Need welder opinion

[83diesel]

Need a small mig/stick/tig that is portable, 110 or 220 volt, need to be able to weld mild steel and aluminum.

The mild steel will be welding exhaust pipes, brackets and other components no thicker than 1/4", will not be anything extremely important like axle brackets or frames.

The aluminum will be light weight brackets and sheet type metal repairs, nothing structural or very cosmetic.

Would like to keep the whole package price below 1500 dollars, will get beat up out in the weather more than getting used.

Was looking into the spool gun migs made by clarke, anyone have any experience with these? I have a lincoln mig at home but do not ant to use it for field service work, too heavy and nice for this kind of work.

The buzz box stick welders look apealling for price and durability, but what about welding aluminum?

TIG welders seem to be sensitive to weather and costly, not sure if I want to go this route.

 

[Lyaec350]

Hobart Handler 187... should be ~$550 + $150 bottle if you can get it on sale @ Tractor Supply. Great machine for everything up to and including 1/4" (Might be able to single pass 5/16" I'm not sure...)

 

[83diesel]

Hobart Handler 187... should be ~$550 + $150 bottle if you can get it on sale @ Tractor Supply. Great machine for everything up to and including 1/4" (Might be able to single pass 5/16" I'm not sure...)

What about aluminum, heard that witout a spool gun a mig does not weld aluminum without birdnesting?

 

[Lyaec350]

HH187 has provision for a spool gun. New ~$450 + $150 for a different bottle for that.

Pretty sure you can't stick aluminum.

In general:

MIG -- good for thick steel, ok on alum, midrange ($1200)
Stick -- great on heavy steel, weak on thin steel, impossible on alum, cheap ($500)
TIG -- amazing on thin steel and alum, not so great on thick steel, expensive ($2000)

Prices listed are minimums to get started with a decent unit and everything you'd need (spool gun for mig, bottles, etc)

 

[83diesel]

Thansk for the infor, did not realize the smaller 220 volt welders had provisions for spool guns and affordable at that. Not sure if I will go with the Hobart, depending on local prices and availability, but I will definately keep it in mind.

 

[Lyaec350]

Sorry just re-read your original post. If this is a backup, definitely go with a little 110 like one of the smaller Hobarts or even (though I wouldn't personally, just because it's not a known quanitity) one of the Clarkes. I don't think you will be able to weld alum out in the field @ that price point--give up that criteria and it opens a ton of doors for you.

 

[83diesel]

Maybe I misread the Clarke welder description, but with a spool gun built into the machine it should be able to weld aluminum with the right wire and gas. I was leaning towards the smaller 230 volt welders because they are smoother and don't overheat as easily and like you stated before the smaller 220 volt welders are now have optional spool guns. The 110's would be alright if they could weld aluminum. I personally have never tried and have heard a regular gun will bird nest.

As stated in first post, the welds do not need to be certfiable quality, just strong enought to hold, do not mind doing multiple passes. The aluminum peices are not going to be structural peices either and do not need to look pretty.

I think your original idea with the Hobart would be just fine and stay within the budget. Tanks and regulators I already have, just need the spool gun and welder. (had mentioned earlier to have full kit price b/c spool guns can get really expensive).

 

[Lyaec350]

I can't comment further--don't know anything about the Clarkes (of any size) or welding Al w/out a spool gun.

All I know is that I've had great luck with my IronMan 210 and spool gun...

 

[RAYJAY]

I would stay away from the Clarke's have not heard too much great about them. I have a Hobart handler one of the older 180's and its one of the best welder i ever used. and the 187 is better than the 180. we have a Lincoln at work its ok I like the Hobart better.
Hobart /Miller is the same welders in most ways the miller is built a little better.

and how much aluminum welding are you going to do?

if its a lot tig is the only way to go

hope this helps

Jeff

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I dont know how portable you need this welding setup to be.. but if you want to lug around a "portable" mig welder - 220v unit about 75 pounds, and the bottle, etc.. then look into a lincoln power mig 180c - its the newest biggest portable welder by lincoln and cost $700 brand new shipped off ebay - and their spool gun for aluminum only cost $200. This is one great thing about lincoln.. their spool guns are cheap comparing to miller, hh, etc.. You'll want 220v power for aluminum as it needs more power to weld thicker aluminum. Add in bottles - small bottles, big bottles.. 120-180 filled for argon(what you want for aluminum). And there you go.. that'll cost under $1500. For even more portable.. look into millers passport.

 

[engnerdan]

I have a Hobart Handler 135, and I have welded aluminum with it. Some say it cant be done but it can, I used a 5000 series wire and kept the gun lead straight, I had serveral birds nests but that stopped then I started holding the tip farther from the material. I would not say it was pretty, or that great of a weld but it did hold water (snowmobile heat exchanger). I have since been told to get .035 4000 series wire (much softer but welds better).

-Dan

 

[Merkava_4]

Which process do you feel the most comfortable running: MIG/TIG/ or STICK?

How are you able to power a welder in the field; does your work truck have a generator?

http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_180_autoset/

 

[mrsleeve]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/multiprocess/dimension_302/

this will make a all in one machine for your shop Mig/tig/stick/flux core/air carbon arc cutting. its 4k msrp though.


I would get a miller econo tig for 1500. my brother has one an dose great things with it. I have Lincon (I am a blue box person though) sp100 mig i got a hell of a deal on it. but thats me.

My advise get 1 of the big 3 Miller/hobart, lincon or Esab.

 

[Merkava_4]

http://millerwelds.com/products/multiprocess/dimension_302/

http://millerwelds.com/products/wire_feeders/20_series_feeders/


That's the setup we had at FCC for running:

NR211, NR232, E7018, E7024, E6010, E6011, E6013.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a Hobart Handler 135, and I have welded aluminum with it. Some say it cant be done but it can, I used a 5000 series wire and kept the gun lead straight, I had serveral birds nests but that stopped then I started holding the tip farther from the material. I would not say it was pretty, or that great of a weld but it did hold water (snowmobile heat exchanger). I have since been told to get .035 4000 series wire (much softer but welds better).

-Dan

I have an HH140 and the only thing that I'll add is taht i am impressed with the overall quality of the Hobart machines. They have a more solid feel than their Lincoln counterparts. And they come with a Miller gun.

You could do a lot worse than a Hobart welder....

 

[83diesel]

Which process do you feel the most comfortable running: MIG/TIG/ or STICK?

How are you able to power a welder in the field; does your work truck have a generator?

http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_180_autoset/

I am comfortable with mig and stick, have done tig before but need more practice with it on aluminum.

The truck has a generator but I am usually close to the customers' warehouses that has 220 volt outlets if needed. Their shops have no tools, welders, benches, etc.

 

[83diesel]

I have a Hobart Handler 135, and I have welded aluminum with it. Some say it cant be done but it can, I used a 5000 series wire and kept the gun lead straight, I had serveral birds nests but that stopped then I started holding the tip farther from the material. I would not say it was pretty, or that great of a weld but it did hold water (snowmobile heat exchanger). I have since been told to get .035 4000 series wire (much softer but welds better).

-Dan

I just might try to run a small 220 volt welder without a spool gun for aluminum welding until I see the need for a spool gun. I am not sure how much aluminum welding I will actually do. I know there is a lot of times I need to weld mild steel though.

 

[Merkava_4]

The most important thing is to get a MIG machine with a continuous voltage adjustment; the A B C D tapped voltage adjustments are terrible.

 

[nissan_crawler]

The most important thing is to get a MIG machine with a continuous voltage adjustment; the A B C D tapped voltage adjustments are terrible.

False, it works great for many people. I've had both and used them side-by-side. I couldn't care less which it is.

The HH187 is probably considered the best overall hobby welder, and has tapped settings. My HH175 has 4 taps and works fine. More would be nice (like the 187), but not necessary by any means.

 

[83diesel]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/multiprocess/dimension_302/

this will make a all in one machine for your shop Mig/tig/stick/flux core/air carbon arc cutting. its 4k msrp though.


I would get a miller econo tig for 1500. my brother has one an dose great things with it. I have Lincon (I am a blue box person though) sp100 mig i got a hell of a deal on it. but thats me.

My advise get 1 of the big 3 Miller/hobart, lincon or Esab.

If I was working on earthmoving equipment or a professional welder I would definately consider the first option, but for the little maintenance projects I will be doing here and there I don't see spending that kind of money.

I have a miller 250 at home, so if I need something bigger welded than I would take the part off or take the welder to the shop if I have to but don't want to lug the big welder around everyday. Plus I don't want to take the chance of the bigger welder getting stolen. The smaller welders except the tank can fit in the extended part of the cab or in one of the boxes.

I will probably go with the big 3, but the Clarkes price looked apealling considering the welder comes with a spool gun. But cheaper price scares me a little. Thanks for the input.

 

[Merkava_4]

I was wondering if you had to carry the welder away from the truck, how you would carry the bottle? From what I've seen, only the carts have a provision to hold the bottle.

 

[83diesel]

I would unhook the hose from the bottle and lay it down on the bed and lift it out of the truck and roll it across the parking lot if needed, but if the truck can be backed up close enought I would just set the welder in the back of the truck bed and hook the hose to the bottle and weld from the back of the truck.

I could get a longer gas hose made also, I don't plan on getting a cart for this welder. The cart would take up too much room and with the bottle on the back would make the whole assembly weigh too much. I also plan on getting a mid size bottle, not one of the largest ones.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't plan on getting a cart for this welder.

I wouldn't think so with it being on a truck; which led me to ask the previous question.

 

[83diesel]

I wouldn't think so with it being on a truck; which led me to ask the previous question.

Thanks for your input.

Made me think about what I was planning on doing a little harder.

 

[Jared]

I definitely wouldn't get a tig or stick for what your trying to do. Stick will weld alum but I have heard it is very difficult, because your working outside on material that probably isn't that clean i wouldn't buy a tig. I have heard good thing about the HH187 you would definitely want a spoolgun if your doing much alum.

 

[eschoendorff]

Okay, so you're going to put this machine on a truck. Am I the only one who wonders what is going to power this thing? Makes a lot of difference what kind of welder you can use - if you have the right power supply.

 

[Merkava_4]

Okay, so you're going to put this machine on a truck. Am I the only one who wonders what is going to power this thing? Makes a lot of difference what kind of welder you can use - if you have the right power supply.

He already answered that question in post #16 ... pay attention Mr. Schoendorff !

 

[eschoendorff]

He already answered that question in post #16 ... pay attention Mr. Schoendorff !

Oops... just caught that! :tard:

Then... I would try the HH187.

 

[jhn9840]

I don't know how much welding on aluminium you will be doing, but AL can be readily welded with the oxy-acetylene process. No special tips or expensive equipment required. I was taught this in welding class over 30 yrs ago and works great. Check out this web site for consumables.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/?src=google

jhn9840
John