Help me select a MIG welder

[drivesitfar]

SB & KO: i have an aluminum trailer that i want to weld some aluminum pipe to it, put an aluminum floor and take out the wood one and do some basic repairs. I also like the looks of stainless and aluminum furniture and other items.

i understand that i'll probably do steel work more often because the material is cheaper and more often used, but why not learn how to weld something i use and like to look at since i'm learning? is it really that hard to learn how to weld aluminum or stainless or is the material and supplies just too expensive?

DMW: congrats on your purchase and once you get all the rebates and spool guns sold you'll feel much better. good luck and post up some pictures of your new stuff and let us know how you like it.

 

[coby65]

I am on the fence about keeping one of the 3 spool guns. I am leaning towards selling them all and then getting another one once I've learned the basics and have a need.

I still need to get the bottle and all of that. What size did you get? I was figuring on a small one since I have limited space.

Bottle size, I do not know the volume but it is 36 inches tall. I like that size so it does not take up much room and is easy on the back getting in and out of the truck.

 

[coby65]

So true, Cary. I bought my spool gun kit 15 years ago. I've rebuilt 3, boat props, and one aluminum truck bed box and one aluminum oil pan. That's it.

I don't ever see myself paying off the thing with work. I make tons of money welding iron.

I've actually thought about selling the setup, seems lots of people want spool guns.

I read these post and try to figure out what people are welding, that makes aluminum welding so attractive.

I have an aluminum trailer. I also live in a marine environment so me and the neighbor have discussed building some outdoor patio tables and other stuff out of aluminum.

 

[jimgood]

I have the Miller 211 and it works great when dialed in with manual settings. I'm not that impressed with the auto-set feature; it just doesn't seem to work that well for me. I get better results dialing in the settings manually based off the owners manual settings. I do like the ability to weld with 220 or 110, which is why I bought this welding machine.

I did have the circuit board on this welder go bad so I was getting horrible spatter and poor welds. It was under warranty and Miller replaced the board right away.

I got my 211 last week and just had a chance to play with it briefly Monday evening. I had the opposite experience. The Autoset worked great but I couldn't get the manual settings adjusted right. I was using some scrap 11 gauge sq. tube so it was thin stuff. I also could not build up a thick weld. They all tended to lay nearly flat or burn through. But I will say that it's the cleanest wire feed welding I've ever done. Big departure from the flux core I've been doing for the last year or so. I can't wait to get some more practice with it!

 

[dmw16]

I read these post and try to figure out what people are welding, that makes aluminum welding so attractive.

I can't speak for everyone, but I have a 1988 chassis E30 race car that is obviously steel, but if I make brackets and such for holding various bits and pieces down I prefer aluminum since it's easier to source locally and easier to drill and cut.

SB & KO
DMW: congrats on your purchase and once you get all the rebates and spool guns sold you'll feel much better. good luck and post up some pictures of your new stuff and let us know how you like it.

I think you're right. Right now I'm just looking at a $1500 hole I need to fill in. I don't think I'll ever be making money welding, so it's really just hobby.

Bottle size, I do not know the volume but it is 36 inches tall. I like that size so it does not take up much room and is easy on the back getting in and out of the truck.

That's what I was figuring. The full size bottles are too top heavy to move around my garage.

 

[koditten]

Sounds like you have a legimate use for aluminum welding, I wasn't trying to talk you out of aluminum welding, just commenting. Sometimes it's hard to put myself into the "personal use" mind set. Almost all my welding is done with the expectation that I'm gonna get paid.

I just wanted to make sure that people do not get hung up on these machines that are advertised with all sorts of options that a person may never use.

As for learning too aluminum welding, I don't find it any more difficult than welding iron. Just like everyone else, I have a learning curve to overcome, since it is usually years between aluminium welding jobs. I do find it more smoky, I don't know if I would do much of it in an attached garage. Not a deal killer, but thought it should be mentioned.

Good topic.

 

[jimgood]

I can't speak for everyone, but I have a 1988 chassis E30 race car that is obviously steel, but if I make brackets and such for holding various bits and pieces down I prefer aluminum since it's easier to source locally and easier to drill and cut.



I think you're right. Right now I'm just looking at a $1500 hole I need to fill in. I don't think I'll ever be making money welding, so it's really just hobby.



That's what I was figuring. The full size bottles are too top heavy to move around my garage.

I'm building an e36... really slowly. But I can relate.

Just keep in mind that you fill that $1500 hole by NOT taking every little small welding job to someone you have to pay to do it. I'm pretty sure I've recoop'd my cost for my O/A rig and Hobart 140 in all the **** I've put together around my place. And I got more satisfaction out of it so that's worth something too.

 

[dmw16]

I'm building an e36... really slowly. But I can relate.

Just keep in mind that you fill that $1500 hole by NOT taking every little small welding job to someone you have to pay to do it. I'm pretty sure I've recoop'd my cost for my O/A rig and Hobart 140 in all the **** I've put together around my place. And I got more satisfaction out of it so that's worth something too.

I bought the car early last April and did an M50 swap and finally got it started this May. It took a long time, but when I got it my son was 2 months old so I had a lot on my plate.

In retrospect I should have considered an E36, but I've come to love my E30.

When the previous owner had the cage put in they didn't do any undercoating or rust prevention so there is some rust thru the trunk pan where the cage ties in. Not enough to worry me, but it needs to be corrected.

At some point I want to put in a removable core support to make engine changes easier...it will be an endurance race car so it's just a question of when (not if) the engine will need to come out.

 

[jimgood]

At least yours HAS a cage in it. I have the cage components. I have the welder. Just trying to work up the nerve.

 

[sberry]

I'm building an e36... really slowly. But I can relate.

Just keep in mind that you fill that $1500 hole by NOT taking every little small welding job to someone you have to pay to do it. I'm pretty sure I've recoop'd my cost for my O/A rig and Hobart 140 in all the **** I've put together around my place. And I got more satisfaction out of it so that's worth something too.

This is where it can really make it worth it. Not all the work needs to be art. ,most of it is the fact you want to get something done and I am amazed at how many lifes problems can be fixed with a welder and a torch.

 

[dmw16]

At least yours HAS a cage in it. I have the cage components. I have the welder. Just trying to work up the nerve.

I bought it caged. The car was $750 with a great cage from Piper Motorsports. Downside is it was rattle can pink with lots of body damage...it was a LeMons car.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

I'd get the Hobart 210MVP since it's close to your budget, does everything the 140 can do and can run both 115/230. Futureproof your purchase even if you can't run 230V now.

Im considering of getting this model runs both volts which is the smartest idea just in case down the road i change my mind want to up the next level and get electrician to install 230v and it welds up to 3/8" thickness


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