coalminer
Well-known member
I have a couple arc welders already so I won’t be needing that function
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Looking for advice on buying a welder.
- Thread starter coalminer
- Start date
120V or 240V ?
Flux or gas ?
Hands down, I'd buy a 240V welder with gas. More than likely, all I would look at is Hobart or Miller.
Flux or gas ?
Hands down, I'd buy a 240V welder with gas. More than likely, all I would look at is Hobart or Miller.
rsanter
Well-known member
I love mu miller 211
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
As Gearhead said, what type of welding are you going to do.
I have a Miller 110 mig for sheet metal, Lincoln 220 mig for heavy metal and Miller 200 amp tig for everything else.
I have a Miller 110 mig for sheet metal, Lincoln 220 mig for heavy metal and Miller 200 amp tig for everything else.
Flux core is good in windy conditions but you already have that covered with a stick welder. 110v simply doesn't have the heart for continuous or heavy welding. 220v is the only real option. Gas is a no-brainer as it allows different shielding for different metals. Too big an amperage for your needs means a bigger gun which hampers some projects. Be realistic here so if you'll never be welding over 1/4" plate steel or aluminum choose the appropriate welder for the task. I only run Miller equipment as it was all we ever used at the nation's oldest shipyard.
sweetk30
Well-known member
As Gearhead said, what type of welding are you going to do.
I have a Miller 110 mig for sheet metal, Lincoln 220 mig for heavy metal and Miller 200 amp tig for everything else.
About the same here but I have lincoln units . . . Only reason for red over blue is I just got a deal on each and my area has more red dealers . I have used miller blue and no problems . In fact I had a Hobart 110 volt unit years ago and just got another . Hobart is Miller's pff brand .
Post up your welding needs and choices before you buy and we help you pick a solid option .
BD1
Well-known member
See what local suppliers have, Red or Blue can't go wrong.
I like the Miller Autoset, set wire diameter and only one knob to adjust.
Get package deal price on machine, tank, and accessories like consumables.
I asked for best deal and afterwards asked how much for cash. Really wasn't much difference but he did throw in a pair of gloves.
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I like the Miller Autoset, set wire diameter and only one knob to adjust.
Get package deal price on machine, tank, and accessories like consumables.
I asked for best deal and afterwards asked how much for cash. Really wasn't much difference but he did throw in a pair of gloves.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
danski0224
Well-known member
I can either120 or 240
Then you want 240.
Or at least a dual voltage machine.
As others have stated, 120 is really limited thicker than 14 gauge and the fineness of the controls can be limited except on the newest inverter type machines.
Also look at HTP welders.
Get something that a spool gun can be added to.
There is a Fronius TransSteel mig that is 120/240 and looks to be a reaslly sweet machine, but it's also $3k+ with all the goodies. Some really impressive videos of it out there.
If I was getting into it now, I’d strongly consider Hobart welders. I don’t need all the bells and whistles of the high end machines for welding doors closed on a demolition derby car or patching a lawnmower deck. I just need a welder. The Hobart line is perfect for DIY types.
I think the Hobart 140 is a great start. Bigger is better, so depends on budget. If you can go to a 190 or 210, even better. I also wouldn’t mess with flux core wire. Yes, it works and can be used but the regular wire with shielding gas is much better. Plus the bigger MIGs are spool gun capable so you could get a spool gun if you ever wanted to weld aluminum in the future.
Some of the Chinese machines are getting good reviews, but I haven’t used any of them to know enough to be able to make a recommendation.
I have personally owned Lincoln and Miller MIGs and they are fine. My MIG currently is a Millermatic 180. I say consider Hobart because they’re a little cheaper price wise.......(Miller owns Hobart now.)
If you could get a better deal on a Miller or Lincoln, so be it. Any of those three brands will be fine.
I said similar in similar post - you may wish to read the thread for perspective. Post#11
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8792162#post8792162
I think the Hobart 140 is a great start. Bigger is better, so depends on budget. If you can go to a 190 or 210, even better. I also wouldn’t mess with flux core wire. Yes, it works and can be used but the regular wire with shielding gas is much better. Plus the bigger MIGs are spool gun capable so you could get a spool gun if you ever wanted to weld aluminum in the future.
Some of the Chinese machines are getting good reviews, but I haven’t used any of them to know enough to be able to make a recommendation.
I have personally owned Lincoln and Miller MIGs and they are fine. My MIG currently is a Millermatic 180. I say consider Hobart because they’re a little cheaper price wise.......(Miller owns Hobart now.)
If you could get a better deal on a Miller or Lincoln, so be it. Any of those three brands will be fine.
I said similar in similar post - you may wish to read the thread for perspective. Post#11
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8792162#post8792162
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BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
Coalminer. Take a look at some welders on e-bay when you decide which one. This what I did when I bought my Tig. I then went to my local welder supply and showed them the amount that I could buy for on line. Then I told them that I would rather buy from them if they could meet the price. They did and also set me up with a cash account that gives me a break on prices. I also buy all my gasses and consumables through them.
It sounds like your currently working on smaller gauge stuff. what about the future?
My 110 was my first welder and only one for about 15 years. I would just go to a friends if I needed to weld anything heavy. At one point I got tired of packing everything up just to get it welded and purchased my 220. Then I started welding stainless and aluminum and needed a Tig. I use all three ready to go, it just depends on what is being welded.
You will know if your welder is too small or too big once you have been using it for a while.
It sounds like your currently working on smaller gauge stuff. what about the future?
My 110 was my first welder and only one for about 15 years. I would just go to a friends if I needed to weld anything heavy. At one point I got tired of packing everything up just to get it welded and purchased my 220. Then I started welding stainless and aluminum and needed a Tig. I use all three ready to go, it just depends on what is being welded.
You will know if your welder is too small or too big once you have been using it for a while.