Welder Needed

[emeraldcoupe]

i've had a vulcan migmax 215 since 2018 when they were only $650, but i know they've gone up since then. i haven't had one issue with it, it's been a fantastic machine.

 

[shakenfake]

@strutaeng Yes 99% automotive (NOT BODY WORK) ideally I'd like to get into exhaust work with tig but that looks slightly daunting.

The Lincoln does look like a nice little unit but then we are back to a Primeweld, Lincoln, Hobart three way choice. If I decide that I wanted Lincoln because it is multi process then that excludes the Hobart as well as bumps me up to the other Primeweld. Now I have either Lincoln vs Primeweld. Primeweld being $300 cheaper but is not sold in a store which is not the end all be all but it is nice for something like this I think. Lincoln is also just one of those brands that everyone knows and seems to have great parts availability as well as a following. Does that always translate into good products? No, however most of the time there is a reason for loyalty.
I will say that I am an amateur. I know how to weld, I've had a decent bit of practice but I am not a pro. The machine does not make the welder however I do know that using the right equipment is important.

I am trying to avoid scope creep as I do realize this is 90% of the time a hobbyist only welder. I just do not like to buy ****, I would much rather spend the coin up front and have something that will just work and work and work. I'm tired of trying to do jobs with the wrong tools. (Yes that means getting a bottle. I will get a bottle.)

 

[Wamsutta]

This is what I recommend. It comes with the Lincoln 175L gun which is a very nice gun.

Lincoln Power MIG 215 MPi

Lincoln K520-1

 

[toolenthusiast]

NOT BODY WORK

Dang dude, did a bodyman steal your first wife or something?

 

[shakenfake]

@Wamsutta Out of budget.
@toolenthusiast LOL no but I hate body work. I may try my hand at replacing some body panels in a couple years but I am not a fan.

I think I am going to get the Lincoln. I think that one may be my best bet. Any last words fellow tool enthusiasts?

 

[Wamsutta]

At least get one with a digital readout for the voltage and wire speed - (so that you know where you're at).

 

[shakenfake]

Is it really that much better? I've only welded without it.

If the case is digital readout vs non then the only option I see is PrimeWeld for the money.

 

[oldmachinenut]

I am hoping to acquire an ancient Miller to fix and resell. It is a 220 only and is much much to big for my use but I have quite a bit of practice with that machine and really like it. Just going to be too big and won't have it soon enough.

Is the ancient Miller a Millermatic 200?

 

[shakenfake]

Honestly I cannot remember. Doesn't look like that though

 

[pancholasvegas]

Honestly I cannot remember. Doesn't look like that though

I wouldn’t consider the digital readout a mandatory option, but having dials (unlimited adjustment) vs. knobs/switches is the only way to go.

 

[whateg01]

no, they do not come off the same line, the only thing in common is, they are both owned by the same parent company, but they are very good machines. i love my iron man

They also use the same gun!

I just bought a used HH180 for $300, but that was a fluke. Still, a used Hobart can often be found for new Primeweld prices, if you prefer the Hobart.

 

[shakenfake]

@pancholasvegas What would you consider dial vs knobs/switches. In my mind those are almost the same...

 

[jonesg]

That's not the regulator with gauges?

It looks like all he'll need is a cylinder.

@shakenfake this is mostly for automotive welding right?

no you need the floating ball type flow meter in addition.
i had the same machine with those gauges, it doesn't work.

 

[oldmachinenut]

Does the ancient Miller look like this?

 

[shakenfake]

@jonesg Those are not real expensive to get though I don't think.
@oldmachinenut The spool is on top and completely disconnected from the machine insides.

I will try and get a pic

 

[pancholasvegas]

@pancholasvegas What would you consider dial vs knobs/switches. In my mind those are almost the same...

Example being this Hobart, it has “knobs” or switches for the settings. Only allows you so much adjustment.

 

[whateg01]

no you need the floating ball type flow meter in addition.
i had the same machine with those gauges, it doesn't work.

They can work fine. But a floating ball flowmeter is a better option as it displays actual flow instead of what the flow should be at a given pressure with a given amount of restriction.

 

[whateg01]

Example being this Hobart, it has “knobs” or switches for the settings. Only allows you so much adjustment.

Infinite adjustment can make a guy chase his tail if he isn't good at understanding what they do. If you aren't doing aerospace, there's a bit of leeway in what settings can be used, thus each range is just fine for most people.

 

[gearhead1]

If you want US made (probably still some foreign components) go Hobart.

If you don’t mind something foreign made, go PrimeWeld.

I started with a Lincoln Weldpak MiG, then a Miller 180, then upgraded to a Hobart Ironman 240 (over the course of 28 years). When I was looking for AC TIG, I researched and settled on PrimeWeld. 3 year warranty and comes with everything except the gas bottle. No extras to buy, it’s all included. I would not hesitate to buy another PrimeWeld machine whatsoever.

 

[jonesg]

Agreed. That's why I bought one of those, too.
Flux-Core is what everyone that is purchasing their first machine wants, because it's the cheapest and least "Intimidating," set-up available. IE; No need for a bottle, just get straight home from the big-box store and start making a mess. This, in turn, leads to frustration, because shielding gas makes a big difference, especially starting off. There's a reason you see Craigslist, FBMP, filled with Flux-Core machines.

true flux core only machines are bottom of the line, they tend to be junk. The ones at HF are really bad.

my Yeswelder is 120/240 gas capable mig, flux core, spool gun alum capable , stick and lift tig and comes with flow meter etc.
$350 with 12 month money back or replacement as standard warranty. Thats the future but I still want a primeweld.

 

[shakenfake]

@gearhead1 That Lincoln is also USA made. In this day and age almost everything has at least some foreign components.

 

[steel 35]

I sold my Lincoln mig 200 Like ZT Fab's after downsizing (two) machine's tig spool all gone.
I got the spool gun for the 210 & I am Happy and picky!

 

[gearhead1]

@gearhead1 That Lincoln is also USA made. In this day and age almost everything has at least some foreign components.

Yep, Cleveland, Ohio. ITW owns both Miller and Hobart. I think Hobart is the lowest cost of the three US names in the game…

 

[shakenfake]

@gearhead1 Agreed. However that Lincoln looks to be a hardware store special (not a big deal to me I am willing to bet parts are similar) and I think would be the better deal between the Hobart and Lincoln I posted.

 

[gearhead1]

You can’t go wrong with Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, or PrimeWeld IMHO.

I bought my Lincoln Weldpak 125 from Lowe’s sometime around 1997. Traded it to a friend when I upgraded to a Miller 180 in about 2009. That was the lowest model that I could get a spoolgun for (I was looking to be able to weld aluminum). The Lincoln just gave up the ghost last year. Same friend asked to borrow the 180, I did the same play. Sold him the 180 and I upgraded again to the Hobart Ironman 240 with spoolgun for aluminum.

We are not running production, but we are serious DIYers building demolition derby cars every year. That Lincoln held up fine. It was getting short on amps, we needed more amps for what we were doing. Unless you’re doing really thick stuff or aluminum, the 180 - 200 amp range should be adequate and last a long time.

Lincoln 180mp - $1049

Hobart 190 - $939. With spoolgun - $1139
Hobart 210 -$1139
Hobart 200 multiprocess - $1541

PrimeWeld 180 w/spoolgun - $549
Primeweld MTS200 multiprocess - $749
PrimeWeld MIG285 - $999

 

[Sumboodie]

Does the ancient Miller look like this?

Nice shape for a ~40 yr old machine

 

[oldmachinenut]

Nice shape for a ~40 yr old machine

Thanks!

 

[GeoBruin]

@gearhead1 That Lincoln is also USA made. In this day and age almost everything has at least some foreign components.

I can't say for certain one way or the other but I think the odds are against that Lincoln being made in the USA. I say this as someone with two Lincoln machines, and I don't mean to suggest it should sway your decision one way or the other, but I think the days when you could assume a Lincoln is made in the US are over. Grainger lists country of origin as Mexico for what it's worth. I think that's where my 210MP was made.

 

[shakenfake]

@GeoBruin I called and asked. They said country of origin was USA.

 

[GeoBruin]

@GeoBruin I called and asked. They said country of origin was USA.

No kidding! That's refreshing.

I'll never discourage anyone from getting a multi-process if there's a chance it leads them to try Tig. That said, be realistic about the additional cost of an argon tank, pedal, torch, consumables, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Wamsutta]

Is it really that much better? I've only welded without it.

If the case is digital readout vs non then the only option I see is PrimeWeld for the money.

It saves a tremendous amount of time. That way you can use a parameter chart instead of guessing.

 

[finn]

I can't say for certain one way or the other but I think the odds are against that Lincoln being made in the USA. I say this as someone with two Lincoln machines, and I don't mean to suggest it should sway your decision one way or the other, but I think the days when you could assume a Lincoln is made in the US are over. Grainger lists country of origin as Mexico for what it's worth. I think that's where my 210MP was made.

I was looking at the entry level Lincoln’s of that size last month, and Mexico rings a bell. Not that it matters to me, though.

The larger commercial / industrial machines are domestic, but the hobbiest 215, etc are imports, or at least mostly import parts,

 

[Retroman]

I had the Hobart 140 didn't seem to have enough heat for me maybe just the rookie welder but do much much better with my Miller 211

 

[shakenfake]

@oldmachinenut It is a Deltaweld 450. Much larger than yours lol

 

[Terra Nova]

no, they do not come off the same line, the only thing in common is, they are both owned by the same parent company, but they are very good machines. i love my iron man

I'm a fan of Hobart, and won't say they are the same machine just different colors, but there is definitely some cross platform parts sharing going on.

Miller 252 vs Hobart IronMan 240

 

[shakenfake]

You don't think they could be built in the same fac-
No...

 

[whateg01]

I'm a fan of Hobart, and won't say they are the same machine just different colors, but there is definitely some cross platform parts sharing going on.

Miller 252 vs Hobart IronMan 240

At the least, they share a marketing department!

 

[oldmachinenut]

@oldmachinenut It is a Deltaweld 450. Much larger than yours lol

The reason I asked if it was a MM200 is they are a tank, most will outlive their owners and well worth repairing. They are actually in the 250 amp class but still handle .023” wire well.

 

[gearhead1]

I'm a fan of Hobart, and won't say they are the same machine just different colors, but there is definitely some cross platform parts sharing going on.

Miller 252 vs Hobart IronMan 240

I know for a fact they are….. When I bought my Ironman last year, nowhere in the documentation could I find what liner came in the gun. So I called the 888 tech support (which happenEd to be the same number for Miller and Hobart). Guy said he didn’t know, hang on and he’d look on the shop floor at machines in process. None were there so he went in the engineering lab and was chit chatting on the phone with me while he was doing this. He said the Ironman 240 was basically a 252 without the digital readouts.

’Basically’ could mean both are the same except digital readouts, or ‘basically’ could mean there are other differences. But I think it is safe to say they share a lot of common parts at a minimum……

 

[IRQVET]

Hobart and Miller are both owned by Illinios Tool Works, made in seperate factories, but they use the same parts. They are I believe the last two companies making welders in the U.S. now that Lincoln moved to Mexico a few years back. Can’t remember if it was manufacturing or assembly, or both?

Lincoln sued ITW after they bought Hobart, claiming ITW created a monopoly. The suit was somewhat successful, and judge ordered that the two brands be marketed differently. Miller toward commerical applications and Hobart to hobby and farm use. Thats why you see so many farm stores selling Hobart. Other ruling was that Hobart had to limit the duty cycle and power of their machines to I believe 240, which is the biggest machine Hobart makes.

I’ve got the Hobart 210MPV and its excellent. Crack that thing open, and all the parts inside are stamped Miller.

Can’t go wrong with any of the Big 3: Miller-Hobart- Lincoln IMHO.