Help choosing a welder
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
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From: Southern Black Hills, SD
Help choosing a welder
I'm looking to buy a wire feed welder, but I was hoping for some advice. I'm mostly buying it to do the body work on my 54, but it will also be used for whatever else comes up. I have quite a bit of welding experience, but mostly on thicker metal and I've never done body work. My biggest concern is what size of welder should I get. I prefer millers as that is what I've welded with in the past, but they are expensive. We do have a 220 lincoln stick welder that I can do thicker metal with, so if a smaller mig is better for body work than thats what I'll get.
Any input on different brands, sizes, etc. is appreciated. Sorry if I'm rambling.
Any input on different brands, sizes, etc. is appreciated. Sorry if I'm rambling.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 581
Likes: 2
From: Byron Bay Australia
A bigger welder ia aways nice, however i have found that the larger welders (say around 250 amps) often dont seem to like welding at the lower amps required for bodywork.
I think around the 180 to 220 amp range is a good compromise. Maybe try a couple before you buy,after all you wouldnt buy a car without a test drive. LOL
Hope that helps a little, John.
I think around the 180 to 220 amp range is a good compromise. Maybe try a couple before you buy,after all you wouldnt buy a car without a test drive. LOL
Hope that helps a little, John.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo
I have a Millermatic 175 mig welder I purchased about eight years ago and it continues to work perfect. Easy to find consumables (electrode tips, or any other parts that wear) and it will weld sheet metal or quarter inch plate with ease. They do cost a little more than others but years of service will even the cost out.
Good luck!
Wally
'51 F1 - "Lucille"
Good luck!
Wally
'51 F1 - "Lucille"
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Bristol TN.
I have a Millermatic 140. I couldn't believe how easy it is to use. I hadn't welded since high school (about 10 years ago) but even then it was with stick welders. The Millermatic 140 can weld up to 3/16 thick steel. Its all I would ever need plus it plugs into a normal house receptacle (don't have to have the 220 type like with the bigger welders). If you regularly weld stuff 3/16 or thicker then you would need a bigger welder like the Millermatic 175. I never weld on anything thicker than 3/16 anyways so the 140 was a good match for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 879
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs /Mesa AZ
I've got a Miller 135. My son is a professional welder and this was what he recommended. It is 115V/20amp and has welded everything from 20 guage to 10 guage metal. This is probably the best tool I have in my shop. You can buy cheaper brands but I think this is the best little welder around.
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"Happiness - 3 pedals and a 5 speed"
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I have a Millermatic 175 mig welder I purchased about eight years ago and it continues to work perfect. Easy to find consumables (electrode tips, or any other parts that wear) and it will weld sheet metal or quarter inch plate with ease. They do cost a little more than others but years of service will even the cost out.
Good luck!
Wally
'51 F1 - "Lucille"
Good luck!
Wally
'51 F1 - "Lucille"
I agree with Wally.. I had a Harbor Freight cheapo 220 gas welder, and it worked ok, but was hard with only 4 power settings to do sheetmetal..
I got lucky and had some extra funds, and bought a Miller 175, and it has been amazing.. only thing it can't do is run off 110.
My son is a certified welder, and was home for the holidays and needed to use the welder on a car chassis weld and he said it was one of the best he had used. his welds are amazing.. this is upside down.
I needed to weld at my property gate, and only 110 is available there,
so I also found a deal on a Lincoln 140 (supports gas as well).. and it does fine with the 5 power settings.. but I use the Miller for everything where I have 220 available.
sam
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: W. Central FL.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo
Miller and Lincoln are the most popular welding manufacturers and both are very dependable. I've heard that Hobart is made by Miller but I can't confirm that. Tractor supply carries the Hobart Handler Series, they seem like a good deal. I would advise purchasing a unit that utilizes a shielding gas (usually C25, 75% argon-25% CO2) rather than relying on fluxcore wire.
Most of your welding will most likely be thinner gauge so a good 110v unit should work but if you have 220v access and a few extra bucks, the slightly larger machines will work in 99.9% of your welding situations. I like the Millermatic 175 because it's very easy to use and it's very adjustable (as far as wire speed and so forth). I have successfully welded 20 gauge and 1/4" plate. I also use it quite often, I'm a very popular neighbor when someone needs something fixed, (which means you can usually score a few extra bucks or free beer for just a few minutes of work).
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Most of your welding will most likely be thinner gauge so a good 110v unit should work but if you have 220v access and a few extra bucks, the slightly larger machines will work in 99.9% of your welding situations. I like the Millermatic 175 because it's very easy to use and it's very adjustable (as far as wire speed and so forth). I have successfully welded 20 gauge and 1/4" plate. I also use it quite often, I'm a very popular neighbor when someone needs something fixed, (which means you can usually score a few extra bucks or free beer for just a few minutes of work).
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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I have to agree on Miller for a brand. I bought an old Millermatic 35 20 years ago and it has a heat range from 35 - 220 amps and I have welded 18-22 gauge on my project all the way to 1/2 steel on other projects with no complaints. Many like the new solid state models, but I had dealer tell me if all the heat plugs still work and all the internals are working this is a better welder than many of the new ones. Parts are still available and sometimes you can get these old ones for $900-$1000 vice a similar solid state for $1800-$2000. Again for most hobbiest the Miller 175 is a great welder for the money.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Prescott, AZ
I purchased the dual MIG 120 amp Model 151 from HFT for $140 on-sale. There are a number of wizards on the Welding forum and they have step-by-step instructions for updating the electronics to “near” Miller quality.
So for about $60 in parts, primary for the capacitor to smooth out the arc, even I (complete novice) can make decent welds. However, I did buy the tank and gauge separately since shielding gas produces better welds and is easier to apply.
So for about $60 in parts, primary for the capacitor to smooth out the arc, even I (complete novice) can make decent welds. However, I did buy the tank and gauge separately since shielding gas produces better welds and is easier to apply.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I was looking at a miller 252, and the guy steered me to a miller 211. I looked at a miller 212 and eh steered me back to the miller 211.
I havent used the 211 a whole ton yet, but for what Ive used it for, its been pure awesome. I bought the cheap spoolgun for it as well, and it welds great with aluminum, and Ive never welded aluminum before.
It can do 110, and 220 volts.
I would check out a miller 211, its been a great machine, and has all kinds of capabilities.
I havent used the 211 a whole ton yet, but for what Ive used it for, its been pure awesome. I bought the cheap spoolgun for it as well, and it welds great with aluminum, and Ive never welded aluminum before.
It can do 110, and 220 volts.
I would check out a miller 211, its been a great machine, and has all kinds of capabilities.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I'm looking to buy a wire feed welder, but I was hoping for some advice. I'm mostly buying it to do the body work on my 54, but it will also be used for whatever else comes up. I have quite a bit of welding experience, but mostly on thicker metal and I've never done body work. My biggest concern is what size of welder should I get. I prefer millers as that is what I've welded with in the past, but they are expensive. We do have a 220 lincoln stick welder that I can do thicker metal with, so if a smaller mig is better for body work than thats what I'll get.
Any input on different brands, sizes, etc. is appreciated. Sorry if I'm rambling.
Any input on different brands, sizes, etc. is appreciated. Sorry if I'm rambling.