ilovevocs
Well-known member
I don't have a compressor either
But seriously tho, no question more is better and that's the case with most tools. My general approach to life is that anything worth doing is worth over-doing.
But in this case my planned spend went from $250 (Eastwood) to $450 (Hobart) to Miller 141 ($675). The $675 was the top. Could I get more features for more money? Yep, but it's more than I want to spend.
I'm also mitigating my risk. At $450 for a Hobart (actually picking up a gently used one for $375) my risk is really low if I decide it's not for me. As the purchase price goes up the risk of loss does as well.
But I digress. Baring something unforeseen I'll be picking up a 2 month old Hobart on Saturday and go from there. Sounds like it will do the trick for my needs. It also keeps domestic peace rather than the $1000 option.
Personally I've owned small machines and they always disappoint. I understand where your coming from with the budget.
It isn't about features as it is capacity. Not trying to argue over semantics but i hope you can appreciate where I'm coming from when I say this. Isn't isn't about driving a corvette in lie of a a beater. It's about capacity to a great extent.
Maybe it's time to take a mig class at local community college and log some time on s descent machine, learn the trade, then buy the tools. Fact is here all the answers are right answers. This is subject as hell.
Personally theirs nothing worse for me then welding with an underpowered machine. Heck I have import machine tools that are cheap, I couldn't afford better. They get the job done for now but I'm constantly wanting more. We all have to start some where and instructional classes are the best place to start IMHO.
Also if you don't have air, do you have cutting tools? A welder is a small piece of the puzzle from my perspective.
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