Best Inexpensive Welder

[jives]

Okay, this question has been asked a million times before, but things change and are situation-specific. In brief, I am looking for a MIG welder under $250. The amount is a bit arbitrary, but less is better. Here is the situation. . .

Don't know how to weld. Always planned to learn and get a welder. Put in a 240 V outlet just for a welder. So, have both 120 and 240 options. If 120 only get me a suitable and cheap machine, then so be it. But it seems a shame to not take advantage of the 240.

Based on what I've read, a MIG system would work for my needs. So that is set. But don't ask me about inverters or TIG capable or any of that. I am too ignorant. I need something to learn on and complete basic projects. I am currently turning an old Wheel Horse garden tractor rolling chassis into a 4-wheel wagon, and will need to fabricate some steering parts and more. I could cut the right parts and take them to be welded, or I could start now on my welding journey.

Current and future needs are at least 1/4" steel plate, but can see thinner material in the future.

Harbor Freight is not the only game in town. Many other options out there. What do you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[tonyciambrone]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=44205056

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=44205060

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=44205065

I don't know if there's a million but this is one minute or less of searching...

 

[ndnchf]

Are you sure you want a MIG, not just a wire feed welder? Trying to stay under $250 is tough when you need a gas bottle, gas, regulator etc. Wire feed is not as good for many situations, but is dirt cheap.

 

[jives]

Are you sure you want a MIG, not just a wire feed welder? Trying to stay under $250 is tough when you need a gas bottle, gas, regulator etc. Wire feed is not as good for many situations, but is dirt cheap.

It was my impression that wire feed and MIG were the same. . . and different from flux core?

I have looked at some of the discussions here. . .but for some reason am still uncertain.

 

[Kenskip1]

Sir, from what you have stated a Flux Core welder will do more than what you require. I would investigate what the good folks at Harbor Freight have to offer. They have a few flux core welders that are in your price range. I am on another forum and several individuals have had great success with there welders. Flux core has one advantage. You can use it outside and the wind will not bother you. With MIG, it can be difficult.

BTW, I lived in Central NY for 20 years. I finally got tire of shoveling. Rome area

 

[bobcatdan]

I know you said a wire welder, but the cheapest way to welding is a used $50 225 Lincoln tombstone stick welder.

 

[ndnchf]

I should have said Flux core wire feed. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[sick467]

Any of the flux core welders in the $250 price range will suit your needs just find. Sorry I cannot recommend one personally...it's been too long since my flux core days. Hobart brand tends to come up in the threads as a good beginner however. I am a bit confused whether you are looking to get a flux unit or gas, I must say. Finding a full gas set-up for 250$ will be difficult to do in new condition along with the bottles and such.

I can say that you will spend an extra amount of money on grinding wheels with a flux core unit, or at least I did. Flux core did not produce the prettiest of welds and needed much more clean-up. Try to get a unit that can be used with gas as well and has the necessary components. You will find that you can collect/buy the gas bottles before you wear the flux core welder out and gas is SOOO much better.

Edit: plus one on the stick welder that Bob mentions. Their are not as elegant, but they weld forever with no regard...just not practical for the thinner steels.

 

[jives]

BTW, I lived in Central NY for 20 years. I finally got tire of shoveling. Rome area

Not to derail my own thread. . .Missouri was my introduction to the wonder of the rest of the country that was not So. Cal. As I left the concrete suburbia of San Diego for school in the East, across the flatlands of KS, I hit rolling hills and water and trees and green of Missouri. It was a great. Plus, I had relatives in Springfield.

 

[Aaron_W]

An understanding of what gas does vs flux might help you.

Stick welding and flux core use the same principle, differing in the stick welder using sticks coated in flux and the flux core using a continuous wire feed with a hollow wire filled with flux. The flux creates the shielding gas and leaves a protective coating on the hot weld that must be removed. This flux is what makes these two methods messy.

Gas shielding, the G in MIG, and TIG, uses a gas to provide protection to the weld from the air. Because there is no flux it provides a much cleaner weld, and there is no need to clean the weld so you can quickly and easily stitch short welds together.

The gas is one of the aspects that makes MIG welding "easier" for many beginners.

Most if not all MIG welders can use flux core, but flux core welders lack the ability to use gas, so can not do MIG. I gather it is not particularly difficult to modify most flux core welders to use gas, but while some do I question how practical it is vs just buying a MIG welder in the first place and just using flux core wire until you decide to spend the money for gas. MIG welders cost more because they have the gas connections and generally include a regulator and hoses for the tank.

I'm quite new to welding but I've taken classes on stick welding, MIG welding (which covered flux core) and TIG. Personally While I see a significant difference between stick welding and MIG welding (I'm a much better MIG welder than stick welder), the only real benefit to flux core is you don't have to stop and change sticks occasionally.


As I said I'm pretty new and a fairly indifferent welder, one of the issues MIG helps me with is staying on track. With MIG I can run a bead a couple inches and then stop briefly and check my progress (am I still on my line, is my bead even). I can then reposition my hand and start right back up. With stick or flux core I have to stop, and clean my weld before continuing.


Anyway kind of a long post to say I'm not sure flux core buys you much vs stick welding. You can get a flux core welder for less than a MIG but for good reason. You can also fairly easily turn up a used and nigh indestructible stick welder for $200-300 that will probably out live all of us (Lincoln Tombstone, Miller Dial Arc etc) as well as out perform any $250 flux core welder.

Personally if it were me I'd look for a MIG welder or a used stick welder. At $250 there are few options for a 240v other than the bottom tier (black case) Harbor Freight welders. If you need to weld 1/4" you are going to need a welder capable of a minimum of 140 amps. Many of the super cheap flux core welders are only 125 amps (max of about 3/16").

If you do get a used stick welder (which at you budget I think is your best option) make sure it does DC, the cheaper ones are AC only and will limit the rods that you can use.

 

[Kenskip1]

Lets not forget a few essentials. A grinder is a must. A good Helmut is next on the list. Good gloves along with a chipping hammer. This is just a few of the basics. Clamps, cutoff saw will come after you get your stimulus check.

 

[DIY_Guy79]

Okay, this question has been asked a million times before, but things change and are situation-specific. In brief, I am looking for a MIG welder under $250. The amount is a bit arbitrary, but less is better. Here is the situation. . .

Don't know how to weld. Always planned to learn and get a welder. Put in a 240 V outlet just for a welder. So, have both 120 and 240 options. If 120 only get me a suitable and cheap machine, then so be it. But it seems a shame to not take advantage of the 240.

Based on what I've read, a MIG system would work for my needs. So that is set. But don't ask me about inverters or TIG capable or any of that. I am too ignorant. I need something to learn on and complete basic projects. I am currently turning an old Wheel Horse garden tractor rolling chassis into a 4-wheel wagon, and will need to fabricate some steering parts and more. I could cut the right parts and take them to be welded, or I could start now on my welding journey.

Current and future needs are at least 1/4" steel plate, but can see thinner material in the future.

Harbor Freight is not the only game in town. Many other options out there. What do you recommend?

Thanks.

Buy used for sure. You're not going to touch a new machine worth dip for that money, unfortunately.

Finding a 220V wire feed welder at that price used is going to be extremely tough, Its not likely to happen unless you just get lucky at an auction or something.

As far as what would work for that little tractor trailer, its not going to take anything too crazy to hold it together. So a 120V machine will work fine and will be plenty to learn on. Also, just go with gasless hardwire. No need to fork out the extra expense & hassle for gas for what you're looking to do.

So look into small 120V wire feed welders like the Lincoln Weld Pak 100, as well as comparable offerings from Miller & Hobart. You can find used machines for that money. Stay away from the HF & no name junk in this tier of welders, its worth the extra expense & hassle to find a machine from a reputable brand. I bought a weld pak 100 second hand off a neighbor for $250 about 15 years or more ago and have used it for everything. Restored multiple vehicles, built many projects, and tons of repairs. And it's still going strong.

Some things to take into consideration though if you have options or the patience to wait for exactly what you want... On the Weld Pak 100, it doesnt have fine voltage control. Just presets labeled "A, B, C, or D".. Which is less than ideal sometimes but it works. However, in the beginning this will be a welcome thing for someone just learning. As those presets are designed to go along with the thickness of whatever your welding. So it greatly simplifies setting up the machine. Also the wire feed mechanism in these is their biggest downfall, the clamp mechanism which puts pressure on the wire between the feed wheels is plastic and honestly its flimsy as **** and Lincoln should be downright embarrassed about it, imo.. But it works and it'd probably be easy to fab a new mechanism if I cared enough to take the time to do it, been a long time since I looked at it though.

And just fyi, forget about exact terminology.. Stuffs just gonna confuse you and frankly doesnt matter a single bit. If it pushes wire and you're calling it MIG, most everyone knows what you mean. I started welding when I was in high school, went to welding school afterwards, and I've welded professionally and for myself for many years.. You know how often terminology mattered? Zero. Welding is a simple process and its like riding a bike. Some people like to make it a lot more complicated than it really is.

 

[Kenskip1]

I will have to disagree to an extent on this flux core welder. As mentioned it was reviewed buy a few members and it was highly recommended. Read the Reviews. And no I do not own this model. Harbor Freight stores are not difficult to locate. It has a 90 day warranty. Watch the video...

https://www.harborfreight.com/easy-flux-125-amp-welder-56355.html

 

[DIY_Guy79]

I will have to disagree to an extent on this flux core welder. As mentioned it was reviewed buy a few members and it was highly recommended. Read the Reviews. And no I do not own this model. Harbor Freight stores are not difficult to locate. It has a 90 day warranty. Watch the video...

https://www.harborfreight.com/easy-flux-125-amp-welder-56355.html

Hadnt seen that one, thanks for sharing. Super cool that its only 15lbs. Biggest pain about any welder is how heavy they are. Be pretty wicked to have something like that when you gotta take the welder to whatever you're working on.

 

[joey1320]

I have a cheap $90 Harbor Freight "Chicago Electric" flux core welder. I took the welder to Polaris where a good friend of mine is the welding instructor, so he could show me how to use it for my simple roof rack needs.

He joked about it and the students all kind of snickered at it and we all had a few good laughs but after all was set and done, he was extremely impressed by it. He got great penetration on emt conduit, which is what I'm using (Be careful of toxic fumes) and with a bit of grinding, the welded area was more than suitable looks wise.

I practiced for about 3 hours and he kept giving me advice and now I'm confident I can use it and get the best out of it.

I would recommend that one or the Vulcan version of it.

 

[brianh]

240 volt stick simple and will do heavy duty I have a tig and !ove it for delicate work. I gave my mig to my brother. 90 percent of the time I grab the stick.

 

[snakeeyes]

I bought a Yeswelder 205ds for $300 and I have to say it blew away my expectations for such a cheap welder. It moves around in price, but goes on sale alot for up to 25% off. It is a very compact dual voltage machine and had more features than the Hobart Handler 187 I was used to welding with. It does mig, tig, and stick and I manly use it as portable mig machine.

Lays down great welds and the only 2 cons I can think of. One is the wire spool holder retainer is pretty hard to get on and center the spool. Second is the settings are metric for the autoset based on welding thickness. Not a big deal if you know how to set manual settings.

 

[Farmall450]

Well...you asked. Picked one up from the pawn shop by my college for $80 over a year ago now. Used the heck out of it all summer and love it. Also have a Hobart Ironman, Millermatic 200, etc but for the ease of use and ability to string a 120 cord outside and weld in the wind/rain etc, it does the trick.

https://www.harborfreight.com/easy-flux-125-amp-welder-56355.html?_br_psugg_q=titanium+welder

 

[Farmall450]

^ replace the ground clamp and you're ready to run. Pros might benefit from name brand flux wire.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I picked up a Campbell housefield flux/mig welder from menards years ago for $300 and although it works I would not recommend it. I can’t really raise the wire speed or weld for very long at all. I have run it with gas and its a better weld but running around for gas *****. Read up and learn about the specs and what they do. I think mine is like 80 amp output and 20% duty cycle. Stick welders are cheap and dependable but are more difficult to use. I would go used if you can find anything name brand

 

[jives]

OP here. . .
After weeding through the lingo -- and thank you DIY Guy for noting that it is confusing, I have concluded that at this time a simple flux core wire feed is the way to go for now. To make things simple, no gas (MIG), no 120/240V options.

I am tempted for the HF Chicago Electric as a learner, but I am wary that cheap also means harder to use correctly. We'll see. . . .I've got time to see if deals come up.

Thanks all.

 

[jg4660]

+1 on the Titanium 125, ive had one a couple months now and its great. I don't think you'll find a bad review on it. $199 but is commonly on sale for less.

 

[SethB]

I'll tell you as a new welder, gas is the way to go. Also local support. My LWS set me up with a MP210 and a gas bottle and it's been great. When I have had a hiccup, a quick call to them and all was good. When I had an issue with the gun, a quick trip there and they straightened me out for no charge. I've toyed with stick and flux core just to get a feel, but any welding I've done on projects is gas all the way. Makes a novice welder acceptable.

You can certainly go cheap, but the curve will be steeper, more frustrating and eventually if you stick with it you'll more than likely upgrade. So basically what is your time worth vs. the $. Everyone has to make that call.

 

[Kenskip1]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=reviews+of+Titanium+Easy-Flux+125+Amp+Welder

 

[sreeb]

I'll tell you as a new welder, gas is the way to go. Also local support. My LWS set me up with a MP210 and a gas bottle and it's been great. When I have had a hiccup, a quick call to them and all was good. When I had an issue with the gun, a quick trip there and they straightened me out for no charge. I've toyed with stick and flux core just to get a feel, but any welding I've done on projects is gas all the way. Makes a novice welder acceptable.

You can certainly go cheap, but the curve will be steeper, more frustrating and eventually if you stick with it you'll more than likely upgrade. So basically what is your time worth vs. the $. Everyone has to make that call.

He wants to spend $250. I think my LWS charged almost that for a bottle and fill....

 

[zendriver]

The more money you spend on a welder, The better welder you will become.

Hass to be true, because I read it here.

I once purchase an inexpensive flux wire welder to weld some Round steel chain guards onto my hay elevator.

The welds look like ****, but they held just fine. Maybe it was the welder, but I attribute The ugly welds,to my five minutes of wire welding experience.

Yes, it was a Lincoln welder, same model that my brother Who owned a machine shop is probably run miles of flux wire through.

Can you get good at welding by welding


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jives]

OP here. . .
Okay, the thread continues. So the recommendations come in for the HF Titanium, but I've been looking at others, such as the Hobart Handler 100 Flux Core for $230. Many specs to choose from -- min and max amps, variable voltage vs. high/low selector, duty cycle, capability for large wire spools, single vs. multiple wire size, cooling fan, etc.

It seems to me that duty cycle is the most important. Or is it something else? Keep in mind that the primary purpose right now is fixing/fabricating yard/garden equipment, but I see more artsy fabrication in the future.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'll make this recommendation, like has been said before. Buy once, cry once.

Buy a good welder, 220V unit that uses gas. You don't have to use gas but you have the option use it later as an upgrade.

Do you have a TSC local to you ? You can apply for the TSC card, gets 6 months interest free and earn 5% back on future purchases.

I recently bought a new Hobart Iron 230 and applied for the card. I have 6 months to pay for the unit. You don't have to spend huge dollars but you could use that $250 as an initial payment and $100/mo for 6 months and be very happy with the purchase.

A Hobart 190 is $730 and will probably do everything you ever need to do. You can run it as fluxcore wire or use the included regulator with solid core wire.

It also has the option to add a spoolgun. This would allow you in the future to weld aluminum but would also necessitate another gas upgrade.


All future proofing, don't rule it out until you consider all your options.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hobart-handler-190-mig-welder

 

[theoldwizard1]

After weeding through the lingo -- and thank you DIY Guy for noting that it is confusing, I have concluded that at this time a simple flux core wire feed is the way to go for now. To make things simple, no gas (MIG), no 120/240V options.

The more money you spend on a welder, The better welder you will become.

I'll make this recommendation, like has been said before. Buy once, cry once.

I concur with Zen and Nutts !

 

[Kenstone1]

OP here. . .
Okay, the thread continues. So the recommendations come in for the HF Titanium, but I've been looking at others, such as the Hobart Handler 100 Flux Core for $230. Many specs to choose from -- min and max amps, variable voltage vs. high/low selector, duty cycle, capability for large wire spools, single vs. multiple wire size, cooling fan, etc.

It seems to me that duty cycle is the most important. Or is it something else? Keep in mind that the primary purpose right now is fixing/fabricating yard/garden equipment, but I see more artsy fabrication in the future.

Duty cycle should NOT be a concern for your type of welding, which will be short bead lengths.
I would be concerned if you plan on 2ft-3ft long beads but that is not any more practical than stitch welding short beads.

I started with the old HF 90 amp/AC for 3 years and it only cycled off once via duty cycle heat.
I was welding outside in the 95 degree heat, so I let it cool done, went and found a box fan, reset the welder, and welded the rest of the day without any more drama.

I have the easy-flux 125 now, but before I got that I converted the 90 flux to DCNE(DC negative electrode) with $30 of parts following a utube vid, and put a shroud around it's fan (a Folgers coffee container) to redirect the air inside the box.
It never shut off again...

The easy-flux 125 performs better though, only because it as voltage control in addition to wire feed variable.
That and it's already DCNE(DC Negative Electrode)...

.
Here's a thread on the Easy-Flux 125:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468468

 

[Aaron_W]

OP here. . .
It seems to me that duty cycle is the most important. Or is it something else? Keep in mind that the primary purpose right now is fixing/fabricating yard/garden equipment, but I see more artsy fabrication in the future.

Not for light duty hobby welding. Duty cycle is just how many minutes you can weld out of 10 minutes at a particular power level. Not welding time is literally any time you are not making sparks, so time spent admiring your weld, wire brushing the flux off the weld in between welds, getting your parts aligned right etc all count towards the "off" cycle.

Even a duty cycle of 20% which is about as bad as the cheapest welders get is actually usable. At 20% you might actually have to let the machine cool off now and then, but welding for 2 minutes straight without stopping is a lot of welding in a home shop. Most of the home owner grade welders have a duty cycle around 30-40% at a useful power level, better ones may be 60% but we are no where near $250 at that point. You don't see 60-100% at high power levels until you get into the commercial grade machines.


I'd say for you looking at different machines the amps are probably the most important spec, as that is what will set your limits on useful thickness of materials that you can weld.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have one of the old Chicago Electric flux boxes and that thing can be frustrating, it takes some patience to figure out it's quirks and the welds aren't too pretty...

Then I got newer Titanium welders and they are magical... the welds look like welds and the recommended settings are actually pretty good... I lucked out and found a Titanium MIG 170 for $125 at a sidewalk sale so I jumped on it and have been testing limitations for over 2 years... It has a big spool of Lincoln flux core in it right now that is almost out... I've ran it on 120V, 220V, ran it on a 4kW generator, a friends generator on his RV, extension cords that it shouldn't be used on, blown breakers, killed a GFI outlet with it... it just keeps going...

A friend just got the easyflux 125 and we're going to test it out tomorrow, it's tiny but if it welds like the 170 like I think it will it should be pretty sweet being that tiny.

 

[FTG-05]

^ replace the ground clamp and you're ready to run. Pros might benefit from name brand flux wire.

What's wrong with the ground clamp? Too light duty?

The Titanium comes uses .030 or .035 flux core wire. Does that mean that .025 flux core wire doesn't exist?

 

[thickhead]

Very happy with the Hobart Handler 100 and for about $225 shipped and with the long warranty I think it is a deal. Have had great luck with Hobart’s E71T-11 wire and the Inetub E71T-GS. The .035 seems to burn a little more consistently than the .030 stuff - at least for me.

 

[Jim greengo]

I know you said a wire welder, but the cheapest way to welding is a used $50 225 Lincoln tombstone stick welder.

I love the old tombstone welders,if you can come across an ac/dc version that's even better.

 

[rangerfredbob]

An AC/DC buzz box is a great thing to have on hand... I wouldn't be without... but the $20 Montgomery Wards/Century welder I have kinda pushes me over the edge... I leave it on DC because I can and it's nicer but if all I could get was an A/C buzz box I'd rock the heck out of that with some 6011... It would compliment the wire feed nicely

 

[sreeb]

What's wrong with the ground clamp? Too light duty?

The Titanium comes uses .030 or .035 flux core wire. Does that mean that .025 flux core wire doesn't exist?

I have never seen any. The flux core takes up space so I don't think the 0.030 has any more metal than the 0.025 solid wire.

 

[Kenstone1]

What's wrong with the ground clamp? Too light duty?

The Titanium comes uses .030 or .035 flux core wire. Does that mean that .025 flux core wire doesn't exist?

Ground clamps have gotten a lot of **** on all the welding threads of late.
My experience had been the same until I watched a Tech Tip vid on Flux Core welding.

The guy would snap off the end of the wire while talking between welds and later described why he did that.
A ball of flux cools on the wire end and acts as insulation that creates wire stubbing at the start of the next weld.
This stubbing is what is wrongly blamed on a poor ground clamp, at least in my case.

jmo,

 

[zendriver]

What's wrong with the ground clamp? Too light duty?

It looks like a battery jumper cable clamp.

Makes many feel uneasy, for that reason, but presumably works.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I have a cheap $90 Harbor Freight "Chicago Electric" flux core welder. I took the welder to Polaris where a good friend of mine is the welding instructor, so he could show me how to use it for my simple roof rack needs.

He joked about it and the students all kind of snickered at it and we all had a few good laughs but after all was set and done, he was extremely impressed by it. He got great penetration on emt conduit, which is what I'm using (Be careful of toxic fumes) and with a bit of grinding, the welded area was more than suitable looks wise.

I practiced for about 3 hours and he kept giving me advice and now I'm confident I can use it and get the best out of it.

I would recommend that one or the Vulcan version of it.

I have the same welder. I use it rarely, but when I do, it works really well.