110 volt welder
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ForceFed70
Well-known member
I got a Millermatic 175 (now the 180) and love it.
You are going to get a lot of people telling you to get a 240V unit or dual voltage. I took that advice and kind of regret it.
The big reason is that it's been 10 years now and I've never actually had to weld anything that I couldn't have welded on a 120V unit. Spent a few hundred extra dollars for something I didn't need and haven't used.
Unless you're working on heavy equipment or some other special uses - it's fairly rare that the average hobbyist welds something that requires a 240V welder.
You are going to get a lot of people telling you to get a 240V unit or dual voltage. I took that advice and kind of regret it.
The big reason is that it's been 10 years now and I've never actually had to weld anything that I couldn't have welded on a 120V unit. Spent a few hundred extra dollars for something I didn't need and haven't used.
Unless you're working on heavy equipment or some other special uses - it's fairly rare that the average hobbyist welds something that requires a 240V welder.
I'm just the opposite. I bought a 110 mig welder from snap on about 25 years ago. It was a good welder, but couldn't do thicker material. I was unhappy with the decision to buy the 110 volt one. Not the welders fault. When it wore out I bought a Miller 211. It is a dual voltage welder. I like the versatility of it much better. I didn't think I need a 220 volt welder at the time, but found out that I did.
LX-Markham
Well-known member
Mine only has a 20% duty cycle, so I just take my time. Can't run one long continuous bead, but that's okay. The 110V is super convenient.
Lincoln SP-135T
Lincoln SP-135T
Mine only has a 20% duty cycle, so I just take my time. Can't run one long continuous bead, but that's okay. The 110V is super convenient.
Lincoln SP-135T
LOL, I have that 135T also... yea thicker stuff you stitch it... short burst at high settings.
I would get a dual voltage machine if I were to do it all over again... but then when I was buying at $800-ish, these things I never knew it exist at that price....or was popular as now... I would also look at those multi-process machines if your budget allows... those seems to be popular now a days as well... they won't tig aluminum, but you get tig/mig/stick as well and you can mig aluminum with a spool gun.... The flip side if the machine broke, you are out of an expensive machine and no process....
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
If you want just a cheap welder to learn on and for small projects, there is nothing wrong with the $100 flux-core 120V mig from Harbor Freight.
Bendibal
Well-known member
I have one version of the 120V flux core mig from HF, $40 at a parking lot sale. I've done sheet metal work, all the way to building and mounting a gate ramp to my utility trailer with it. It's alright, although I find it difficult to find just the right settings for each job, but that would come with time I suppose. I'm definitely a novice, but would think some finer adjustments, and a shielding gas would offer more forgiveness. I would imagine an experienced person could lay down quite nice welds with it. For the money, and the convenience, cost, and simplicity it does the job.
619DioFan
Well-known member
I have a hf flux core 110 welder. changed the hf wire to lincoln wire. for lite welding it is fine. for heavier welding I have a lincoln 220 tombstone. this is the welder I learned on many moons ago and am very comfortable with it.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
I started a similar thread a few months back, the answers I got may be useful to you as well.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390597
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390597
The bigger machines have longer duty cycle too though...it's not all about metal thickness. If you're doing a little tack here and there any ol' welder will work but as soon as you want to actually run a few beads the bigger machines are worth it. Plus just having the flexibility of being able to weld some heavier plate down the road if need be.
Wanna Ride
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2010
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I’ve owned a Lincoln SP135plus for about fifteen years... love that damn little machine.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I started with a $100 Century 110v that I bought used from a friend and used it for a LONG time. The duty cycle drove me nuts and when building some structural, I would tack it and take it to someone with a real machine to finish. I then bought a big Miller.
If I had to start over, I would buy a mid size machine. If I needed to keep costs down, I would buy one that can run flux core and add the bottle later.
If I had to start over, I would buy a mid size machine. If I needed to keep costs down, I would buy one that can run flux core and add the bottle later.
i got a miller 140, biggest ************* i ever had, oh it not the machine, it just at 140 you need amps to weld and there just no way you can weld anything but sheet metal. after ten years I ended up getting a holbart 235 iron man. I should of twenty years ago
FSrepair&fabrication
Well-known member
Not bad for a hobby / small project here or there. Anything structural i wouldnt really trust it. Affordable 110v migs make every novice think theyre a welder until it breaks multiple times and they have to take it to someone with a real welder. Not knocking the OP in any way, thats just my real life experience. Just because it looks good doesnt mean its strong. I think theyre also counterproductive when it comes to learning to weld, They have a relatively coarse range of adjustment, and its hard to learn when you only get to weld for 2 or 3 out of every 10 minutes. The nicer the machine, the finer you can adjust your settings and this goes a long way to making a nice weld, especially if youre new.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
Another vote for the small Lincoln MIG. I also have an ancient SP200 for when I need to weld "real" metal, but that little 110 machine gets much more use and is a lot more convenient.
rsanter
Well-known member
I have a miller211 dual voltage autoset
Best welder I have ever had, it will make you think you are good at welding.
Can’t beat dual voltage versatility
Best welder I have ever had, it will make you think you are good at welding.
Can’t beat dual voltage versatility
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Right now there is a rebate for the Lincoln MP210, makes it $999 for a 200 amp dual voltage multiprocess machine. They are very good industry proven machines.
I'm considering getting one for my portable toolbox. That's so cheap for what you get.
I'm considering getting one for my portable toolbox. That's so cheap for what you get.
If you're willing to step up to a Miller 211, you're in luck. There's a great deal going on right now.
https://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html
The rebate puts it at $999, plus a free auto darkening helmet and 2lb spool of flux wire. Plus free shipping and $50 off $150 worth of accessories.
I've had a 211 for a few years now. Just used it last week to replace the flex pipe on the wife's POS Camry. The machine is a joy to use and has done everything I've ever asked of it.
https://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html
The rebate puts it at $999, plus a free auto darkening helmet and 2lb spool of flux wire. Plus free shipping and $50 off $150 worth of accessories.
I've had a 211 for a few years now. Just used it last week to replace the flex pipe on the wife's POS Camry. The machine is a joy to use and has done everything I've ever asked of it.
Sheet metal?
A 120V machine is fine for that. GMAW with C25 gas and 0.023 solid wire and off you go.
3/16" steel?
The only way a 120V machine can (reliably) weld that thickness is with FCAW wire. Sometimes using FCAW is fine, sometimes it isn't.
A 'small' 240V machine or a dual voltage machine gives you more capabilities on the thicker end.
BTDT.
Started with a 120V Lincoln with 'tapped' voltage control (not continuously variable voltage control). Nice little machine used within its limits. GMAW it can do 16 or 14 gauge just fine, while using Lincoln NR211-MP 0.035 FCAW wire it can melt right through 1/8" steel. But thicker than that (GMAW and FCAW) and I felt that the machine didn't quite have enough heat/power to give me reliable welds. I had some stuff that was 1/4" thick and really couldn't reliably get 'good' welds with the 120V machine, even with FCAW and no way at all with GMAW.
Got a 240V Lincoln (SP175Plus) with continuously variable voltage control. Much more capability and output power than the 120V machine. Still not a 'monster' machine though, anything 'thick' and I usually use SMAW. But it can do 1/8" to 3/16" steel with GMAW pretty well. And 1/4" to 5/16" with FCAW no problem.
IMHO, unless you are doing only small sheet metal type stuff, once you start welding and find out just how darn useful and fun it is, most folks rapidly outgrow the limits of a 120V machine and then have to go and buy at least a 'small' 240V machine.
YMMV and all that.
Just saw (yesterday, in fact) that Lincoln is doing a factory rebate on their PM210 machine. The rebate brings the price down to $999 for the machine. Not cheap, but IMHO a decent price for a decent machine. Dual voltage (120 or 240), and the machine can run some limited DC SMAW or GTAW as well.
Buy once, cry once.
Or get the 120V machine, learn on it and outgrow its power output limits and then go and end up buying a 240V machine.
(still wanting to get a PM256 )
Remember that you will also need a cylinder of shielding C25 gas and a welding helmet and welding gloves.
And also 4-6 angle grinders. Yes, I put the chuckle in there, but you really do need some angle grinders. To use a flap wheel, and a wire wheel, and maybe a wire cup wheel, and maybe a 'hard' grinding wheel, and maybe a cut-off wheel. And changing wheels on the grinder back and forth during a project gets old real fast.
And you need a way to cut your project pieces to size and shape.
And some welding pliers (aka Whelpers). They're only about $10-$15, even for 'name' brands. But you really do want/need a pair. The Lincoln ones at Home Depot for ~$12 are decent. And cost the same or less than the no-name ones at Harbor Freight.
One of your first projects could/should be to make a welding workbench/table. Or at least go buy the HF folding welding table on sale for ~$60 (it's not bad at all, not great but not bad). Working on the ground *****.
A 120V machine is fine for that. GMAW with C25 gas and 0.023 solid wire and off you go.
3/16" steel?
The only way a 120V machine can (reliably) weld that thickness is with FCAW wire. Sometimes using FCAW is fine, sometimes it isn't.
A 'small' 240V machine or a dual voltage machine gives you more capabilities on the thicker end.
BTDT.
Started with a 120V Lincoln with 'tapped' voltage control (not continuously variable voltage control). Nice little machine used within its limits. GMAW it can do 16 or 14 gauge just fine, while using Lincoln NR211-MP 0.035 FCAW wire it can melt right through 1/8" steel. But thicker than that (GMAW and FCAW) and I felt that the machine didn't quite have enough heat/power to give me reliable welds. I had some stuff that was 1/4" thick and really couldn't reliably get 'good' welds with the 120V machine, even with FCAW and no way at all with GMAW.
Got a 240V Lincoln (SP175Plus) with continuously variable voltage control. Much more capability and output power than the 120V machine. Still not a 'monster' machine though, anything 'thick' and I usually use SMAW. But it can do 1/8" to 3/16" steel with GMAW pretty well. And 1/4" to 5/16" with FCAW no problem.
IMHO, unless you are doing only small sheet metal type stuff, once you start welding and find out just how darn useful and fun it is, most folks rapidly outgrow the limits of a 120V machine and then have to go and buy at least a 'small' 240V machine.
YMMV and all that.
Just saw (yesterday, in fact) that Lincoln is doing a factory rebate on their PM210 machine. The rebate brings the price down to $999 for the machine. Not cheap, but IMHO a decent price for a decent machine. Dual voltage (120 or 240), and the machine can run some limited DC SMAW or GTAW as well.
Buy once, cry once.
Or get the 120V machine, learn on it and outgrow its power output limits and then go and end up buying a 240V machine.
(still wanting to get a PM256
)Remember that you will also need a cylinder of shielding C25 gas and a welding helmet and welding gloves.
And also 4-6 angle grinders.
Yes, I put the chuckle in there, but you really do need some angle grinders. To use a flap wheel, and a wire wheel, and maybe a wire cup wheel, and maybe a 'hard' grinding wheel, and maybe a cut-off wheel. And changing wheels on the grinder back and forth during a project gets old real fast.And you need a way to cut your project pieces to size and shape.
And some welding pliers (aka Whelpers). They're only about $10-$15, even for 'name' brands. But you really do want/need a pair. The Lincoln ones at Home Depot for ~$12 are decent. And cost the same or less than the no-name ones at Harbor Freight.
One of your first projects could/should be to make a welding workbench/table. Or at least go buy the HF folding welding table on sale for ~$60 (it's not bad at all, not great but not bad). Working on the ground *****.
strutaeng
Well-known member
I agree with MoonRise. I bought a Hobart Ironman 210 about 10 years ago to learn welding. I figured I would not "outgrow" it. It has served me very well. About 5 years ago I wanted to learn stick welding and bought a Miller Thunderbolt AC. I still use it.
Some time latter I bought a Wards AC/DC stick machine that I fixed up and gave to my BIL, since he was wanting to learn.
Recently I borrowed another BILs little Lincoln Easy MIG 120V for some 13 Ga. fence posts. My welding leads weren't long enough. It worked very well. It's a bare bones machine, but good machine to get into game. My BIL just learned on it as built a steel picket fence and his welds don't look too bad.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-88-Amp-Mig-Flux-cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/999972168
Some time latter I bought a Wards AC/DC stick machine that I fixed up and gave to my BIL, since he was wanting to learn.
Recently I borrowed another BILs little Lincoln Easy MIG 120V for some 13 Ga. fence posts. My welding leads weren't long enough. It worked very well. It's a bare bones machine, but good machine to get into game. My BIL just learned on it as built a steel picket fence and his welds don't look too bad.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-88-Amp-Mig-Flux-cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/999972168
lbhsbz
Well-known member
There's a lot wrong with that POS.
Get a lincoln / Hobart / Miller.
I miss my SP135T...great machine. I sold it to upgrade to a 180 class machine and am constantly wishing I'd kept it for mobile jobs or jobs farther away from 220V than my cord is long.
I had a HF flux core deal years ago and remember it being a POS. I was working on repairing a wrought iron fence at the front of my house and couldn't get 220V within 50ft of the repair, so I went to HF and bought another flux core unit. It took me 3 hours to do what should have taken 2 minutes. What a horrible machine that was...almost unusable.
anndel
Well-known member
Hobart Handler 140
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
Mine only has a 20% duty cycle, so I just take my time. Can't run one long continuous bead, but that's okay. The 110V is super convenient.
Lincoln SP-135T
That’s what I have too. I like it.
WittHay
Well-known member
Thats a good plug for a Lincoln coming from a Miller guy. You have some nice blue welders in your shop.
The Lincoln MP210 is a very easy to adjust machine for a novice welder. Plugs into 110 for light stuff. Easy to change from mig to stick.
Use ours on a generator most of the time and have welded up to 1/2 with stick. Nice portable size at 40 lbs
I have the WeldPak 100. Used it a few times. It welds, but needs the heat turned all the way up, even on thin angle iron.
I wanted to weld thicker stuff on the backhoe, so I got the Migmax 215 and will sell the Lincoln.
IMO, I'd not spend big bucks on a 110v welder (unless you want to)
You can view endless Youtube videos, of people making adequate welds (and crappy ones), with inexpensive 110v welders.
Welding is about skill, more than equipment, IMO, at least for the basic stuff.
I wanted to weld thicker stuff on the backhoe, so I got the Migmax 215 and will sell the Lincoln.
IMO, I'd not spend big bucks on a 110v welder (unless you want to)
You can view endless Youtube videos, of people making adequate welds (and crappy ones), with inexpensive 110v welders.
Welding is about skill, more than equipment, IMO, at least for the basic stuff.
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Heck anymore than I weld. A harbor freight one my work. We’ve got a big welder at work. But was just wanting to be able to weld up sheet metal and small Home projects. I love tinkering with bodywork so a cheapy May be ok. Thanks for the replies guys