Thinking about learning to weld- machine ?

[sagent]

I have been thinking about purchasing a mig welder to learn how to weld and was thinking of a hobart handler 210 mvp. I saw a post on here about the new lincoln power mig 210 MP which appears to be a much more versatile machine with mig / tig and stick capabilities. Any advice as to which machine would be a better buy ? My guess would be the lincoln

I like the fact both machines could operate on 115 or 230

Only tried mig welding once and that was about 20 years ago so any comments are appreciated

 

[Trey T]

How about all three w/ the $1K multiprocess welder?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

To truly learn, use oxy-acet first. Actually, take a course - then buy.

 

[Pstychologist]

What do you intend to weld? Big difference between agricultural repairs and motorcycle frames.

 

[Cope]

To truly learn, use oxy-acet first. Actually, take a course - then buy.

This is what I did, and it is even more valuable if you take up TIG.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I bought a TIG machine and taught myself with lots of reading and watching Youtube videos. Welding Tips and Tricks is an excellent channel for this.

Everyone said that TIG is really hard and such and you need to be shown how to weld.

If i can teach myself, it can't be that hard.

 

[Caparris]

What process are you wanting to use? MIG, Stick or TIG? TIG/Stick usually come on one machine, MIG on another

What materials? Steel or aluminum also?

Budget? Or at least a rough order of magnitude on how much you'd be OK with spending?

 

[zkling]

Just keep in mind that the little Lincoln multiprocess is DC output only. If you want a solid mig machine go with the hobart or miller. On the other hand if you want a little of each process, again no AC tig, go with the Lincoln.

 

[Trey T]

I bought a TIG machine and taught myself with lots of reading and watching Youtube videos. Welding Tips and Tricks is an excellent channel for this.

Everyone said that TIG is really hard and such and you need to be shown how to weld.

If i can teach myself, it can't be that hard.

I would be careful w/ that comment. I used to think that way simply bc my younger brothers were able to pick up a lot of stuff I do and do it better (i.e. car alarm and remote start installation) during his highschool years. I work with young-adult a lot over the past 10yrs and I compare their technical talent w/ my brothers; I found out that a lot of ppl out there just doesn't have the skill to do it.

With that being said, I always stick to my philosophy of "life is easy if you make it to be". I think what makes a good welder is his/her ability to read and understand material science (metallurgical). If you have a good idea about the metal, welding of all method can be easy. I'm not in the welding industry but I believe Jody (Welding Tips and Tricks) is not your typical welder because he has a good background in metallurgical. It's pretty rare to find welders (full time job) out there like Jody.

 

[DekeT]

I bought a TIG machine and taught myself with lots of reading and watching Youtube videos. Welding Tips and Tricks is an excellent channel for this.

Everyone said that TIG is really hard and such and you need to be shown how to weld.

If i can teach myself, it can't be that hard.

I too thought I knew how to weld until I actually took some classes at my local CC. I now know I was only fooling myself.