welder choice

[1971gsfan]

which welder to buy Eastwood MIG Welder 175 Amp with Spool Gun Item #12012 for 499. and free shipping the or MIGWELD 200S Longevity for 599.00 +sh trying to figure out what will be the best for me? Does any have these the eastwood is 30% duty cycle @ 130A and the longevity is 60% @ 200A but it doesn't come with a regulator. I probably will not be welding much over 3/8 rarely I mainly want a new welder to weld patch panels and small trailers and brackets. I sold my old airco/miller because I could not turn it down enough for thin metals. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Tim

 

[zkling]

Not knowing your budget, I would highly recommend a small name brand mig like Miller, Hobart, Lincoln. Usually those small off brand machines don't have a very smooth lower end, in my experience. Something like a Hobart 187 or the like would be ideal. If the new market is a bit rich, try looking for something used. The service life on the name brand machines is so much longer than one of the off shore ones. Plus if you ever (doubtful) need parts they can be obtained rather easily.

Between the two you have listed, I would lean toward the Eastwood. But would definitely hold out for a hobart or miller.

Set up with 0.023 and 75/25, you should have a very good sheet metal machine.

Out of curiosity, what old miller/airco did you have?

 

[R.Anderson]

Whats the budget?
Spool gun with the eastwood are you looking for one that can weld aluminum?
spoolgun/MIG aluminum welds are not very eye appealing I suggest TIG for aluminum.

 

[sberry]

Its just a guess but since he is looking at budget machinies in the 600 range maybe that would be close. Post the link for the migweld. The Eastwood has pretty good reviews, the gun makes it appealing. Adding alum is not cheap, this helps, another bottle is another cost.

He is not a candidate for a tig and too tell the truth I have one and never use it, I use a spoolgun when I need it on a similar machine. Its not as neat as a tig but it works.

 

[1971gsfan]

My airco was a mig tig stick machine I Don't remember the model but it was similar to this one only mine was a light green. I did not have the HF arc stabilizer or the tig torch. The thing was old and heavy. I used it alot but could not turn it down low enough to weld thin sheet (body panels). So I decided to get a new machine and sold the old one to my neighbor.
after looking at the picture more this is what I had only Light green in color, this one is orange. dip stick 160 I also like the al option with the spoolgun, I have done it in the past so I thought it was good option. My budget is flexible somewhat just the reviews on the EW are pretty good. I thought I would use the savings on something else.

 

[1971gsfan]

This is what I'm looking at 10% off 499 with free SH. What are your opinions?

Eastwood MIG Welder 175 Amp with Spool Gun

Item #12012

In Stock - Ready to Ship Today

Only $539.99

Now Only $499.99
Eastwood's MIG 175 Welder: "high-end" features at a DIY price! As a professional or weekend enthusiast, you can now get industrial-quality features in a hard-workin', affordable, MIG welder! Our R&D guys designed the Eastwood MIG 175 Welder (12012) for steel and aluminum to produce excellent bead quality and capabilities that match—and even exceed—the more expensive competition!

Welds mild and stainless steel, 24-ga. to 5/16"
Welds aluminum, 14-ga. to 1/4"
30-175-amp welding range
Includes FREE spool gun ($199.99 value!)
Powered by 220v current
Compare to similar welders that sell for over $700
ETL Approved
Backed by Eastwood's no-hassle return policy and 3-year warranty

 

[454ragtop]

I think you should have worked with the Airco a little more, that's a commercial duty machine. Did you try .023 wire? Have a similar vintage Airco 130 amp 220 volt mig, kicks *** on sheetmetal. .023 wire is best for thin stuff. No experience with either machine asked about, but either should be fine setup correctly,as far as longevity only time will tell.
Jim

 

[1971gsfan]

I had the airco for years built car trailers and repaired 4 wheeler frames etc. I think it had been worked on and you couldn't dial it down. I should have opened it up and checked. Neighbor wanted it when I got transferred. I packed and moved by myself that thing was heavy and it was a quick decision on my part. Kind of miss that welder now since I was used to it. I don't have a new shop built yet but I now have a 12 by 20 with a roll up door with a lean to off 3 sides so its time for a welder. Looking for deals cause I have to buy a air compressor also and I'm not buying a cheap AC. Did that in my old shop, it never broke but I wasn't satisfied.

Tim

 

[NRDave]

Whats the budget?
Spool gun with the eastwood are you looking for one that can weld aluminum?
spoolgun/MIG aluminum welds are not very eye appealing I suggest TIG for aluminum.

Not eye appealing? I don't know who's welds you been looking at.

As for the welder's I have the Eastwood tig for my garage use. Haven't any problems with the machine at all. Was worth the money to me. And I weld all day for work with miller synchro wave tig machines and miller migs.

 

[R.Anderson]

Not eye appealing? I don't know who's welds you been looking at.

As for the welder's I have the Eastwood tig for my garage use. Haven't any problems with the machine at all. Was worth the money to me. And I weld all day for work with miller synchro wave tig machines and miller migs.

Im taking about spoolguns and pushpull mig aluminum not being eye appealing vs TIG aluminum. I dont know what you read.

 

[1971gsfan]

IMHO tig alum. welds (mine) are noticeably nicer than spool gun mig (spray) is what we called it years ago. Ive done both and I think my tig welds were nicer than my mig. in Alum. I will in the future by a tig, because tig is cool. I just think this is a good deal for the EW welder package, I want the mig mainly for rust repair in my car and thought the spoolgun was a bonus. again just my opinion.

Thanks for the responses

Tim

 

[zkling]

It seems to have pretty favorable reviews. Just up to you if you want a more known name brand and pay for the quality. Or take the off brand, eastwood, and save some cash with maybe a hit in quality.

I would definitely look at the used market if you aren't in a rush to purchase. Can find some really nice high dollar machines for pennies on the dollar.

As for the mig vs tig aluminum, apples to oranges. Mig aluminum was/is primarily designed for high speed production welds of thicker aluminum. Some of the newer pulsed mig machines are are really sweet on thin stock, but they come at a hefty price. Tig is and probably will be the king of small intricate aluminum welding.

 

[BD1]

If you don't wanna buy a CHEAP air compressor why buy a CHEAP WELDER ???
Look for a Miller or Lincoln. The Miller 211 is a hot selling machine.

 

[bowmard]

I agree don't waste your money on the Italian or Asian made offerings. My personal preference is Lincoln because it is the most durable machine I've used, and 20 years down the road you will be able to get parts for it. An added benefit is if you take care of the machine you'll get a major part of your investment back if you decide to sell. If you need a stick welder buy a DC machine, they run so much smoother than an AC welder.

 

[1971gsfan]

Looked at miller and lincoln today at machine welding and miller lincoln at national welders. found a Thermal Arc 3in1 welder at national welders/airgas and purchased it for 846.00 out the door (in stock MGR special). 1200.00 sticker price. The Thermal Arc 181i is a 3in1 process machine mig tig stick and spoolgun for dc alum. Actually talked to a guy(welding Instructor at local comm. college) that had it first and he highly recommended this machine. So I bought it. Guy behind me ordered one also. Victor being a name brand I didn't see a reason for not buying it. I'm happy and thanks for all the input. Can't wait to get it set up. It is comparable to a miller 200 MP available for 2000.00 Here is the specs;
SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum Output 180 Amp
MIG (GMAW/FCAW)
Welding Output @104˚F (40˚C)
180A / 23V @ 20% Duty Cycle
145A / 22.5V @ 30% Duty Cycle
STICK (SMAW)
Welding Output @104˚F (40˚C)
175A / 27V @ 20% Duty Cycle
140A / 25.6V @ 30% Duty Cycle
TIG (GMAW)
Welding Output @104˚F (40˚C)
175A / 17V @ 25% Duty Cycle
160A / 16.4V @ 30% Duty Cycle
Current Range 10 - 180 Amp
MIG Welding Voltage Range 10 - 25 Volt
Wirefeed Speed Range 100-650 IPM (2.5 - 17.8m/min)
Maximum Plate Thickness 1/4" (6.4mm)
Wire Diameter Range
Mild Steel: .023" - .035" (0.6 - 0.9mm)
Stainless Steel: .023" - .035" (0.6 - 0.9mm)
Aluminum: .030" - .035" (0.8 - 0.9mm)
Flux cored: .030" - .045" (0.8 - 1.2mm)
Installed Feedroll Suits MIG Wire .023" - .030" (0.6 - 0.8mm)
Warranty Period 3 Years*
Approvals IEC 60974-1 (CE)
Protection Class IP23S


Dimensions H x W x D H 16.14" x W 8.27" x D 17.72"
(410mm x 210mm x 450mm)
Weight 32.2 lbs. (14.6 kg)
Primary Power
Primary Voltage 208/230 VAC
Supply Voltage Range 208 - 265 VAC
Number of Phases Single Phase
Supply Frequency 50/60Hz
Supply Plug NEMA 6-50P
Rated kVA @ 180 Amps 9 kVA
Lead Cord Length 9 ft. (2.75m)
Maximum Input Current 37 Amps
Replacement Items
& Consumables
Tweco® WeldSkill® 180 Amp MIG Gun, 12 ft. 1017-1316
Nozzle 1/2" Bore 1210-1112
Diffuser 1510-1101
Liner 1420-1113
Contact Tips Tweco 11-Series
Tweco WeldSkill 200 Amp Electrode Holder
w/Lead, 13 ft., 50mm Dinse
WS200E13
Tweco WeldSkill 200 Amp Ground Clamp
w/Lead, 10 ft., 50mm Dinse
WS200G10
Victor® CutSkill® Argon Regulator/Gauge 0781-4169
Gas Hose, 12.5 ft., Male 5/8-18UNF W4013900

as for the air compressor tool discount .com has the 2 stage ingersoll rand 80 gal for less than 900. bucks I think if anyone is looking I will be as soon as I build a new shop.

Tim

 

[sberry]

I hate to say it but Miller copied thermal on that I think. Those are a heck of a deal. I also hate to admit the Eastwood deal is not half bad if it works fair. Half price?

 

[1971gsfan]

I hope it is a good deal I'll try it out soon and then I'll know for sure. I'll post some pics. my first plan is a good cart. Then I'll start on my Patch panel again. I think I did OK. I have to mail in a voucher to get a Tweco auto Darkening shield for free also. This welder will give me something to do in between looking for some land for a "garage build thread".

Tim