I've got some projects that require quite a bit of welding, my local welder wants too much! So i'm doing some searching, Miller and Lincoln and priced about the same. So question is what is your opinion of the Clarke or Sears unit whch is manufactured in Italy? BTW most of the welding I'll be doing is under 1/4 in. mild steal and some aluminum. price being one of the considerations how is the quality of the machine and welds produced?
I included this site for referance!

http://weldingdepot.com

 

I would get a 220 volt Miller or Hobart.

 

I love my 120V Century( now over ten years old) only problem encountered-1 bad potentiometer.

 

I am happy with my Hobart 140...you can use either solid core (gas shield) or flux core wire. I have had it do good welds on stuff up to 5/16", but thats really pushing the box. Hobart makes a 180 that runs off 230 single phase...I like the Hobarts because Miller parts interchange with them....and have a built in cooling fan compared to the cheaper models.

MTCW
DB

 

I have a Miller 135 (120V) that works great for steel and SS. I have used it for about two years, in that time I've done various projects from repairing a motorcycle trailer that used 2x2x1/8" tube, fabricating an intake using 22 and 26 gage steel, to a couple SS wire projects, the machine works great as a hobby welder, the only "problem" would be if you wanted to run it hard, you only get about a 30% duty cycle at full power with this machine, or any other "hobby level" MIG, at least not that I could find for under $1k. Have tried to weld Aluminum, it can be done but it seems that it either starts too cold, or burns through at the end, something with variable heat would work better, that's why someone invented TIG i think.

just my $.02

-Pete

 

For small machines the deal is the Hobart HH180, runs on 230 and is almost twice the machine a 140 is for 20% more money. But,, it is rather small by some standards and the pick of the bunch in the next class is the Miller MM210 which is again twice the machine as the 180 and it has a built in module for running spoolgun for doing aluminum if you are determined to do that. These MIGS really shine on steel and will do aluminum, not as nicely as TIG. Trying to feed alum thru a smaller machine is going to prove frustrating at best and will be limited in thickness range, both thin and thick. If I was a tool guy and didnt think 1200 or so for the basic MIG was a big deal it would be the MM. I think I saw a HH180 in TSC the other day for about 650. The Sears and Clarkes are not even in the same class as the machines from the brand name companies. They skimp to make low price on the things that really make a machine work well.

 

Thanks for info, I thought as much with the Sears and Clarke as for TIG it's out of the question for now just too much machine for some hobbie work. I'll have to look over the other machines again.
Thanks again Marc

 

Here is a thread that just got started on Hobart about welding Alum with small migs. http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...ead.php?t=8219

 

If you come across a used Snap-On YA-217, pick it up. It's a very solid box, and all the consumables are the same as the newer mini Lincoln parts.

 

First thing is to check the duty cycles, this will weed out the same or lower priced units. Next would be your local supplier.

I have Millers because my supplier is close and I have also used Hobarts with no complaints.

The final is your $$$ limit to spend on a good welder for the money you have, make the best purchase you are willing to afford, but remember a good welder will last a life time.

 

My 20 something year old Hobart Betamig 200 has a 60% duty cycle. I have had zero problems with it. I would not get a machine with a 20% duty cycle.

 

Don't forget to consider access to 230V; I chose the 135 because it was the best I could get that would run on 120V, since that's all I have access to in my rented garage. I would have gone with the 210 if I could get access to 230V, if you own then the power source it probably not an issue...

Also, I believe the Miller 135 will run a spool gun in its factory trim, but the gun is another purchase that will get you a lot closer, if not over, the price of the 210, and it appears that you can get the 210 outfitted with a standard gun or a spoolmate for the same price...

check out this link for more info: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...llermatic_210/

just another $.02...($.04 total

-Pete

 

msuris, if you got a "good wife" and ya haven't dragged any dead trucks home then use your "good boy points" and buy the best welder for the type of welding you will ever incounter. After two Tigs and three Migs i've got a Miller Syncrowave 350 loaded with pulser, Millermatic 251 with 30A Spoolmatic spool
gun. As you grow in welding so will the amperage needed, don't get under
powered machines, been there done that. Check for sales, they can save you alot of money, the 251 with spoolmatic 30A plus twin bottle base out the door was $2,506 vs $3,400-3,500 normal price. Good welding, Carl.......o&o>.........

 

I run a Hobart handler 135 and have had no problems with it. It is over rated on the amps and I have done the math and have found that you can not get 135 amps out of a 120 volt 20 amp line, it just don't add up, its closer to 80 amps. Never the less it welds great for the price and has never let me down. I had a centry 90, "also 80 amps by math" befor it and that thing sucked big time POS! 3" weld on high and the duty cycle was found! Also the wire was live/hot the whole time the welder was on, I called them and was told thats the way we made it! Well my eyes thank you.

Hobart was bought out by miller
and is now sold as a high end start up model, the only thing you get with the low end miller over the hobart is a fine tuneable amp setting. I got mine on sale at my weld shop for around $400 with a cart.
I have welded body panels all the way to building my own boat trailer with it.

 

Newer Hobarts (last 5 or so years) are Miller built. The Clarke and Sears units are the same as the Campbell-Hausfeld sold at Wal-Mart. I've seen those Italian-built migs with at least 10 different brand names on them for at least 10 years running. I've even got one in my garage that I couldn't talk a customer out of fixing. Don't get one! As stated before, they are not even in the same class as the major brands. If you have access to 220, and the money to buy one, I'd go for that. Besides the posted advice about buying enough output and duty cycle, the larger machines also have better wire-drive mechanisms and heavier motors. They will, therefore, last longer, be less prone to wire feed problems and be worth fixing when they finally do fail. For weld characteristics, the 120 volt Lincolns seem to weld better than the Millers, and vice-versa for the larger units. I wouldn't rule out the Century either, if you get a good price on one. They aren't quite as well built as Miller/Lincoln, but not nearly as shabby as the real "cheapies". They also built most of the Snap-On machines out there as well. I once "engineered" a Miller Spoolgun onto a 140 amp Century, thinking it would be crap, and it welded surprisingly well. Most people don't let go of used migs until they are "totalled", but that might be something to consider. Due to the huge competition between Miller and Lincoln for market share, they've both cheapened-up over the last few years, and the 10-plus year-old machines' drive motors are MUCH better than what the new machines use. Probably the two most desirable machines for a used unit would be a Millermatic 200, or Lincoln SP-200. Both are 220, and while the Lincoln is HUGE, either will last nearly forever and give great welds.