Miller Thunderbolt 160 DC stick welder

[Rosco]

I have an opportunity to purchase a Miller 160 DC. I do not own a welder and have wanted to learn. Buddy at work (old school welder) said it would be a perfect welder to learn on and use around the shop. He especially likes the DC part.

I could purchase a new mig welder for almost the same money, but not a Miller. Any advice?

 

[John in OH]

Hmmm ... good question. First, I guess you need to determine what you will be using the welder for the most.

If you are going to be doing a lot of auto sheet metal work, or just household repairs, then go with the MIG. MIG welding is much better for light-weight metal and is also very easy to learn. Steer away from flux-core and go with gas shielding.

However, if you are going to be doing a lot of heavier work, like maybe repairing farm equipment, then the SMAW (stick welding) is perhaps the more useful process. But stick welding takes a steady hand and is a little harder to learn, IMHO.

Not to say that you CAN'T weld light metal with stick, or weld heavy metal with MIG, but it typically takes more time and is more difficult. Skill then becomes part of the equation.

Either case, the small Miller AC/DC Thunderbolts (I assume it is about 230 amp AC and 160 amp DC?) are nice machines for light to moderate welding projects. Don't under-value the AC welding, I welded my old farm equipment together for YEARS with an AC-only machine.

 

[bad_idea]

I have that machine. LOVE it. I bought mine cheap on CL. I use it for anything 1/4" or thicker.

I use the MIG (Hobart Handler 185) for automotive and sheet metal. Also a nice machine.

Stick is a valuable skill. What kind of welding do you plan to do?

 

[Rosco]

Good advice so far. I will do a combination of welding when skills allow. Auto sheet metal is one. I have hired out all of my auto work and it was all done with MIG. I would occasionally do trailer work and other heavier stuff also.

Looks like my biggest use will be lighter stuff so maybe the MIG will be best.

Hope to have the skills to own both one day.....

 

[Farmall 1066]

Got same Miller Thunderbolt and it's been one hell of a good machine.
Welded everything from 11ga thinwall tubing to 1/2" plate, it's done all I've asked of it.
What's the seller asking for it?

 

[brownbagg]

thunder bolt dc is one of the best machine ever made, it better that the lincoln tombstone due to the adjustment wheel. buy it, today, before dark, doesnt matter how much it cost, just pay it, get it home tonight

 

[Rosco]

Got same Miller Thunderbolt and it's been one hell of a good machine.
Welded everything from 11ga thinwall tubing to 1/2" plate, it's done all I've asked of it.
What's the seller asking for it?

thunder bolt dc is one of the best machine ever made, it better that the lincoln tombstone due to the adjustment wheel. buy it, today, before dark, doesnt matter how much it cost, just pay it, get it home tonight

Thanks. I will probably get it and find a lot of uses for it. Hopefully a good one to learn on.

 

[sberry]

It is good for equipment repair. It is a super good welding machine. However,,, for most guys on this forum the reason they invented the 200 class mig was for them. If you dont own one it is the one you should, it can do almost all the work the small home hobby type can do. Experience often gets in the way of good advice in this case and this is the unit a good value added salesman would be advocating barring apecial demands. Doesnt mean its the only machine a guy might get but for a lot it can be the only one they need.
So much of the world has got lighter and thinner. I am a career welder and I can do the majority of the common jobs I do with one. My neighbor has one, hasnt been over to weld in well over a decade since he got a MM175. He has all the homeowner hobby stuff many do. Makes light sheet work so easy in comparison. If you are in excavating or heavier farming then you may need to add stick for equipment repair.
As good as a Tbolt is I might consider a new one if I didnt get a real deal on an old one. Now the same machine is dvi, can weigh a few #, runs 30A service, doesnt need long expensive leads. Works well with long cords.