theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I always tell people if they are looking at low end MIG welders, buy one that you can add gas to AND a dual voltage one. Yes, that ups the cost a lot !
Suggestions for a light duty wire feed welder?
- Thread starter Aaron_W
- Start date
Ign
Well-known member
Nothing wrong w the Hobarts at TSC. They even carry the 210MVP which is an impressive machine *for what it is* on 220V. Specifically, decent arc quality and reliable. But if I WANTED a 110V wire feed the HH140 from TSC would be my first choice.
danski0224
Well-known member
I've used the Millermatic 140 quite a bit with flux core for work, the most current model has auto-set. This is a 110V transformer machine.
There's nothing wrong with this machine, but it has been discontinued and replaced with the Millermatic 141, which also seems to be a transformer based machine (weight).
I have used Lincoln Box Store and Hobart 110V machines, and they also work just fine.
The biggest limitation with any of them is the circuit. A dedicated 20A circuit is almost a requirement, and none of them like an extension cord. If you MUST use an extension cord, it has to be a 10ga version (as short as possible) for any real success. Smaller ones just pop the breaker sooner.
The next limitation is the duty cycle. These machines typically have a 20% duty cycle (one minute of continuous welding, four minutes of resting).
Speaking only of the Miller equipment, the latest models have features that weren't really available on their lower price point product line just a couple of generations ago. Lincoln probably has something comparable.
Amperage adjustability, wire feed speed control, the drive system and the quality of the MIG gun/cable assembly are also very important. So check the specs before checking the price.
Depending on your budget, the Miller 211 or 215 are probably at the top for features and a name brand for the price.
However, the 140 class machines will meet your needs as stated in the OP.
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metaleltr
Well-known member
Well I'm going to throw my opinion in here.
Poke around www.usaweld.com
They have a smaller unit that is quite serviceable and a great bargain. Not affiliated just a happy customer.
I personally was in the market for a 200+ amp machine for a trailer project. When I called them to order their 250 amp mig2400 it was out of stock but I bought a 200amp machine instead. It has done everything I have asked it to do in every output range from 22ga sheet to 3/8" channel on the trailer frame.
The machine is built like a tank with high quality accessories. After using this welder I have going to work and having to use Lincoln 180.
Fantastic customer service as well. Phone goes direct to a real person ready to answer your questions.
Poke around www.usaweld.com
They have a smaller unit that is quite serviceable and a great bargain. Not affiliated just a happy customer.
I personally was in the market for a 200+ amp machine for a trailer project. When I called them to order their 250 amp mig2400 it was out of stock but I bought a 200amp machine instead. It has done everything I have asked it to do in every output range from 22ga sheet to 3/8" channel on the trailer frame.
The machine is built like a tank with high quality accessories. After using this welder I have going to work and having to use Lincoln 180.
Fantastic customer service as well. Phone goes direct to a real person ready to answer your questions.
sberry
Banned
I will agree the Hobarts are good as are the red ones at the box store. They made the 180 for decades, changed the jacket and model number for that market.
Not all but a lot of the LWS treat the walk ins like ****. They aint done me any favors lately either.
Not all but a lot of the LWS treat the walk ins like ****. They aint done me any favors lately either.
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Well, I did it.
Blew the lid off my budget and came home with a Miller 220 multi-process. I just kept creeping up in price until I hit that "what's another $1000" point.
I was all set to buy a 215, but it only does DC TIG and adding the TIG set up brings it within a few hundred of the 220 which also does AC TIG.
I did sign up for the welding class, and I finish up with Stick / oxy in a few weeks. I'll be going back in the Fall for MIG and, then take the TIG class in the Spring.
This was a rather painful purchase but unless I start restoring a Sherman tank I think I'll be pretty well set up for any welding needs that I have. I was in the store ready to buy the 215, when the salesman pointed out the price between the 215 once outfitted for TIG and the 220, which then took me back to MIG only or multi-process.
I literally stood in the store looking at the 211 and the 220 for like 10 minutes before taking the plunge. I hated the idea of spending $1400 and then turning around in a year or two to spend another $1500-2000 on a TIG machine. Buy once cry once right?
and yes I know, SMAW, GMAW and GTAW.
Blew the lid off my budget and came home with a Miller 220 multi-process. I just kept creeping up in price until I hit that "what's another $1000" point.
I was all set to buy a 215, but it only does DC TIG and adding the TIG set up brings it within a few hundred of the 220 which also does AC TIG.
I did sign up for the welding class, and I finish up with Stick / oxy in a few weeks. I'll be going back in the Fall for MIG and, then take the TIG class in the Spring.
This was a rather painful purchase but unless I start restoring a Sherman tank I think I'll be pretty well set up for any welding needs that I have. I was in the store ready to buy the 215, when the salesman pointed out the price between the 215 once outfitted for TIG and the 220, which then took me back to MIG only or multi-process.
I literally stood in the store looking at the 211 and the 220 for like 10 minutes before taking the plunge. I hated the idea of spending $1400 and then turning around in a year or two to spend another $1500-2000 on a TIG machine. Buy once cry once right?
and yes I know, SMAW, GMAW and GTAW.
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These things are priced close enough together that I can see how easy it would be to play the "for just $100 more" game right into a $1500 machine.
Whoops, a bit higher than that.
Bingo!!!
Well except it took 12 months.
A lot of it was the welding class. Actually doing it and seeing what better MIG and TIG machines offer kicked me off the deep end.
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Jazz1
Well-known member
Whoops, a bit higher than that.
Bingo!!!
Well except it took 12 months.
A lot of it was the welding class. Actually doing it and seeing what better MIG and TIG machines offer kicked me off the deep end.
The Miller 220 Multimatic is on sale at KMS tools here in Canada for $3889 if that makes you feel better about your purchase. Likely the only welder you will ever buy and parts available.
sberry
Banned
Near 4 large is s stretch from.start of this thread. Personally before I did that would Lincoln 180 or Hobart 190 from the box store and possibly 210 or 211 if I wanted spool gun and go from there. If I then decided I just couldn't live without it get another tig.
The Miller 220 Multimatic is on sale at KMS tools here in Canada for $3889 if that makes you feel better about your purchase. Likely the only welder you will ever buy and parts available.
With conversion to US$, pretty much the same as I paid. Miller seems to set prices pretty firmly, I haven't found any online dealers offering better deals than the local shop I bought mine from.
The shop I bought it from has been around a long time and has a good reputation locally. They also set me up with the basics for class (helmet, coat, gloves etc) along with a fairly generous student discounts a few months ago.
They can provide me with all of my consumables including gasses and have service techs if I ever have any issues with the machine.
The idea that this was (hopefully) a one time purchase to cover all of my welding needs is what pushed me over my budget. I could have been conservative and just bought the 211, but long term that wouldn't really save me money over buying a similarly capable dedicated TIG machine, and then I'd have to find room for two machines in my tiny shop.
I'm also looking at the added features (TIG AC and DC) as added motivation to find reasons to learn and use them. If I don't use it, then it is money wasted.
toplessHO
Well-known member
for an inexpensive unit you cant beat this one for $180(on sale at TSC)
does MIG,TIG(torch is extra)stick DC,spot welding timer.
I just did some aluminum stick welding 1/8" material and it did it just fine.
This is a 140A 120V machine,has metal rollers unlike the cheap Big 3 units you get at the box stores.
Ive been watching some videos of TIG aluminum welding with a DC machine,using flux coated rods. pretty impressive.
does MIG,TIG(torch is extra)stick DC,spot welding timer.
I just did some aluminum stick welding 1/8" material and it did it just fine.
This is a 140A 120V machine,has metal rollers unlike the cheap Big 3 units you get at the box stores.
Ive been watching some videos of TIG aluminum welding with a DC machine,using flux coated rods. pretty impressive.
Attachments
The price Jazz mentioned was Canadian, $2999 US. Still a lot of money, but not quite so much.
Yes a big leap from my initial plans, but since then I've taken a welding class (I had almost no welding experience when I first posted) highlighting the advantages of the different types of welding to me. I've added some new projects. I had no interest in TIG welding a year ago, now it is on my radar. My desk has been plastered with welding machine specs for the past 6 months.
At the end I was pretty much at the point of buying a Hobart 140 for $500 and risk nickle and diming my way up as I out grew machines, or just be done with it. I'm pretty tight with money, but running the different options long term this should be cheaper than 2 machines of similar ability, and is much smaller. In a small shop, space is not a minor consideration.
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Good choice Aaron!
Didn't TSC clearance these out earlier this year? I wonder why they stopped carrying them.
Didn't TSC clearance these out earlier this year? I wonder why they stopped carrying them.
sberry
Banned
5% of their welder sales, 95% of their problems and people didn't buy the consumables that the Hobart customers do.
toplessHO
Well-known member
no problems here
have used in MIG and stick so far
Son bought one I bought another
I do have a larger machine if the need arises to weld 1/2"
sberry
Banned
Not saying g it doesn't work just fine but it's TSC history of machines. A guy buys a 150$ welder, 1 small roll of flux core and 10$ hood. Never see him again unless the thing jams up.
Saw a guy buy a new 140, tank, 2 full rolls of wire, new auto hood, tips.
Bean counters like the cheap machine, great margins. They make as much on that as a 500$ Hobart but they don't see much future business from it.
Saw a guy buy a new 140, tank, 2 full rolls of wire, new auto hood, tips.
Bean counters like the cheap machine, great margins. They make as much on that as a 500$ Hobart but they don't see much future business from it.
toplessHO
Well-known member
the consumables on this machine are off the shelf stuff
Article about guy who repaired frame with hf welder.
https://jalopnik.com/how-i-rebuilt-my-500-postal-jeeps-rusted-out-frame-wit-1833010086
https://jalopnik.com/how-i-rebuilt-my-500-postal-jeeps-rusted-out-frame-wit-1833010086
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