need welder advise

[57eyes]

I'm a Welder newbie and want to purchase a welder for home shop use. Want a good quality welder for auto, hobbie and repair purposes around the house/shop. Likely will stay with 115V and guessing MIG. Have Limited welding experience and will be learning on the go.


Any advise on brands, models, features and price is welcomed. Thanks

 

[vssjim]

go buy a Lincoln 115 volt mig

 

[A29]

Just buy a name brand like miller, hobart or lincoln. Consumables are easy to find. Prefer miller myself but the others are good.

 

[e-tek]

Most good brands have 115V offerings. Problem is they are going max out around 100Amps and have a short duty cycle. Lincoln, Miller, Hobart....

Actually, here's a sweet130A 110V welder....

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31%2BQK3f%2Bq2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I'd get roasted for recommending it, but I bought a 110V Flux Core welder from Princess Auto (our HF). It was $127.00 and I did LOTS with it. From quarter panels to lawn mower repairs.... Sure, it splattered and left a lot of scale, but it worked and was a cheap way to experience "MIG" welding (the term MIG actually denotes the use of gas to sheild the welding, so really it's FLUX-CORE welding when you don't use gas). For a 110V welder to do what you're wanting, I'd buy one again. I still have it, but I stepped up to a 180A Lincoln 220V machine becuase of all the bodywork I do....

 

[atari]

I stepped up to a 180A Lincoln 220V machine becuase of all the bodywork I do....

Just get the 220 machine, You can always turn it down but you cant turn up the 110 welder to a 220 machine. You will out grow he capability of the 110 unit quite quickly. I would also recommend Lincoln also, every home dept and lowes sells the consumables. Also, get the biggest gas bottle you can afford. You can get them cheapest on ebay. If you get one second hand, If there is a gas company name cast around the collar of the tank it is leased and you will not be able to get it filled. They will take it from you at the gas company. The out right tanks are blank around the collar and thats what your looking for.

 

[Professur]

Just get the 220 machine, You can always turn it down but you cant turn up the 110 welder to a 220 machine. You will out grow he capability of the 110 unit quite quickly. I would also recommend Lincoln also, every home dept and lowes sells the consumables. Also, get the biggest gas bottle you can afford. You can get them cheapest on ebay. If you get one second hand, If there is a gas company name cast around the collar of the tank it is leased and you will not be able to get it filled. They will take it from you at the gas company. The out right tanks are blank around the collar and thats what your looking for.

I'll just add ... get 220 .. if you've got 220 available. Used welders are a good way to save some cash up front. Lots of people start low and soon upgrade. I think we all had to learn that lesson the hard way. Just stay away from the E-bay chinese welders. While I've heard some few good reports, I've heard lots more bad. Wires held together with fishing line and the like.

I've got a Linc SP170T that I got used on Craigslist locally. Just asked the guy to do a bead for me before handing over the cash. He did one, then handed me his mask so I could do one too.

 

[chevy3755]

Linc 175 ..............

 

[chevy3755]

i have found that you need to buy the best you can afford.......you wont go wrong......its like buying a lathe always buy bigger than what you think you need.........

 

[Major Ramifications]

Craigslist and pawn shops are good places to find good welders for less $$. My first welder was a used 110V Craftsman (Century) MIG, and I did quite a bit with it. Once I stepped up to a 220V machine, the only time I pull out the 110V is for portability (for locations where there is no 220V).

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Can't say enough about the Miller 211. All you do to swap between 110 and 220 is change the supplied plug on the end of the cable. It will run Flux core or run solid wire with a tank and has a hobby level spool gun available for a $100 or so. They will cost well under a $1,000 new from a welding supply company and will do ANYTHING a normal hobbiest will need done.

The duty cycle is not for production work in a structural fab shop but they work well in the home garage. Consumables are easy to find, it is fairly light and portable, has the "autoset" feature for a rookie welder and can always be sold if not needed without losing a ton of money.

Either way you go, I would go Blue or Red (or Hobart cream if you like that flavor...) If they ever need to be repaired, you can find someone to fix them in any area of the country.

 

[06wt]

i always tell everyone to start with a stick machine, i have been welding for years, if you start with stick(smaw/mma/arc welding) the rest of the welding processes will come easy, any one can pull a trigger on a mig whip and lay down a bead. there isnt much that a mig can do that a stick machine cant in the rite hands. plus stick machines are cheaper and more versatile. id say get an ac/dc stick machine

 

[Professur]

i always tell everyone to start with a stick machine, i have been welding for years, if you start with stick(smaw/mma/arc welding) the rest of the welding processes will come easy, any one can pull a trigger on a mig whip and lay down a bead. there isnt much that a mig can do that a stick machine cant in the rite hands. plus stick machines are cheaper and more versatile. id say get an ac/dc stick machine

I'd agree ... if this person was looking to become a professional welder. For the hobbyist, the time investment in becoming proficient in stick just isn't worth it. And yes, I've seen a true pro weld 22ga with a stick ... but the only reason he did it was to win a bet. Given the option, he'd have used a mig. The same guy used a plasma welder to micro weld a soda can back together. Won a case of beer and a steak dinner off us.

 

[atari]

I'll just add ... get 220 .. if you've got 220 available.

Good Point. I forget that all of our shops dont have 220.

i always tell everyone to start with a stick machine, i have been welding for years, if you start with stick(smaw/mma/arc welding) the rest of the welding processes will come easy, any one can pull a trigger on a mig whip and lay down a bead. there isnt much that a mig can do that a stick machine cant in the rite hands. plus stick machines are cheaper and more versatile. id say get an ac/dc stick machine

I'd agree ... if this person was looking to become a professional welder. For the hobbyist, the time investment in becoming proficient in stick just isn't worth it. And yes, I've seen a true pro weld 22ga with a stick ... but the only reason he did it was to win a bet. Given the option, he'd have used a mig. The same guy used a plasma welder to micro weld a soda can back together. Won a case of beer and a steak dinner off us.

I agree with both of these to a point, I am a professional TIG welder and the first thing I ever welded with was a TIG, NASA has never had an issue with any of my welds. I learned Torch, Stick, and MIG later. I do agree that a hobbyist could use or need a stick but If I had to choose only one for my shop it would be a med size MIG every time.

 

[c_mccann]

I have a 110v Miller Mig, I run it with gas, great machine. I had a Lincoln SP 155 (I believe)that got stolen, great machine as well, but the Miller is better quality. If I am to give you proper advise, get a 220v Miller MIG- waay more versitile and you can always turn down the power, but there is alot you cannot do with a 110v.

 

[383 240z]

First off I am NOT a pro weldor. I do however do more than my fair share of welding, I used one of those import (Italy) machines for years, with MUCH fustration. I then pulled the trigger on a Hobart Handler 187 220v. WOW what a difference a good machine makes, I have used it with .025 wire to do little (22g) sheet metal, up to 1/4" plate with .035 wire for the structure on my Hot Rod. (no the frame is not made fron 1/4" but some of the mounts are). The repeatability of this welder is AWSOME. The price on a new unit is pretty good I got mine at Tractor Supply with a 15% off coupon. Just my 2 cents. Keith

 

[EZH]

Can't say enough about the Miller 211. All you do to swap between 110 and 220 is change the supplied plug on the end of the cable. It will run Flux core or run solid wire with a tank and has a hobby level spool gun available for a $100 or so. They will cost well under a $1,000 new from a welding supply company and will do ANYTHING a normal hobbiest will need done.

That's then exact one I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on. I've read nothing but good things about it. Only thing I really don't care far is the Aluminum spool gun. The guns I've run in the past had the wire speed control on the gun itself without having to walk back to the machine. Of course those were like $800-900 guns.

Thanks for another vote of confidence on the 211.

Eric

 

[VTHokie]

Thanks for another vote of confidence on the 211.

Eric

I can give you another vote of confidence on the Miller 211. I've had mine for just over a year now and it's been great. The ability to use it on 110v or 220v is what sold me and it's been a nice option to have. I've used it on a lot of repairs and projects for the garage and house and it performs great every time. I don't have the spool gun yet, thinking about it though. It's a great welder, you'll be happy with it!

 

[Skyline]

That's then exact one I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on. I've read nothing but good things about it. Only thing I really don't care far is the Aluminum spool gun. The guns I've run in the past had the wire speed control on the gun itself without having to walk back to the machine. Of course those were like $800-900 guns.

Thanks for another vote of confidence on the 211.

Eric

Another option is a used Millermatic 250. They have a much better duty cycle, and have a really good spool gun option. New, these are obviously in another price range. But I bought mine in perfect shape for $900. Then I found a Miller "Vintage" welder (basically the same machine), with a spool gun and a ton of wire for $900, so I bought that too, resold the welder and had a free spool gun. I would look for one of these machines.

As far as having 220v, I run a long very heavy extension chord to my dryer outlet. I can't quite crank the machine all the way up, but it's more than enough power to weld 1/4" plate.

 

[Professur]

As far as having 220v, I run a long very heavy extension chord to my dryer outlet. I can't quite crank the machine all the way up, but it's more than enough power to weld 1/4" plate.

I tapped the stove outlet. I got a pair of 25' generator leads 10/4 for $25 each at a surplus supply. Later found the very same extensions at Walmart for $80+. Took me a while to reattach my *** after laughing so hard.

 

[57eyes]

thanks for all the feedback. I think i'll stay away from the dryer outlet - don't think the good wife would appreciate the cord running through the house and down the steps.

Might look into getting 220 for the garage though - currently don't have it.

 

[Professur]

i always tell everyone to start with a stick machine, i have been welding for years, if you start with stick(smaw/mma/arc welding) the rest of the welding processes will come easy, any one can pull a trigger on a mig whip and lay down a bead. there isnt much that a mig can do that a stick machine cant in the rite hands. plus stick machines are cheaper and more versatile. id say get an ac/dc stick machine

Over the weekend, I had a quick job to do, welding up some 1/8" channel. I looked at the welders doing a quick mental calculation of how long it would take to pull out each and set it up for use. I wound up choosing the old standby 110V stick welder. Got the job over and done with faster than setting up the mig would have taken.

 

[Micahdogg]

This was totally me just 3 months ago.

I needed to build a new exhaust system for my T-bird and didn't trust anyone to build it to my liking, so I pulled the trigger on a welder and took my first crack at it.

This is what I chose

It's a Lincoln SP140T MIG like the one pictured here:
http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=K2688-1

I picked it up for about $500 out the door at Lowes (with a 10% off coupon I already had). It is very very nice and extremely user friendly. Comes with a DVD to show you how to operate it. I spent $40 at Harbor frieght on a auto dimming helmet which was well worth the price. Also spent $40 on the welding cart and picked up some leather gloves.

This welder can be set up for gas or flux core....and trust me, gas is the ONLY way to weld. It is sooooo clean and you don't have to fuss with chipping away slag. The weld on the left is flux core, the one on the right is with gas.

The gas is a 75/25 Co2/Argon mix and cost me $165 for the bottle in the picture. I have not quite gone through a complete spool of wire and with no prior experience whatsoever did this:

Micah

 

[Professur]

Interesting Y pipe