Welder questions

[rustydailey]

I would like some input on welders. I'm looking at buying a MIG welder but I'm not sure on what to get. I do know I want one that is 220, but other than that I'm lost. I plan on using it for general shop use, automotive, building trailers and stuff like that. Maybe building roll cages and such. Another question is should I get a TIG as well? I don't have any experience using one but can learn. Would I have a great need for one? I know that some welders are able to have spool guns to weld aluminum, which I think would be the only thing I know I would use a TIG machine for. Just looking for some direction and experiences with different brands.

Rusty

 

[antinym]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice here. The biggest thing is knowing what, and how much you'll be welding. From what you've said, I'd suggest the Hobart Handler 190 with the spool gun. That should set you back $900, then another $2-400 of accessories 'n' stuff.
I don't have a TIG machine yet, but I know how to Tig weld. I've seen a lot of suggestions for the Miller 200. A equivalent machine would be around $2000-3000. So, it's a big jump for personal and occasional usage.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Lincoln,Lincoln,Lincoln and do not look back....

I'm sorry, Just like the Pro Snap on people, I need to support what I think is best.....

 

[crewchief888]

IMHO

you cant go wrong with any welder from the BIG 3.

ive used or owned miller, lincoln and hobart.

i'm not saying anything made off shore is junk, only buy USA, many of the offshore brands are (sometimes) hard to (eventually) get replacement parts for.

my old 110v daytona mig, made by cebora, was a damn good welder to me, it just got to the point where it needed more, and more maintainance and (sometimes, ok many times) out of stock parts.

i dont think i would had a (parts availability) issue with one of the BIG 3 welders

 

[RangerDaleXp]

You will not have any issues with any of the big three. I also will say the Northern 135 has worked well as a field welder for me. As for parts, Any of the Eastwood or Realgear stuff will work as well as some Lincoln in a pinch. The Welder is a clone from Lincoln and made by Hugong in China. I did a side by side comparison 3 years ago on another forum with pictures showing the guts of a Northern and a Lincoln.....

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I would go with the others and recommend any of the top three US made welders. Tractor supply sells a 220v mig unit for $650 in my neck of the woods. I was thinking of selling my older Lincoln SP170 for half the purchase price, but I'm also a Lincoln man. I have a Millermatic 140 autoset which I rarely use. I know how to weld, and the autoset feature is pretty annoying.

Learn how to MIG first and worry about TIG welding later. You can weld just about any type of metal with TIG and stick with the right rod.