Low Cost MIG Welder

[skcj213]

I am in the market for a low cost MIG Welder. I have a couple of projects looming where a welder would be needed. First is an exhaust manifold replacement on my 1999 F150. It is very likely that some of the bolts are going to break and I understand the easiest way to get them out is by welding a nut to the remnant to extract it. Second is repairing a wrecked 2007 Civic that will involve plug welding the core support. Finally, the aforementioned F150 has some rusty rockers and rust on the bed sides. I will be welding patch panels in to replace the rusted areas.

I am looking at a couple of different possibilities. First, the Eastwood MiG 90. It is 110v and can do both flux core as well as true MiG. It is currently $199. The second option is on Amazon. It is the Hynade MTG155D (FS). It is dual voltage, capable of both flux core and true MiG as well as stick and TiG. It also is $199.

I feel more confident in the quality of the welder from Eastwood. I like the dual voltage and flexibility of the Hynade.

Feedback/thoughts are appreciated.

FWIW - I would love to go out and buy a Lincoln or Miller MiG Welder. Sorry, but that just isn’t in the budget. Once the 3 projects I have lined up are done, I don’t know how much I will use a welder. Spending several hundreds or more than a thousand dollars just isn’t going to happen.

 

[metaldad]

if you have 220 available, thats the ticket

 

[finn]

I would up my budget and look into the Primeweld Mig 180 at about $550.

I have several pieces of Miller and HTP equipment, but bought a Primeweld Tig for use at our winter house. I picked Primeweld after reading good things about them on a few forums, and watching several dozen spiels and reviews on YouTube.

I’m pretty happy.

Check out their Facebook group, and get on the welding web site.

 

[benny27]

one other thing to take into account is the price to set up the welder to use gas. You will need a gas bottle, mig wire, maybe a regulator too. so $200 will turn into $400 fast.

 

[skcj213]

if you have 220 available, thats the ticket

I do have a 220v outlet in my garage.

 

[skcj213]

one other thing to take into account is the price to set up the welder to use gas. You will need a gas bottle, mig wire, maybe a regulator too. so $200 will turn into $400 fast.

The Eastwood MiG 90 comes with the regulator and MiG wire, no bottle though. The Hynade comes with a hose, no regulator and flux core wire.

My though was to do the first project, possibly the second one also, with flux core and then get it set up with gas for MiG for the sheet metal project.

No where have I found a welder that comes with a gas bottle. That is going to be an additional cost no matter what I do.

 

[BarrelRoll]

A couple things

Welding rusty sheet metal having gas makes life much easier. Flux core does give slightly better penetration on crappy power for things like bolt extraction. A cheap piece of chinesum might be much more frustrating to run than a nice machine, it might run just fine.

If you think you aren't going to use it much or at all when you are done have you considered a used welder and selling it when you are done? A used Miller/ Lincoln/ Hobart should be able to be sold for what you paid for them when you are done.

With current inflation sitting on a miller for a couple years is a money maker. I bought my Miller 211 for $1,150 in 2018, it currently retails for $1,935 from cyberweld. I could easily make some money if I decided to sell it. My last miller I got a solid 10 years out of, beat the **** out of it, and sold it for more than I paid for it. Quality welders will hold their value. My only beef with millers is their guns are junk and I ended upgrading both of my machines to tweco guns.

 

[BarrelRoll]

The Eastwood MiG 90 comes with the regulator and MiG wire, no bottle though. The Hynade comes with a hose, no regulator and flux core wire.

My though was to do the first project, possibly the second one also, with flux core and then get it set up with gas for MiG for the sheet metal project.

No where have I found a welder that comes with a gas bottle. That is going to be an additional cost no matter what I do.

Gas bottles are usually leased or purchased from your gas supplier. A lot of times a gas supplier will give you some guff if you try to exchange a bottle not from them. The last bottle I leased was $50 a year for the lease. I bought my current bottle though my gas supplier limited the sizes of bottles they would sell, you had to lease the bigger bottles.

Another thing with the chinesum stuff is a lot of time the wire is junk, dirty nasty stuff that doesn't weld nicely.

Both those machines look like they use 2 pound spools. That gets expensive and frustrating when you are swapping out spools all the time. Looking at home depot a 12.5lb spool of .030" solid is $69.98 a 2lb spool of .030" solid is $20.76 just to give you a rough idea in the added cost of running little spools.

I agree running on 220 will make life easier. My miller is finicky and blows a 15 amp breaker all the time on 110, on 220 it never has blown a breaker.

 

[dcg9381]

if you have 220 available, thats the ticket

Having come from 120V mig, this. Don't waste your time or money - go 240V. I have a Lincoln Mig 180. It's "entry level" 240V.
This is one of those tools where you need to buy it once.

If you were my neighbor, you'd be welcome to borrow it... Get the bottles at Tractor supply. A single bottle of gas lasts me years.

 

[metaldad]

A couple things

Welding rusty sheet metal having gas makes life much easier. Flux core does give slightly better penetration on crappy power for things like bolt extraction. A cheap piece of chinesum might be much more frustrating to run than a nice machine, it might run just fine.

If you think you aren't going to use it much or at all when you are done have you considered a used welder and selling it when you are done? A used Miller/ Lincoln/ Hobart should be able to be sold for what you paid for them when you are done.

With current inflation sitting on a miller for a couple years is a money maker. I bought my Miller 211 for $1,150 in 2018, it currently retails for $1,935 from cyberweld. I could easily make some money if I decided to sell it. My last miller I got a solid 10 years out of, beat the **** out of it, and sold it for more than I paid for it. Quality welders will hold their value. My only beef with millers is their guns are junk and I ended upgrading both of my machines to tweco guns.

you aint going to get 2018 new price on a 2023 used machine.
you'd be lucky to get 50%.

 

[u2slow]

I got to use the cheap Amazon 110-240v mig we got at work for a couple days straight. Just flux core and angle iron.

It's not the MM211 w/gas I have at home, but at 1/4 the price it gets the job done.

Another good value is older mig machines that were rated per their 60% duty cycle... vs 15-20% like nowadays. Usually larger units with a smallish number. I got a clone of my Century 160 (picked up 20 years ago) for $200 last year. They're both as powerful as my MM211, but 240v only.

 

[jonesg]

I am in the market for a low cost MIG Welder. I have a couple of projects looming where a welder would be needed. First is an exhaust manifold replacement on my 1999 F150. It is very likely that some of the bolts are going to break and I understand the easiest way to get them out is by welding a nut to the remnant to extract it. Second is repairing a wrecked 2007 Civic that will involve plug welding the core support. Finally, the aforementioned F150 has some rusty rockers and rust on the bed sides. I will be welding patch panels in to replace the rusted areas.

I am looking at a couple of different possibilities. First, the Eastwood MiG 90. It is 110v and can do both flux core as well as true MiG. It is currently $199. The second option is on Amazon. It is the Hynade MTG155D (FS). It is dual voltage, capable of both flux core and true MiG as well as stick and TiG. It also is $199.

I feel more confident in the quality of the welder from Eastwood. I like the dual voltage and flexibility of the Hynade.

Feedback/thoughts are appreciated.

FWIW - I would love to go out and buy a Lincoln or Miller MiG Welder. Sorry, but that just isn’t in the budget. Once the 3 projects I have lined up are done, I don’t know how much I will use a welder. Spending several hundreds or more than a thousand dollars just isn’t going to happen.

The eastwood might not have enough heat when welding on a block.

That Hynade MTG155D looks alright for cheap money.
but the return window is only 30 days, thats not optimistic.

I extracted a bolt from a steering knuckle , used a yeswelder mig, they have 12 month return or refund policy.
I found it helps to use a bigger nut than the bolt head that broke off, better leverage.

 

[no704]

Keep an eye on your local FB market place, and creigs list.

 

[skcj213]

I got to use the cheap Amazon 110-240v mig we got at work for a couple days straight. Just flux core and angle iron.

It's not the MM211 w/gas I have at home, but at 1/4 the price it gets the job done.

Another good value is older mig machines that were rated per their 60% duty cycle... vs 15-20% like nowadays. Usually larger units with a smallish number. I got a clone of my Century 160 (picked up 20 years ago) for $200 last year. They're both as powerful as my MM211, but 240v only.

Thanks for the input. I will look into Century.

 

[skcj213]

Keep an eye on your local FB market place, and creigs list.

I am in a rural area and there are not many options. What I do see that looks interesting seems overpriced. I do keep looking though.

 

[skcj213]

Having come from 120V mig, this. Don't waste your time or money - go 240V. I have a Lincoln Mig 180. It's "entry level" 240V.
This is one of those tools where you need to buy it once.

If you were my neighbor, you'd be welcome to borrow it... Get the bottles at Tractor supply. A single bottle of gas lasts me years.

If I was your neighbor, I would probably take you up on the offer.

 

[N_Jay]

Any thoughts on this one?

VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire | VEVOR US

Shop VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire at lowest price, 2-day delivery, 30-day returns. Shop now at VEVOR.

m.vevor.com

 

[jonesg]

Any thoughts on this one?

VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire | VEVOR US

Shop VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire at lowest price, 2-day delivery, 30-day returns. Shop now at VEVOR.

m.vevor.com

Thats shipped from china, what if it shows up DOA.

 

[mike93lx]

Any thoughts on this one?

VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire | VEVOR US

Shop VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire at lowest price, 2-day delivery, 30-day returns. Shop now at VEVOR.

m.vevor.com

Vevor imports whatever junk they can put their name on. Expect garbage and be pleseantly surprised if it isn't

 

[N_Jay]

Well, had a 12 month warranty, and can always buy with a credit card that has purchase protection.

I have bought one thing from them that seemed good for the price.

 

[PoorUB]

Any thoughts on this one?

VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire | VEVOR US

Shop VEVOR MMA/MIG/LIFT TIG Welder, 250 AMP AC 110/220V Dual Voltage TIG Welding Machine with IGBT Inverter, Digital Display 3 in 1 Multiprocess Welder, Blue Portable Machine with Welding Gun and Wire at lowest price, 2-day delivery, 30-day returns. Shop now at VEVOR.

m.vevor.com

Harbor Freight would be a better choice.

 

[N_Jay]

Looks like it is about twice the cost.
Wonder if it comes from the same factory?

 

[N_Jay]

What goes bad in these things, or do they tend not to meet specifications from the start?

 

[u2slow]

Thats shipped from china, what if it shows up DOA.

If I buy such things, it's from Amazon, which I can send back promptly if it's DOA.

 

[F-22]

By the way, any MIG welder is also a MAG welder. For welding steel, CO2 is waaay cheaper than argon. I can certainly tell you that hooking up and using an old CO2 fire extinguisher will work just fine, done it many times. Maybe dedicated CO2 welding gas has some other stuff inside too, but to stay cheap and do amateur work... It works.


If you have the regulator, you can maybe find an old used CO2 fire extinguisher for really cheap and have it inspected and refilled. Fire departments do servicing here. However it probably must not be really vintage or they won't want to refill it...

 

[jonesg]

What goes bad in these things, or do they tend not to meet specifications from the start?

my first mig from yeswelder had reverse outputs, they sent me a new machine and I kept the original one too, just reversed it.

I bought a $1200 tig from longevity 12 yrs ago, the pedal didn't work and they never resolved the problem, lack of support was an expensive lesson. I managed to blow it up last year and went mig to save money. They managed to put themselves out of business.

My experience with yeswelder is their machines are probably not much better than others but a 1 year money or replacement guarantee caught my attention, they are very responsive, no questions asked, or at least not repeatedly like my go around with longevity. I think once you find a machine that works they will probably keep working for a long time.

We're spoilt for choice today, so parts availability and support count for a lot.

 

[N_Jay]

Another stupid question.
It seems like AC welders were cheaper at one point but DC were seen as "better".
Now AC and DC are about the same price. Is there a reason to have an AC/DC, or is just a DC good enough.
Hobby welding, car rust repair, etc., Not going into business.

 

[428PI]

Save yourself a big headache and forget about the F150's exhaust. Just live with it. You'll be happier and your wallet will be happier.

 

[seber]

Another stupid question.
It seems like AC welders were cheaper at one point but DC were seen as "better".
Now AC and DC are about the same price. Is there a reason to have an AC/DC, or is just a DC good enough.
Hobby welding, car rust repair, etc., Not going into business.

All welders start with AC. If it is a transformer welder, a bridge rectifier and filter is added to get DC. If it is an inverter welder, the out put is so high frequency that the filter may be essentially skipped but it still needs a rectifier. Those things add to cost, so if you have two identical welders and one offers DC and the other does not, what was done to lower the cost of the DC unit? As to which is better, DC is always easier and gives cleaner welds. AC is only needed for aluminum.

 

[jonesg]

any decent mig will have the capability to reverse polarity to use a spoolgun and weld alum.

Mine didn't , but I know I can install a toggle switch to redirect the 24v feed to the spoolgun instead of the internal feed motor.

 

[bugzilla46310]

My old mig, a 220v Linde, finally gave up the ghost after about 30 years. Bought the Lincoln 220v 180. I can’t believe how much better the welds are.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've got a HF Titanium 200, that I picked up to be my lunchbox welder, to finish the front stairs. It's MIG, flux core, and spoolgun. It's been a few years, and I haven't been able to kill it yet. I even took it out in the yard to weld 1/2" bolts on 120, with flux core, at the end of a 100' extension cord. It performed admirably. I also like the spoolgun. It's usually set up for aluminum.

 

[N_Jay]

Do you need to reverse polarity or use AC to weld aluminium?

 

[mike93lx]

Do you need to reverse polarity or use AC to weld aluminium?

Aluminum needs ac, yes

 

[David0858]

By the way, any MIG welder is also a MAG welder. For welding steel, CO2 is waaay cheaper than argon. I can certainly tell you that hooking up and using an old CO2 fire extinguisher will work just fine, done it many times. Maybe dedicated CO2 welding gas has some other stuff inside too, but to stay cheap and do amateur work... It works.


If you have the regulator, you can maybe find an old used CO2 fire extinguisher for really cheap and have it inspected and refilled. Fire departments do servicing here. However it probably must not be really vintage or they won't want to refill it...

That's all I've ever used in my two migs and I have no complaints. I have two five pound co2 bottle and they each last me a long time.

 

[David0858]

My old mig, a 220v Linde, finally gave up the ghost after about 30 years. Bought the Lincoln 220v 180. I can’t believe how much better the welds are.

I have an older gas ready Hobart 120 and then got a 180 Lincoln. On the same stuff that is well within the Hobart's capabilities the Lincoln is far smoother and easier to weld with. I'm not saying the Hobart is bad, the Lincoln is just better.

 

[jonesg]

Aluminum needs ac, yes

to tig alum, ac yes,
not so sure about mig.
Usually you just reverse polarity, no other settings change on mine for spoolgun.
Maybe it has something to do with spray transfer vs the dip and dab of tigging.

 

[mike93lx]

to tig alum, ac yes,
not so sure about mig.
Usually you just reverse polarity, no other settings change on mine for spoolgun.
Maybe it has something to do with spray transfer vs the dip and dab of tigging.

Yes, you're right, my bad

 

[N_Jay]

So the question comes down to what to buy for a first welder.

There are a good selection of cheap ($200-$300) 200-250A Mig/Tig combo welders.
Are any of them any good?
Next level up seem to he HF at about $700 to $800 (Depending on the day/sale)
Is it really 2 1/2 times better?

Been told not to get below 200A, but is it worth getting 250A just so the machine is not running full out all the time.

Looks like most are DC only (So no Aluminum), but how much would you add to the budget to get DC/AC?
Is it worth it for a guy who had poor stick welding skills 45 years ago in high school and has not practiced since?
(I have heard that wending aluminum is difficult)

 

[jonesg]

So the question comes down to what to buy for a first welder.

There are a good selection of cheap ($200-$300) 200-250A Mig/Tig combo welders.
Are any of them any good?
Next level up seem to he HF at about $700 to $800 (Depending on the day/sale)
Is it really 2 1/2 times better?

Been told not to get below 200A, but is it worth getting 250A just so the machine is not running full out all the time.

Looks like most are DC only (So no Aluminum), but how much would you add to the budget to get DC/AC?
Is it worth it for a guy who had poor stick welding skills 45 years ago in high school and has not practiced since?
(I have heard that wending aluminum is difficult)

if my budget was 7-800 I would have ordered an eastwood, hands down better machine than what I have , although I'm happy with my $400 machine too.

eastwood 180 amp mig is $500, 3 yr warranty, 90 day return, lifetime tech support, main control board is only $59.