Need help , looking for a 220v Welder

[RetroJim55]

I don't know if this is allowed or if I am in the wrong section , so if there is a problem please let me know .
I am looking for a 220v MIG welder . I need a used one due to I can't afford a new one on a fixed income . If someone know a site/forum to find one or a place please let me know . I have a small Lincoln 100 HD I am using now for patch panels and things like that and works just fine but I want to upgrade to a better one . I look on C/List all the time for one and missed out on a few good ones already . I have looked at the Hobart at my local Tractor Supply but I can't afford $800 right now . I am not going to bid on one at the on-line auction either , that's just plain BS ! If someone needs an Ford engine rebuilt or can barter for one I am for that also .
Has anyone used or heard of the ones that Eastwood is selling ? I don't know who make them but the welder looks good . Any suggestion or help will be great .

Jim

 

[flatheadguy]

Quoting RetroJim55....
"I look on C/List all the time for one and missed out on a few good ones already"

You answered your own question. Be quicker dialing the phone.

 

[kc-steve]

. . . I am looking for a 220v MIG welder . . . I have looked at the Hobart at my local Tractor Supply but I can't afford $800 right now .

Jim

I currently own a Miller Thunderbolt ac/dc. Don't know what Hobart MIG model you were looking at but I am saving money for the Hobart 187 or Millermatic 180. Last time I looked Tractor Supply was selling the Hobart 187 between $600-700. I have seen it as low as $600 and some will make a deal in order to sell it. I kinda feel that private owners who sell QUALITY tools are usually doing it because something is wrong with it so I tend to pay a little extra and get it new.

Steve

 

[Ben Iv]

What are you looking to weld? just patch panels or heavier stuff on occasion too? Remember you can allways turn a big machine down low but the little ones can only do so much.

 

[RetroJim55]

Right now I have a Lincoln 100 HD I use for sheet metal and patch panel welding . It really serves me well and does a good job for patch panel work and floors on cars . I do have a Lincoln 225 stick welder I can use for frame work or heavier metals when needed . I would just like a bigger welder to do both when needed . Even a bigger 110v welder would be nice . Something around a 130 size . I really weld patch panels the most .
Has anyone used a Century welder ? I know Lincoln has them but are they any good ?

Jim

 

[StumpXJ]

Right now I have a Lincoln 100 HD I use for sheet metal and patch panel welding . It really serves me well and does a good job for patch panel work and floors on cars . I do have a Lincoln 225 stick welder I can use for frame work or heavier metals when needed . I would just like a bigger welder to do both when needed . Even a bigger 110v welder would be nice . Something around a 130 size . I really weld patch panels the most .
Has anyone used a Century welder ? I know Lincoln has them but are they any good ?

Jim

I own a Century 155GL (Flux set-up), and my father owns a Century (around 140amp or so) as a MIG set-up. They both work great for smaller stuff. They are owned by lincoln, so its not total harbor freight junk.

However, I would suggest you hold out for a Hobart or Miller. I have a Hobart 210 (220V) as my MIG set-up, and its an amazing little machine. The Hobart/Miller 187/180 - 210's are hard to beat. Just have patience, and watch craigslist like a hawk.

I bought mine new from Tractor Supply, but it was the display model, so I was able to get a decent deal on it.

~ James

 

[IndyGarage]

I think Toolking occasionally has refurbished 187's for sale, but I didn't see any on their site. You won't find very many used ones - they are so good people rarely give them up.

Tractor supply has had them on their web site at least twice this summer for $599 brand new. I've kicked myself for not buying one at that price. Right now the best screaming deal on welders is the Handler 210 plus spoolgun kit for $899.

Just FYI the Weldmark 180 is the same machine if you find one of them. People can really throw you off on craigslist, I've seen screaming deals that last minutes and crummy deals that look like screaming deals.

There's stuff for sale all over the place right now, but you have to know how to find it.

Here's an idea. Drive over to your welding supply shop and tell them you need a 220v welder but can't afford a new one. Ask them if they have any customers that either just bought a new one and might have a used one, or would like to buy a new one, but can't because they need to sell one. They might have a good trade in, or scratch and dent they will sell you.

Check at rental shops and see if they have one they want to sell. If I had time, I'd also go around to actual weld shops and ask them if they know where to find a good used one. Independent auto mechanics and metal fabricators always seem to come across used equipment. My cousin is a mechanic, and when folks can't pay, which is pretty often right now, he takes stuff on trade that he thinks he can sell. I was in there the other day and he had three miller welders sitting up on a rack - said, I think they all work, I've just never had time to try them...

 

[BerBer5985]

Have you seen this welder yet? Seems like one of the best deals on the market including the spool gun:

http://www.eastwood.com/review/product/list/id/5076/category/538/

I'm gonna give this one a try when I get some extra cash. Looks like a nice unit. Infinite voltage adjustment. Very nice looking.

 

[RetroJim55]

IndyGarage , thanks for your input . I live in a small town so the pickings are slim sometimes . As for a new one , I agree that Hobart has the best ones for the money . My problem is , I am on disability and spending $600 to $800 for a new one is not going to happen unless I find some more side jobs . I rebuild Ford engines and weld in floor pans and stuff for a guy with a shop . I charge cheaper so sometime he throws some stuff my way . This are starting to slow down now with the fall and winter seasons coming . If I can get enough saved up , I might try buying a display model from Tractor supply . I have seen that done before there . I keep an eye out for a good used one . With the bad times and winter coming soon that will be the time for the deals to come along . Even if I can find a better 110v welder in the 130 range that will be OK with me . That will do anything I want it to do for my patch work with sheet metal and when a frame needs fixed or something heavier than sheet metal , then I will use my old trusty Lincoln 225 stick welder . I really like the 110v welder due to I can take it to anyones garage and do the welding there . Many don't have a 220v to use so the 110v is perfect .
Well I will just keep use my trusty Lincoln 100 HD till I get a bigger welder . It's been serving me well so far .

Jim

 

[RetroJim55]

Have you seen this welder yet? Seems like one of the best deals on the market including the spool gun:

http://www.eastwood.com/review/product/list/id/5076/category/538/

I'm gonna give this one a try when I get some extra cash. Looks like a nice unit. Infinite voltage adjustment. Very nice looking.

I have been looking at that one for $499 real hard but don't know who makes them and where they are made . It's too new for anyone to know their track record yet . If they are USA made I will buy one . I think they look like the older style Lincolns or the Hobart's but can't go by looks . I did email them about that information but haven't gotten a reply as of yet . If I do I will make a post about the welder .

Jim

 

[RetroJim55]

I own a Century 155GL (Flux set-up), and my father owns a Century (around 140amp or so) as a MIG set-up. They both work great for smaller stuff. They are owned by lincoln, so its not total harbor freight junk.

However, I would suggest you hold out for a Hobart or Miller. I have a Hobart 210 (220V) as my MIG set-up, and its an amazing little machine. The Hobart/Miller 187/180 - 210's are hard to beat. Just have patience, and watch craigslist like a hawk.

I bought mine new from Tractor Supply, but it was the display model, so I was able to get a decent deal on it.

~ James

James , I am also looking at the Centurys . I was told they are made in Italy from a dealer on the on-line auction tonight . Still a good deal .

Jim

 

[Tufftruck]

RetroJim55
I was in the same boat that you are in, looking for a better welder. I had the lincoln 140 and needed something to do the thicker stuff. I searched, and searched for something affordable and that would do what I wanted it to do. I am not a certified welder, just someone that tinkers around and am trying to restore/fix up my old truck. So I did lots of research and would ask lots of questions. I decided I wanted a Lincoln or a miller 220 volt mig welder something over 200 amps. I looked on E-bay thousands of time and contemplated weather to bid on one of those new ones or even a good used one. I also looked at graigslist and missed out on lots of chances. (good welders go fast) I finally found one on graigslist here locally that was still avablible, it was a miller 251 for $1200.00. After seeing it and trying it out I haggaled and bargained with the guy and got him down to $1000.00 so I took the plunge(it was still more then I wanted to spend). It came complete with a big roll of wire in it and another big roll of smaller diameter wire, a big bottle of gas, gloves, about 30 ft of extension cord and some leathers. So after playing with it and doing a few repairs and a small project, I am one happy camper. No regrets and wonder why I didn't do this a long time ago. It does everything I want it to do and more. I just tried it out on some sheet metal and it works better then my lincoln 110v welder. My suggestion is to save up your $$$ and go with a qaulity name brand welder(parts avalibility) and get on with the next project. It might be more then you want to spend but you know the old saying, you get what you pay for. I still have the lincoln 110v welder just in case I have to do a repair away from a 220 outlet.

 

[jhn9840]

I thought of this thread when I came across this item.

http://www.weldingmart.com/item/Reconditioned_Work-Pak_125:120V_Flux_Core_Wire_Welder/7699

Good deal with free shipping.

jhn9840
John

 

[RetroJim55]

OK this is what I did and will be doing .
I got the gas conversion from someone dirt cheap and it was NEW , $70 !
I had a #6 tank and no one would exchange it so I stopped at a Tractor Supply and told them I had my tank . This is what they did , I had a one time fee of $19 and exchange my tank with theirs then $70 for the c25 . I thought that was a good deal . Now all I do it show my papers they gave me and it's $70 for another tank filled .

I also took a look at the Miller line and really like what I saw for the money . Now I am going to save up for a Miller 180 or whatever it will be when I get $800+ to get one .
So I will do with my Lincoln 110v and when I need to do some frame work , I have a Lincoln 220v stick welder to take care of that .

Jim

 

[fergus]

Hey,

How did the conversion work out? I've got the same Lincoln 100 and would like to do the same - got some bodywork i'm going to attempt and would really rather use mig.

Tim