Help with Buying a Welder

[regguy1]

I'm thinking about buying this welder.

Anyone have one / or opinions ?

It looks like it's made by Lincoln

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...200332691?cm_sp=RVC-_-Product Page-_-Products

 

[Zrexxer]

It's not made by Lincoln. Despite the similar appearance, it's made in China by a company called "Hugong."

 

[hickmlg09]

Don't go with China made.

 

[compman25]

That welder ain't gonna get any respect

 

[atari]

Definitely get a name brand but as far as the power and all that I would recommend a 220 unit if you can swing it. That little 110 unit is cool but its not gonna do anything past exhaust and sheet metal. your gonna want to weld a frame or an axle tube or something and its not gonna do it. Plus no matter what it says its not gonna do stainless, not even the name brand, your gonna need a TIG for that. -Ben

 

[Shadowdog500]

I know they are out of vogue but I've had one of these Lincoln AC/DC arc welders for years and really like it. I also picked up an old Sears high frequency arc stabilizer for $50 so I can TIG weld with it. If you go MIG I would also suggest Lincoln or Miller.

What do you plan to weld? That will help decide what you need.

Chris

 

[dr_clyde]

ok, buying a welder really depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to tig weld, you can't beat a miller. If you want to mig weld or stick weld, a lincoln will work great. For a budget shop, a miller syncrowave 250 will tig weld aluminum and steel. with a stinger, it will also stick weld on reverse and straight polarity. If you are into mig welding, don't go cheap. Buy a lincoln invertec 350 with a wire feeder. If you are interested in doing any welding beyond sheet steel, you can't use a cheap welder or your welds will be very unreliable. If you want one welder to do it all and have a little change, a miller dynasty with a wirefeeder will do mig, tig and stick, ac and dc.

Basically, here's how it breaks down:

Budget tig/stick: miller syncro 250, used

budget mig: millermatic 350, used

Better mig, lincoln invertec 350

best all in one, miller dynasty 350 with a wirefeeder.


Hope this helps.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

I'm thinking about buying this welder.

Anyone have one / or opinions ?

It looks like it's made by Lincoln

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...200332691?cm_sp=RVC-_-Product Page-_-Products

Most of the people on that site seem to like them, check the reviews.

 

[Garmann]

I would suggest saving a little more and go with a Miller,Lincoln or Esab.

 

[red92s]

Basically, here's how it breaks down:

Budget tig/stick: miller syncro 250, used

budget mig: millermatic 350, used

Better mig, lincoln invertec 350

The guy asks for opinions on a $300 MIG welder and your "budget" suggestion is something that retails for like $4,000?

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a little lincoln weld pac 100, i've done tons of **** with it. great little machine. i do need to buy the gas conversion for it though.

 

[back2class]

I've seen them and they looks solid but DON"T BUY IT. Spend a little more and buy a name brand. PS anyone who says a 110 can't do more than sheetmetal has never used a good 110v setup. The lower end 220's are only rated to weld 1/16 inch deeper in mild steel and a bunch more. For most hobby welders the 110 is plenty of welder. BUT DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A NAME brand.

 

[Zrexxer]

Most of the people on that site seem to like them, check the reviews.

A little tidbit about Northern Tool that not everyone realizes... look around their site and see if you find any bad review on anything... Reviews have to be "approved" and NT culls out anything that's the least bit critical of their products. So, in a nutshell, their "reviews" are useless - which I think is a really deceptive practice.

 

[regguy1]

A little tidbit about Northern Tool that not everyone realizes... look around their site and see if you find any bad review on anything... Reviews have to be "approved" and NT culls out anything that's the least bit critical of their products. So, in a nutshell, their "reviews" are useless - which I think is a really deceptive practice.

Good Point.
They had a couple of low reviews....but maybe they let a few on so not to lose credibility?

 

[regguy1]

i have a little lincoln weld pac 100, i've done tons of **** with it. great little machine. i do need to buy the gas conversion for it though.

This Northern looks like a weld pac, that's why I thought it might be made by Lincoln. We know the Chinese wouldn't copy anything

 

[regguy1]

I would suggest saving a little more and go with a Miller,Lincoln or Esab.

How about this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200306073_200306073

 

[regguy1]

I know they are out of vogue but I've had one of these Lincoln AC/DC arc welders for years and really like it. I also picked up an old Sears high frequency arc stabilizer for $50 so I can TIG weld with it. If you go MIG I would also suggest Lincoln or Miller.

What do you plan to weld? That will help decide what you need.

Chris

I have a Lincoln 225 stick welder, bought it in 1973 and it still works fine.

I closed my shop after 45 years of working and I just want something to use now and then. First project will be repairing a cracked mower deck. I'll do mostly light duty use on it, that's why I'm considering a low end machine.

 

[Zrexxer]

If you're looking for a small MIG like this, I urge you to consider the Hobart Handlers. They're very well designed machines - and by that I mean electrical design, Hobart puts a lot of work into designing the way they weld and how the arc performs - but they have kept the price point reasonable as well.

The closest Hobart to what you pointed out at NT would be the HH140, but I really recommend you look into the HH187. It's 230V, but maintains the same low end sheet metal performance as the 140, while giving you a much better top end. I've run a 187, and they have a really nice arc that wets out beautifully. The voltage ranges are set up just right, and it's really easy to dial in.

You can get into a HH187 for about $579 if you catch them on sale with some of the big retailers, like Tractor Supply Company.

 

[tyndall]

I have that welder. It's actually pretty good. I use it for autobody and trailer frames. If I had the money I'd go for a Miller, otherwise the NT is decent for the price.

 

[litljay]

How about this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200306073_200306073

If you're looking for a small MIG like this, I urge you to consider the Hobart Handlers. They're very well designed machines - and by that I mean electrical design, Hobart puts a lot of work into designing the way they weld and how the arc performs - but they have kept the price point reasonable as well.

The closest Hobart to what you pointed out at NT would be the HH140, but I really recommend you look into the HH187. It's 230V, but maintains the same low end sheet metal performance as the 140, while giving you a much better top end. I've run a 187, and they have a really nice arc that wets out beautifully. The voltage ranges are set up just right, and it's really easy to dial in.

You can get into a HH187 for about $579 if you catch them on sale with some of the big retailers, like Tractor Supply Company.

 

[t100]

I sold my 8 out of 10 condition Millermetic 130 for $300 a year ago. I'd say keep looking.

I normally don't recommend any 110v welders, unless for the people who don't have 220v power. I learned mig welding on a small 110v machine because it was cheap and at that time I lived at a rental property, I could not touch the electric panel.

if you are work is limited to sheet metal stuff, an 110v machine is gonna be just fine. I've welded 3/16" mild steel test strips with it and it passed press test with zero issues.

we have 3 Lincoln 175 welders at school, they have been abused daily for years by students, I can't say enough how tough these things are.

try to stay with blue or red, solid quality and consumeables are cheap, too.

 

[compman25]

Here's some good deals on the Hobarts http://www.toolking.com/reconditioned-tools/reconditioned-welders-plasma-cutters

 

[AidanN20]

Hobart Handler 140 is a GREAT welder. I've welded dozens of roll cages, countless exhausts, subframe connectors, random fabrication problems and a million other things with mine and never had a problem with it in 5 years.

I've welded 1/4" extremely clean and fully pentrated with the same quality as any 220 welder with it. It will weld anything 1/4" and thinner with zero problem and being able to plug it into any 110 outlet is a huge plus.

 

[rancheroo]

I agree with AidanN20 & the others that praise the Hobart 140.

When I was looking for a welder, I asked around (at the Tech school where I was taking welding classes) & everyone said the get the biggest most powerful welder I could afford. I ended up with a Lincoln SP175 which is a 220 volt machine. It was a fine welder but I couldn't get it turned down enough to weld automotive sheetmetal. I'm sure it was partially due to my technique & being old & slow, but I kept burning through body panels.

I ended up selling it and getting a Hobart 140 & I love it. It's 100% reliable, never hiccups & does a good job with light gauge material. Haven't had the success with heavier materials that others have (had a splitting maul head that I repaired come off), but 98% of what I weld is light gauge.

My next welder will have a rheostat type power dial where you have infinite control over the power settings instead of having to use one of the 4-5 settings that come on the lower end Lincolns and Hobarts.

So long story short the answer to your original question...It depends.

Rick

P.S. do yourself a favor & save enough money for a auto-darkening shield.

 

[regguy1]

If you're looking for a small MIG like this, I urge you to consider the Hobart Handlers. They're very well designed machines - and by that I mean electrical design, Hobart puts a lot of work into designing the way they weld and how the arc performs - but they have kept the price point reasonable as well.

The closest Hobart to what you pointed out at NT would be the HH140, but I really recommend you look into the HH187. It's 230V, but maintains the same low end sheet metal performance as the 140, while giving you a much better top end. I've run a 187, and they have a really nice arc that wets out beautifully. The voltage ranges are set up just right, and it's really easy to dial in.

You can get into a HH187 for about $579 if you catch them on sale with some of the big retailers, like Tractor Supply Company.

I was attracted to the small MIG's because I don't want to wire for a 220 line
the plug in feature will be easy. The HH140 is 479.00 at NT. I think I'll have to decide between the HH140 and the lower priced NTI machine. Thanks for the help. "Rodney"

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

A little tidbit about Northern Tool that not everyone realizes... look around their site and see if you find any bad review on anything... Reviews have to be "approved" and NT culls out anything that's the least bit critical of their products. So, in a nutshell, their "reviews" are useless - which I think is a really deceptive practice.

That's kinda stupid...
It is different than Canadian tire's rating system then, where most reviews get published, even the bad ones (and there are some pretty bad ones)...
http://www.canadiantire.ca/home.jsp?site=WebStore

 

[regguy1]

Well I've ordered a new Hobart Handler 140 from Northern Tool. I decided to go with the 110 unit for portability and less trouble wiring. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Zrexxer pushed me over the edge on this one!

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...00306073?cm_sp=Xsells-_-Manual-_-Product Page

 

[nolatoolguy]

ah man you cant do that not those northern industrial brand

i got a buddy who has one similar and e hates it it broke so he pawned it for like 50 bucks

wait some more time save your moeny get a nicer one

 

[welderwink]

I say look around on CL and not to waste the money on the northern tool thing. There is always the option of one of the small lincoln mig units they sell at home depot. I know a guy who has one and he thinks it works great for his use. im not sure what size wire they go upto whether its 035 or less but for most applications that you might be using it for that would probably be fine. but its all dependent on what your welding application is. a weekend warrior doesnt need to get a syncrowave 280 there is the syncro 200 which would be cheaper but then you wont be able to do any mig (and the 280 doesnt either). and its not like your going to stick weld a frame together.

 

[welderwink]

hobart is good i believe they got bought by miller. which i like millers more then lincolns so good luck with your new unit.

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

If you're looking for a small MIG like this, I urge you to consider the Hobart Handlers. They're very well designed machines - and by that I mean electrical design, Hobart puts a lot of work into designing the way they weld and how the arc performs - but they have kept the price point reasonable as well.

The closest Hobart to what you pointed out at NT would be the HH140, but I really recommend you look into the HH187. It's 230V, but maintains the same low end sheet metal performance as the 140, while giving you a much better top end. I've run a 187, and they have a really nice arc that wets out beautifully. The voltage ranges are set up just right, and it's really easy to dial in.

You can get into a HH187 for about $579 if you catch them on sale with some of the big retailers, like Tractor Supply Company.

I too vote for the Hobart, watch www.toolking.com for the reconditioned units. The "A" units are typically returned units from a store that went out of business, and may have never been opened.

Hobart's welding website is one of the most popular on the internet, with Hobart engineers visiting the site regularly answering questions:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/

 

[regguy1]

I too vote for the Hobart, watch www.toolking.com for the reconditioned units. The "A" units are typically returned units from a store that went out of business, and may have never been opened.

Hobart's welding website is one of the most popular on the internet, with Hobart engineers visiting the site regularly answering questions:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/

OK, you guys convinced me, here's the new baby a Hobart Handler 140: