Which Welder?

[Cascadia]

I'm looking at getting a welder. But I'm only going to be just beginning. I want it for welding some projects like a new roll cage, tube fenders, things like that. I'm not looking to get anything expensive but I want the most bang for my small buck. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[mbryson]

Buy a 220 plug, name brand welder. If I had it to do over again, I'd look pretty hard at the Miller line. Jake at Airgas can hook you up quite well. However, my Hobart is fine, but lacks a little in the settings dept. for control. I used it for a while with flux core (and sometimes do now) to keep the costs down. IMHO, a welder is not the place to buy cheap (well, almost any tool is that way---cheap is expensive because you'll find yourself wishing/wanting a quality tool--then you've bought two tools by the time you're done)

 

[RockMonkey]

Yup, what he said. Mig welders are the most versatile, easiest to use. I think Miller is probably the best, but Lincoln and Hobart (Hobart is actually owned by Miller) are fine as well. I have the same Hobart as MBryson and it works fine, but I seem to be able to make prettier welds every time I use a Miller. If I ever have to buy a new one it will be a Miller. Don't get a 110. They're almost as much money as a 220 volt machine. If you have to save up for an extra month or two (or ten) to afford the 220 (and possibly install a 220 outlet), it's worth it.

 

[mbryson]

....but I seem to be able to make prettier welds every time I use a Miller......

I'd second that. I think I can weld and then I go home and ... well, I've not had one come apart that I know of.

 

[Cascadia]

I don't want to go cheap as in welder but a decent price. I have heard good things about Miller. I'll start taking a look at them. I've got a birthday coming up!

 

[ChestonScout]

You know I completely agree with you guys. I do weld better with a Miller 220


BUT....


What I have is a 110 Lincoln from Home Depot and I can honestly say its a dang good little welder. I would rather use a bigger one but I have welded some thick metal with this and havent had any break.

Alot of my brackets on the Rockwells were welded with the 110.

Coolest thing about this welder is I can throw it in the back of the truck, take it to Moab and have it there. It will also run off a decent sized generator, again nice to have out camping or whatnot.

I think it was 400 bucks. For some small projects I wouldnt hesitate to get one.


EDIT.....you have to use gas tho. Flux core doesnt seem to go to well. Could just be me not used to it

 

[NOTATOY]

I have a miller 185 what I have had for about 10 years, best investment ever next would be my Hypertherm plasma. Now I don't think I could live without either.

 

[oxbronco]

We use both miller and lincoln machines and have had really good luck with both. one of my favorites is our lincoln 185. Try running a argon co2 mix instead of straight co2 it seems to help run a smoother bead.

 

[Matt Stevens]

I bought my Lincoln at home depot also. it is the 220v model and I do run argon with it. I have used my brothers 110v but it takes multiple passes (root and cap pass) to be as strong as the 220v the cost of the 220 was 575 or 585 right in there and it has the same plug as my plasma and the both run off of my 3000w generator for use at the track. also look on ksl.com and see if you can find a deal on there first. like this.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=7064536&cat=&lpid=0

 

[spaggyroe]

I also wish that I would have gone with a 220 machine from the start. After several machines over the years I finally bit the bullet and bought a Millermatic 252 and haven't once regretted it.

As mentioned before, watch KSL for deals on used machines. :greg:

 

[sixb]

I bought my Lincoln at home depot also. it is the 220v model and I do run argon with it. I have used my brothers 110v but it takes multiple passes (root and cap pass) to be as strong as the 220v the cost of the 220 was 575 or 585 right in there and it has the same plug as my plasma and the both run off of my 3000w generator for use at the track. also look on ksl.com and see if you can find a deal on there first. like this.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=7064536&cat=&lpid=0

My dad swears by the older machines but he knows how to weld and with the old machines it takes some know how but with these new welders you just need to be able to read, anyone can use them.

I say buy what you can afford, any welder is better than nothing. You can also rent them at the home depot to get by if need be.

 

[KrazyKarl]

I bought the miller autoset 180 that runs on 220v a while back and I love it. With a full tank, cart, pile of consumables, nice auto darkening hood, and a big spool of wire I was about $2000 from airgas. The best two grand I've ever spent