Another "Help me choose a welder" Thread

[383]

I've been reading all of the threads I can find on welders, and it has been educational. Here is a list of some of the things I've learned:

https://goo.io/nJwYmJ

1. Only buy a welder made by Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart.

2. Only buy a 220v welder.

3. Only buy a Miller 211, regardless of budget.

I'm a total welding newbie, my use will be building a few projects at home, not using it to make a living. I've been looking for months for a used welder with no luck. With a budget of around $500.00, I've narrowed it down to two choices, the Hobart 140, or the Eastwood 175. I can wire a 220 outlet in my shop, so that will not be a limiting factor. So I guess my question is this, which is more important, buying a brand name, or 220v? I know, save a little longer and get both. It's not that I can't afford it, but in my frugal mind with my limited usage, I can't justify it.

 

[rockinacummins]

My vote is for the Hobart!

 

[RedneckWelder]

Honestly if I was you I would save some more and get a Hobart 210MVP.

1. Only buy a welder made by Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart.

You can also add ESAB to that but the big three (or really two since Miller and Hobart are pretty closely tied together) are the most common here in the US so it makes most sense to go with them.

2. Only buy a 220v welder

Depends. If you are intending to do sheet metal and other thin material, then you can get by with 110. If you want to move on up in the world to thicker stuff, then 220v is what you need. Personally I find 110v too limiting.

It's not that I can't afford it, but in my frugal mind with my limited usage, I can't justify it.

Look, the purchase price will shortly be forgotten once you buy it and start using it. However, compromising on quality, or power, that, you will kick yourself for that. Then you will probably be saying "Well if I had only saved a little more..."

 

[great white tj]

I started out just like you. I went out and picked up a Lincoln 100 Weld Pack. Back around 1998. I used just flux core wire for years. then I pick up the Hobart 140 around 2004. I still have it and use it every week. It is a very good welder for 110. I have a MM211 and a MM252 , I use each one about every week. I do not make a living with welding. I use it to relax. With your budget of $500.00 get the Hobart and a tank of 75/25 gas start melting some metal and move on.. In time you will feel the need for more power, by that time there will be a lot of 220 units to look at... Miller is building a new MM211 to replace the 211 they have now. You could find a deal on a MM211 if you look but it would be a over your budget.That Hobart 140 will do what you ask of it up to 1/4" and I think you will be happy with it..

 

[great white tj]

There are a lot of members here on this site that have started out with the Hobart 140, and still use them to this day. And there are members who had a 140 and moved up to a 220 welder, people will tell you that you can not do much with a 110 welder...well may be so... You have budget..if that's all you have then that's all you have. My first home was not a 2 million dollar home, 8 BR with 10 Baths. I did not need it then.. **** I still don't..

 

[383]

Thanks for the replies, two votes for the Hobart 140.

I am going to need a few hundred $$ worth of accessories (tank, chop saw, mask, metal stock, etc). I'm sure the Hobart 210 MVP is an awesome machine, but as long as I've lived without a welder I'm not going to spend that much on what is basically an un-nessessary (don't tell Mrs. 383) toy. I'd rather spend the extra $400 on a couple more fishing rods, or Harley parts.

The projects I have in mind aren't really heavy, mostly less than 1/4" (converting my garden tractor dump cart to hydraulic dump, numerous repairs to my sons go-cart, and of course a welding table) would be possible with the 140, just a little concerned about the duty cycle vs. the 175.

If I ever needed to upgrade, I'm sure the Hobart would have better resale value also. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[silverdot1211]

Not sure if this matters but the Hobart's and Miller's are in in the USA typically the smaller Lincoln's are made in Mexico

 

[pault28]

Another happy HH140 owner here. Can't say anything bad about it. It's very capable and with proper beveling, and multiple passes it can do up to 1/4" which is more than I ever need. I hardly weld stuff thicker than 1/8 or 3/16 anyway. I love my Hobart 140.

 

[Ign]

Of the OP's two original choices, I'd vote HH140 over the Eastwood 175.

 

[morgaj1]

I would strongly recommend staying with one of the big 3 (would also add Esab and Thermal Arc/Tweco to that list). I have had good luck watching pawn shops. I also bought a refurbished Hobart 187 years ago and it was great. Here is a really good deal for you on a HH190:

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-190-mig-wire-welder/

 

[383]

I would strongly recommend staying with one of the big 3 (would also add Esab and Thermal Arc/Tweco to that list). I have had good luck watching pawn shops. I also bought a refurbished Hobart 187 years ago and it was great. Here is a really good deal for you on a HH190:

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-190-mig-wire-welder/

I hadn't thought about refurbished, that is a good deal. They are currently out of stock, but I will be notified when they are back in stock.

 

[Aeroman]

If you plan on holding on to this for years, save more and get a 220V Millermatic!!!! I took a couple of semesters of welding and it paid off.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

 

[Ign]

If you plan on holding on to this for years, save more and get a 220V Millermatic!!!! I took a couple of semesters of welding and it paid off.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

There's no reason a Hobart won't last just as long as a Miller. My Ironman 210 has been my primary wire feed since '03 and still no problems.

 

[Aeroman]

I've never used Hobart, just Miller and enjoy the tool.

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[383]

If you plan on holding on to this for years, save more and get a 220V Millermatic!!!! I took a couple of semesters of welding and it paid off.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

I realize that if I spend more, I'll get a better welder. But at this point I think I can get what will work for me with-in my $500 budget. I just need help deciding if brand name or voltage is more important. With the refurbished Hobart 190, maybe I can get both.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Aeroman]

Got it. I paid $500 for my used Millermatic 220V back in 2005. I'd focus on the voltage more, 220V so you can work on everything from thick plate to thin sheet metal. Just my.02

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[darwyn]

I hadn't thought about refurbished, that is a good deal. They are currently out of stock, but I will be notified when they are back in stock.

I bought my 210 refurbed, but I got it off from Amazon directly from Hobart. I would keep on eye on there, I watched Hobart's website for a while and they never came up.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've never used Hobart, just Miller and enjoy the tool.

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Hobart is essentially the economy brand of Miller. Same great quality, just a few less features in most cases.

Like the Hobart 210MVP and the Miller 211 are pretty similar machines, except the Hobart uses tapped voltage output and the 211 has an infinitely variable dial.

 

[Aeroman]

Hobart is essentially the economy brand of Miller. Same great quality, just a few less features in most cases.

Like the Hobart 210MVP and the Miller 211 are pretty similar machines, except the Hobart uses tapped voltage output and the 211 has an infinitely variable dial.

Excellent, thanks for the info

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[morgaj1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-Hobart-...819?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4f090cd3

Might get lucky with a best offer.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd save the money for a hobart 210 or Miller 211. This will get you rolling with 110. Once you wire up 220, it will be like getting a new welder with switching it to 220. 110 is fine for lighter stuff, but sooner or later you will want to tackle something a little heavier where having the umff of 220 will be nice.

 

[383]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-Hobart-...819?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4f090cd3

Might get lucky with a best offer.

Thanks, I made an offer.

 

[383]

I'd save the money for a hobart 210 or Miller 211. This will get you rolling with 110. Once you wire up 220, it will be like getting a new welder with switching it to 220. 110 is fine for lighter stuff, but sooner or later you will want to tackle something a little heavier where having the umff of 220 will be nice.

That is the above mentioned rule number 3, which is not an option. I appreciate what you are saying, I'm sure I would be more than happy with either of those, but I can't justify that kind of $$ for an unnecessary tool (toy). 220 isn't an issue, wiring another outlet isn't a problem. I'm trying to stay around $500 with the welder, whether it's new, used, or refurbished, or off brand. My question was which is more important, name brand 110, or off brand 220.

 

[trackwelder]

Budgets are meant to be broken, buy a 220 class machine and be done with it.
Brown bag your lunch, make your own coffee, and you can increase your budget in a month.

 

[383]

Budgets are meant to be broken, buy a 220 class machine and be done with it.
Brown bag your lunch, make your own coffee, and you can increase your budget in a month.

You are speaking my language, I already do those with the exception of Mcdonalds dollar menu once in a while...lol. I'm a tightwad, remember? So am I better off with an Eastwood 220, or a big three 110?

 

[383]

No offense, but I feel like those of you with "welder" in you user name are over qualified to answer my question...lol. I'm a rookie, newbie, hobbyist, looking for another toy, not something to make a living with. Seriously, thanks to all of you for your opinions, they do help with my decision.

 

[Tuscani2718]

As someone with little to no welding experience I was in the same boat as many on here. My current residence is rented with no 220 (looking to buy a house as we speak). I decided to break my set budget and went with a 211. With the rebates and free spool gun offer it was hard to resist. I highly doubt I will ever need more than it will do. My view is buy more than you need and worst case you grow into it. I rather spend more and just do it once than do it again. Just my two cent, but hoped it helped.

 

[trackwelder]

No offense, but I feel like those of you with "welder" in you user name are over qualified to answer my question...lol. I'm a rookie, newbie, hobbyist, looking for another toy, not something to make a living with. Seriously, thanks to all of you for your opinions, they do help with my decision.

If we where going to do that it would cost a lot more
Search around craigslist for 110 only welders and see how many you find.

Then look around for 110/220 or just 220 units and see how many you find. Won't be many, know why because their owners are happy with them.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[Tweeker]

You should consider listening to those with the most experience,not just amateurs that say "get the little one, its good nuff".

Millermatic 211 gets my vote.

 

[royesses]

If my budget were $500, and I were not welding for a living I would get the Eastwood 175.
I've had times when my budget was too low for the best and no way to improve it so I purchased what I could afford. The Eastwood units have many happy customers using them. I am retired now but welded for a living for many years along with being a mechanic. I am a hobbyist now and don't need the best. Just my 02.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

OP - are you necessarily stuck on a mig welder? Have you considered a stick machine?

You can pick up a 220v tombstone AC ubuzz box for ~$100 on Craigslist, or even still within your budget if you want new.

Don't need a cover gas and can buy plenty of different electrodes (especially if you get a DC machine) for reasonable costs.

Lots of America has been built with these machines, and I think it's hard to go wrong. If you buy a used machine and decide you want a different one in a few years, you'll have no problem selling it for what you bought it for.


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[sberry]

I heard the Eastwood works. Its going to have a lot more punch than a 140 but the 190 is a very good machine.

 

[RedneckWelder]

an Eastwood 220

My issue with the Chinese imports is that there is virtually no parts or service availability beyond the warranty (which is typically a swap-out).

Generally the machines, especially the transformer machines, produced by the domestic brands are very reliable and there is parts availability.

Personally my rule with something that is an investment like a welder is to buy known quality rather than gamble trying to save a buck. Last thing you want is a paperweight that cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Can't add too much to this except: I'm not a professional welder. I have a Miller 220 stick welder, and old thunderbolt. A while back, I bought a small, 110 FCAW only machine, as it was the floor model, and got a good deal. I'm almost constantly grabbing the stick welder. Even as a hobbyist, you WILL find good reason to need a 220 machine. As for the original question, I would think a 220 off brand machine would be fine for a hobbyist... my .02.

 

[Mccool]

Lots of good advice here.

Being a rookie, you'll benefit from a good welder more than a professional. I would at least extend the budget to get a hobart 190.

 

[traumadoc2b]

I too have been considering a new wire feed mig for a while. I originally learned on a Lincoln tombstone, and have a newer version that I picked up on Craigslist now. I've never worked with aluminum or smaller steel, but want to. Never used shielding gas, but want to. I have used a cheaper Lincoln buzz box w/ wire feed to do some projects.

I came across a couple of offers for a new Millermatic 211 on CyberWeld. They seem to be about the cheapest, plus Miller is running a promotion for a free spool gun and $400 rebate if you buy an extra $400 worth of Miller accessories.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html

How great of a deal is that? Really good, great, OK... Also, what accessories would you suggest I spend the $400 on?

 

[383]

I would strongly recommend staying with one of the big 3 (would also add Esab and Thermal Arc/Tweco to that list). I have had good luck watching pawn shops. I also bought a refurbished Hobart 187 years ago and it was great. Here is a really good deal for you on a HH190:

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-190-mig-wire-welder/

I just ordered a welder. Thanks to morgaj1, I was able to go with 220v and brand name, without blowing the budget totally out of the water with the re-manufactured HH 190.

Thanks to everyone that replied, every opinion helps when making a decision.

 

[383]

The HH190 came yesterday, I was able to fix the front spindle on my sons gocart this evening. I have a few projects in mind, the first might be a welding table.