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Finally a Welder!!

Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
Well, not yet. But today was my 5th anniversary being married and my wife said that she wanted to get me a welder. She just couldn't figure out which one. I guess she has been logging on here on my name and trying to read up on what people have said about which one but still can't figure it out. I can't help her out anymore than what she already knows, and that's kinda sad. But hey, I've got to start somewhere.

Anyways, I'm looking for one under $1000. My garage has 110 but I can wire up 220. The panel is just through the wall. What say ye?
 
mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
just make sure to buy a 220. I have a 110 and it does alright, but I wish I had 220. I have to weld some stuff at a friends.
miller
lincoln
hobart
and you should be fine.
 
S

STAG

Well-Known Member
I bought my Miller 200 MIG (220v plug) from Lehi High School for $300, works great for me! If you don't mind something used, check around the high schools/colleges. Or if you want something new, get a brand name and you'll be happy. 110v welders are good for sheet metal and thin plate, but knowing you you'll be wanting to weld thicker stuff for your builds. My MIG has handled everything I've thrown at it.

And happy anniversary!

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Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
Thanks Chance. Who ever thought that after 5 years she'd still want to get me presents. Especially with how many I buy myself. :D
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
i have used a good amount, three different millers, 210 miller 220v, a 317 miller 370v 3 phase and a 135 miller and i liked them all, but i would go with a 220v if possible but a 135 millermatic is a great welder also. I have also used a hobart 135 110v and a 220 lincoln 220v, the lincoln has been my favorite so far but its a close call, any of those would be great
 
YROC FAB.

YROC FAB.

BUGGY TIME
Vendor
Location
Richfield, UT.
Get the new miller 211. its a smaller unit but its part of millers new line featuring the auto set for new weldors.which sets the parameters according the wire and metal thickness. and is the only one of its kind in that price range with the MVP. which means Multi-voltage Plug which gives it the capability's of welding with a 115V and 220V input power. it is also spool gun ready. so all you have to do is purchase a spool gun and swap out your gas to argon and you can weld aluminum.

Good to 3/16 with 115 and 3/8 with the 220. which is plenty of juice for any automotive application.
Miller # 907422 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

I work at a Humphries welding supply store and the price is $977.00 FYI
 
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skippy

skippy

Pretend Fabricator
Location
Tooele
YROC FAB. said:
Get the new miller 211. its a smaller unit but its part of millers new line featuring the auto set for new weldors.which sets the parameters according the wire and metal thickness. and is the only one of its kind in that price range with the MVP. which means Multi-voltage Plug which gives it the capability's of welding with a 115V and 220V input power. it is also spool gun ready. so all you have to do is purchase a spool gun and swap out your gas to argon and you can weld aluminum.

Good to 3/16 with 115 and 3/8 with the 220. which is plenty of juice for any automotive application.
Miller # 907422 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

I work at a Humphries welding supply store and the price is $977.00 FYI
Click to expand...

Is there an RME discount at said store.....:D
 
UNSTUCK

UNSTUCK

But stuck more often.
So explain this "5 years and I get a big gift" theory. I've been married 8 and I have to give her stuff. :mad:
 
Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
I have no idea how the 5 year receive a big gift thing works. I was baffled when she told me. I framer houses and do finish carpentry for a living and I made her a nice big decorative mantle and took her to lowers to pick out a paint color for the wall behind it. Maybe she thought it was really thoughtful and she actually had nothing for me but at the last second threw that out out there.

W I'mell gonna hurry and take her up on this offer before she changes her mind.

That miller 211 sounds sweet! Same question here...any rme discount?
 
Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
No biggie. It's worth asking. I was on my phone during the day checking out this thread so I didn't have time to go on Millers website to read about it or check it out at all. I will now.

Obviously I'm new to welding. Does this 211 need gas or is it just electric or what is better and why?
 
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S

STAG

Well-Known Member
the gas is used for pushing out any lingering oxygen from your weld area (argon is heavier than oxygen and it doesn't easily mix with oxygen, and because only one can occupy a place at a time, the argon drives away the oxygen) and oxygen will contaminate your weld.

So you need gas setup, unless you plan to always weld with fluxed (shielded) wire, which will leave you with having to chip off the flux after each pass.. you can't weld with non flux-shielded wire without gas, you will get pourous welds. (looks like there are a bunch of pin-holes in your welds)

shielded wire is better for welding outdoors though, as if a gust of wind comes, the wind can blow away your welding gas and it will get oxygen contaminated.

This is from welding with non-shielded wire, without a gas setup. (it will also do this if you forget to turn the gas on, that one I've done before :D)

images
 
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Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
Thanks Chance. That was a really understandable explanation. So how do I know how to set up the gas, like how much or does the machine do it for me? And do I buy my own tanks or do you rent them or what?
 
S

STAG

Well-Known Member
You can either buy or rent your tanks, but if you buy the tank you are responsible for getting it pressure tested every interval (like 5 years or so) and are responsible for maintenance of the valve.

But if you do rent one (mine is on the 10 year lease from US Welding in Orem) they take care of all that stuff for you.

You have to buy your own regulator though whether you rent or own your tank to hook to the valve. I'd bet almost any new, name-brand welder will be able to hook up to a regulator.
 
Yota

Yota

Active Member
Location
Ogden, UT
If you buy a mig welder new, they will usually come with a "Flow Meter" (because regulators regulate psi, flow meters regulate cubic feet per hour) and should have a hose, if not the hose is not expensive anyways.

IMO I would weld with gas and solid wire any day of the week, as long as you can be inside a garage with minimal breeze it will always shield great. Flux core wire is ok though if you are outside, I've actually used a wire that had a fluxing agent that dealt with rust/contamination... But cleaner is ALWAYS better.

And I'd stick with Miller or Lincoln for a mig machine. They are good, smooth running, and parts/service will always be readily available and fair priced.

Lastly. I would highly recommend visiting Miller's forum:
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/mig/
This page is a good page to find some articles about mig welding, but there's plenty of information and pages to get you started and tackle any basics. I still find articles on Miller's forum that are pretty awesome, one of the recent ones I read was about tig welding 4130 chromoly tube for NHRA dragster cages.. GOOD STUFF!
 
S

STAG

Well-Known Member
Yeah I try to do all my welding indoors of my shop but if there would ever be a reason why I couldn't, I do have a roll of shielded wire sitting on the shelf waiting. And yeah my psi regulator is a regulator/flow meter combo..

Also tyson, if your welder doesn't come with a hose I have a brand new one sitting in my shop that I bought and later found out my welder came with a hose already so don't buy a hose i'll hook you up with mine.
 
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