Good beginner's welder

[laskt9]

My grandfather recently passed away and not only did he leave me all of his tools in his wood working shop he also left me money for a welder.

I don't have 220 in my garage do I'd like a recommendation for a good welder I can use on a normal house circuit. I'm going to use it mainly for working on cars, specifically welding together parts of my truck like my shock hoops steering brackets etc

 

[frednoah]

Re: Good beginners welder

Depends on how much you want to spend. All the major players have an entry level machine that will run on 110.

I personally went with an Eastwood 135 and like it so far. I don't do a ton of welding, so I couldn't justify the cost of a big name machine. I like that it takes common consumables, and other than the bottle of gas came ready to weld out of the box.

 

[laskt9]

Re: Good beginners welder

Money isn't really an issue. I'd like to get a Hobart since that's what I've used before but I'm up for using any brand

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Re: Good beginners welder

Money isn't really an issue. I'd like to get a Hobart since that's what I've used before but I'm up for using any brand

If money is not an issue I would get a Lincoln or a Miller....

 

[metaleltr]

Re: Good beginners welder

Miller is pretty close to top of the line. I would say get the biggest mig you can afford that has their MVP-Multi voltage plug. this allows the same machine to operate on 120 and 240.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

or if you want tig capability

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00361#load-panel-specifications

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Re: Good beginners welder

A 110v welder will really struggle to get good penetration on anything more that 3/16 in steel.

I've had good results welding .120 wall(1/8 thick) DOM tubing with a 110v welder. I'm a little weary of going past that on something thicker especially steering or suspension components

A place where a 110 v(mig) welder really shines is in sheet metal work.

 

[1967lemans]

Re: Good beginners welder

Miller is pretty close to top of the line. I would say get the biggest mig you can afford that has their MVP-Multi voltage plug. this allows the same machine to operate on 120 and 240.

What he said. I have a little lincoln 140. It works great. I mainly use it for autobody. One thing if you get a little 120 welder, you may find that you will outgrow it. I love my lincoln, but sometimes I wish it had a little bit more umph. 3/16ths is about all I will do with it. (But I have a stick welder also so no worries about thicker stuff.) If it ever dies, gets stolen, etc, I plan on replacing it with a machine equiped with a multi voltage plug. Or maybe something like this
http://www.thermadyne.com/thermalarc/products/prodList.html?brand=TAI&W2Code=TAI210000&W3Code=TAI314000&W4Code=TAI414100&W5Code=&W6Code=
Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, Esab, Thermal Arc. are all great brands.
Have some friends that have a campbell hausfeld mig and they are happy with them. Another has an Eastwood unit and is happy with that also

 

[91bronc300]

Re: Good beginners welder

If you offroad, or maybe plan on welding stuff out in the boonies you might consider a Hobart trek 180. Definitely spendy but very nice if the pluglessness would be a real asset to you. I've got one. Otherwise, if money is not important in the cost of your welder then use SOME of that money to run 240 out to your garage and the rest to get a 240 volt welder. You'll be glad you did.

 

[KenS]

Re: Good beginners welder

Hobart Handler 190

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Re: Good beginners welder

I have a little bit of a different school of thought when it comes with purchasing a 1st welding machine. Going by what you said regarding using it for some auto repairs/mods I say go with any of the big three (Hobart/Lincoln/Miller). I own (just talkin' mig units)a Lincoln SP170T, SP 100 and a Millermatic 140. I am REALLY looking for a Millermatic 200 for the heavy stuff, and I'd sell the SP170T and Millermatic 140. Most guys would say I'm crazy for selling the Miller over the Lincoln, but I can weld on body panels WAY better using the SP100. I think it's a combination of me being extremely used to the Lincoln(owned it for 18 years) and the fact that I don't really care for the autoset feature on the Miller machines. To me, it was Miller's way to compete with Lincoln's huge success in the hobbiest sector of small welders. Again, that's just me.

My reason for keeping a larger 220v unit to do 3/16th and up as well as a smaller 110v unit is it ***** if you have to constantly change drive rollers/wire and usually liners if you have to go from .035 gauge wire and .023 gauge. A smaller 110v unit does have its place in the garage. Don't let anyone tell you different.

The Hobart is a decent choice, but the one downfall is the Tap settings on the Arc volts over the infinite settings the higher end 110v Miller's and Lincoln's have. Basically, the dials on aTap unit "clicks" to a number (1-10) or letter(A,B,C,D,E etc.). A unit with an infinite dial moves freely from one side of the settings to the other. It gives you those "inbetween/fine touch settings" you can't get with a Tap unit. This is especially true when welding uphill.

Finally, whatever unit you choose, MAKE SURE you can run shielding gas with it!! I cannot stress this enough. Flux core wire has its place especially for welding outdoors, but it's no friend of a bodyman. Splatter, splatter, splatter.......you'll spend more time grinding that off than you will knocking the weld bead down.

 

[91bronc300]

Re: Good beginners welder

Toomanytoyzz: It's funny you would say you like your Lincoln over the Miller. One of the newer guys at my work used to be a pipefitter and he said Lincolns seems to be a lot more preferred in the pipefitter trade over Millers. Although he also said structural steel guys seems to prefer Millers of Lincolns. I wasn't exactly following WHY he said he preferred Lincolns for pipefitting. Something about less finagling to do with the welder when you were switching between various diameters of pipe.

*thread hijack over*

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Re: Good beginners welder

What he said. I have a little lincoln 140. It works great. I mainly use it for autobody. One thing if you get a little 120 welder, you may find that you will outgrow it. I love my lincoln, but sometimes I wish it had a little bit more umph. 3/16ths is about all I will do with it. (But I have a stick welder also so no worries about thicker stuff.) If it ever dies, gets stolen, etc, I plan on replacing it with a machine equiped with a multi voltage plug. Or maybe something like this
http://www.thermadyne.com/thermalarc/products/prodList.html?brand=TAI&W2Code=TAI210000&W3Code=TAI314000&W4Code=TAI414100&W5Code=&W6Code=
Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, Esab, Thermal Arc. are all great brands.
Have some friends that have a campbell hausfeld mig and they are happy with them. Another has an Eastwood unit and is happy with that also

I'm sure you do your share of bodywork going by your Avatar. I've owned a few Scouts in the past. They certainly are prone to "the cancer".

I'm not much better. Her's a couple pics of where I'm at with my rusty build (1974 Ford Bronco).

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Good beginners welder

I started with a HF buzz box then moved to a Miller 180. The 110 unit was perfect to learn with but the duty factor was extremely annoying when welding anything thicker than an 1/8". I have never had my 180 shut down on me. It's not 100% duty cycle, but I don't know what it takes to over heat it. I rarely weld anything thicker than 3/16" though.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Re: Good beginners welder

Depends on how much you want to spend. All the major players have an entry level machine that will run on 110.

I personally went with an Eastwood 135 and like it so far. I don't do a ton of welding, so I couldn't justify the cost of a big name machine. I like that it takes common consumables, and other than the bottle of gas came ready to weld out of the box.

The Eastwood 135 and the Northern 135 are made by the same company. Made by Hugong in china. I have the 135 for a 110v unit and it has worked flawless for almost 3 years. I have also a friend that has the NT 135 as well and has had no problems. I will say, if money is not an issue the Lincoln Power Mig 140c or the comparable miller would be the way to go on a 110v machine.

 

[Blackie94Gt]

Re: Good beginners welder

Toomanytoyzz: It's funny you would say you like your Lincoln over the Miller. One of the newer guys at my work used to be a pipefitter and he said Lincolns seems to be a lot more preferred in the pipefitter trade over Millers. Although he also said structural steel guys seems to prefer Millers of Lincolns. I wasn't exactly following WHY he said he preferred Lincolns for pipefitting. Something about less finagling to do with the welder when you were switching between various diameters of pipe.

*thread hijack over*

That's true! I work for a heavy mechanical & steel fabrication company and the pipe welders like Lincoln and the ironworkers like Miller.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Re: Good beginners welder

Toomanytoyzz: It's funny you would say you like your Lincoln over the Miller. One of the newer guys at my work used to be a pipefitter and he said Lincolns seems to be a lot more preferred in the pipefitter trade over Millers. Although he also said structural steel guys seems to prefer Millers of Lincolns. I wasn't exactly following WHY he said he preferred Lincolns for pipefitting. Something about less finagling to do with the welder when you were switching between various diameters of pipe.

*thread hijack over*

*thread hijack still going strong on my end*

If he was pipefitting, he was probably mainly stick welding. I have an old tombstone stick unit which I haven't used in quite a few years, but the bigger stick machines which run via gas motors are a completely different animal. Those machines are WAY out of my league to critique the strengths and weaknesses from one brand over the other.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

+1 on the Eastwood......mine has worked flawlessly. That said, one day I'll sell that, recover some cash, and treat myself to one of them Miller dual voltage rigs.

 

[SiGmA_X]

If money isn't a consideration, my vote is a Millermatic 211. It does both 120 and 240 and is pretty small, but not so light! Next up would be a Millermatic 135/140 which is 120v only.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

$1264 out the door at my LWS with a 150cf bottle (purchased) and a 11lb spool of wire.

 

[ncfh]

I assume Grandpa's intention was for you to learn to weld.

Anybody can MIG weld, essentially it's point and shoot.

Why not get a machine that you can learn MIG, TIG, and stick on?

Thermal Arc has two multiprocess machines that do just that, all three in one. I believe they are also variable voltage, 110/220. Very nice inverter based machines.

TA is a good company, just as good as the red and blue machines.

I'm pretty set about getting one for my sister's family. I can teach them multiple processes, it's doesn't take up much floor space, and support and parts should be available for a long time.

 

[BWS]

See if there's a "real" welding shop/supplier in your area......you're probably gonna end up there at some point anyway(gas,consumables,gear,ect.).Try to go middle of the week,do a quick intro and see if they want your business?

I'd tell them what you have in mind as to materials and processes.......see what they recomend.Also,see if they have a "road salesman"....he'd be the guy who goes to jobsites and shops.Get his phone number and give him a call.See if he has any "demo" machines that he'll cut you a deal on.And he's the right guy to know when folks are upgrading machines......WRT used equip.

I'm really not the type to recomend,"go big,or go home"...as theres usually the "right sized" machine for most applications,BUT........in welding equip the potential for getting too small a machine really is a $$ problem.This is where a good pro-shop will actually save you money in the long haul.

Also,seek out some instructional help.You really should be runnin about a 50/50 balance on self-learning and actual bonafied instruction.A seasoned pro can show you more chit in an hour than you'd learn in 10 years on your own...just sayin.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Good beginners welder

Finally, whatever unit you choose, MAKE SURE you can run shielding gas with it!! I cannot stress this enough. Flux core wire has its place especially for welding outdoors, but it's no friend of a bodyman. Splatter, splatter, splatter.......you'll spend more time grinding that off than you will knocking the weld bead down.

This is the single best advice !

 

[laskt9]

WOW! thanks for all the help guys! after reading this stuff and talking to people at work i think im going to go to our local welding shop but im also going to look into a miller with mvp and thermal arc. id never heard of them being able to do all three.

ive taken some basic classes in high school and the rest ive learned working at an exhaust shop/fabbing my own offroad trucks.

also if things go as planned i may be moving into a new home with a barn which ill be turning into a garage that has 220 in it. that may help with options but i think id still like the option to run on different voltages

 

[LumpyMusic]

I'm a grunt level beginner welder. Bought a 120v MIG from Northern Tool and started welding together every piece of scrap metal I could find.

One thing I found, sort of suprised, is that my local welding supply place had better prices on accessories and goodies than even HF. MIG wire, pliers, gas tanks etc. They even have a much sturdier looking MIG cart than HF for only 10 dollars more.

Example - HF sells a 20 CF tank for 80 bucks. Local weld place sells one for 40. They also gave me full retail value on the 20s I owned to upgrade to a 60 tank.

Plus I get to look at all the monster welders and mondo huge clamps and so forth whenever I go there. Trying to think of a reason to need a 20" adjustable C clamp for $150...


Lumpy

You were on CHiPs? Did you wear those ****
tight pants and high boots like Erik Estrada?
No. Swimtrunks.
www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I'd vote for the dual voltage input machines too. Someone up there mentioned the Miller 211. A very good alternative is the Hobart 210mpv. Same specs as the 211 but the only difference is the HH is tapped voltage, the Miller is infinite. The Hobart is a $2-300 less. I think for those that have used both, they do see a little difference in the arc. In that case it'd be a personal preference.

I know it is really tempting to get a small 110v because of the price, but fight that temptation. Put that small money with some more you can get together and look for something bigger. I think the bigger 110s are the 140 type machines. The entry 220s are 175/180 machines.

Buy as big as you can. It will matter!

 

[1967lemans]

I assume Grandpa's intention was for you to learn to weld.

Anybody can MIG weld, essentially it's point and shoot.

Why not get a machine that you can learn MIG, TIG, and stick on?

Thermal Arc has two multiprocess machines that do just that, all three in one. I believe they are also variable voltage, 110/220. Very nice inverter based machines.

TA is a good company, just as good as the red and blue machines.

I'm pretty set about getting one for my sister's family. I can teach them multiple processes, it's doesn't take up much floor space, and support and parts should be available for a long time.

Yeah the Fabricator 181. Price is decent too $800-900. The Fabricator 211 is the new one that came out recently that is 110/220.

I've welded a couple of times with Thermal Arcs and liked them very well.


http://www.thermadyne.com/thermalarc/component/option,com_doclib/task,/id,/Itemid,237/categoryID,4/

 

[BD1]

No doubt go with a 220 volt or the MVP. The Miller 211 seems to be the hot setup. Lincoln is ok and Hobart goes down a notch in my opinion. You don't
find Millers at big box stores. Everybody has Hobarts. It doesn't cost more to go first class. Fielders choice. Pick a color.
Here's the new miller multi purpose 200
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/multiprocess/product.php?model=M00361