Ok guys, I know the small welders that run on 110 volt are limited, but I dont need much. I already have one of those 225 amp 240 volt lincoln stick welders, but typically dont have a 240 volt outlet handy. I have worked with the small mig welders and they do everything I would need, but I am looking for something more portable and the thought of lugging around a gas bottle just doesn't do it for me, plus I enjoy stick welding. I just want something that could do the typical around the house welding needs like small lawn mower tasks and other small jobs no thicker than the absolute max, 1/4" thick. I have looked at the smaller stick welders from lincoln and was shocked at the $1,000 price tag, since I wouldnt be using this but maybe once or twice a year! I haven't read too many good reviews on the harbor freight offerings, so that brings me here. Is there any decent stick welder than runs on 110 volt that would stand up to occasional around the house use? I want something small enought to easily carry around the yard and run on a household outlet. Looking forward to the advice!
small 110 volt welder
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
sberry
Banned
I think TA makes a cheaper version, Hobart should make one, they could keep it simple and be 120 only. I have tried the Forney for sport at 100$, I suspect the Longeviety or some other unit up the food chain another 100$ might work better but I was looking at the bottom line just for giggles. It will run a 3/32 6011 and it might hold a 3/32 7018 if it was on a 30A breaker but it tripped a 20, my Maxstar will run them no issue, both 1/18 6011 and the lo hi 3/32, works super out to about 100 ft or a bit more on a circuit.
The thing about the Max is that you can toss the AC machine you have now, makes it obsolete and it works on 120 at a nearly revolutionary level.
The thing about the Max is that you can toss the AC machine you have now, makes it obsolete and it works on 120 at a nearly revolutionary level.
Last edited:
Kaervak
Well-known member
I don't own one of these myself, but it has quite a lot of positive reviews.
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/arc-welders/80-amp-inverter-arc-welder-91110.html
I've also read that it can be converted to TIG if desired. I'm planning on picking one up eventually to complement my mig and AC stick setup.
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/arc-welders/80-amp-inverter-arc-welder-91110.html
I've also read that it can be converted to TIG if desired. I'm planning on picking one up eventually to complement my mig and AC stick setup.
sberry
Banned
I suspect this is the same as the Forney. I bet you could find something substantially better for 250. First 2 are 6011, I don't remember the exact details of the second but number 3 was 3/32 7018DC and it just wont make the power, all a guy can do at that temp, has to manipulate the rod and tried an AC version in pic 4 thinking the added stabilization would help but the thing just plain needs 10 more amps it doesn't have.
Attachments
Last edited:
I am not doubting the handiness of such a small welder, but is there any unit to stay far away from? I dont have any experience around these smaller welders. I see lincoln has a cheap one, but it looks just like the ones at harbor freight.
sberry
Banned
BD1
Well-known member
The MILLER 211 mig might be perfect. 110/220 dual voltage. Miller has a rebate program in progress. I got my rebate yesterday.
http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245
http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245
Stooge
Well-known member
Maybe a hobart 125 or 140 and just run flux core wire instead if having a bottle for it? Buddy of mine has a 125 handler and i used it a bit over his house so i didnt have to lug my miller over there. seemed more than capable on 3/16, didnt try anything larger than that but nice machine for the price.
waggie
Well-known member
whichever one you get, make sure the voltage adjustment is continuous. Lincoln's 110volt welders with infinite adjustment is usually higher grade than the tapped ones sold at big box stores.
If you're gonna be using it as a flux core welder, then disregard what i just said. I know nothing about flux core.
If you're gonna be using it as a flux core welder, then disregard what i just said. I know nothing about flux core.
TinKnocker
Well-known member
I run my hobart handler 140 on a 15A breaker with no issues. I do alot of exhaust work and some miscelanious work here and there. All with flux core. I love it.
@ the $1000 buck level you are close to the 211 an having the besto f both worlds. I also have the Hobart Handler 140. I love it. It runs on 15 amp breaker with 100 ft of extension cord just fine. It will pop the breaker if the air compressor kicks on. I weld 1/4 inch regularly. Unfortunately it is always mulipass, but it does work.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Now that is pretty !
How much of that is good technique/practice and how much of that is the quality of the welding machine ?
+1 to the Millermatic 211 if you have $1k to spend, worked great for me on my 110v before I added a 240v outlet in the garage.
A bit less cost wise would be a Hobart 140 which is also a great welder that should last you a life time.
A bit less cost wise would be a Hobart 140 which is also a great welder that should last you a life time.
sberry
Banned
Here is a vert on some old rusty plate testing a machine. The one I show above was OH but these are verts, the second one is a cover type over a stringer and the first was old rod on old plate.
Now as to the machine or the person, here is my take. I cant really tell 2machines apart given they are the same type. I actually give the edge to my Linc AC/DC over the Max but its almost imperceptable and if a guy didnt run them side by side it would be hard to tell.
Attachments
sberry
Banned
toomanytoyzz
Well-known member
^What he said
. My buddy's Weld Pak 100 with tapped settings doesn't hold a candle to my older SP100. If you got the mig route I would make sure it at least has the ability to run gas. You never know when you'll need to do some sheetmetal work on an auto. Shielding gas makes a world of difference when talking autobody.sberry
Banned
Maxstar!!! I love mine, I found a good deal on it and have around 6-700 in it with all the tig and stick setup. on 110 I can run 1/8th 7018 Really I would like more amps for it but it runs them pretty well. 3/32 is no problem on 110, Overall the machine welds nice. Its super light and portable, and its going to give you stronger welds than a mig on 110 IMHO the pic is beside a gatorade bottle for a size comparison.
chances are that stick welder will lay a much stronger bead on 110. also duty cycle. My maxstar has 100% duty. I had a job where I welded 20 tables together, already tacked up just weld. On the mig with 30% i hit the duty cycle in no time. it was quicker to stick weld it for me.
sberry
Banned
Its not 100% though,,, 30 at rated output.
I have a Hobart Handler 140 and have also been really happy with it.
If you do go with the HH140 for the type of stuff you're talking about you might want to consider their kit for using paintball CO2 tanks:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VECKSI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It only adds minimal bulk/weight to the setup and attaches to the back of the machine. Tanks cost about $4-5 to fill and give 40 minutes of weld time per fill. I have a spare tank on hand since they can be picked up for less than $20.
I use a larger bottle of C25 for my vehicle work in my garage and this saves me the hassle of having to switch to a flux core wire when I need to take the welder with me.
If you do go with the HH140 for the type of stuff you're talking about you might want to consider their kit for using paintball CO2 tanks:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VECKSI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It only adds minimal bulk/weight to the setup and attaches to the back of the machine. Tanks cost about $4-5 to fill and give 40 minutes of weld time per fill. I have a spare tank on hand since they can be picked up for less than $20.
I use a larger bottle of C25 for my vehicle work in my garage and this saves me the hassle of having to switch to a flux core wire when I need to take the welder with me.