Welder recommendations for the novice welder...
- Thread starter muncie21
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SpeedCoach
Well-known member
This has been a popular question lately....including my own post about it.
A lot of christmas money to burn out there!
A lot of christmas money to burn out there!
spongerich
Well-known member
The way I see it, you have 3 choices.
1.Spend a lot of money on a good Lincoln/Miller MIG unit (probably in the $400 range)
You'll have a good welder that'll last a lifetime if you can stomach the initial investment. They're pretty versatile too.
2. Buy a cheap POS HF or Campbell Hausfield MIG welder. You can get one new for < $150 or find a used one for under $100. It'll probably work OK for small jobs, but if you use it a lot you will eventually end up frustrated with it and end up back at #1.
3. Buy a used Lincoln "Tombstone" 225 stick welder. You can weld just about anything with this. Build your own skyscraper if you want. The downside is that stick has a slightly longer learning curve. I went this route and haven't had much time to practice, but it only cost me $60 and if I ever tire of it and decide to move to a MIG, I can get my money back in a heartbeat.
1.Spend a lot of money on a good Lincoln/Miller MIG unit (probably in the $400 range)
You'll have a good welder that'll last a lifetime if you can stomach the initial investment. They're pretty versatile too.
2. Buy a cheap POS HF or Campbell Hausfield MIG welder. You can get one new for < $150 or find a used one for under $100. It'll probably work OK for small jobs, but if you use it a lot you will eventually end up frustrated with it and end up back at #1.
3. Buy a used Lincoln "Tombstone" 225 stick welder. You can weld just about anything with this. Build your own skyscraper if you want. The downside is that stick has a slightly longer learning curve. I went this route and haven't had much time to practice, but it only cost me $60 and if I ever tire of it and decide to move to a MIG, I can get my money back in a heartbeat.
SpeedCoach
Well-known member
LOL - I didnt even really pay attention to where your OP was ....hope my response didnt come off as snarky (please take no offense)....just trying to point you to some responses on the topic.
milkovich
Well-known member
I grew up with a tombstone AC stick but my first welder was a Lincoln SP135T 120v machine that I've not outgrown. With flux core I can weld up to about a 1/4" mild steel. Later I bought a Lincoln AC/DC tig welder which I'd use to weld anything large like a trailer (very slowly). It's a 175 amp machine and I'm now outgrowing that so I'll probably end up selling it and going right to a larger 200+ amp single phase AC/DC tig ($3k+). All that said and done, I'll still never give up my $500 120v lincoln because it's so handy. Guys saying "it'll only weld sheetmetal" must be running a fab shop because that's exactly what I spend 99% of my time welding (car wise).
Keep in mind a $1k 220v mig is still just a mig welder, it's really only good for welding a lot of steel "nice". A $1200 tig will weld any material (depending on thickness) and it's A LOT more fun. The other night I was welding up some copper fittings for the bathroom instead of soldering them. That's how addictive it is.
I'd stick with the 120v lincoln/hobart/century entry level machines. I'd make sure it's a mig with gas handling for sheet metal but keep a spool of flux core around so you can just switch polarity and weld thicker stuff when penetration is more important then spatter.
Just my .02
Keep in mind a $1k 220v mig is still just a mig welder, it's really only good for welding a lot of steel "nice". A $1200 tig will weld any material (depending on thickness) and it's A LOT more fun. The other night I was welding up some copper fittings for the bathroom instead of soldering them. That's how addictive it is.
I'd stick with the 120v lincoln/hobart/century entry level machines. I'd make sure it's a mig with gas handling for sheet metal but keep a spool of flux core around so you can just switch polarity and weld thicker stuff when penetration is more important then spatter.
Just my .02
sberry
Banned
The 180 amp class MIG was made with crowd in mind, they had garage forum guys picture on the wall as a poster children when they invent it. Best buy in this these days is Hobart 187 for steel although there are a couple other cases where the price has dropped some to make them worth a look,,, but,,, none work better, some others have more features but its pretty moot.
5lima30
Well-known member
Whatever you get plan on getting an auto-darkening helmet (it makes a world of difference!) Learning to weld with a stick welder is like learning to drive on a manual shift vehicle, if you ever switch to an automatic err.. MIG you will have no trouble.
Professur
Well-known member
Craig's list for a red, white or blue mig is the best 'starter' point. When you've got some skill ... you can get good performance out of a chinese machine, but it's no place to start. Starting out with a tig or stick .... great if you're heading to a welding class with coaching .... not such a good idea for the home schooler.
dmeadow
Well-known member
Stay away from the flux core lower-end stuff. If you are learning you need a good quality gas MIG welder at the least. I took courses at my local community college, which helped immensely.
I've welded with stick, gas, tig and mig and I like tig the best. But for home us and overall practicability I have a Holbart 135. It has been able to weld on anyting that I have run into at home from small sheet metal to 1/4 steel. It's worth the money, but you have to get the gas to make welding really easy.
plain2car
Well-known member
i also asked a very similar question in the same sub-forum so don't feel bad...LOL!! You might take a gander at it as well. i am looking & hopefully will buy mine soon. basically i am looking into the century 180 (linc. elect off brand).
good luck!!
good luck!!
1Garageman
Well-known member
I'd try looking on craigs list or ebay and see if you could find a lucky hit on a nice Lincoln/Miller. Wouldn't hurt to look there. I realize it ***** to buy something used sometimes, but it could be a better investment than buying something new from HarborFreight, etc....
Falcon67
Well-known member
Minimum a 110V like a Hobart 140, better a 230V like a Hobart 187. Having had a couple and not being an welding expert, I can say with certainty that you should NOT buy a cheap welder. I bought my Hobart 140 on sale for under $500 and it is worlds away from the previous inexpensive welders. A good unit is easier to lean on because it works right to begin with. Buy good now, use for a long time and be happy. I didn't have the 140 a year before I was thinking "damn, shouda bought the 187...".
HemiRambler
Well-known member
I too grew up with the Lincoln 225 stick machine - it was good, but not very versatile in terms of thin metal, aluminum etc.
I then moved to a Miller 120V MIG - great little machine. I did alot of frame work with this machine - and a bunch more sheet metal. Granted a 220V mahcine would have been nicer for the frame work, but I got by just the same.
Lastly I picked up a 250/250 Lincoln TIG - wow - I could almost thow the MIG away and almost never use Stick anymore. The TIG is without a doubt my favorite - versatile as can be, thin, thick, steel, aluminum - whatever it doesn't care it'll weld it.
At work I used a Kempi (sp?) TIG inverter - wow what a sweet machine, but alas out of my budget!!
I no longer have the Lincoln buzz box - still have the Miller Mig - it's handy for exhaust work and I TIG about 99% of everything else.
YMMV, but no matter what you decide - save yourself a bunch of grief and get a good NAME BRAND machine - this ain't a place for the Sum Flung Dung experiments. IMHO
I then moved to a Miller 120V MIG - great little machine. I did alot of frame work with this machine - and a bunch more sheet metal. Granted a 220V mahcine would have been nicer for the frame work, but I got by just the same.
Lastly I picked up a 250/250 Lincoln TIG - wow - I could almost thow the MIG away and almost never use Stick anymore. The TIG is without a doubt my favorite - versatile as can be, thin, thick, steel, aluminum - whatever it doesn't care it'll weld it.
At work I used a Kempi (sp?) TIG inverter - wow what a sweet machine, but alas out of my budget!!
I no longer have the Lincoln buzz box - still have the Miller Mig - it's handy for exhaust work and I TIG about 99% of everything else.
YMMV, but no matter what you decide - save yourself a bunch of grief and get a good NAME BRAND machine - this ain't a place for the Sum Flung Dung experiments. IMHO
AndysMBgarage
Well-known member
I started welding 25 yrs ago with an old Arc welder then got a 130A MIG like this
A year ago I was given a huge old arc welder ["the battleship welder"] so I use thats for the really heavy welding.
I recommend that you get a good brand, and you buy something thats around 130Amp [all Aussie power is 240v] for practice. At worst case you can sell it for 70% of what you paid later. In the meantime you will get the experience you need before you start paying big bucks for a top unit suitable for a garage workshop.
If you need to buy the other equipment like clamps, angle grinders, cut off saws and a top quality auto darkening helmet [name brand] the costs really do add up.
A year ago I was given a huge old arc welder ["the battleship welder"] so I use thats for the really heavy welding.
I recommend that you get a good brand, and you buy something thats around 130Amp [all Aussie power is 240v] for practice. At worst case you can sell it for 70% of what you paid later. In the meantime you will get the experience you need before you start paying big bucks for a top unit suitable for a garage workshop.
If you need to buy the other equipment like clamps, angle grinders, cut off saws and a top quality auto darkening helmet [name brand] the costs really do add up.
MichaelP
Well-known member
If you want to buy once, get 240V line and buy Hobart Handler 187. I can guarantee that you'll never regret it.
If you're, mostly, into smaller parts and aluminum, learn and buy TIG. This will require a steeper learning curve and much more money. But TIG is truly wonderful, and once you try it, you'll be hooked.
If you get both at some point, you'll be very well covered, and I doubt you'll ever need anything else. Unless, of course, you'll get involved into professional welding, construction business or develop special needs.
If you have an opportunity, take a welding class at a local college. They, usually, get you started with oxy-acetylene which is perfect for learning basic skills, and then give you a taste of other processes. If you wish, you can later take additional classes dedicated to a particular welding process.
If you're, mostly, into smaller parts and aluminum, learn and buy TIG. This will require a steeper learning curve and much more money. But TIG is truly wonderful, and once you try it, you'll be hooked.
If you get both at some point, you'll be very well covered, and I doubt you'll ever need anything else. Unless, of course, you'll get involved into professional welding, construction business or develop special needs.
If you have an opportunity, take a welding class at a local college. They, usually, get you started with oxy-acetylene which is perfect for learning basic skills, and then give you a taste of other processes. If you wish, you can later take additional classes dedicated to a particular welding process.
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Interex
Well-known member
Another vote for the Hobart Handler 187. You can also find it's predecessor, the Handler 180 on CL from time to time. I picked up my used 180 with cart and tank for $400 on CL.
gsport
Well-known member
i'm sure happy with my miller 211.... 110 and 220 volt with just the change of the plug end... got it for $877.00 at Airgas last year
darkk
Well-known member
Personally I don't have a clue where you can buy a *good* mig welder in the $400 range. That kind of money will get you one of the better cheap welders. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for cheapies, but not if you intend to do any real welding. Most good entry level mig welders start at around $900. I would suggest that if you are going to continue to learn and weld. Try to determine what types of welding you will most likely be doing. Then buy the best welder you can afford that will weld the types of projects you intent to do/make.Flying Low
New member
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- Jan 23, 2010
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I have a Hobart 140 110v riding around on a UPS truck today. Should be here tomorrow. $474.00 with a free cart, from Northern tool. Free shipping and no tax.
I chose it over the Lincoln because the drive looked stronger. and it was cheaper. I have never heard any bad comments about either one.
I was given a harbor freight special as a gift, took it back and ordered a name brand.
I have access to production welders at my shop, I wanted something small for around the garage and portability when the kids want to borrow it(all the time).
Good luck,
David:
I chose it over the Lincoln because the drive looked stronger. and it was cheaper. I have never heard any bad comments about either one.
I was given a harbor freight special as a gift, took it back and ordered a name brand.
I have access to production welders at my shop, I wanted something small for around the garage and portability when the kids want to borrow it(all the time).
Good luck,
David:
regguy1
Well-known member
djd99
Well-known member
Well you have to look I just bought a Hobart 210 as my christmas present and been wanting to pass on my millermatic 200. When I do get that motivation to post it it will be on craigslist for the $500 range.
Now I would recommend a 220v machine as you'll be able to weld anything.
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gumbudah
Well-known member
I've been using my first welder for about 10 years now, its a miller migpak 100. I think the model has been upgraded a bit since I bought mine. When I bought it, it was just flux core I think for $400. I then added the mig kit for about $100 plus tank. I don't have a lot of complaints, it can weld down to sheet metal, I've welded up to about 3/8 with it before. it's all about the number of passes. Using Flux Core (FCAW) it spatters a bit, but produces a good strong weld. I'm sure both miller and lincoln and hobar for that matter produce an entry level mig welder. I'd buy a 110v version that comes setup for mig. Tig is nice, but prolly a bit overkill for the standard diyer
djd99
Well-known member
This thread got me thinking So I went to northern looking for a spool gun for my new 210 and ran across this for $400 It might be worth looking into.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200441250_200441250
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200441250_200441250
demoderbydave
Well-known member
I bought a Lincoln Weld pak 175 New in the box on ebay for $400.00 + 25.00 for shipping. It is a 220 volt unit that will weld anything that I am likely to ever need to weld. I have a friend who is a Pro welder slowly teach me the basics and he has used my welder for numerous projects with the 75/25 gas and says if his big dollar welder dies he will just buy one like mine. I saw recently in a few magizines that Eastwood had some welding "packages" around 
...don't know if they still have them ...that if I did not buy what I had I would have been interested in. They were complete with cart, auto helmet and some other stuff as well... may be worth a look.
...don't know if they still have them ...that if I did not buy what I had I would have been interested in. They were complete with cart, auto helmet and some other stuff as well... may be worth a look.rwhite692
Well-known member
+1....Hobart handler 187 or 210 is the best value in the hobby class mig machines going...made by Miller, great support, consumables readily available...My next machine is probably going to be a Millermatic 210 but only because I want to weld some heavier materials.
mobetta
Well-known member
another vote for the hobart handler 140. I scored a hobart 135( now the 140) at pawn america for $250- no tank or regulator. sold my century 85 amp w/out tank and regulator for $200 on CL(I had scored years before for $225, complete)
it is all the welder i need at this time, and I can bring it anywhere and plug into a 120v 20amp outlet. that is handy.
id love a big tig, but dont have the $$ or the need to justify it at this point.
it is all the welder i need at this time, and I can bring it anywhere and plug into a 120v 20amp outlet. that is handy.
id love a big tig, but dont have the $$ or the need to justify it at this point.
snowphun
Well-known member
I took a bunch of welding night classes at the local tech school, helped a lot in understanding how things work and what kind of gear to buy. I've been very happy with my 110v Lincoln, and agree that flux is not a good idea. Sounds great, but in practice it is a mess and working with a tank really isn't a big deal. You'll be surprised at the projects you find.
BADSIX
Well-known member
get the miller matic 180 then you can get the inexpesive spool gun and weld aluminum
rwhite692
Well-known member
Indeed, just wanted to note that the Hobart 187 is also spool gun ready, right out of the box...
Falcon67
Well-known member
Like to know who OEMs the Eastwood welders - 180 amp with spool gun for $500 is a killer deal. They look a bit like blue Hobarts.
december45
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- Apr 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,580
ok, ill take a different approach;
I have a lincoln 225 stick welder, i can lay a pretty good bead with it, however im not in any way a "welder" if i can make it stick together im good to go, im NOT going to make aliving with a welder, and i too feel if i can fix some of the stuff i break im good.
i bought the HF 90 amp flux welder(98871) , its 110 vt and for the money ($89.99) it works just fine, NO problems, i rewelded a broken bracket on our riding mower so far, ( among a bunch of other dinking around) not much, but it worked just fine, for me this welder seems to be able to do everything i think i will need... and for less than $100 bucks im pretty happy. I bought the auto darkening welding helmut from HF (91214 ) ($42.99)works great hellabetter than the flip hood, so far no problems with the welder or the hood
i just put this out there for a inexpensive alternative, lots of people talk about these HF welders as POS, i dont think so.
I have a lincoln 225 stick welder, i can lay a pretty good bead with it, however im not in any way a "welder" if i can make it stick together im good to go, im NOT going to make aliving with a welder, and i too feel if i can fix some of the stuff i break im good.
i bought the HF 90 amp flux welder(98871) , its 110 vt and for the money ($89.99) it works just fine, NO problems, i rewelded a broken bracket on our riding mower so far, ( among a bunch of other dinking around) not much, but it worked just fine, for me this welder seems to be able to do everything i think i will need... and for less than $100 bucks im pretty happy. I bought the auto darkening welding helmut from HF (91214 ) ($42.99)works great hellabetter than the flip hood, so far no problems with the welder or the hood
i just put this out there for a inexpensive alternative, lots of people talk about these HF welders as POS, i dont think so.
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djd99
Well-known member
This is the best bang for your buck comes with the spool gun weld anything right out of the box. I wish I had the spool gun for mine.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200392663_200392663
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200392663_200392663
Case IH
Well-known member
I have a miller 140 mig and I like it
Falcon67
Well-known member
X2 - buy that and you'd likely never need another unless it broke.
Another note for hot rodders and/or car people - a stick welder is fine for general work around the farm, but it is not an accepted method for roll bar installation or chassis work by IHRA or NHRA. Only MIG or TIG and if it's moly pipe, TIG only.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Another vote for the Hobart HH187