Help choosing a welder
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
I have a Miller S-32 suitcase mig add on. Since I no longer have the access to the Miller AC/DC Trailblazer anymore I need to sell this or trade it for a Miller mig that powers it self.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
I have a Clarke 100e, it does fine, was a hand-me-down, but finding parts is impossible. We've had to make new nozzles and tips because they are difficult (at best) to find. I have 1 more nozzle (we made) left and a half dozen tips we found in a junk box at garage sale. When those are gone, I'm going with a miller or lincoln. I'm buying something I can get parts for. The feed also seems to have developed a st-st-stutter. It gets the job done, but can get frustrating, especially for a novice welder.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 117
From: Upper Left Coast
That's the one I am going to get! (and I already have a Miller Synchrowave 180)
I like the ability to operate on 120 AND 220VAC!
Regards,
Rick
I like the ability to operate on 120 AND 220VAC!
Regards,
Rick
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Justin:
As for what to buy. Get a name brand unit that your local dealer has parts for. First unit I bought supposedly did 3/8" In reality, it did 3/16" single pass.
I soon wished it would really do at least a nice single pass 1/4."
I then bought a Millermatic 251 and love it. I have needed to weld 1/2" several times and it makes a beautiful weld. I have run probably 25 spools of wire through it without having any issues. I have built lots of H posts from nasty old used drill pipe some of which is heavily magnetized.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,302
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
I really like the Lincoln welders. Right now I've just got a cheap Lincoln Weld Pac 100. I picked it up used for like $150. I have been using it for over 5 years with no problems. But I am drooling over a Lincoln Power MIG 216 or 256 for some heavier metals.
I do all my welding outside in my driveway where it's usually windy. So I do all my welding with flux-core wire. It does surprisingly well on sheet metal for flux core wire. Not as clean as mig but cleaner then just about any other brand flux core I've seen.
I would not hesitate to recommend a Lincoln welder to anyone. Something like the Power Mig 140C or the SP-140T would be a great welder for sheet metal work.
I do all my welding outside in my driveway where it's usually windy. So I do all my welding with flux-core wire. It does surprisingly well on sheet metal for flux core wire. Not as clean as mig but cleaner then just about any other brand flux core I've seen.
I would not hesitate to recommend a Lincoln welder to anyone.
Something like the Power Mig 140C or the SP-140T would be a great welder for sheet metal work.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Yeppers, the miller 100 series. PERFECT for a guy like me that welds stainless or aluminum once in awhile, but if ya weld lots, then it would be a tad underkill.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: PA, North of Pittsburgh
With my income tax return last year I bought a Lincold Power Mig 255C, I dont think that welder is sold anymore, It got replaced with the Power Mig 255Xt.
Amazon.com: Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255XT K2701-1: Home Improvement
I love this welder and it was worth every penny!
Amazon.com: Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255XT K2701-1: Home Improvement
I love this welder and it was worth every penny!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,302
Likes: 47
From: South central, Minnesota
With my income tax return last year I bought a Lincold Power Mig 255C, I dont think that welder is sold anymore, It got replaced with the Power Mig 255Xt.
Amazon.com: Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255XT K2701-1: Home Improvement
I love this welder and it was worth every penny!
Amazon.com: Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255XT K2701-1: Home Improvement
I love this welder and it was worth every penny!
I believe the current model is the Power Mig 256. I'd love that welder but $3000 is way out of my price range right now.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: AZ
I bought a Hobart Handler 140 last year...it has done everything I have needed on my truck so far, including frame work. Welds 24-gauge up to 1/4in. steel.
Northern Tool usually has pretty good deals on them including a free cart.
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Handler 140 115V Flux Cored/MIG Welder — 140 Amp Output, Model# 500500 | Wirefeed Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment
This sale is going on right now... Free Welding Cart with Purchase Hobart Welding Cart
$99.99 retail value. Offer expires 2/5/12. FREE shipping!
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Mission, SD
i have the hobart handler 210, i believe. anyways a really nice welder and came with the spoolgun. have not got the chance to use the spoolgun but love the welder. the only down fall is that its a 220 unit and that makes it not so portable. the good news is that they now have redone it and it has that mvp option where it can be either 110 or 220. wish mine was set up like that but thats my only complaint so far. parts are easy to find too.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 191
From: Wharton, PA
Been looking at welders myself, need to stick with 115V machines so that narrows down the field some. Has anyone had any dealing with the welders sold by Eastwood? They have a 135A Mig that I have been looking at, mainly due to it having a variable amp setting, and is in my price range.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks in advance for your help!