Welder / Plasma cutter suggestions

[Wheelbarrow]

I want a welder and a plasma cutter. Do I really need one? I have gotten by for 61 one years without one but for the last few years I keep wanting to use/play with one.

I live on 22 acres and have a tractor, mowers, a couple of trailers, a boat, corrals and lots of STUFF in my 30 x 50 pole barn building. I think most, if not all, of the welding will be done in the building/barn and it does have 220 available.

Now to the welder. I think I want a mig (for ease of use and since I haven't used any welder much in the past). I have looked at a Millermatic and a Lincoln because I hate buying too cheap and then having to replace in a few years but there are a lot imports out there for about half the price of those two brands. Will they do about everything I need for general repairs/hobbies, up to 1/4 inch, and still provide reliable service?

As far as the plasma cutter goes, I know nothing other than I have seen my neighbor use one in his fencing business and it's the coolest thing ever. He is a professional and it's a commercial grade unit, here again I would be looking for more of a homeowners grade for much lighter use.

Any thoughts or purchase suggestions?

 

[dodge610]

I would go miller unit but i am partial to them. Hobart is the next unit you could look at they both have a good following. And better not forget the lincoln welders a lot of guys like those. I have the small Miller 180 unit I use to sell miller back in the day. That is why Miller is my go to machine.

 

[pi_guy]

Buy Blue
the 375 plasma cutter will work on 120 and 220
The selection of mig welders is great from suitcase and up.
But the biggest draw is parts availability.
The next would be retention of value.

 

[zkling]

One of the 110/220v 200amp compact mig machines and a 110/220v ~30amp plasma cutter would PROBABLY do everything you need, still retain portability and keep upfront costs low.

 

[zmotorsports]

First off, welcome to the forum.

I find it odd that being on a farm that you don't already have a welder because that was one of the most used tools on our farm growing up.

I bleed blue when it comes to welders so I would be looking at a 220VAC Miller machine, something like at least the MM211 or preferably the MM252. My next choice would be either a Hobart or Lincoln but definetely in the larger 220VAC class machines. They have a higher duty cycle.

For plasma cutters, I would stay away from Miller. As much as it pains me to say that I am not a fan of their plasma cutter. The consumables do not last very long and they are expensive compared to others that I have used.

I have an ESAB 875 plasma cutter, an older one, and it works flawlessly and the consumables last a long time and are reasonably priced. I would also consider a Thermal Arc or Hypertherm.

Mike.

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to forum. You're actually little late as you missed 2 opportunities to get affordable plasma cutter. There was GroupBuy for Chinese Cut50 clone. Also, last week there was $249 and $299 Lotos plasma cutter deal that has since expired.

No such thing as "220 power" as everything in USA is 120 volt/240 volt !!

Sweet spot for you would be a 240v mig welder like Miller, Lincoln or Hobart in a deal on CL. Some GJer's have bought Eastwood 175 mig welder (240v) and have been happy with it (the COO is China but it does have 3 yr warranty).

Also recommend you search/read on www.weldingweb.com

Use GOOGLE to drill into either website to find posts/threads on particular brand you might be interested in.

EXAMPLES:
. . . > > > GOOGLE > > > Eastwood 175 mig site:garagejournal.com
. . . > > > GOOGLE > > > Hobart 190 site:weldingweb.com

 

[wagon]

Lincoln welders are made in Mexico, unless you buy a big one.

For 1/4", even a small unit like a Millermatic 190/211 or Lincoln PowerMig 180/180 Dual would work.

I'd have thought that you'd need something that can weld thicker. For what it's worth, the MM 211 is rated at 3/8" (230A max output), while the PM 180 is rated for 5/16" at 180A. If you don't mind an imported machine, the PM 210 is an out of the box MIG/Stick welder with dual voltage capability. Also rated to 3/8", and has up to 200A of stick amperage, which will do far more than simple wirefeed.

The Miller sells for ~1100-1200, while that PowerMig 210MP sells for $1,199 most places. Also has a TIG package available.

Miller does have a $200 rebate, up to $400 if you buy $400 of Miller/Hobart stuff on the same receipt (do not stack), but the flexibility of that Lincoln is great.

Miller's equivalent, the Multimatic 200 is a badass machine, but costs about $1800-1900.

Anyway, buy local. It might be a little cheaper online, but it's a good idea to build a relationship with the guys at your LWS. Repairs/warranty should be hassle-free, and you can try to strike a deal on consumables, or gas.

Hobarts are made with Miller quality, but are intentionally handicapped so that the Millers can sell at a premium.

ThermalDynamics plasmas are made in China (CM42), and Mexico (CM52+) - good machines either way. Miller plasmas are overpriced given their amperage, but are good machines if you're ok with spending more money for a machine with less output.

 

[wagon]

Didn't mean to write so much.

Basically,

PM180 is 989 (less 100 rebate, 889), the Miller, let's say at $1,150 is $950 after rebate, making it a small difference for a machine that is American "assembled", has higher output, weighs half as much, and welds thicker.

However, the PowerMig 210MP is a full on beast, but has no rebate.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I bought a Millermatic 180 and an Eastwood Versa Cut60 this year and am having a blast figuring them both out. I had to wire up a few 230V outlets but that wasn't a big deal at all. I can certainly tell you I wouldn't want a welder with any less power than the 180, but it's been enough for everything I've thrown at it. Buy a good quality machine and you'll have something to learn on that will grow with you for some time. Buy a cheap machine and you'll always be wondering if it's you or the machine, and you'll likely end up upgrading anyway. Definitely be looking in the 230/240V class.

The plasma cutter continues to amaze me. The thickest thing I've had to cut with it was a 1/4" mile steel coupon with about another 1/4" of practice beads on it and it blew through it at the 40A setting. When I bought the plasma I didn't have a use for it at all so I stayed away from the higher priced units. If I do need a better unit I can sell this one pretty quickly and then do the upgrade. I've seen a few mixed reviews on them but mine is rock solid and cuts like a dream.

Whatever you end up getting you're going to enjoy playing with them. It's a fun hobby.

 

[kirkkw]

I would also look at Thermal ARC/TWECO welders.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Funny... Since my post above until now I decided to upgrade my Eastwood Versa Cut60 to a Hypertherm PM65 but not for the reason you might think. I decided to build a CNC Plasma table and due to the Eastwood's HF start it isn't recommended for use in a CNC machine. Since it looks like I will actually be using it to make some money I bit the bullet and went for the one with the best reputation in the industry. I may keep the Eastwood for ripping metal before the table or possibly sell it off to recoup a little cash. not sure yet.

Oh and there is still nothing at all wrong with the Eastwood Plasma machine. At least not as long as you want to build a CNC table.

 

[OldmanB]

Buy Blue
the 375 plasma cutter will work on 120 and 220
The selection of mig welders is great from suitcase and up.
But the biggest draw is parts availability.
The next would be retention of value.

I wouldn't buy a Miller if your thinking about value, they can cause you grief just like any other. HTP are decent for the buck, don't forget with a plasma you're going to need an air dryer and a good air compressor also.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I did a lot of research before I bought my welder a few years back. I needed good value and decent quality so I bridged the gap a bit and ended up buying a Hobart Handler 187 which is a 185A/240V unit. I have had great luck with it and as stated it is made by Miller and consumables are readily available at the local welding/gas store. It works great and I have had no issues what so ever. It will EASILY to 1/4" and thicker. I was comparing it to a Millermatic autoset 180 at the time and decided I really didn't need the machine to pick my settings for me and I was right. Typically I set it where it needs to be according to the cheat sheet on the cover and I'm good. Once in a while I turn it up a bit more. I waited for sales and got it for around $700 at the time.

I recently got the plasma cutter. Again I did a ton of research and decided on a Hypertherm Powermax 30xp. Again it was on sale and I paid around $1100 from the local Airgas supplier. I could have done slightly better if I got just the unit but I opted for the kit that had a case, adapter plug to go from 120/240, gloves, etc. for about $100 more. It cuts well and seems to out perform the specs and it's made in Vermont from my understanding. Great, compact, portable unit. I haven't run it off the generator yet but I love the unit.

I use a Lincoln for both at work and I actually like my Hobart and Hypertherm better than the Lincolns at work. But they are newer and way smaller so that may be it.

No matter what you buy I would not waste the effort or money on a 120V machine for the welder. I had the luxury of using a few machines before I bought and I really didn't like the 120V at all. There is really no comparison. It was much easier to learn on the hotter machines.

 

[wayne55]

+1 on maxpower. I like his logic.