greenskeeper
Well-known member
Novice welder here, looking to purchase a good value MIG welder for around the house. I'd probably lean towards 110/220 switchable power for portability. Not looking to use gas but flux wire. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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good value MIG welder
- Thread starter greenskeeper
- Start date
sberry
Banned
Hobart 210 MVP.
Many guys have had good luck with a 120V welder but many like myself will say buy once, cry once and get a 240V welder.
It all comes down to what you're doing and budget.
It all comes down to what you're doing and budget.
bob15
Well-known member
I would also look at what brand your local welding supply house sells and invest in something they sell. They can supply you service and consumables as opposed to buying something super cheap on the 'net that you cannot get simple replacement items such as tips, nozzles or maybe even a liner.
120 vs 240ac machines....depends on what you plan on doing with it. If a lot of sheet metal, I would look closer at 120ac machines or if a lot thicker steel, a 220 machine would be better suited for you. this is where your local shop will also help you decide what is best for your situation.
120 vs 240ac machines....depends on what you plan on doing with it. If a lot of sheet metal, I would look closer at 120ac machines or if a lot thicker steel, a 220 machine would be better suited for you. this is where your local shop will also help you decide what is best for your situation.
sberry
Banned
If you are fabricating the 210 class is 2x the machine a 140 is. If you are fixing fenders with it not so much difference. There are a lot of 135-140 for sale used and some super deals that way. My cousin bought one has less than a pound of wire thru it, all the goodies, hood, 80 cf bottle for 150$ but he is lucky like that and patient, doesn't need it.
There is a reason the 180-210 are rather rare used,,, most people got them keep em a long time and keep them if they buy other machines.
There is a reason the 180-210 are rather rare used,,, most people got them keep em a long time and keep them if they buy other machines.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Hobart 140 here. Works great.
lmalcomb
Well-known member
THISHobart 210 MVP.
I have one, for the money this a great welder !
bobabuee
Well-known member
eastwood 135 120v or 175 mig is good machines and ability to grow you can do it all from flux core to gas 175 to even aluminum with spool gun that is included most times.
most people buy flux core welder then find out what limitations then have to sell it and buy gas welder do it once by more than you think you need and you will be happy in future. for $315 mig135 or $521.00 cant go wrong. 3yr warranty
https://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-welder-175-amp-with-spool-gun.html
most people buy flux core welder then find out what limitations then have to sell it and buy gas welder do it once by more than you think you need and you will be happy in future. for $315 mig135 or $521.00 cant go wrong. 3yr warranty
https://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-welder-175-amp-with-spool-gun.html
Last edited:
RumRiver5.0
Well-known member
Miller 211
sberry
Banned
The IM230 would be on my short list for a full size machine. It's simple, doesn't have many features but welds super well, holds a full size spool, is a lot cheaper than a blue one. The juice,, or spread is a little less with the 210/211. If I didn't care about MVP it would be a box store 180 Lincoln or Hobart 190.
Only reason I don't include the new imports is not familiar with all the models,,, so many now.
Only reason I don't include the new imports is not familiar with all the models,,, so many now.
MarineScott
Well-known member
Hobart 140 here. Works great.
I too, have the Hobart 140. I chose this welder because of the price,, availability, warranty and where it is made. For what I use it for is good for me.
I have a pre-inverter Miller 211. I had the Miller 135/140 110v machine prior to that and while it would do good work you just cannot compare its capability to the multi-voltage 211. Just starting out you will be happier with a 220v machine if you can swing it. Learning to weld we tend to focus on the puddle, but a lot of the confidence comes from knowing you backed up by a good machine and have confidence in it too.
sberry
Banned
Enough power makes it a lot easier, lets the machine do the work vs a fussy operator trying to get it to fuse. As the dr pointed out in another thread about auto set,,, its somewhat ok but he tunes it past that and its got to be a generalization. Lots of the charts seem to be tuned for vertical up and not really set to smokin hot which is where I set it most of the time.
SickSpeedMonte
Well-known member
I bought a Hobart Handler 190 7-8 years ago from Tractor Supply with a 10% off coupon for $570. I've put that little machine through at least 100 lb of wire, hit the thermal limiter more than once, and it's held up fantastic. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've wished I could run it outside of my garage. I could make an adapter to plug it into my generator if I really wanted to, but I would be limited on amperage (as you would with the 120 V plug). My only gripe about it is the discrete voltage selection. I wish it had a rheostat so you could tune it in better at the low voltages for bodywork. I hate welding with flux, but this welder can do both.
luke000
Active member
I recently upgraded my 120v machine to a 240v one. I was at Harbor Freight on a Sunday of their last parking lot sale and got an open box Vulcan Migmax 215 for around $250-300 or so. Well built machine for a good price.
sberry
Banned
You stole it if its all there and works.
OP
greenskeeper
Well-known member
Budget and what are you planning to weld with it would help...
under $1000
general around the house welding.
I have a JD gator that needs rust repairs so under 1/4”
welds.
Lowe’s has a Lincoln 120v 140amp mig for under $500...junk?
sberry
Banned
That is a good machine.
fiataccompli
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2017
- Messages
- 89
Looks like I’m in good company with my Hobart 140. I use gas and it’s really excellent for most of the body work I do (especially on old Fiats with rather thin metal). In my case, I find it tough at the thicker metal end of its intended spectrum (I also have circuit capacity issues with my current power source, so there’s that), so a recent mower deck repair ended up an exercise in frustration. At a past shop setup, I was able to use a 240v for a while & the ease plus versatility of metal thicknesses it could weld well, sold me on more power. So, once my garage is done and I’ve bought the lifts & other big tools, upgrading my welder is on the list (along with my compressor , which is 110 for the same reasons).
The comments above about what brands local shops can service or stock parts for is golden. I guess these days Amazon may change this (at least on the parts side). My first welder was a Craftsman made by Lincoln. When it finally was in need for service, I found out that no one in town will service a Lincoln, but Millers were golden. The Hobart (this is actually my 2nd one - 1st ended up I possession of a former shopmate) - is made by Miller.
Enjoy! Being able to weld will change your life!
The comments above about what brands local shops can service or stock parts for is golden. I guess these days Amazon may change this (at least on the parts side). My first welder was a Craftsman made by Lincoln. When it finally was in need for service, I found out that no one in town will service a Lincoln, but Millers were golden. The Hobart (this is actually my 2nd one - 1st ended up I possession of a former shopmate) - is made by Miller.
Enjoy! Being able to weld will change your life!
346ci
Banned
Lincoln pro mig 140 here, came from Lowes several years ago, got a gas bottle locally and it has been a good welder. Will lay down some nice beads if I do my part.
I'd like to get a 211 sized machine but really can't justify it now(yeah I know, lol).
I'd like to get a 211 sized machine but really can't justify it now(yeah I know, lol).
under $1000
general around the house welding.
I have a JD gator that needs rust repairs so under 1/4”
welds.
Lowe’s has a Lincoln 120v 140amp mig for under $500...junk?
I have the older Lincoln Sp135T from HD which is about the same class as that 140AMP discontinued, but still works fine... for anything 1/4 or thinner, mostly using it as flux core... if you weld body panels, probably needed to use mig .025 size wire , don't forget to factor in your gas bottle...
when I was thinking about buying another one... these three was considered... maybe if you can wait and catch them on rebate or promotional pricing...Lincoln had their promotion rebate last year, nothing this year, current miller doesn't have the 211.. but does have the multimatic 215... $200 I think.
Miller 212 or 252
Lincoln MP210
HF omni pro 220 ( this one is at your price range) excluding the gas bottle... lots of good reviews, few legit complains about its stick / tig functions... but nothing major... don't know how well it last.. but I did consider it...
If you asked the same question on another forum...in weldingweb, lots of them real welders also did liked the Thermal Arc Fabricator series machines...
as far as warranty and serving games.... might not be so critical for DiYers that probably won't have their machine services or dependents on it for bread and butter.... both of my Lincoln Sp135T or the Miller Dynasty 200DX are discontinued... means even if there are service centers, probably hard to grab parts for it... why because it's discontinued. And by the time you spend on the machine if you send it to service centers. it's about 1/2 price of new one... especially if it is a sub $1000 machine... but that is just my view... YMMV...
So ....
sberry
Banned
Don't hold your breath for a Hobart or Lincoln to break. They last a long time and a hobby guy can't wear out a liner and half a dozen tips. Can't wear the machine out if he tried. I got one 1000's hours and 30 to 50000 welds on it. Hundreds of pounds of wire, used every day multiple times for 10 years steady. I bought 10 new welders, one plasma **** the bed. One engine drive had a couple minor problems.
The little feeder has had a repair, replaced a switch, Linc.180 T but had 10000 hours on it by then, oiled the fan once, 1 liner. Broke 1 part, ordered 2 parts from the dealer over 8 or 9 machines. Can't recall ever using a warranty but once and that was a Miller, didn't call the dealer but the factory and the engineer pinched a part off the line, asked if I could install it and it was here in a day.
The little feeder has had a repair, replaced a switch, Linc.180 T but had 10000 hours on it by then, oiled the fan once, 1 liner. Broke 1 part, ordered 2 parts from the dealer over 8 or 9 machines. Can't recall ever using a warranty but once and that was a Miller, didn't call the dealer but the factory and the engineer pinched a part off the line, asked if I could install it and it was here in a day.
jtprettyman
Well-known member
Amateur welder here, but I started with a HF 120v flux core welder, and recently moved o to their Titanium 140 true mig (120v gas) welder when the last sale hit. Working on a car resto so lots of sheetmetal work necessitated the move to a real mig. I'm a CSOB and I like to tinker, so the old flux machine once modified was fine and I learned alot. Really, by the time I modified it to a true DC electrode negative machine I would have been close enough to the Titanium 140 price to make no difference (if it were offered back then).
sberry
Banned
It can do a lot of work. It's limited, the circuit is limited, a 200 is 2x as good. So much better for brackets and structural work, it's capable to 1/4. But a 140 does the work for lots of people. Any welder better than none.
c39er
Well-known member
Gas is the easier faster way for nice quality clean welds indoor...the only way IMO.
Buy good, Buy once....weld frustration free.
Buy good, Buy once....weld frustration free.
sberry
Banned
A 200 mig is not overkill for this crowd, it's a good tool value and certainly can be a one shot deal. Might be the only machine a guy needs. Considering a lot of other consumer purchases isn't that big a deal anymore, price is close to the same as 25 years ago on basic models and outlast a big tv by a long shot as well as have return.
hobart 230 iron man tractor supply $1499
Probably not a bad price and looking at their site, it shows on sale for $1399 right now. If you're part of their rewards, they send you 10% off coupons but not sure if you can use them on something already on sale.
anything under 200 amps not worth having. I got a miller 140,its a boat anchor
That Miller is a 120V machine and I'd say a there's a difference between a 120V 240V machine, even a smaller 240V.
Many guys have had good luck with a 120V welder but many like myself will say buy once, cry once and get a 240V welder.
It all comes down to what you're doing and budget.
I agree 100 % and as far as affordability the HF Titanium Welders can get it done.
OP
greenskeeper
Well-known member
Still can’t decide. I get the go larger and spend the money once theory.
sberry
Banned
How much power you want? Plan on doing any 1/4 steel work?
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Good idea !Novice welder here, looking to purchase a good value MIG welder for around the house. I'd probably lean towards 110/220 switchable power for portability.
Bad idea ! Some day you will want gas. Maybe not today, but tomorrow for sure.Not looking to use gas but flux wire. Any suggestions? Thanks.
zak77
Well-known member
I had a Hobart 140 then upgraded to the 210mvp. Very happy with both.
OP
greenskeeper
Well-known member
Leaning towards the Hobart 210 mvp for around $900 (w/o accessories)
rburke65
Well-known member
I own a 135? Lincoln, 120v, hobby with gas and it’s been a great welder. No complaints.