Napa Handyman 38-319 Welder

[Craftsman86]

I was in class tonight browsing the internet and came across this welder, and was wondering if anyone has any additional information on it? The seller is open for trades in the form of a Devilbiss FLG3 and or a Graco Mini HVLP spray gun. DO any of you have any input on the deal? I am a welding rookie and would like to get into a 110 machine for minimal cost and can replace the spray guns with gift cards I earned at work.


http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/3791022495.html

 

[zkling]

Looks like your standard run of the mill off brand, small, cheap mig welder. I don't recall right off hand the manufacture out of italy that makes those.

Personally I would find a name brand machine. Especially for the money they are asking for that one. Not to mention the fact it needs work. You will be much happier in the long run, and with a more mainstream machine the resale value will be pretty high.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I was in class tonight browsing the internet

What kind of classes are kids taking today where the curriculum is "browse the internet!"

 

[Craftsman86]

Would this make for a much better deal? I would have to pay cash for it compared to trade but can then use my gift cards to buy accessories for it off of amazon

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/tls/3851052620.html

 

[jd_1138]

I'd buy a Miller or Lincoln unit. Oh wow, I just checked prices, and Miller and Lincoln are pricey.

 

[zkling]

Would this make for a much better deal? I would have to pay cash for it compared to trade but can then use my gift cards to buy accessories for it off of amazon

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/tls/3851052620.html

No, keep looking.

 

[Craftsman86]

Zkling

WHat would you recommend? I would love to be able to run out and buy a Miller but am a broke grad school student with expensive taste. I see the err in my ways with the original Napa unless he accepts a trade on it but is Century a decent brand?

 

[zkling]

Zkling

WHat would you recommend? I would love to be able to run out and buy a Miller but am a broke grad school student with expensive taste. I see the err in my ways with the original Napa unless he accepts a trade on it but is Century a decent brand?

What is your budget? Do you have access to 220V?

 

[Craftsman86]

I am looking to be into a mig or a tig for ~$400 including a tank helmet and gloves and plenty or wire to play around with I do not have 220 access.

 

[zkling]

The tank price is what is going to really hurt your budger. Helmt ~$40, Gloves ~$15.Tig is really out of the question at that price range, unless you happen to be extremely lucky and find a 110v inverter for $200.

The thing about nice, name brand welders is that they hold their value really well. Try to find a smaller Lincoln, Miller or Hobart mig. Lincoln and Hobart make some nice small mig machines. You need to talk to your local gas supplier as far as how the gas is going to work out. Even if you buy a tank used from someone, that doesn't guarantee that the weld shop will fill it for you. Maybe get a small flux machine now and add the tank for mig later?

 

[Craftsman86]

That may be the ticket, I didnt think of calling the welding shop first and saving a poor investment. I got on the idea of I must buy a welder when in class tonight and have been relentless about it since. I may have to pitch to my old man that I will buy the welder with my budget if he gets the tank to go with it so it will be a win win for both of us. I have a friend that got a flux core from HF for roughly 100 and used the hell out of it until the gun went to hell and he couldn't get parts for it and bought a thermal arc which he now swears by.

I appreciate your constructive criticism as it is saving me from running out and buying a welder that I am sure I will regret later. Now the hunt is on, I just may have to sell a couple tool boxes to raise my budget to get a nicer set up or post pone the tank purchase. Class is getting far too expensive on CL haha

 

[JJThrasher]

Just going to throw this out there for what its worth. I'm trained in welding and fabrication from my school. I've used both Miller and Lincoln at my school. I'll admit they are nice machines. However when I bought a welder for my home shop, I bought a $150 flux/mig setup used on Craigslist. It came without a bottle (currently on my to buy list) and it was a 140 amp 110v Clarke unit. Not exactly name brand, and not exactly the best of quality. However it welds just fine. I know a lot of people love nice expensive tools, but don't feel like you need to spend a lot on something you don't need.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Craftsman86]

I just found this unit today on the net would it gain the praise of my fellow GJ'ers

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/tls/3863601199.html

 

[Craftsman86]

I am torn between the one in the above post and this one. I think I may pick one of them up today, I like that the Centry is made here in Minnesota but the other one is almost brand new

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/tls/3851052620.html

 

[zkling]

Did you talk to your local weld shop and see if they can fill a bottle for you that you purchased second hand?

It seems like you are rushing into this. A great way to waste money. Technically of the two the century unit is a better deal. A regulator and tank like that is going to be ~$100 by itself. The green forney doesn't come with it. BTW the new Forney and the old Forney are not anywhere near the same in quality. I would still keep looking, but you seem to need/want this yesterday. So its your money and your call.

 

[Craftsman86]

I have called a few welding shops and friends that weld often and decided not to go with either of these. In fact I am going to buy a new Hobart from Northern tool and equipment and run it on flux until I can afford a bottle for it. This is a little above my budget but it will be a much better buy in the end. The link below is for the one I plan to pick up this weekend as I have several projects that have stacked up due to not having one.

Due to all of the comments on here and through my friends at work buying a new unit with readily available parts is going to be much more user friendly for learning on as well as more satisfied with the purchase. Thanks Zkling for all of your input.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200471413_200471413

 

[zkling]

Great decision That is a nice machine. Add a bottle later on and you will be set for a good long while.

 

[Craftsman86]

I determined that at a cost of $100-$150 more than the used garbage I will get a new machine. granted the bottle will cost an additional $130 for a new one off of Amazon it will be safer to use and easier to fill locally. With the machine in the link above, what size tank would you suggest?

 

[lisiecki1]

I determined that at a cost of $100-$150 more than the used garbage I will get a new machine. granted the bottle will cost an additional $130 for a new one off of Amazon it will be safer to use and easier to fill locally. With the machine in the link above, what size tank would you suggest?

How much welding do you plan on doing?

 

[Craftsman86]

I dont think that I will be using it all the time, but there are always things coming up to use it on. This will be my first welder so there are tons of projects lined up on my list otherwise im sure it will be a once or twice a month after I finish everything piled up.

 

[lisiecki1]

How often do you want to go to the welding supply?

The bigger the bottle the more expensive, but the less you have to get it filled. I don't know about your LWS, but at mine you can buy a smaller bottle and upgrade later, and they will comp you for the total original cost of the bottle towards the price of the new one.

 

[Craftsman86]

I will have to look into that. i was planning on buying a bottle on the net but should reach out to the suppliers in my area to see if they have any good deals

 

[zkling]

Before you buy a bottle anywhere, check with your local gas suppliers. Some weld shops won't touch a different bottle. Or they will make you wait till yours gets back from the fill station. Basically inconveniencing you for not purchasing from them.

 

[crewchief888]

i'd guess the 1st one was made by cebora, and rebadged under many names.
i'd pass on it, since it needs "trigger work". parts are sometimes very hard to find.
the 2nd one you list is made by lincoln.

it's probably worth the time to look at it,test it, and make an offer. you may be able to pick up a hood/gloves/jacket as well from the same buyer.

theres nothing "wrong" with a 110v machine, i've welded everything from sheetmetal to cages & bumpers with my lincoln promig 140.
i also dont have access to 220 in my garage.
i think miller still has some discounted pricing on mig welders