It's high time I looked into purchasing a welder. I need to replace the floor pans, weld in my shoulder belt mounts, and fix a few other things.

Since I've never owned a welder, I'm asking you guys for your advice. What have you used/owned and what would you recommend?

 

Best to check out Ax's welding thread. He gives great advice. Have fun

 

I agree about Ax's welding thread. I just bought a Lincoln 210mp. It is multi-process. Mig, TIG and stick. I really like this machine.

Brad

 

Ax does a great job with his welding thread. I have been welding for many years and have learned a few things from it myself.
I have a Lincoln mig welder (had it for years) that I like, but have heard great things about many others such as Miller and even Eastwood. I have an Eastwood plasma cutter that I love, just a 40A one, great for sheet metal and up to 1/4" steel.
Good luck with your welding.

 

I bought the Eastwood MIG and plasma cutter as a package for right at $1000. Both are excellent and have done everything I've needed.

 

The welder I have been using for the past 20 years for the jobs you have described is the lincoln 155 w/argon co2 mix gas, .023 wire. This welder has served me well and has been very dependable, besides the consumable parts I have only had to replace the fan. I believe the replacement for this model is the 185 not positive on that.

 

I have a 110v Lincoln 100 HD and a 220v Lincoln 180 and never had a problem with them..I like having the little flux core welder because its so portable and i can use it on all sorts of things around the house and I like my 220v for anything car related. Eastwood stuff is all Chinese copies if that makes a difference to you. Longevity is another chinese welder but is supposed to have some pretty good reviews.

 

I have a Miller mig welder. Co2/ Argon mix on the gas. Never disappointed me.

 

Used a Miller 135 on my 48. It was recommended by our son who is a professional welder.

 

Have a Hobart 150 - very pleased with it

 

Thanks everyone. I'll take a look at AX's thread and your suggestions.

 

Most of the modern offerings by Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart, are quality machines and even the 110 volt models will handle everything on our trucks.
I would recommend getting a machine capable of using shielding gas vs. fluxcore only. You'll get cleaner looking welds.
I've been using a Hobart 175, for years with average results. After reading AXracer's thread, I switched to the wire and shielding gas that he recommended, and it really improved my results dramatically. Lots of other good advice on his article, so it's worth your time to read.

 

Thanks for all the plaudits!
For the money, the Eastwood offerings are high quality industrial grade, the best buy IMHO. The 115V 135A will weld anything you need on your truck, plugs into a standard outlet (I use a Hobart 140 115V bought before Eastwood started selling theirs) Their 175A 220V unit is a good choice also for a little more money if you have 220V outlet(s) available in your shop (DON'T use an extension cord, have another outlet added, or buy the 115V machine!) since it also comes with a spool gun for welding aluminum. Both Eastwood machine's guns use standard Tweeco expendables available at any welding supply or even your favorite big box DIY store. Spend the money you saved on a self darkening helmet (I recommend Harbor Freight's low end model) the right filler wire (see article), bottle of Ar-CO2 shielding gas, steel topped welding table/bench.
MIG is sometimes referred to as "semi-automatic" welding. it's easy to learn with a few day's practice. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM, email or ask them here.