have a machine that doesn't do enough work, fast enough or not able to handle what I want it to do. I've got a good job, so paying for one won't be too much pain.

Would you recommend a 110 or 220? I imagine 220 will be far superior, but I have only one outlet with 220, so it might be a bit of a juggle to get it to do that.

What are the pros and cons of 110v vs. 220v?

Get a 220 volt machine. Pros are more heat to weld thicker steel, Better duty cycle. Quite a few guys here are buying the miller 211 at some killer prices. Also Miller, Lincoln and such have great service and parts will be around for a long time.

I know of guys buying some off brand 220 machines that worked well but after a decade of use they can't find any parts reasonably if at all.

 

[cg81]

I have the millermatic 211. It and several of the other newer 220volt machines have a 120 volt plug that quickly replaces the 220v plug so you can use it more places. It is very similar to the hobart handler 210. Either would be nice welders. I just welded up my swag off road press brake a couple weeks ago. 3/8" steel so the power was set to the max setting. After welding about 38" a few inches at a time alternating sides to prevent warping the cooling fan was blowing room temperature air from the welder. That was over about 20 minutes taking my time to tack it up before going to town. It was nowhere near hitting it's duty cycle. Lincoln probably has an equivalent unit, I am just not familiar with them.

 

[BD1]

MILLER BLUE, LINCOLN RED , HOBART WHITE. Red, white , and blue.

Miller has a heck of a REBATE on the 211 and others.

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/Spoolmate_RebateFlye.pdf

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html

 

[Model A Fan]

Get a 220 volt machine. Pros are more heat to weld thicker steel, Better duty cycle. Quite a few guys here are buying the miller 211 at some killer prices. Also Miller, Lincoln and such have great service and parts will be around for a long time.

I know of guys buying some off brand 220 machines that worked well but after a decade of use they can't find any parts reasonably if at all.

It looks like the 211 (when new) includes the 110/220 multiple plugs.

https://www.airgas.com/product/Welding-Products/Welders-&-Accessories/MIG-Welders/p/MIL907422

I have the millermatic 211. It and several of the other newer 220volt machines have a 120 volt plug that quickly replaces the 220v plug so you can use it more places. It is very similar to the hobart handler 210. Either would be nice welders. I just welded up my swag off road press brake a couple weeks ago. 3/8" steel so the power was set to the max setting. After welding about 38" a few inches at a time alternating sides to prevent warping the cooling fan was blowing room temperature air from the welder. That was over about 20 minutes taking my time to tack it up before going to town. It was nowhere near hitting it's duty cycle. Lincoln probably has an equivalent unit, I am just not familiar with them.

So the quality sounds good. How long does the machine have to rest after using it? How long can you use it before it has to rest?

MILLER BLUE, LINCOLN RED , HOBART WHITE. Red, white , and blue.

Miller has a heck of a REBATE on the 211 and others.

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/Spoolmate_RebateFlye.pdf

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html

That seems reasonable price-wise. I know Miller is kind of a staple brand in the welding industry. Is this normally the cheapest they sell for?

What should I look for if I buy a used welder? Anything to be cautious of? Any way to tell if someone has used one so much its all clapped out?

 

[Lx460]

Id wager money that you would never hit the duty cycle of the 211.

The 211 Miller is a kick *** machine. I have an older 250 Millermatic but have also have the 211 for work. I'd say the 211 welds as good or better than my older machine plus I can pick it up and take it with me in the truck. Not happening with the 250.

I like your sig line. Wonder where it came from...lol.

 

[Model A Fan]

Well, I just started rewiring my compressor because I had the wiring wrong and was getting shocked while draining the tank.

I tested the outlet with one of those dual voltage testers for 120 and 220 and it only read in the 120 section, not the 220 I was hoping/expecting.

With that said, will my compressor work on 120 if it is 220? It looks like the Miller 211 would be a good choice given the dual voltage abilities.

 

[zkling]

Is the compressor motor a dual voltage motor? Look at the name plate next to where it says voltage or possibly just V. If it is configurable for 1xx V operation it will state 2xx / 1xx and then on the amp plate it will have a / with one quantity twice the other.

 

[trackwelder]

Well, I just started rewiring my compressor because I had the wiring wrong and was getting shocked while draining the tank.

I tested the outlet with one of those dual voltage testers for 120 and 220 and it only read in the 120 section, not the 220 I was hoping/expecting.

With that said, will my compressor work on 120 if it is 220? It looks like the Miller 211 would be a good choice given the dual voltage abilities.

If it's a 220 compressor I would say no on hooking up to 120
You might be able to swap wires on the compressor for 120 operation.
I had a small speedaire compressor that could be wired for 120-220.

 

[Model A Fan]

I'm pretty sure this is the compressor I have at home. I'm at work so I will have to check when I get home.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-Hausfeld-60-gal-Electric-Air-Compressor-VT6275/203002178

If I'm stuck with needing 240, what kind of options do I have? How much would it cost to add 240v? Is there some sort of conversion kit to make it run on 120v?

 

[Model A Fan]

WOOHOO!!! I started digging into the wiring in the wall and pulled the panel off and checked the breakers. It turns out that I did have 240! The ground was attached to the positive.

Anyway, I flipped the breaker and redid the wiring and now have 240 running to the compressor! Thank goodness I don't have to deal with trying to figure out how to wire it in.

I will look into the Miller 211 now