Garage mig welder

[charle10]

I'm looking to get a mig welder for the garage. I have no access to 220 at home, so I have mainly been looking into the 140 welders from the main 3 because its not in the budget to get a dual voltage unit. But I have a few questions before I make my decision.
1. Is the infinite voltage adjustment on the Lincoln and Miller useful, or is it just a gimmick to charge more for?
2. Are the plastic feed rollers an issue? I don't see many complaints about them breaking, or wearing out.
3. Which company has the best support should issues come up?

I'll be using it for sheet metal, and some fabricating If I need to do anything heavy I can haul it in to work. Any other comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I'd vote for Miller, I have a Millermatic 135 and have had 0 problems. I haven't used it a lot in the three years I've owned it but every time I have it has worked. Check out the welding boards for pros adn cons.

Rich

 

[sammm]

After a lot of research, I just bought a Hobart Handler 140. No complaints so far.

 

[t100]

I sold my MM130XP for $200 last year, so there are deals out there, just be patient.

you can't go wrong with either of Miller, Lincoln, Hobart and Esab.

 

[sberry]

The tap adjustments are actually easier to get a grasp on and easier to come back to same settings when changing metal thickness. Hobart and Miller have the best service in the industry, many companies could take lessons from them. The Hobart 140 is a very good sheet metal unit.
Plastic parts in any of these units are not an issue.

 

[crewchief888]

check around at local welding suppliers, and see what they sell.
nothing worse than buying something and finding out the closest place for parts or consumables is a 3 hr drive.

any of the above mentioned machines will serve you well.

i have a lincoln promig 140, over 4 years with no problems.

i think one of the biggest "issues" with any mig welder is the brand of wire you use. buy name brand wire.

 

[rsanter]

I have both miller and lincolin and both are great
I really like the newer millers and if I was buying a new
MIG I think I would be targeting them
I like the infinite adjustment as I think for someone who knows what they
are doing they can adjust for matal thickeness, welding upside down, welding upright,
welding different thickenns together...
they are also generally the more 'professional' welder so I might think they are made a little bertter

bob

 

[Ben Iv]

what brand has plastic drive rolls? I knew the little lincoln migs have plastic in them but my miller challenger 172 is all steel or cast aluminum.

 

[Traditional hotrodder]

Both Miller an Lincoln are quality units. Consider Hobart also as they are made by Miller. For home use and very light fabrication a 110v unit will be just fine. Check out cyberweld.com, I've found that local welding shops $$$ are very comparable to the $$$ online also.

 

[sberry]

Miller and Hobart are separate companies, owned by ITW, they do share a lot of components.

 

[DGC15]

I have a Hobart 140. It is great for light work. In the manual, they give the Hobart part # and then they give the Miller part #. Tractor supply also has the most common parts on the shelf.

 

[Professur]

Tractor Supply (I think it's them) frequently has refurbished Hobarts going for a steal. I like refurbs for one reason. Factory new units have passed QC on the assembly line. Refurbs have been given special, one on one attention from someone with access to the designers. they usually sell with the full factory warranty too. haven't heard anything that would make me look past one.

 

[R6 Racer]

what brand has plastic drive rolls? I knew the little lincoln migs have plastic in them but my miller challenger 172 is all steel or cast aluminum.

The drive rollers in my Lincoln are metal, definitely not plastic!

Steve