Welder recommendations

[toyotadriver]

I want to get a 240 volt welder. I currently have an oxy/acetylene setup as well as a 120v MIG welder that will do both gas and flux core.

The 120v MIG has done everything I've needed it to so far.

I'm thinking of getting either a Lincoln tombstone type stick welder or a 240v MIG.

This will be for occasional homeowner use.

Thanks

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I want to get a 240 volt welder. I currently have an oxy/acetylene setup as well as a 120v MIG welder that will do both gas and flux core.

The 120v MIG has done everything I've needed it to so far.

I'm thinking of getting either a Lincoln tombstone type stick welder or a 240v MIG.

This will be for occasional homeowner use.

Thanks

MIG for homeowner use, unless you find yourself welding outside a lot. Stick with Miller or Lincoln for ease of parts and service.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Miller or Hobart would be my two brands of choice. Many hobart machines are very, very similar to millers and have interchangeable parts. For example, my Hobart Ironman 210 has a miller gun on it.

Search on craigslist. Be an informed buyer and you can get some great deals from craigslist.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I used to have a 120V no name machine which was frustrating. Then I used someone elses 240V Lincoln and it was like night and day. Then I ended up buying a Hobart Handler 187. Excellent machine for the money and somewhat portable if on a cart. Parts and consumables are easy to come by. I do use it outside on occasion and haven't had any issues. Although I haven't used it in heavy wind or anything.

 

[BD1]

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[mds5951]

Ive been eyeballing up the Lincoln MP210. MIG, Flux-Cored, DC Stick, DC TIG. 110 or 230v. And has a pretty idiot-proof display.

 

[IRQVET]

I went with the Hobart 210 MPV and I am extremely pleased with it. I got mine from the Hobart Weld Shop for $897 delivered to my door. I can use it on 110 volt or 240 volt. If you go with one of the "Big-3" you really cannot go wrong:

(in no particular order)

1. Hobart
2. Lincoln
3. Miller


Miller and Hobart are owned by the same company, Illinois Tool Works, and some of their parts are interchangeable for this very reason. Hobart is marketed more toward residential use, and Miller is marketed toward commercial use. The duty cycle on Miller's are higher because they are commercial machines. Both are American made, parts are easy to get ahold of, and they are built like tanks.

Lincoln is another American made welding company, but I think they are now assembled in Mexico.

All three make excellent machines, and will last much longer than the Chinese built buzz boxes.

My 3 favorite machines are: (in no particular order)

1. Lincoln Power Mig 210 (inverter style, super light weight)
2. Miller Mig 212 MPV (inverter style, super light weight)
3. Hobart 210 MPV (Its heavy, I think mine is 87 lbs)

For the home hobbyist, I went with the Hobart and although its way heavy, its way more welder than I'll ever need and it was between $200-500 cheaper than the inverter machines by Lincoln and Miller. In either event, the Hobart's are built extremely well and all the drives are built to last. I wouldn't trade mine for anything, it lays a nice bead and makes me look like a better welder than I actually am, rofl.

 

[sweetk30]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330097

my setup .

the big 216 I have yet to need more than just over 1/2 the power scale .

she burns in like no bodys bissness

I have played with a lot of brands and models . some reason Lincoln sticks with me.

 

[zkling]

I want to get a 240 volt welder. I currently have an oxy/acetylene setup as well as a 120v MIG welder that will do both gas and flux core.

The 120v MIG has done everything I've needed it to so far.

I'm thinking of getting either a Lincoln tombstone type stick welder or a 240v MIG.

This will be for occasional homeowner use.

Thanks

So, where is the need?

 

[Know Wosad]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330097

my setup .

the big 216 I have yet to need more than just over 1/2 the power scale .

she burns in like no bodys bissness

I have played with a lot of brands and models . some reason Lincoln sticks with me.

Someone stole the whip off the 140 !

 

[toyotadriver]

So, where is the need?

I have moved to the country. I have an older Kubota and some used implements so metal repairs to my equipment are an occasional event. The 120v MIG will do some of the potential repairs but some of the thicker metal that I'll weld eventually will need more power than the 120v offers.

I've welded with the Lincoln stick in the past so am familiar with them.

 

[Fender1325]

I have a hobart handler 140. Good 110 machine but I want to upgrade as well. In the store the lincoln power mig 256 looked really well built. Id love to own one. But people say digital screens can go out over time. Considering my hobart has served me well, and their customer service is good, you might check the hobart iron man 230. Cheaper than lincoln or miller, and no digital screen to go bad. I imagine itd be a work horse for many years to come.

 

[sweetk30]

Someone stole the whip off the 140 !

na I got it . just off for fab time of the bracket to hold it up on the 216.

and as others said my local buddy @ the weld shop said pass on the digital stuff and keep it simple with the 216 . same basic unit just manual control for less problems later on down the road.

 

[G-ManBart]

For the price of the Lincoln tombstone AC machine you can get a nice little imported DC machine that will be a bit more flexible.

I have a Hobart Champion Elite welder generator and an Everlast PowerArc 200ST and you'd never know the little Everlast cost 1/10th the price of the Hobart. The Everlast also does either 120 or 240V with an adapter plug (comes with it).

I bought the Everlast for the kind of stuff you're talking about....farm implements, welding on my machines (dump truck, dozer, backhoe, etc) and I've been really happy with it. Mostly I just didn't want to listen to the engine on the Hobart, but I've found I prefer the more precise amperage settings and quality of the arc of the Everlast as well.

 

[Thumper68]

I just picked up the Lincoln 210 mph, and can say from first hand experience that it is very nice. 120/240, stick and mig and you can add scratch start tightening and a spool gun if you wish.

I got it for 2 main reasons 1. I wanted a stick machine 2. I wanted portable mig.