Welder for infrequent hobby use

[c39er]

Start out with oxy/acetylene...then stick just like in welding school.
Get good on both, then mig/ tig are a breeze.
I still blue tip 1/4" steel.
Love my has set up.
I do have high a couple Miller mig and tig stick machines too.
Buy a good machine biggerbthan what you think you might neef today...dual voltage at least.
Get one that you can eadily get parts and accessories for too.

 

[bbxlr8]

Another option - I started on the shallow end of the pool several years ago on my old Ford tractor mower deck.
Ended up with:

Eastwood 200 Amp Elite MP200i Multi Process Welder MIG - TIG - Stick​

Quickly went with the 240 vs 120, practice, and soaked up lots of videos. Worked for my needs around the shop, old cars, etc. with some easier, more foolproof settings for people like me. Not the choice for serious folks and supposedly a compromise on the TIG which I prob won't get to

 

[Shitbox]

So many suggestions for welders, but no one actually showing any work done with said welders

Fine. Here’s an abortion I keep above my welding bench to remind me don’t get stoned when laying **** out. Didn’t notice I’d screwed up when clamping and didn’t catch it until I was getting ready to box and ship them.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Fine. Here’s an abortion I keep above my welding bench to remind me don’t get stoned when laying **** out. Didn’t notice I’d screwed up when clamping and didn’t catch it until I was getting ready to box and ship them.

Ok... I don't know what you were trying to make so don't see the mistake. Tell me?

 

[drmarkr]

PrimeWeld MIG180

Easy choice.

100%!!!!

 

[Mike65]

I have a Lincoln Wel Pak 155 that I bought 20 years ago to do the sheet metal work on my 69 Mustang. Today I rarely use it.

 

[Jazz1]

These Arccaptain MIG welders look like a lot of bang for the buck.

I bought the Arccaptain Mig160…paid about $160 and for mig and what little stick i do it works excellent. 120/240
I needed stick to weld inside a car frame rails otherwise Mig is the only welding i do. I did not bother with the Tig torch which was available at added cost.

 

[CraigStu]

If you want to end up making really nice welds, get a tig. I am aware that mig can do pretty nice also but I find tig to be very easy to use. It is 90% like torch welding but you don't have the gas flow trying to blow away the molten metal like a torch does.

 

[Mainiac Mat]

Thanks for all the constructive input... That's why this forum is so great!

I pulled the trigger on the Arccaptain Mig 200 (120/240) multi-process welder.
I ordered direct from Arccaptain and with the roulette wheel discount, I got it for $315 delivered.

Tons of YouTube vids out there for this machine, and the consensus is that the Synergic mode that automatically matches current and wire feed speed makes it very easy to learn on.

 

[CluelessPro]

Thanks for all the constructive input... That's why this forum is so great!

I pulled the trigger on the Arccaptain Mig 200 (120/240) multi-process welder.
I ordered direct from Arccaptain and with the roulette wheel discount, I got it for $315 delivered.

Tons of YouTube vids out there for this machine, and the consensus is that the Synergic mode that automatically matches current and wire feed speed makes it very easy to learn on.

For all the "constructive input" provided you owe us a review after getting the unit.