The 120v Welder Poll 2018

[thickhead]

I think I have 4 main choices for a 120v welder for hobby use. I would be learning at first.

 

[quadrcr87]

I have had my Lincoln Mig 140 for 3 years and think its a good blend of quality and price. Dreamed of a Miller 211 with 120V & 240V but it was more than I could justify for low usage.

 

[Chicken]

go blue

 

[D45]

I voted Lincoln, just because that's all I have

Lincoln Weld Pak 140HD

 

[Abeo]

2 months ago, I would have voted Lincoln. Now, not sure... just grabbed a Miller 215 and using it on 120v, and it penetrates way better than the Lincoln did using MIG (flux core was ok)

 

[smokeysevin]

It is not on your list but I really like my Everlast iMig 140e. I have been using it for about 2 years now and its been great.

Sean

 

[D45]

Are you guys using gas bottles to help these smaller powered units perform better?

flux core wire seems to have its limits

 

[Adk Mike]

I’ve had a Hobart 140 for over 10 years. I use the gas bottle. Part of me wants a 220 unit but I have a stick welder also. I really like the machine.

 

[lakeroadster]

thickhead.... FYI: Forney makes some nice machines also.

I've had my Lincoln SP-100 since the early 1990's.. Lincoln makes a great machine.

Are you guys using gas bottles to help these smaller powered units perform better?

flux core wire seems to have its limits

Yes..

I pretty much only use my 120 V Lincoln for sheet metal. Flux core on thin automotive sheet metal isn't the ideal combination.

 

[erty67]

Love my Lincoln 135

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[cspcrx]

Save and by a Hobart 210MVP or for a few buck more the Miller 211.

I love my 210MVP!

 

[thickhead]

thickhead.... FYI: Forney makes some nice machines also.

I've had my Lincoln SP-100 since the early 1990's.. Lincoln makes a great machine.



Yes..

I pretty much only use my 120 V Lincoln for sheet metal. Flux core on thin automotive sheet metal isn't the ideal combination.

Funny thing is I have an old Weld-pak 100 torn down in the garage right now that a friend gave me with no history about it. Getting frustrated with it is what got me thinking about replacing it with one from this thread/poll.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have no complaints about my Miller, but nothing against the others. Do I vote?

 

[James-W]

I would suggest taking a welding class before purchasing a welder. That way you can try out different welders and see which one you like best. By taking a class you will learn quite a bit about welding and when it comes time to purchase a welder, you will be in a much better position to know just what you want/need in a welder.

 

[Makoto]

i voted hobart handler 140. i bought it because it is an awesome unit. its the cheapest of the 4 but i'd be very skeptical of anyone who says they could tell it just using them all back to back. i only intend to do mild steel and maybe some stainless (exhaust work), too so for me it was everything I needed.

this is my first mig and i've only mig welded a little bit (over ten years ago) in the past. within minutes i was rocking and rolling.

from everything I've heard Hobarts are identical to millers (made by miller) with the exception of the drive motors. from what I can tell the millers are more production quality machines which explains the additional cost. i just got my hobart 140 last week and within minutes of hooking up my C25 I was laying down good clean welds.

I went with this machine over some others (i almost bought a klutch that had more features for less money) because I used a northern tool $150 flux core machine with 2 voltage settings for years and never needed anything more powerful AND that machine is still going strong.

in my opinion a miller is way overkill for anyone who isn't doing a LOT of welding (I mean production line 100's or 1000's of items) or looking for features that only that specific miller unit provides.

if you only want to do mild/stainless steel get the handler 140 and save the money for gas/wire.

 

[aka Larry]

My 1 and only complaint with this machine is the wire feed system is pretty weak. You have to make sure you have the liner pretty straight or it tends to start slipping on the drive wheels.

I have a Lincoln 140 and I might know your problem, or at least where you can check.

First, be sure you are using the correct groove on the drive roller. One groove is for the thicker flux-core wire, the other is for the thinner MIG wire. The roller is simply flipped around to use swap grooves. Also the roller can be slid back and forth on the shaft so it can be better aligned with the liner. Lastly, check your tension adjustment on the wire feed. When mine skips it's because either the wire feed tension is either too loose or the spool tension is too tight.

OP, I've been more than happy with my Lincoln, but I think you'll be happy with any of the three you have listed.

 

[bradleykd]

I'm not going to vote because I don't want to look at all of the specs, but I'll give my advice.

Those are all well respected brands and are all the the same amperage class.

Because you state that your usage will be learning and "hobby use," I would get the cheapest one as they will all accomplish the same thing.

If I were buying it and they all were within my comfortable budget, I would get the one with the best duty cycle, but that is because I have hit the duty cycle on my little 120V Lincoln a few times. For learning and occasional use after that, I doubt you will max one out.

I would reccomend that you buy a C25 bottle and have a 20A outlet as well as an extension cord rated at 20A for the first day you get the welder home. Flux Core is OK, but it is much more enjoyable to weld with gas and you'll have better looking welds which equates to more satisfaction when learning.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I voted Hobart. Affordable, reliable, simple. To be fair I don't think you can really miss with Lincoln or Miller too for this type of machine.

 

[cspcrx]

I would suggest taking a welding class before purchasing a welder. That way you can try out different welders and see which one you like best. By taking a class you will learn quite a bit about welding and when it comes time to purchase a welder, you will be in a much better position to know just what you want/need in a welder.

I got mine before hand but I do agree 100% on the welding class. My local welding supply shop offers one on one classes in 1 hour increments. I took a two hour class with my MVP210.

The instructor was able to help confirm it was setup correctly and run it through its paces. I also learned how closely the machine performs to the chart in the lid.

Then I spent 1.75 hrs laying welds with my machine. It was a great way to learn how to improve my welds and was easily repeated since it was on my machine.

 

[Furious Filipino]

I would suggest taking a welding class before purchasing a welder. That way you can try out different welders and see which one you like best. By taking a class you will learn quite a bit about welding and when it comes time to purchase a welder, you will be in a much better position to know just what you want/need in a welder.

I thought I wanted a MIG welder about a year and a half ago, but took this route before buying a machine. I ended up with a TIG/Stick setup. I was already experienced with brazing, having to join dissimilar small diameter tubing, so I think that I took to TIG fairly quickly. I actually despise most wire feed machines for the lack of control

 

[apollo11]

in b4 the 220v crowd shows up

 

[fordkid88]

in b4 the 220v crowd shows up

220/240 50 amp is nice but not necessary. I have 2 240 welders and never push them enough to make use of. That power draw

 

[JamesW]

Save and by a Hobart 210MVP or for a few buck more the Miller 211.

I love my 210MVP!

Second the Miller 211
It is killer

 

[badss98]

I own the miller and its a great machine and have no complaints,dont be afraid to look at other machines such as everlast even harbor freight Hercules line of welders look promising.

 

[DOC-BA]

I own the Hobart 140, and it really does a good job. I use 0.025 wire for almost everything though. I just don't get the heat I want out of 0.030

 

[thickhead]

OP here.
I spent the weekend puttering around with the old Weld Pak 100 a friend gave me and actually have it running and making little molten pools of steel.
Took the machine apart, cleaned everthing, blew it out, reinforced all the broken pieces & spots inside, bought a new spool of flux core and some tips. One of my sons even wrapped it and cut new stickers for it.

At this point I am going to run a couple spools of wire through it on some projects and see where I am at. It will give me an idea at least and start. I’m $30 into this and have a free running welder and a Sellstrom auto helmet he gave me (new batteries and now it works too!).

 

[thickhead]

Now.......

 

[A**holes Garage]

I have the Lincoln 140 loaded with .020 wire for the small stuff.
I also have the Lincoln PowerMig 210 for everyday welding. Haven't used the 140 in a couple of years since I got the 210.

The 210 operates on 120 or 220 and can also do Tig and Arc.

I suggest you save a little more money and buy once.

 

[Abeo]

That wrap looks awesome!

 

[buildyourown]

Spring for a bigger machine. Get a multi-voltage one if you want the ability to run off of 120v.
Every 140amp machine Ive ever used feels like a toy. Even a good Miller.

 

[MFGENG]

+1 for Miller. I love my Diversion 180, and have had great experience with miller at work. With that said, Miller and Hobart are basically the same.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Get a Miller 211, that way if you ever NEED to do something heavier, you have the option of taking off the 120 plug, putting on the 220 plug, and you're not committed... plus, it's light enough to be portable. Anything smaller, the day after you get it and find something it can't do that you want it to do.