Wire welder what are you using

[Zeke]

Hobart 190 set up to MIG and a Lincoln 140 set up for flux core.

Same here plus 1 more suitcase stick.

 

[jmdirk]

I dunno. When I was looking at multiprocess machines I saw that most were AC only. Based on my research I came to the conclusion that it would not be ideal for MIG or fluxcore.

Kept my cheap Lincoln MIG and got a Primeweld 225 AC/DC TIG (which will also do stick)

 

[ronr80]

Miller 135X , about 20yrs old and never had an issue , also have a Lincoln inverter V350 Pro, that also does mig,arc, Tig.

 

[bb29510]

you dont want to weld zinc, bad,very bad

 

[drmarkr]

Stop right now and do your research.... if you do so, you'll be buying a Primeweld machine. Without a doubt.

 

[BobnCO]

ESAB 215ic Multi-Process

 

[Certified Drunk]

Hobart 190

 

[liliysdad]

Miller pre-autoset MM175. It’s not fancy, but it does everything I need it to.

 

[Norcal]

MillerMatic 251 but it is sitting at the shop waiting to find out what is wrong with it. Was hoping it was something stupid on my part but looks like it's going to be expensive.

 

[c39er]

Miller 2010 XMT304 mpm.
Bought new...love it. Hundreds and hundreds of hours doing tig and mig big and small.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I used the heck out of my dual volt Millermatic 211, small machine but it worked well. Had to sell it for the move (the 50Hz would have killed it), and am trying to find an equivalent small machine here... Then again, I may just bite the bullet and get a TIG/Stick machine this time around.... I can already stick weld, and I like the clenliness and adaptibility of TIG over MIG...

Any recommendations from anyone here on the 230V50Hz side of the world?

 

[Mike65]

Lincoln Weld Pak 155 240 volt converted to gas. Did all the sheet metal work on the Mustang with this welder.

 

[Jason280]

I started with a Lincoln ProMIG 140 years ago, then added a Lincoln PowerMIG 255...but neither have been used much at all over the last few years since picking up a Miller Multimatic 215. I use it on just about everything, and last year added a spool gun for aluminum.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I have a Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 that I have had for a long time. It has done everything I needed to do. However, I just read a Hot Rod magazine article about Miller inverter welders and their capability to weld steel, stainless and aluminum. Tempting, but haven't researched models and cost.

 

[bb29510]

if people juust study ohms law for couple minutes they understand which welders is good. it like the mid eihty when the camero came out with the four cyllinder. look pretty but totally worthless

 

[logixjock]

if people juust study ohms law for couple minutes they understand which welders is good. it like the mid eihty when the camero came out with the four cyllinder. look pretty but totally worthless

And if you learn the PN junction, you'll understand why inverter based welders are superior in every way that really matters.

 

[Hellpig]

Airco Dip-Cor 300, big beast but it welds great.

Eastwood 140, it was under $200, delivered, with regulator when I bought it.
Heavier stuff, ANCIENT Sears Colormatic stick, lol.

 

[phred]

Lincoln 110 for sheet metal, Miller 211 for heavier stuff. Chinese Miller knock off plasma cutter.
Not a fan of inverter machines. Too much computer stuff to go wrong. I’ve had to have board put in both the Lincoln and the Miller. ***** to be working on something and the machine stop feeding because the “confuser” is confused.

 

[Snapped-off]

Hobart 210 and a 140 with flux.

 

[scooby074]

Miller 2010 XMT304 mpm.
Bought new...love it. Hundreds and hundreds of hours doing tig and mig big and small.

Nice setup.

 

[bb29510]

ESAB 215ic Multi-Process

company bought a esab, multi, dont know what model. its ok but easy to confuse so I know another worker will break it.

 

[bb29510]

my best welder, shhhhhhh dont tell anybody.............. its my dc lincoln cracker box that i got in 1976, its wont die

 

[Crazyjake8493]

90% of my welding is TIG, but for the bit of MIG/FCAW I do I use an older MIG 170 from HF. I always meant to replace it with something better but it just keeps going. If it ever dies I'd like to get a 120/240V unit for mobile jobs.

 

[jonesg]

However, I just read a Hot Rod magazine article about Miller inverter welders and their capability to weld steel, stainless and aluminum. Tempting, but haven't researched models and cost.

Just about any mig welder can do that, nothing unique about the miller.

My cheap yeswelder mig 205B can weld steel, stainless and alum.

Those magazines are just shilling for the mfger who drops money on ads in their rag.

 

[WAID]

I dunno. When I was looking at multiprocess machines I saw that most were AC only. Based on my research I came to the conclusion that it would not be ideal for MIG or fluxcore.

Kept my cheap Lincoln MIG and got a Primeweld 225 AC/DC TIG (which will also do stick)

I'M having a hard time thinking of a any modern multiprocess inverter machine that is AC only. There are some DC only ones that I ruled out because I wanted to do aluminum, but I don't recall seeing any AC only. That said I also went with a standalone TIG/stick and someday will do the MIG welder as a second machine.

 

[jmdirk]

I'M having a hard time thinking of a any modern multiprocess inverter machine that is AC only. There are some DC only ones that I ruled out because I wanted to do aluminum, but I don't recall seeing any AC only. That said I also went with a standalone TIG/stick and someday will do the MIG welder as a second machine.

You're right, I totally misread the specs on the Eastwood the OP had posted, but it's DC only, not AC like you said.

It was a while ago when I was looking. Could be that the multiprocess that could do AC and DC were out of my budget

 

[WAID]

You're right, I totally misread the specs on the Eastwood the OP had posted, but it's DC only, not AC like you said.

It was a while ago when I was looking. Could be that the multiprocess that could do AC and DC were out of my budget

Budget is very likely a factor, it sure was for me. That market has been changing fairly quickly as far as prices and features the last decade or two as well.

 

[JasonMcElroy]

Have a Hobart Handler (125? 130?) since 1998. Does just about everything I have asked of it. Replaced the hose & gun a few years back as it had suffered enough abuse.

Nice machine. Not a big fan of the stepped (only 4) amperage setting but it was definitely helpful in teaching me to be consistent.

I had an aluminum job (make a cargo hatch for my pop-up camper) early this year and bought a TiG (PrimeWeld 225x). Still learning on that one. Had last used TIG twenty years before.

Jason

 

[Plastikosmd]

Miller 350p in my little home shop. Love it

 

[Pen & Wrench]

I just bought a Lincoln Power Mig 211i, not sure if it will really fit for everything I will do but it saved me $500 on the very first job I did with it. I guess I can get a more capable machine if I ever need more capacity. Otherwise I tend to use a stick welder more often.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Just about any mig welder can do that, nothing unique about the miller.

My cheap yeswelder mig 205B can weld steel, stainless and alum.

Those magazines are just shilling for the mfger who drops money on ads in their rag.

Yes, most MIG welders can weld aluminum, usually with the addition of a spool gun. Are you trying to say that all MIG welders are inverter welders and have the technology described in the Hot Rod article? My research has not found that to be the case.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have a very old Miller Matic 200. I bought it used 40 years ago. I changed the original GA20C torch to a BINZEL
I also have A miller 180SD Synchro wave and a Miller Plasma cutter. Good machines.

 

[Farmall450]

HF $100 flux core
Hobart Ironman 230

 

[jonesg]

Yes, most MIG welders can weld aluminum, usually with the addition of a spool gun. Are you trying to say that all MIG welders are inverter welders and have the technology described in the Hot Rod article? My research has not found that to be the case.

no.

 

[strutaeng]

Hobart Ironman 210 that I bought back in like 2008 when I was learning how to weld. FCAW and GMAW.

I also have a Dialarc 250 AC/DC for stick.

I recently bought a Century flux core 120V inverter for portability.

Hobby use for light structural and miscellaneous DIY projects.

 

[rkevins]

Stop right now and do your research.... if you do so, you'll be buying a Primeweld machine. Without a doubt.

I am leaning this way, I have read lots of good things about them

 

[jonesg]

I am leaning this way, I have read lots of good things about them

primeweld has a good name for good reason, they are good and support is strong.
I'll probably get one myself and sell my yeswelder mig to a neighbor cheap.

If I was a pro welder the choice would be miller.

 

[speed bump]

I used the heck out of my dual volt Millermatic 211, small machine but it worked well. Had to sell it for the move (the 50Hz would have killed it), and am trying to find an equivalent small machine here... Then again, I may just bite the bullet and get a TIG/Stick machine this time around.... I can already stick weld, and I like the clenliness and adaptibility of TIG over MIG...

Any recommendations from anyone here on the 230V50Hz side of the world?

Inverter welder, it wouldn't have cared. Find something with local support and go.

 

[cannuck]

I have a 211 inverter for tiny wire and portable work (use a long hose). Ancient Lincoln 200 wire machine for everyday and fairly fancy (for its day) Miller 250 tig/stick machine for my GTAW chores. Also a 450 Miller two station power source for shop that is not yet built, so not in use yet. What I am stumbling on is a MIG for aluminum. I still have my ESAB 208V 3ph AC machine with electric push and pneumatic pull, but it is left over from boat building and 30 years past being supported. Looked at Miller Alumipower 350 with Alumafeed electric push-pull, but at well over $30k I can't justify until I have demand for high volume. I MIGHT end up with the old spool gun and power source that a friend who just bought 4x Miller Aluma...stations, but will require me to run 3 phase to home shop (possible, investigating cost to bring in 600V as I have transformer to 208). Decisions, decisions!

 

[farmall400]

I have a Lincoln power mig 260 that I've had for a few years. I'm not much of a welder but with this 260 I can fool some people. I had an old snap on mig before this that my buddy bought off the truck 30 years ago. Night and day between the two. I just looked up the 260 and it looks like the price doubled since I bought mine, yikes.