which welder to get

[blazsawgras]

im interested in getting a welder. I am looking at wire welders preferably Lincoln. I will be using for home and auto use in my home shop. I have looked at some that use 110 volt current, maybe flux core wire and gas in the same welder. would this be a good choice?

 

[machine_punk]

I just got the Lincoln 210MP recently and am VERY pleased with it. Dual voltage (120 or 240) and multi-process (MIG, Spool Gun, Flux Core, TIG, & Stick). A little over $1,000 USD for the base model, more for the aluminum spool gun and TIG/pedal options.

Plenty of videos on YouTube right now.

KDub

 

[BD1]

A wise choice would be a 110/220 volt machine. You will get more for a couple hundred more and will be happier. Check for rebates too, Miller may have a current program and Lincoln too. Buy from local suppliers and get a package deal and a tank of 75/25. You'll be much happier with using gas and a cleaner result too.

 

[Know Wosad]

That MP210 is destined to be another classic just like the old AC225 "Buzz Box", The old Millermatic 200 and the SA 200 gas powered jobsite machine. It's the best machine on the market for the buck at this time and has proven rock solid in the relatively short time it's been out. To get anywhere near $1000 and buy anything else w/mig is ridiculous. If your wallet absolutely cant handle it get yourself a used Lincoln 140 or Miller 135 to hold you over @ 350--500. They're both great machines for 1/8 and under.3/16 and 1/4 with that nasty flux core ****. Whiners cry about the "tapped" models(click in 5 or so positions only) but that's because they cant weld and think infinite adjustment makes up for lack of skill.

 

[bobcatdan]

Lincoln wire welders **** ****. Go Miller. Go for at least a 220 volt unit. There is so much you can do with a 211. Real thin stuff up to 3/8" thick it will do. For a guy at home who can live with the duty cycle, it's perfect.

 

[by921]

I would buy a 140 mig if the need it not to demanding. I bought a Lincoln 140 from lowes and really liked it. But my need increased and sold it and bought a Lincoln mp210 and it is even better. I sold my 140 after a years worth of use in very good condition for 250$, so buying used is a good option on a first welder.

 

[CNGsaves]

Buy a used Hobart 140 on CL and small argon/CO2 bottle like 40 or 80 cu ft. That will get you going for reasonable price and only need 120v.

 

[bob15]

Lincoln wire welders **** ****. Go Miller.

Do they really?

I've never had any issues with my SP170T, and I've owned it for 20 years. I've dealt with more gun issues with the Millermatic 200 than the Lincoln......and I think they are both very nice machines and both under-rated. With the Lincoln, you can also buy SS and AL kits for the SP170T as well.....plus it will run off a 30 amp breaker.

Please explain why the Miller is so much better....or what makes the Lincoln a bad welder. Or do you just not like Red paint?

 

[Coach James]

im interested in getting a welder. I am looking at wire welders preferably Lincoln. I will be using for home and auto use in my home shop. I have looked at some that use 110 volt current, maybe flux core wire and gas in the same welder. would this be a good choice?

What type of welders do you have experience with? When I took the welding course through the community college, I got to do OA, as well as MIG on a Miller 130, 170 and 200. That made it much easier for me to choose a welder for my own use.

I bought a MM135 and like it. A couple friends have the equivalent size Lincoln and like them as well.


Coach

 

[ZRX61]

Buy a blue one.

 

[Playwme]

I've got a Lincoln 180C. Love it. Nice step less adjustment , not too heavy, good price. I'm sure other brands would do a similar model that's also good but nothing wrong with the Lincoln.

 

[darwyn]

Another option is to get a Hobart handler that has been refurbished. I got one on Amazon for a good price, same warranty as new.

 

[Indexmill]

Sounds like the Ford / Chevy debate of years past...

 

[c39er]

Flux core is not what you need.
You need gas.

 

[sberry]

Do they really?

I've never had any issues with my SP170T, and I've owned it for 20 years. I've dealt with more gun issues with the Millermatic 200 than the Lincoln......and I think they are both very nice machines and both under-rated. With the Lincoln, you can also buy SS and AL kits for the SP170T as well.....plus it will run off a 30 amp breaker.

Please explain why the Miller is so much better....or what makes the Lincoln a bad welder. Or do you just not like Red paint?

The SPT are very good. They still make it in the 180 tap box store models. Its quite a bit cheaper than new feature machines. Not too much over 700$.

 

[gearhead1]

I have a Miller 180 and have had no issues. I've owned both Lincolns and Millers (both arc ang mig) and prefer the Millers. Lincolns are fine, comes down to preference as far as brand. If I recall correctly, Miller bought Hobart. I'd be tempted to look at a Hobart machine.

General recommendations:
I'd stay away from flux core.

Go as big as you can afford.

110v machine can trip a standard breaker, may need its own circuit on max amp setting. I put in a dedicated 20amp 110v circuit when I had a 110v model.

How much do you plan on using it and what for? How thick is the metal? You don't need a big machine if you're doing sheet metal and light work.

The Miller website shows thicknesses of weld capacity for each welder. Check this out:
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw

 

[bugdust]

Ok...I welded for a living for 17+ years...went to school for welding, held a few certifications years ago but haven't welded for a living in over 10 years. I'm still in manufacturing at the management level (plant manager with 5 supervisors and 92 hourly under me). We have a variety of welders including robotic. I have also restored a few cars at home and currently own a couple welders myself. My point? I think I'm qualified to answer the OP question.

The Lincoln vs Miller debate is the same as the Ford vs Chevy debate. Personally, I like Lincoln for GMAW (Mig) and Miller for TMAW (tig). I have owned a Lincoln 255c, a Miller Bobcat 250 and I currently have an older Miller 210 with spool gun and a Hobart 140.

For automotive and home shop use, get yourself a 140 size machine. Brand doesn't matter as long as you stay with the three mentioned (for US, esab or others for non-US). Go for the gas hookup. Flux-core on a little machine is fine and great for what it is but you will be much happier with the 75/25 gas. I typically use 0.023 or 0.030 for automotive sheetmetal and .045 for bigger stuff. You can buy new for about $550 or off craigslist for $300+

If that works out and you want to go bigger or your budget allows it, go for the new Lincoln mentioned above. I have heard great things about it. I may pick one up myself.

Take a welding & metallurgy class at the local vo-tech center. You can self teach with youtube but there is a lot of bad info out there. Everybody and their brother can weld but few can do it well.

 

[CJM8515]

Cant go wrong with ahobart hander, 220v. Dont even bother with 110.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I would say Lincoln and Hobart are great brands for the money. You can go with a cheaper import machine and some are just as good, but the support is lacking, so you take a chance with those. Miller makes great machines but I don't feel there's enough extra quality to justify the inflated prices.

 

[Ironhorse74]

Lincoln wire welders **** ****. Go Miller. Go for at least a 220 volt unit. There is so much you can do with a 211. Real thin stuff up to 3/8" thick it will do. For a guy at home who can live with the duty cycle, it's perfect.

Do they? WOW. I have owned both and run thousands of feet of bead. Very little difference. Red, blue and yellow they all work.

 

[Know Wosad]

Never take the advice of a man who brings a Bobcat to a jobsite and thinks he is a heavy equipment operator.
Happy Sunday

 

[bobcatdan]

Do they really?

I've never had any issues with my SP170T, and I've owned it for 20 years. I've dealt with more gun issues with the Millermatic 200 than the Lincoln......and I think they are both very nice machines and both under-rated. With the Lincoln, you can also buy SS and AL kits for the SP170T as well.....plus it will run off a 30 amp breaker.

Please explain why the Miller is so much better....or what makes the Lincoln a bad welder. Or do you just not like Red paint?

Let's, all the Lincolnshire I have used. The tiny 100, a soldering iron has more juice. The 135 had constant drive motor issues. The 175 along with drive motor issues, was the absolute worse things to ground. The 255XT was junk from day one. It spent most of its warranty period being repaired. I think the rear running gear wheels were about the only thing not replaced. It still welded for ****. I simply find Millersome problem free, easy to use and weld nicer. I have spent too much of my life being passed at a Lincoln to ever say a good word about them.

 

[xbeatles4x]

Buy a used Hobart 140 on CL and small argon/CO2 bottle like 40 or 80 cu ft. That will get you going for reasonable price and only need 120v.

That is exactly what I did and I am pretty pleased.

 

[justme-]

I love Lincoln, but after doing some comparisons a few months ago I found a big difference. Lincoln uses aluminum for transformers while Miller still uses copper.
Never been much experience around Hobart, only person I know with one has not had good experiences with it.
I own a lincoln weldpack 110 from the copper days and run as and flux. Works great within its limits however direct comparison to an aluminum version shows the lack of power at the same settings and reduced duty cycle.

 

[DSLTRK]

im interested in getting a welder. I am looking at wire welders preferably Lincoln. I will be using for home and auto use in my home shop. I have looked at some that use 110 volt current, maybe flux core wire and gas in the same welder. would this be a good choice?

A 110V machine is fine for most light jobs. You want a machine that is easily adjustable for spotting sheet metal.

And absolutely get a Mig welder. A flux core will trash sheet metal.


As for Brand, both Lincoln and Miller are good. I have a Lincoln 180 HD with an upgraded aluminum drive and a Lincoln 256. No issues from either.

The Millers are still built in USA where the Lincoln products are assembled in Mexico. But the Lincolns were 40lbs HEAVIER than the Miller 252. What does that tell you?

 

[darwyn]

Here is an example of what I'm talking about, Hobart Handler 210 MVP factory refurbished with a one year warranty, $659.99. That's a lot of welder for the money, it won't last long. You have to keep an eye on their stock.

 

[bobcatdan]

Never take the advice of a man who brings a Bobcat to a jobsite and thinks he is a heavy equipment operator.
Happy Sunday

Being a mechanic and not an operator, I can completely agree that most"operators" are idiots.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Craftsman mig/flux made in italy awesome welder. It was a catch of the day went to sears bought it $150 came withfriggin cart. Sorry it already discontinued. Chinese made stuff is creeping up our a-holes

Lincoln welder is a good choice since its still made in mexico


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[xbeatles4x]

If I am not mistaken a Hobart handler 140 is the exact same thing as a Lincoln 140.

 

[sberry]

You would be mistaken. They are very similar by different companies. Both are very good. Miller and Hobart are sister companies and share many of the same parts and the hose and wire come from the same spool. The models are not exactly alike, they have different features and are marketed differently.
The only 2 machines that were identical was a Tbolt buzzer where the only difference was the jacket.

 

[sberry]

Lincoln has fussed with the model numbers all over the place, the 2 or 3 basic machines have been made a long time. The 180 was a 130 when it originally came out. They put a different jacket on it and keep the tap V adjustment for the Home Depot market.
Since we are discussing economy don't be scared of taps and I actually like them better.
As I said, Linc has been making this a long time and it was set up by a real weldor, the 5 speed is tuned perfect for 030 solid and super easy to set.
Anything else on the machine has been added to be able to raise pricing. These basic models only cost 100 more than they did 25 yrs ago. The features are ok, Miller had some auto set issues, wire tracking etc but think maybe they slacked on that in favor of dual voltage as a marketing tool.
None of it makes it weld any better than setting it right. If a guy is a daily user fan on demand would be nice but you get used to it.

 

[bobcatdan]

Miller has definitely gone deep into bells and whistles on their welders. Mainly because miller aims their machines to a pro shop. Hobart is their consumer line and while generally the same overall quality, are kept basic for cost. If you want basic, go Hobart. You like features, go miller.

 

[5P-6010]

Gas is the way to go if you plan on doing most of your work indoors, it's a much cleaner process. Welding outdoors with gas could be a problem as the slightest air movement could direct the gas away from your work affecting weld quality in which case flux core would be the preferred method. Couldn't hurt to have both if you think you might be doing some work outside.

 

[xbeatles4x]

looks like I had Miller and Lincoln confused with each other.

 

[bobcatdan]

Gas is the way to go if you plan on doing most of your work indoors, it's a much cleaner process. Welding outdoors with gas could be a problem as the slightest air movement could direct the gas away from your work affecting weld quality in which case flux core would be the preferred method. Couldn't hurt to have both if you think you might be doing some work outside.

Get a gas mig setup for indoor and a $50 tombstone for outside welding. Unless all your welding is outside, no reason to sacrifice with Flux core. Also having a cheap, but good arc welder will give you higher capacity if welding real heavy stuff is few and far between.

 

[KM223]

OP I'm selling my nearly new Miller 140 with autoset and Miller cover. I need a more portable multi process machine so the 140 has to go. Hit me up!

 

[Showkey]

Eastwood 175 with a spool gun, with a 3 year warranty, with free shipping ....for about $500

 

[cajunfirehawk]

No talk of the new esab Rebel? http://www.esabna.com/us/en/dare/

 

[devildog93]

I have a hobart ironman 230 and i'm pretty happy i got it last year. It seems to weld anything from sheet metal/auto body to 1/2" plate. I'm not a professionally trained welder, but i have had time on a snap-on mm250 for a year or so. I think i like my hobart better than the mm250. The drive system is the same, but i think the hobart welds better. Probably has more to do with my machine having low hours on it and better electrical run to it. I ran a dedicated plug with 8 gauge wire to it on a 50a breaker. The mm250 i was using i think was on 10 gauge with a much longer run and far more run time.