How is it going fellas? In the market to buy a welder. I want it for buliding car frames and mostly automotive things. My friends have given me ideas but want to hear what the u pros say. I can run 110 or 220 to my garage. Models, brands anything. Mig is what I am thinking. Thank u guys for your time and looking forward to the knowledge. Thnks again
which welder
- Thread starter tikiboi13
- Start date
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Search, there are so many threads on this exact topic. The most general consensus is that an HH187 is the most bang for your buck. Toolking.com sells warrantied refurbs for a great price.
If you can run 220, do it. Forget about the 110 welders.
If you can run 220, do it. Forget about the 110 welders.
I have a Miller, Millermatic 250 had it for about 12 -15 years & I love it, still works great never had a problem with it & plenty of power for what your looking for.. I think the replacement model is a Millermatic 252
I like Miller welders the best, but I could be accused of bias as I live in Oshkosh, WI
I like Miller welders the best, but I could be accused of bias as I live in Oshkosh, WI
trackwelder
Well-known member
Well it sounds like you will be doing quite a bit of work with it. The miller 212 would be a better choice over the 187. I have three mm200 that are over 20 years old each and would never part with any of them.
arkangel06
Banned
you cant go wrong with a millermatic 250
I have a Lincoln 180c... I love it. Stick with a 220v unit. You won't build any car frames with a 110 unit no matter what anyone says. Go to www.weldingweb.com ... There are a lot of guys on here over there too.
CamarosRus
Well-known member
I Bought a Miller 180amp "Auto-Start" (220V) based on good things Ive read on other forums. Bought from Air-Gas one of the biggest Miller Distributors.
Miller may still have the $50.00 rebate deal going also................
Miller may still have the $50.00 rebate deal going also................
rsanter
Well-known member
a MIG is the best overall chpice for welding most stuff.
if you think you are going to need to do aluminum then you can go with a TIG
bob
if you think you are going to need to do aluminum then you can go with a TIG
bob
metal1313
Well-known member
i like the hh187 alot, but also a miller 252 and 212. but they both cost a ton more than the hh187. if your just learning and arent going to be using the welder daily i dont think you can go wrong with the 187
bayou985
Well-known member
....The Blue One....{Miller}
rjspitz
Well-known member
Have a HH180 here (old 187). Works great.
back2class
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110 are good machines for hobby use but sounds like in your place a 220 would be better. My local home depot is clearing its old stock of welders out. They have the Linclon 175 for $299 right now. I think it may be missing the gun though.
back2class
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110 are good machines for hobby use but sounds like in your place a 220 would be better. My local home depot is clearing its old stock of welders out. They have the Linclon 175 for $299 right now. I think it may be missing the gun though. I am running a Linclon 140 right now but if I felt like I needed a 220 I would have jumped on it. I have also owned hobart and it was a nicer rig if you ask me.
speed bump
Well-known member
Lincoln powermig 255 or 215
Miller Millermatice 252 or 212
Easb Migmaster 210 or 250
All of the above will be more than adequate for just about everything you could want to do. Personally I think its mostly just what can you get the deal on and whats easiest to get consumables for.
Miller Millermatice 252 or 212
Easb Migmaster 210 or 250
All of the above will be more than adequate for just about everything you could want to do. Personally I think its mostly just what can you get the deal on and whats easiest to get consumables for.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
First off, how much money do you want to spend, and how often will you be doing it?
I won't argue that the 250 series aren't nicer, but it's a big jump up in price compared to the hh187 class, depending on what you need to do.
I won't argue that the 250 series aren't nicer, but it's a big jump up in price compared to the hh187 class, depending on what you need to do.
sberry
Banned
For auto work the 180-200 class machines work well, all of the major brands. If I was on the cheap the 187 would be hard to beat, very, very good arc. I would really consider real need before I geared up to do alum due to the cost but HH210 or MM211 which has a side benefit of being able to run on 120V.
Electric demands are low for this class of machine as well as being somewhat portable and compact. The 215-212 or larger are great, the 212 still runs from 30A service, good where extended use and 30# or larger spools are needed, 250 class for working on equipment.
I have all of them but find myself reaching for 180 machine about 90% of the time. The low end works great on light sheet with the smaller wires (good for automotive) and we run 030 in them though to give them a bit more poop. The 180 class run good from extension cords.
Electric demands are low for this class of machine as well as being somewhat portable and compact. The 215-212 or larger are great, the 212 still runs from 30A service, good where extended use and 30# or larger spools are needed, 250 class for working on equipment.
I have all of them but find myself reaching for 180 machine about 90% of the time. The low end works great on light sheet with the smaller wires (good for automotive) and we run 030 in them though to give them a bit more poop. The 180 class run good from extension cords.
STAY VERY FAR away from the Home Depot models........ I have a good friend that is a rep. for Lincoln (which is why I get good deals) They are junk.. mostly plastic **** inside and the voltage is tapped and not continuous. You might want to look into HTP also... They cost more than the Red and Blue ones but I heard great things about their customer service. Miller welders have an awesome website. not here to argue with you guys. Just thought I would give you a heads up on the Home Depot models.
sberry
Banned
As for INTERNET welding, I have nothing against welding web but a couple of the best forums are Hobart and Miller, also ITW is a poster child for running companies, both those have the best tech support and service in the industry and would likely compete with the best in that dept with anyone.
sberry
Banned
The 210 is spool gun ready, I rank it about 10% better than my old Linc SPT right at the top end. Both machines work up to 1/4, I give a little edge to the Hobart but on 3/16 or under they just smoke with 030.
I ran the machine about 2 inches before this plate from the door chart then said, ok, lets see what it will do. Can turn it up hot enough that it just melts right in with very little operator input.
I ran the machine about 2 inches before this plate from the door chart then said, ok, lets see what it will do. Can turn it up hot enough that it just melts right in with very little operator input.
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sberry
Banned
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
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sberry
Banned
This is one of those things where the quality of the machine really makes a difference. The competition for who is "best" is intense and very competitive. The cost difference between a POS and a decent machine is relatively marginal and the potential for payback and lots of use is big. If it works good a guy is tempted to really use it instead of becoming a 400$ dust collector. A small garage often has one machine, one gas, one wire and these units are really tuned around the nature of this work. Its a thing that is reliable, seen lots of them run years in grueling environments with no issues, if you wonder if its you or the machine,,, its you. Home garage could never wear out a 187.
sberry
Banned
sberry
Banned
sberry
Banned
speed bump
Well-known member
After running a Snapon MM250SL made by HTP I would buy a Hobart before I bought an HTP mig welder. 1/3 the cost, the consumables are cheap and it will weld better to boot.
jhn9840
Well-known member
Sberry27,
The only thing I like better than the 210 is the kart you made for it.
jhn9840
John
The only thing I like better than the 210 is the kart you made for it.
jhn9840
John
sberry
Banned
The Home Depot machines are fine, they change the model numbers for that market. As for tap vs continuous, I prefer taps, like them way better and most hobby types will see better results from the ease of setting. Easy to repeat. My little Linc, 3 settings, thin, med and thick.
A couple older models were missing a couple gears, I think the HH180 had a 4 speed but the newer ones are right on.
I will agree about the machines from the tool trucks, no reason to pay double or 3 x for a ******* when the proven brand is at hand. As for HTP, by all reliable accounts their regular machines are fine and they have pretty fair support but again, the marginal price difference makes it a wash.
A couple older models were missing a couple gears, I think the HH180 had a 4 speed but the newer ones are right on.
I will agree about the machines from the tool trucks, no reason to pay double or 3 x for a ******* when the proven brand is at hand. As for HTP, by all reliable accounts their regular machines are fine and they have pretty fair support but again, the marginal price difference makes it a wash.
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Jarred Hodges
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I have a millermatic 175 and it works great. It will do anything I want although the heaviest thing I will work on is a pickup truck
sberry
Banned
kartracer55
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Tough call, I would say Hobart is the best bang for your buck if your not going to be using it "daily"
That being said, Our Miller Dynasty machine has kicked *** at school.
That being said, Our Miller Dynasty machine has kicked *** at school.
paranoid56
Well-known member
lol, thats a lot of misinformation. you can build a car frame with a 110v unit
what do you build frames out of? 1/4" steel? LOL there has been many frames build with a simple 110v mig welders.
i myself would go with TIG. i love mine
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have been very happy with my Lincoln Power Mig 255 I bought from Indiana Oxygen free shipping to boot at that time anyway.
lol, thats a lot of misinformation. you can build a car frame with a 110v unit
what do you build frames out of? 1/4" steel? LOL there has been many frames build with a simple 110v mig welders.
i myself would go with TIG. i love mine
You're right
I also have the Miller 210. Have had it for quite a few years and has done very well.
Check out www.cyberweld.com They have some good deals and free shipping.
I buy alot from them.
Check out www.cyberweld.com They have some good deals and free shipping.
I buy alot from them.
lol, thats a lot of misinformation. you can build a car frame with a 110v unit
what do you build frames out of? 1/4" steel? LOL there has been many frames build with a simple 110v mig welders.
Just because it has been done. Does not means its right. You can also use JB weld but would you?
i myself would go with TIG. i love mine
I like my TIG too.