Welder

[MichaelBikel]

It has come to my attention that I have outgrown my welder. Can anyone give me a suggestion for a good lower end welder? I currently have a HF and it comes with two amperage settings and a variable knob for feed speed. I'm surprised I have even gotten by this long with it. Is there anything in the $200-$400 range that isn't ****? I was really hoping to find something with flux wire where I didn't have to store gas.

 

[Bobcat753]

This one is a little out of your range but it is a good welder. It is a Miller brand. It will be better than the chinese ones.
http://store.cyberweld.com/hoha125.html

 

[eighthd]

cyber weld has a sale on a miller 125 foe $542.00

 

[MichaelBikel]

This one is a little out of your range but it is a good welder. It is a Miller brand. It will be better than the chinese ones.
http://store.cyberweld.com/hoha125.html

I've seen hobart before but never heard anything, ill look into this one

 

[pi_guy]

Go Blue

It is all I have owned (5). I look at all the welders on work trucks and the majority of the time it is blue. Got to mean something.

 

[ZRX61]

By a blue one

 

[CNGsaves]

Blue . . . . Red . . . .Orange . . . . . . . . . pick a color !!!

Miller / Lincoln / Hobart

Any of these will treat you well . . . first decision is 120v or 240v . . or BOTH !!

Might also consider ThermalArc (Victor) / Tweco.

Spend some time on welding specific forum also . .
. . . . www.weldingweb.com

 

[jerseykat1]

I have a multiprocessor (tig, plasma, arc) welder from everlast (more popular Chinese unit) that had treated me well the past 3 years. It is AC/DC unit. But at 1200 it's out of your price range.. I suggest you search craigslist for a used Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln. MIG welders are finicky, I also have a low end Lincoln gasless MIG that I don't like. Doesn't feed very smooth.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[bobcatdan]

Hobart is your best bang for the buck. You get Miller guts at a better price. Since you are looking to upgrade, look at a 140. It will give you the most a 110 machine can do and can go on sale for very good prices.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I bought my Millermatic 180 from these guys:

http://www.weldersupply.com/

They have great prices and being in a different state than me meant no sales tax as well. They didn't have great communication but they shipped quickly and had the best price I could find anywhere. The closeout 180's are gone but they do sell Hobart and a few other brands.

 

[Rj555]

Hobert is a nice little welder. I have been looking to upgrade my 135 handler to a Miller 211.

 

[rayh91]

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-140-mig-wire-welder/

Bought a 210MVP A-Stock Reconditioned off Amazon last month. Came with a scuff or two but it performs like new. Love it. Would highly recommend at least the 140.

 

[zmotorsports]

Are you adamant about buying new?

There are some very decent used machines that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. In the past when I didn't have the money to go new, I always opted to buy a little higher quality on the used market. You just have to pay attention to the condition. Also, I am a bit partial to the larger 240VAC machines vs. the 110 volt ones. I prefer a bit higher duty cycle than most of the smaller units can deliver.

Mike.

 

[sk farmer]

Hobert is a nice little welder. I have been looking to upgrade my 135 handler to a Miller 211.

^^^^^^this. I know it is above your price range but the 211 has a pile of features at a decent price and you will not outgrow it any time soon.

You may even find one at a better deal since there are new 211s coming out.

 

[mike93lx]

It has come to my attention that I have outgrown my welder. Can anyone give me a suggestion for a good lower end welder? I currently have a HF and it comes with two amperage settings and a variable knob for feed speed. I'm surprised I have even gotten by this long with it. Is there anything in the $200-$400 range that isn't ****? I was really hoping to find something with flux wire where I didn't have to store gas.

What are you trying to do that your welder can't handle?

Answering that will help make an appropriate recommendation.

 

[zkling]

Are you adamant about buying new?

There are some very decent used machines that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. In the past when I didn't have the money to go new, I always opted to buy a little higher quality on the used market. You just have to pay attention to the condition. Also, I am a bit partial to the larger 240VAC machines vs. the 110 volt ones. I prefer a bit higher duty cycle than most of the smaller units can deliver.

Mike.

On all accounts, although used, quality mig machines, especially the compact 110v units seem to REALLY hold value.

The 200amp 110/220v machines are awesome for a home or even small shop user. If I had money to piss away I'd replace my baby Lincoln 110v with one.

 

[MichaelBikel]

What are you trying to do that your welder can't handle?

Answering that will help make an appropriate recommendation.

I shouldn't say that it's ****, its not to me. It gets the job done BUT it ***** when all you have is speed setting and High/Low. So basically to make a proper weld I use the low setting (for thin material) and I get a little more travel time. Or I use the hi setting and I lay down more welds and move from spot to spot to prevent warpage/burning. I just feel like if I at least had something with more of a selection as far as current I would be okay. I get by with what I have i'm just tired of laying down **** welds when I know I can do much better.

 

[gayler]

A little out of your range, but this looks good. http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/TwecoFabricatoriFREESHIP

 

[pi_guy]

It becomes more enjoyable and consistent with a quality machine.
The issue I am having is my multiprocess Miller is black, should they change the slogan to Go Black and Blue?

Been carting my TIG dynasty 200 to the track for the last 7 years and it never let me down running on 115v.
About 20 years ago I had one of the first miller mig on 115v came with flux core, first thing I did was upgrade it is much better with gas.

 

[Toofast28]

Get a gas machine, world of difference. That Hobart above is a good machine if you're just doing thin and hobby stuff. I have a Small Lincoln 110v for small stuff very similar to this. Great machine, but it's not good for over 1/8" material. If you are welding thicker than that you need something bigger.

 

[MichaelBikel]

Get a gas machine, world of difference. That Hobart above is a good machine if you're just doing thin and hobby stuff. I have a Small Lincoln 110v for small stuff very similar to this. Great machine, but it's not good for over 1/8" material. If you are welding thicker than that you need something bigger.

I'm actually thinking I may go gas, will look into it. Also why is it that my flux welder is loud as Sh** but when I see videos on youtube it doesn't even sound like they are welding? I just sounds like gas flowing...

 

[sk farmer]

I'm actually thinking I may go gas, will look into it. Also why is it that my flux welder is loud as Sh** but when I see videos on youtube it doesn't even sound like they are welding? I just sounds like gas flowing...

because flux core is loud and sounds more like stick.

 

[ZRX61]

check www.cyberweld.com and https://www.arc-zone.com/ for deals.

 

[Regal2800]

a welder is one of those things that you get what you pay for. I would definitely get a Miller. find a used one on ebay if new is out of your price range.

 

[Fender1325]

Get a hobart handler 140. If you need heavier welding than 1/8" then you'll need a bigger machine or a stick welder.

I run gas or flux setup on mine and neither is loud or louder than the other. Same sizzle. Should sound like bacon sizzling in the pan.

Ive been happy with mine, except I want more power now to do heavier metals. Hobart customer service is solid as well.

 

[sbd4de3]

What do you guys think about Thermal Arc?

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Can get bargain if you know what you're looking for by ThermalArc. There is fabricator model that is mig / stick / tig . . . . IIRC model 211i or 252 . . . that the guy doing a slew of YouTubes shows off with infinite power and wire speed control with digital readout of each.

Google > > > > > WeldingTipsAndTricks site:youtube.com

Lot of great information in his videos for welding in general.

+1 to search on welding specific forum about ThermalArc
www.weldingweb.com

 

[Showkey]

If your going to upgrade..........get the gas.

Eastwood is a good machine for the price...

http://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-...e=&network=g&gclid=CN7gmcyUn8kCFQutaQodD4IJUg

I have the 240v 175 amp comes with a Alum spool gun

 

[ovrrdrive]

I just bought an Eastwood Plasma cutter and I'm pretty happy with it. If I hadn't bought a Miller welder already I'd consider buying one of their migs. I've heard good and bad about their warranty with most of it being good.

I know the plasma cutter works great. I've been having a blast with it.

 

[MichaelBikel]

Here is a used one I found, guy is asking 2 bills. What y'all think?

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd probably stay away from that unit, the biggest thing is parts availability. If one of the control knobs went out I don't think you would be able to find another. I also think that unit is near the end of its life.

 

[f575gtc]

Do not buy H/F welders, they aren't bad in general, but they are VERY unforgiving and an absolute nightmare to learn on, trust me I went through this.

I picked up a Hobart 110v with a 60cuft tank for $200 off CL right in in CT a few years back, was a night and day difference , consistent beads, less splatter etc.

Another option is a Eastwood welder, I picked up one of their 175amp on sale for $300 and change, it is a VERY good welder, all the settings are fully adjustable also is very forgiving on sheet metal.

Definitely go on CL and find a good condition used mig welder, avoid Harbor Freight's welders if you are new at welding.

 

[Jeeper]

My vote is a good used welder. 2 years ago, I grabbed a Miller 175 for $400. I don't use it a lot but it works great for me and parts are easy to find. Rollers, liners, tips, etc.

A month ago I saw a Miller 211 go for $400 on craigslist. Kicking myself for not jumping faster on it. I could have bought that and sold mine for 400 and would have a newer multi-plug. Oh well, my current set up is more than I need.

 

[MichaelBikel]

What about this? Guy is asking 3 bills but it only comes with the gun/lead/power cord doesn't have the hose/regulator/tank. The cheapest I can find it anywhere else for the same setup is $430 after shipping/tax.

Otherwise its 500 total from northern tool but that includes hose/reg

 

[f575gtc]

that seems expensive...

 

[Jeeper]

What about this? Guy is asking 3 bills but it only comes with the gun/lead/power cord doesn't have the hose/regulator/tank. The cheapest I can find it anywhere else for the same setup is just under $430 after shipping/tax

I think it's a pretty good deal for 300 assuming it's a 140. Tanks are weird because you can buy them but most people i know (which isn't many) rent them. For $50 a year, why bother with making sure it's certified. Get yourself that flow regulator earlier in the thread you are ready.

 

[Bobcat753]

That seems pretty reasonable. Looks like he took care of it.

 

[TNToy]

Buy that sucker.

Pick up a tank/regulator new (don't go used here, they're the most abused part of a MIG setup!) when funds permit.

The moment you switch from flux go MIG, you will never EVER go back unless welding something greasy you cannot access to clean off, or in the middle of a tornado.

Then go to your local welding gass supply and buy a bottle of shielding gas.

With gas you can generally rent (flat rate no matter how much you use) or buy. I buy mine at roughly $50 a pop. Why? Becuase I don't weld nonstop in my garage. 6-24" of bead laid down once every 2 to 4 weeks in your garage? That tank will last a 12-18 months. It makes sense to buy tanks and exchange them just like propane ones, if you aren't using it daily.

(Buying the first cylinder is more $$$, but it's only $50 or so locally to exchange the 80CF bottles of C25)

I paid $200 more than my budget and bought a Millermatic 175 back when I was a broke college kid - buying it meant eating ramen exclusively for a week. I never, ever, EVER have regretted that purchase. I'll have it for decades to come and everything from exhaust tubing with .023" to 1/2" plate with .035" is a pleasure to work on.

 

[MichaelBikel]

If he responds i'd like to get him down maybe to $250. Its 115v, 1 phase, 60Hz, 20 amp just for reference. My only issue is that it looks like the item is discontinued so I am wondering what happens when I have a problem with it...

Also the thing is I weld every now and then not even monthly which was my concern with storing gas. My current project really only requires maybe 3ft of continuous weld so after that I maybe have a project with another 2 ft of welding and thats it for at least 6 most

I also want to be clear this is the Hobart Handler 135 not the 140

 

[TNToy]

That's why you buy Hobart.

Not FlyByNightWelders, Inc.

My Millermatic 175 has been discontinued longer than that unit. Parts are still everywhere, and you know Miller/Hobart will still be around in 2060.