Buying a welder...

[Bretny]

I have been happy with my hobart 210, pre MVP version. Replaced a gun liner a few times and consumables. Im prob in the 100lbs of wire through it by now. I do stay within the duty cycle. Thats the major downfall with cheaper welders.

 

[metlmunchr]

For anyone who doesn't need the portability or the autoset or dual voltage capabilities of the $1000+ Miller carry around welders, the Hobart Ironman 230 is probably the best overall buy of anything offered by the major brands.

The Ironman is about $1385 from several sources. Its a 250 amp machine with a duty cycle of 60% at 175 amps. It has a 15 ft gun rated at 200 amps 100% duty cycle. In comparison, the higher end 210 multi voltage machines have duty cycles of 40% @ 140 amps and 10 ft guns with 100 to 120 amp ratings.

I paid right at $1200 for a 250 amp Miller transformer type wire machine 40 years ago. The Ironman is essentially the same machine, and for less than $1400 today, its a lot of machine suitable for some serious welding on heavier materials while maintaining the capability of dialing down to weld light sheetmetal.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for all the responses, I am pretty sure I am going to buy a Hobart, Lincoln or Miller in either 190 or 210 or 220. You guys are great and give good real world advice without being a$$ holes like other sites. Thanks again and I will keep you updated on my purchase.

That's because the majority of the guys (and girls) will be happy for you when you buy a new tool or get a larger garage.

I think and most will agree, you're on the right track to what you're leaning towards.

Keep watching out for the BF deals that will be going on. I bought a left over TSC package. Hobart 175, cart and auto-helmet for $500 or 600. It was originally listed at $650.

I thought the wife would kill me and that was 15 years ago. The welder is still serving me well and she knows it was a good investment.

This is exactly why the guys here will say, buy once, cry once when it comes to a welder. Most of us have been there and spent it.

 

[Bretny]

A welder is also one of those tools that if you buy a good quality one it can last a non pro decades. Extra capacity to weld thicker things is never a bad thing and you will be useing less duty cycle.

 

[nadogail]

My welder is a Hobart, IMHO, they are the best bang for the buck.

 

[DGersic]

It's been a few years since I was in the MIG market, but do they even make MIGs that can't run gas?

There are some cheap ones that are flux core only.



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[Kilroy]

If you have to have a new one, get a Miller 140... I love my 135 and have figured out how to make it punch up in class when needed...
A good tool makes learning easier. Welders are no exception...

But I'd be looking in Craigslist for a deal on a good used one if it was me. The reds and blues pretty much last forever and you could end up with something multi-process that you could grow into.

Also, like with any tool, once you start using it how you thought you would, you start realizing all the other stuff you could do with it "if it was just a little bigger/more powerful."

So by all means, buy a 140 from miller or lincoln if that's what you have to do. But it's always a good idea to get a more powerful unit than you think you'll use... WITHIN REASON... Like I don't think you need a welder the size of a Smart car just for your home shop... But if you could get into a 240v welder and not completely blow your budget, you'll probably be happier in the long run. And as soon as you start welding sheet metal with MIG, you're going to start wondering about TIG, so multi-process might be a good long term option even if you don't think you'll use it today.