Looking to upgrade welder, suggestions?

[GarageGuy89]

Currently have the HF special 90 amp flux core. Which does fine with the thicker miscellaneous fixes I've had to do over the years. However, anything thin enough to bend with your hands seems to burn right through the metal, and impossible to weld.

I've had a couple projects lately that have required welding the thinner stuff, but then again being a weekend grease monkey, I only pull the welder out less then 10 times a year, so I don't use it a ton.

Ideally, need something full range that can weld thin sheet metal, as well us anything up to 1/4 or 3/8 being the thickest. As I said earlier, don't do a ton of this welding but I have found I need a more versatile machine, without breaking the bank.

Hopefully you guys understand where I am at with this, was hoping I could get some suggestions on welders to look for on craigslist without breaking the bank. I'd say the bank is no more then $500 at this time.

Thanks!

(EDIT: A 220v outlet is available for this)

 

[zak77]

Anything more than 1/4" is REALLY pushing a 110v welder. I have welded some 1/4" use a Hobart 140 but it took some prep and i wasn't 100% certain on full penetration but it wasnt an application where a failure would result in injury or death. Worked good on sheet metal w/.023 wire. If you have 220v in your garage i'd at those since that's where you need to be in order to weld anything 1/4"+ but budget is your issue. I sold my hobart 140 for $350 and upgraded to the Hobart 210mvp but brand new that's $900+ otd. I did come across an almost brand new 210mvp for $650 on CL a couple weeks back but that sold by the end of the day. Based on your budget it's gonna be tough to break out of the 110v class but it's doable if you have the patient to wait on a deal.

 

[GarageGuy89]

110V is by no means a restriction. I have a separate 200 amp panel in the garage now with only about 4 or 5 breakers in it, so the addition of a 220 outlet is very do-able.

Edited the original post for this.

 

[maxpower_hd]

When I was in a similar situation I updated to a Hobart Handler 187. I don't think they have that one now. I think it is now a 190. I can weld 1/4" no problem with .035 wire and can do sheet metal pretty well with I think it is .023 wire. The .030 wire is kind of a middle ground good for most things wire in my machine. I can do thicker stuff pretty well and can do occasional thin stuff as well. But if I am doing a project where there is a lot of thin stuff I will switch the roll.

The 190 happens to be on sale right now for $650 which I know is a little above your budget. But I don't think you will regret the purchase. I have been very happy with my 187. Also, if you could get say $100 for your old one? You would be very near your budget.

Welders are one of those tools. You pay now or you pay later for what you want.

Here is the link to the on sale one: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hobart-handler-190-mig-welder-spool-gun-ready?cm_vc=-10005

 

[GarageGuy89]

When I was in a similar situation I updated to a Hobart Handler 187. I don't think they have that one now. I think it is now a 190. I can weld 1/4" no problem with .035 wire and can do sheet metal pretty well with I think it is .023 wire. The .030 wire is kind of a middle ground good for most things wire in my machine. I can do thicker stuff pretty well and can do occasional thin stuff as well. But if I am doing a project where there is a lot of thin stuff I will switch the roll.

The 190 happens to be on sale right now for $650 which I know is a little above your budget. But I don't think you will regret the purchase. I have been very happy with my 187. Also, if you could get say $100 for your old one? You would be very near your budget.

Welders are one of those tools. You pay now or you pay later for what you want.

Here is the link to the on sale one: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hobart-handler-190-mig-welder-spool-gun-ready?cm_vc=-10005

Thank you for this input. Unfortunately even $500 is pushing it even with selling the current unit. I don't weld much and when I do, its to fix broken things, so I can't justify spending more than that. If I have to shell out anything above that, I will save up for a new Miller 212 or 215. I just want to try and find something used that can get the job done for now.

I know my options are limited, but I will continue to scour CL till I find a divorce deal. Just not sure what to look for as I'm not into this welding business much.

Sounds like any 220v mig should meet my standards though?

 

[maxpower_hd]

Most likely the 220V will be your best option. And in my opinion you want to be able to use shielding gas. You might be able to find a used 187 or a similar range Lincoln or Miller 180-210. But when I was looking it seemed like everyone wanted $50 or $100 less than new. The pricing on the new ones keeps coming down making the used ones often over priced. Whatever you buy you want something you can get consumables for locally. My Airgas store a mile away sells everything I need.

 

[GarageGuy89]

But when I was looking it seemed like everyone wanted $50 or $100 less than new.

Exactly, that is what I am seeing as well.

Is there any reason 0.025 wire can't be run through the HF 90amp flux welders? I know there rated for 0.030 to 0.035, but is that just because the feeding wheel doesn't have the 0.025 size? I'm thinking maybe trying out some 0.025 wire for the thinner stuff might help? What do you think?

EDIT: Just realized they don't make flux smaller than 0.030, or at least it's hard to find.

 

[erty67]

Fan boys will say bad things, but I bought my Eastwood 180 for 400 bucks shipped with Regulator And a spool gun.
Three year warranty, good reviews, 220v, good customer service(ups dropped the box and broke the stem on the Regulator. No questions, just sent me a new one by overnight).

I THINK but am not sure, that they have a 90 satisfaction warranty also.

This was my thought. For a hobby type welder, the eastwood should be a good fit and brand new for under $500. I've also seen older 220 Lincoln weld-paks for under $500 on Craigslist.

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[sberry]

The weldpaks are good. Instead of saving big for a 211 save a little and for 650 get the Hobart. It's simple but very good, same as the red one.

 

[trackwelder]

Spend the extra coin and get a Lincoln, Miller, Hobart etc. I'm running 30 year old Miller mm200 machines and can still get parts. Good luck finding parts down the road for the off brands.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I had to take my Millermatic 211 to my parents' house today to do some welding. They only have 110v outlets. No problem. The flexibility to use 110 and 220 is fantastic. I have the newest inverter version, bought last December when they had a great promo going. Couldn't be happier with this machine. Its more than you want to spend, but maybe you can find a used one.

 

[sberry]

No one is selling them. People keep them. If you have to be portable then you do, mine never do. DV would be a waste in my case. 120v are common and lots for sale, while he has dreams of 3/8 plate this is to replace a hf90?

 

[Showkey]

The weldpaks are good. Instead of saving big for a 211 save a little and for 650 get the Hobart. It's simple but very good, same as the red one.

Fan boys will say bad things, but I bought my Eastwood 180 for 400 bucks shipped with Regulator And a spool gun.
Three year warranty, good reviews, 220v, good customer service(ups dropped the box and broke the stem on the Regulator. No questions, just sent me a new one by overnight).

I THINK but am not sure, that they have a 90 satisfaction warranty also.

Another satisfied Eastwood customer....
Another vote for Eastwood 175 amp 220v is $479 with a spool gun.
The 135 model would be an upgrade from a flux machine.

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welders-175-amp-mig-welder-w-spool-gun.html

 

[Bcom]

x2 on the Hobart 187. My sister got one for her husband like 15 years ago and its still going. no problems. I was gonna say a Miller 211 (sweet versatile unit) but then i seen your price range. Anything Hobart/Miller is good.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Thank you for the opinions gentlemen.

I've got a very convoluted internal debate going on right now, but I'm thinking it would be worth while to go with a Miller. Jut from the quality to everything on CL I see is within $100 of a new one so they seem to retain their value quite well.

My debate is between the following:

125 - Price is something I could jump on today no questions asked. Just worried about power and future uses. Does this one have enough juice to do aluminum? I've heard Aluminum takes a bit more juice then mild steel of the same thickness. Never had the need for aluminum but you never know

211 or 215 - These two seem to be identical? Correct me if I am wrong, but the 215 being it has future hook up for tig and stick welding for a few bucks more. The price of these two are hard to justify and I would need to save my pennies if I am going this route. Can someone chime in on the 211 vs 215 as far as mig welding goes, are they the same?

Realistically I don't think I would ever have to make anything thicker than 1/8" work. I just don't want to limit myself if I'm shelling out the dough for something that is quality like this and have to come back later and spend more...

Opinions of the three and previous experiences would be helpful here guys, thanks!

 

[HCNDM]

Get a 2xx series machine. It has too work less on thin material and has oomph for the occasional thicker.

Save up for it. You won't regret it.

I've always heard the multi purpose machines are reasonable at everything but not great at any. I have a tig / stick and it does well enough for me as a hobbyist. If I could get reasonable tig and stick with a mig I would do it in a heart beat.

I actually used the stick function over the weekend to weld up some cast iron on a vise key. Was glad to have it.


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[GarageGuy89]

So does anyone know if there is a difference in the miller 211 vs 215 mig settings and performance?

The specs appear to be the same, but I'm not in the know on this sort of stuff.

 

[Bcom]

To weld aluminum,you need a spool gun. There is a spool gun specially made for the 211 Miller and it works well. We used a spoolmate 100 on the 211 and it worked great.You may have to find out if the welder you buy is even compatible with a spool gun. YOu need a spool gun to run aluminum wire because the wire is flimsy and will get caught and bunched up in the hose. The 211 runs on 115v or 220v and even comes with the adapter to do so.

 

[Bcom]

I beleive the 215 can mig tig and stick weld and the 211 can only mig.

 

[GarageGuy89]

I beleive the 215 can mig tig and stick weld and the 211 can only mig.

I understood that. What I was asking is if the mig function on the 215 is the same as the 211? Seems there is opinions out there that with the 211 you get better performance out of the weld, and that the 215 has a cheaper (for lack of a better word) mig function.

I called Miller and the sales rep told me the 211 internals are the same as the 215, so mig welding with the 211 and the 215 is exactly the same. IE the 211 does not weld any better than the 215.

If this is true the 215 purchase becomes a no brainier for an extra 200 bucks. I think with their rebates right now it's actually only 100 dollars more.

Any one have experience with the two?

 

[53Sparky]

NO comparative experience, but I love my 211.

It has been the best purchase. It paid for itself with simple welding jobs that I was able to do that I couldn't have touched before.

You won't regret that purchase if you go there.

 

[mmouse]

I have the 215 and love it. I believe MIG is the same as 211, however the 215 has a digital interface. Lately I have been using the TIG a lot. Works great!

 

[hoston23]

ESAB REBEL, coming with the stick, mig, and tig guns, runs off 110v or 220v extremely versitile, full color screen has an easy and advanced mode. bought one about a month ago.

 

[sk farmer]

i have an older 211 and love it. i would not hesitate to buy the new inverter model.


maybe i should be looking at the 215..................

 

[GarageGuy89]

I have the 215 and love it. I believe MIG is the same as 211, however the 215 has a digital interface. Lately I have been using the TIG a lot. Works great!

Mouse! I haven't been able to talk with anyone who owns the 215 and uses the tig function. How is it? Have you used other tig machines, if so how does it compare.

Seems like the tig function or process on the 215 is rudimentary at best with a lift to start dc only and a standard amperage adjustment. No HF start, pulse, or other start stop options that would be basic on most tig models.

My main concern is the no HF start. I'm no expert when it comes to welding so would a weekend warrior like myself be better suited for a tig machine with HF start? However being a Miller I'm not sure if it really matters as the quality of the machine probably makes up for it compared to these other Chinese models I hear complaints about with starting a lift or scratch start.