Growing shop, looking for some welder input.

[countrybumpkin]

Hi, pretty new to welding. I have a HC 110v flux/mig welder that I have been using for the last year or so on random projects and I am ready to move on to something heftier. I'm starting to get into some structural auto fabrication and would like to get something 220/40v.

I like having the flexibility of a multi process but I will be keeping the HC for small jobs. If it can do plasma then all the better. I doubt I will find that for my price point though.

Small shop, 2x car, lathe/mill etc. 220/240 already wired up for lift and stationary tools. Will be doing jobs including but not limited to; auto framing, motor mounts, gantry frame, etc etc.

I'd like to keep the budget under $800 used or $1100 new. I'm looking for something with big power with a small footprint.

I was looking at some of the esabs but the one we have at work never gets touched. I haven't had the time to try it myself but everyone else seems to gravitate towards the miller instead.


Any input or suggestions? What do ypu use?

 

[ducksface]

There is nothing wrong with an Everlast.
A 256? Does stick tig and plasma.
If you're REALLY going to do fabrication on the fly you'll hate an all in one. Swapping out for a 12 inch plasma cut and swapping back to weld it pretty much really *****.
If you do production, cut all, weld all.


There is one of those perpetual Craigslist ads for a 800 dollar used one in my area.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Thanks for the input. I will look into those.

Good point, maybe I should look into dedicated seperate units.

The only concern I have there is space.

I could probably mount a plasma cutter in the ceiling above the fab space to save some floor space.

 

[MoonRise]

In your listed budget, new, Lincoln 210MP with factory (Lincoln ) rebate is now $999.

Does wire (GMAW and FCAW) and DC GTAW (TIG torch not included in the $999 price) and SMAW (aka stick).

Can run on 240v input, or 120v at reduced output power levels.

https://www.lincolnelectric.com

Plasma cutter? Hypertherm. :

Space? As mentioned, put the two machines on one cart.

Check out the youtube channel of weld.com, he/they have a lot of posted vids. Recent ones seem to be using an ESAB multi-process machine roughly similar to the Lincoln 210MP.

 

[sberry]

A 200 a wire feed will be the workhorse. The linc at that price is a real deal and makes for a stick machine too. Dvi is good for field work.

 

[BD1]

Miller has a current rebate also.

 

[matt_i]

I'd see if you can find an older Sync 250 with water cooler. The tig welding will go really well with any kind of machined details you are making. Then you have stick capability for anything heavy duty or "high confidence".

I am not sure that's possible with your budget currently, but I'd keep saving.

I got my Sync 250 for 1100-1200 in a plant closing auction, granted it was 2008 but the machine was also less than 1 year old.

 

[weldstuff]

Millermatic 200], mig, for fast production welding, Miller Dialarc 250, Tig for more delicate work. Those 2 machines will take 5ft sq floor space, and can be bought for approx $1000 for both used, That will take care of all your welding,

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought a miller 211 that works on 110 or 220 last year and it works great. Best welds I've ever been able to make. It has a small footprint and weighs something like 40 lbs.

 

[brownbagg]

hobart 235, $1500, cyberweld will be $1500 delivered, tractor supply add tax

 

[sberry]

If I was in the matrket for a full size utility machine the 235 would be on my shortlist. Only 500 more than a 210 and a grand less than a 252. More poop than a 212.

 

[countrybumpkin]

If I was in the matrket for a full size utility machine the 235 would be on my shortlist. Only 500 more than a 210 and a grand less than a 252. More poop than a 212.

More poop?

I was not equating the total poopage into my welder rankings.

Definitely something to think about.

Although, I would assume the less poop that comes with a unit the better. Especially not knowing from whence the poopage came.

 

[sberry]

It will run a size larger well on the top end. The 211 class is really a 030 machine. I havnt priced one, some prices in this thread and they are a deal. If you are willing to live with 230V only then you can find some even better screaming deals.
The used market for these are slim. 120V machines are way more plentiful as the guy buys a 140, then sells it for a 180 or 200. The box store Lincoln is good, the Hobart 190 too, not much over 700$ and weld very well. Then find a deal on a 140,, bottle and all and got 2 machines if space permits. 023 and 030, 120 and 240.
If time and material are factors then larger machines recoupe cost. The 230 can run 2x what the 200 can and has big spool which can 1/2 cost the wire hence double the deposit in same time with the same gas.
Joe Suburb wont likely regain the investment and 10# of wire can go a long way. But a guy building a trailer or 2 could save a couple hundred a unit pretty easy, pay for a bigger machine in a week or 2.

 

[sberry]

I do like a 200 with 030 for car/maintenance work and even little fab. A 140 is too small but the little larger machine works up to 1/4 on occasion.

 

[trackwelder]

Millermatic 200], mig, for fast production welding, Miller Dialarc 250, Tig for more delicate work. Those 2 machines will take 5ft sq floor space, and can be bought for approx $1000 for both used, That will take care of all your welding,

The Millermatic 200 is my absolute favorite 250 amp class machine. I have three of them and will never part with them.

 

[Brand X]

Don't laugh, but these Klutch welding machines work excellent I am not going to bore you with the Esab/Thermal-arc-Miller,Hobart, Lincoln, MK products/ etc. mig welders I have owned, and used over the years..

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200712292_200712292

 

[sberry]

Wow, cheap, heavy duty, lotso power, they have arrived.

 

[bigguns69]

Miller 215 is a 110/220 combo Mig/Stick/Tig. If you want one that does a lot, this will get it done. I have a 211 which is the non combo equivalent. I use it for auto-body and light structural up to 3/16"-1/4" on 110v without issue. Easy to move around the shop, small gun, light cord, easy to get into tight spaces. For larger or continuous work I use my 251 which is a horse, 1/2" single pass, no problem. There are specials right now so best time to buy. Check out Cyber-Weld. I buy from them a lot.

Don't skimp, buy what's right for you and own it for decades. Get rid of the flux core and go gas. Flux core *****.

 

[86turbodsl]

Are you comfortable with wiring? I bought a Miller CP-200 w/ feeder (3phase only machine) and performed a Haas-Kamp conversion on it (details on the web) for about $50.
It's a 200Amp @ 100% duty cycle BEAST of a mig that can do pretty much anything the normal mortal will ever need to do and more. Runs on my single phase 60A circuit flat out.