Need some welder ideas/help

[GutsnGlory]

I'm looking into getting a nice welding unit something that's not super expensive but affordable and reliable.

I plan on using it mostly for automotive things and then whatever else I'd need.

I've also tried searching and didnt find much info. Should I go with a mig or tig? Gas or gas less? How much power would be good and not anything if out grow.

Any ideas are welcome and thanks in advance.

 

[nbears747]

Are you an experienced welder? If not, then Mig with gas. I would recommend a Miller or Hobart 120V unit for portability. Maybe a Hobart 140. Total setup with gas should be under $1K

 

[GutsnGlory]

No I would be getting into it for the first time.

 

[sberry]

To do this as practical in one step get a 240V 200A class MIG with as big of bottle of C25 as you can, run a circuit where you want to use it, load this machine with 030 solid wire and be a happy automotive camper,, super nice setup for a grand easy if you want to shop a little.

Any one of the big 3, the linc is fine today from the box store, I like the T version, The Hobarts are super, the Blue ones in this class maybe a hundred, maybe 2 more for premium models, MVP, ok but 240 is where its at here, with this wire will output twice the wattage of 120V machine. This one has made thousands and thousands of welds over 20 yrs.

My neighbor is a pro, hasnt been down to weld anything other than maybe piece of alum since he got a MM175 12 yrs ago. Its the ideal home hobby niche machine with just enough poop for a little structural by experienced welder.

 

[Zeke]

What kind of automotive things?

You gotta love the lawn mower cart!

 

[sberry]

This class of machine is another 100 maybe 150, dont recall now but that much more than a 140 and has twice the punch. Look at the thick plate here, didnt even clean the scale but turn it up from the door charts and let the machine do the work, a 140 wouldnt do this good on 1/8 in many cases. This eats 1/8 and 3/16 for a snack and tolerates this 1/4 with a little work from the driver.

Melt the ripples right out of it. The new 210 class like the Hobart compared to this old red one is a pinch better wide open, just a fuzz.

The smaller machines have their place and real work beyond their general design can be performed but 007 wire bigger is huge and pulling from a circuit that allows double the wattage with less v drop is big.

This is a case where a little bigger is a lot better.

 

[readhead]

This is like asking how high is high? You are going to get lots of opinions. So here goes. I have been welding in the sheet metal and steel business for forty years and have used pretty much every brand out there. For a first timer I agree that mig with gas is the way to go. Easy to learn and very adaptable to lots of processes. I am a Lincoln guy but I am in the commercial end of things. Of course I am goinmg to say Lincoln but most of the guys here will point you to Miller and Hobart. Both good machines. I would say to stay out of the box stores and find a local welding supply and have them walk you through your choices. Go 220V if you can. It is impossible to have to big of a machine. Set up with .030 wire to start and go from there. There are lots of info and videos out there and you might want to take a night class if it is avaliable. Have fun. Go forward and stick some steel together.

 

[sberry]

read, good advice,,, hahaha

 

[GutsnGlory]

Thanks guys. That's great info. Ill start looking more into it all.

What I plan on doing is any sheet metal work for cars and some custom fabrication parts I may want to make or need. Also for all the things that come along and can be made with a welder.

 

[sberry]

This is where a little research goes a long way, About like picking a digital camera. The guy above me hit it on the head, 240 200A mig 030. You can run 023 if you have a steady diet of patch panel but I never change it in this class of mahine, the 030 gives it more "range, all the way from thin sheet to 1/4 that you just cant make the heat with smaller wire.

Engineereing has really went to work on this niche, they got the wire matched with the machine, they have worked on this small class of machine to get the price down, up to its limits its as good as machines get. It still isnt a 250 mig but you can fab a little with it, anything on a car or light truck.

 

[KPSquared]

Longevity.

Ya its not a big brand name but they have been cranking out some great products lately.

200amp mig will get you anywhere you need to go and not leave you frustrated. The little buzz box migs just don't cut it. . .for me anyway.

 

[silver2000]

I know many folks will disagree, but if you can find a used Millermatic 140, 120v setup which was what I started with a few years back. I bought it used for 300.00 and it rally was a great machine, I was able to do some 1/4" and maybe they woulnd't make a nuclear reactor hold but they were quite good. Gasless is fine to start up, it saves you some money and you can always add it later. I still liked that machine a lot, small portable, and plenty of power, I was not typically doing anything very thick, but it was very versatile. Plus you can get parts forever also.

I recently bought a Miller Multimatic and still getting used to it but also a nice machine.

I would not buy an offbrand since unlike many other things that run on electricity a good welder can be around your shop for 10+ years or much longer so parts and supplies matter and for me Miller was very good.

 

[bullnerd]

Hobart 140 gets my vote,with gas of course.

Any tractor supplies near you?They have good prices.

 

[pipsters]

I recently went through this as well. I picked up a used Miller Passport for $700. It does 120v and 240v. Only ran it on 120v right now. Only thing I wish is that it was 200+ amps, it maxes out at 180.

It's neat because it runs on an internal CO2 bottle. CO2 is extremely cheap - $3 at Dicks fills up my small little 12oz container for 25 mins of welding.

Even the "smaller" 120v units aren't really portable, check out the weights on them. Plus if you want to move them around, and use gas, now you have to take a bottle around with you. Otherwise you have to reload with fluxcore wire. Overall just a pain.

Probably better to get a larger 220v shop welder, and if the time ever comes where you find yourself needing a portable unit look into a small 120v unit for sale on CL or something and load it with fluxcore and call it good.

A Miller 211 is my dream machine but you're looking at around $1100 for the unit, then the gas ($100?) and it weighs 75#. How portable is a 75# 120v welder?

Overall I'm glad I have a 220v capable unit as it seems to be a serious stretch to even do 1/8" on 120v. 14 gauge might be the highest you an reasonably expect to tap out at 120v, at least from what I am seeing. That's really not a lot of metal.

 

[great white tj]

You are getting great info, and like the others I have said I would look at Hobart 140, great unit.
I have had one for 4 years now.Then I moved up to a Miller 211 its a 110 and 220 volts, the hobart 210 is a 110-220 unit a little less $$ than the Miller 211, the Miller 211 has a duty cyl of 30%. The unit above the 211 is the Miller 212 with a 60% duty cyl.

 

[JerryC]

You're pretty close to where I was a few months ago. My goal was to learn how to mig, and possibly do some work on cars/trucks later on.

Initially I was looking at "cheap as I can to get a feel for it". More reading and pondering got me to "good enough". Wife said "dont be an idiot, buy a good one so you dont buy one you arent happy with and then buy another one". So I went from HF cheapo, to considering 110v Mig's, to finally 110/220 Migs.

This got me to:
Lincoln 180 Dual
Hobart 210 MVP
Miller 211
Thermal Arc 181

The Miller, Hobart and Lincoln all have a track record of happy owners and hold resale very well.
The Hobart was just too close in price to the Miller to not get the Miller.
The Lincoln was also close to the Miller in price and less powerfull. Has a very loyal following and is reported by many to have a better arc for beginners.
The TA really had my interest with its stick, mig and tig capability but in the end the lack of well documented track record (it's fairly new) kept me away. The Miller 211 it is, from a beginners point of view it's a great machine. Tons of power, easy to setup, easy to use.

A friend let me try his Mig with fluxcore wire. That convinced me to go with gas and solid core. For a beginner go with gas, you can see what you are doing better and you will do better from the get go. If you later come across a job that needs FC wire you can always swap it over to FC and back when you're done.

I watched ebay for weeks before giving up and buying new, all the sales for used welders ended up too close the new price (dont forget to add in shipping) which would also get you a warranty. There's several sellers on ebay that have great prices and free shipping.
If you use BillMeLater you can also no interest financing.

 

[pipsters]

Also RE: fluxcore vs solid. A .030 size 10 lb spool of flux is roughly $80. A 12.5 lb spool of solid is around $30. Gas is fairly cheap.

.035 is quite a bit cheaper, but still about 2x the cost. So really no cost savings by not going with gas, and the welds are a LOT nicer. Just something to consider, I'm learning about this stuff as I go as well.

 

[kevin47]

Look for something used...There are good machines out there...Some for as little as $500 bucks...Forget that 120v ****...Unless you enjoy frustration...Oxy-Ace is a good way to start...Get in some understanding and technique...Next is stick or Mig...Don't fool with Tig 'till you have a good "grip" on things...You would do yourself a favor by taking some classes at a community college...Good luck, Kevin

 

[Zeke]

I have restored 4 cars with a 120v Lincoln. Most of the time it is on the B setting unless I'm plug welding at "C." I have used it both as a FC and MIG welder. For anything but cars, I use the FC side.

Now, I'm looking at what might be the perfect use for my Lincoln 100: using Agron gas and silicone bronze wire for panel welding. Less heat and less distortion. If I **** weld, I use a mini torch with oxy/act, hammer the welds and then go over them with a braze wash to catch any pin holes.

So, first welder? Depends on the work. I can build all the shop stands I want with 120v using 1/8" or 3/16th" angle iron. The only time I have used 1/4" angle and flat is on a open trailer modification. I got decent penetration using the highest setting and FC. The guy across the street worked at a test lab, so he took my welds in and they were fine after slicing, polishing and acid testing. Good crown and good pen.

People shouldn't diss 120v welders just because it's the popular thing to do. 120v welders get a bad rep because too many would be weldors use too much extension cord or weak circuits. They don't like being starved by voltage drop. In fact, they weld like **** when the voltage drops with any significance.

 

[readhead]

We have three Lincoln 110 machines set up with flux core for field work. All sorts of machines for all kinds of work. Nothing wrong with 110 machines as long as the operator understands the limitations.

 

[Justin1776]

I was in your position last summer and I went with a Hobart 190 from Tractor Supply ($650 on sale). As stated already, the 220 really opens up the possibilities. For sheet metal and small angle iron or tubing, 110 is fine but you are likely going to need to weld up some heavy stuff eventually like frames or motor mounts. Be prepared to spend money on accessories. I went with a Miller Digital Performance hood ($200), Hobart full jacket, drive rolls for different size wire, 90CF tanks in my area are $120-150 and 20-30 to fill with 75/25 CO2/Argon. I also bought a new (Tweco) 200 amp ground clamp because the factory one blows like the wind. I recommend checking out CyberWeld.com for accessories, they have good prices. I do see quite a few Lincoln 110 units at pawn shops, I have never run one but I imagine they work well for their price point if you are trying to enter welding on a budget.

Side note, I went with the HF welding cart and it *****. I have some industrial carpet in my garage and every time I roll over it I feel like the whole thing is going to fall over.