Beginner welder

[young_buck]

I have been considering a welder for a while now and have decided to bite the bullet and buy one. I considered buying a low quality, low dollar welder but realize that if it is going to be used, I should invest a bit more. I am looking at a Lincoln Electric MIG Pak 180 welder at Canadian Tire for around $825 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...ic+MIG+Pak+180+Wire+Feed+Welder.jsp?locale=en) but am open to other suggestions as well, I do not want to pay over $1000 but I want a good welder to use for occasional use in the garage.

 

[03protege]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004USV5UC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I prefer the USA Millers (Hobart) over the Mexican Lincolns but they both have proven to be good units. For your price range I would go with the Hobart it use to be about $100 cheaper but it appears they are now including the Spool gun with it. The advantage to the Hobart is that it will work on 120v and 230v power sources, it is also more powerful.

I wouldn't buy anything till you talk to your local (or not so local) welding supply shop. Many of them will dip well below the MSRP in order to make a sale.

 

[kevin47]

A word of advise...Don't jump off the deep end and go and buy a NEW welder...There are plenty of great used one's out there for a "song and a dance"...I know I've bought a 'slew" of them...A 1000 bucks will usually get you some great stuff...Remember to save some money for 'consumables"...A Mig Welder is a good place to start...Do you have any experience yet...? I suggest you get an oxy-ace set-up to get started...It's great practice and handy to have around, too. Good luck w/the search for a good/cheap welder. Kevin

 

[SeattleKent]

I considered buying a low quality, low dollar welder but realize that if it is going to be used, I should invest a bit more.

Good choice. I started with a Miller 130XP from Craigslist to learn welding. Did fine on small practice stuff but when I worked up to larger projects it was not strong enough. Santa brought me an upgrade - a Miller 211. Great machine.

Anything from Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart at 180 or above will be really good. Check out WeldingWeb.com for a welding specific forum with lots of "which machine" threads.