Mig Welder Advice Please..
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 3
Mig Welder Advice Please..
I am looking at purchasing a Mig Welder. I am not sure what brand to buy but am leaning toward Lincoln or Miller. I am wanting to use it for welding body panels in my 79 Ford F 150. So can anyone suggest a easy to operate one for a beginner. I am no pro but am gonna practice alot before I try welding on the truck. I may be getting in over my head but hey if I dont try I will never learn. I see a Lincoln Sp 135 and a lincoln 100 are either of these any good. If not please suggest some. Any advice or suggestions on what options to get with a welder would also be appreciated...
Thanks In advance
Thanks In advance
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
A Miller or Hobart will work well for you. The first thing to do is to figure out just what thickness of metal you plan to weld and then pick the welder accordingly. If you will only be welding a maximum thickness of 1/4", a 135 or 140 amp mig welder fits the bill. These welders run off of 115 volts AC so you can use them just about anywhere.
For more serious welding, you would need to step up to a 175 or 180 amp mig welder. These require 230 volts AC so you need to be near a 230 volt outlet to use them.
When you finally select a welder, get one set up to use shielding gas. This makes working on thin metal much easier and produces good looking welds that make body work easier.
Lou Braun.
For more serious welding, you would need to step up to a 175 or 180 amp mig welder. These require 230 volts AC so you need to be near a 230 volt outlet to use them.
When you finally select a welder, get one set up to use shielding gas. This makes working on thin metal much easier and produces good looking welds that make body work easier.
Lou Braun.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
What's your budget?
Under $300, Look into Century 110v Flux Core units
Under $400, Look into Hobart 110v Flux Core units
Under $500, Look into Hobart 220v MIG, or Lincoln 110v Flux Core
Over $500, too many options to list.
My advice, buy used, practice & get good at welding, sell your used welder buy a better one. This way, if you accidentally kill your welder while learning, it's not a big loss and if not, you will most likely be able to sell your used welder for close to what you paid for it.
Do you have a 220v circuit to tap into? If so, definitely try to get a 220v unit.
Under $300, Look into Century 110v Flux Core units
Under $400, Look into Hobart 110v Flux Core units
Under $500, Look into Hobart 220v MIG, or Lincoln 110v Flux Core
Over $500, too many options to list.
My advice, buy used, practice & get good at welding, sell your used welder buy a better one. This way, if you accidentally kill your welder while learning, it's not a big loss and if not, you will most likely be able to sell your used welder for close to what you paid for it.
Do you have a 220v circuit to tap into? If so, definitely try to get a 220v unit.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 926
Likes: 3
From: SE, Michigan
I have a lincoln 135. I use it with shielding gas. I've done some body work on my 82 F100 welding in new panels. It does a good job. I think it was $469 when I bought it. Thats everything except for the CO2/argon bottle. Fred
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: winston, Oregon
I use a lincon 175 with .023 wire for welding on pannels . I do not use the higher settings that often but somtimes i do on thicker stuff. I also have a lincoln tig, lincoln aluminum wire feed and a miller 250 mig.
I was told by the miller rep that the only diffrence between the miller and the hobart is the miller has a copper wound transformer and the hobart has a aluminum one and hobart has a longer warrantee .
I was told by the miller rep that the only diffrence between the miller and the hobart is the miller has a copper wound transformer and the hobart has a aluminum one and hobart has a longer warrantee .
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
No 220 isn't a big deal. 110v units are fine for body and hobby work. Again, I'd buy used for your first unit. Ckeck with any local welder supply shops in your area. You might find a returned leased unit for shorter money.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: BC, Canada
If you get a chance take a welding class at a local college or school, that way you can try different types of welding and talk to the teach and other students.
I've got a Lincoln 125 and it works good for me, but I've never had anything else either.
I've got a Lincoln 125 and it works good for me, but I've never had anything else either.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 0
From: Broussard USA
1 you want GAS!!! flux core is a splatering mess! You can get a good bead but you will have a good bit of clean up to do.
2 make sure you have more than 4 settings, I have a campbell and it has hi and low and 1 and 2 so you can have a hi 1 hi 2 etc. I have been able to do everything I do but even on the lowest setting I have to work hard to not blow through thin stuff
3 parts! I can not get smaller cups and finding tips for different wires is harder so the lincoln, hobart or miller and many others are good units but I would look around at a few shops and see what they carry and what parts stock they have. You don't need to buy the unit from them if their cost is out of hand but you do want to know that you can get the stuff you want.
Now sheet metal work is the easiest there is because all you do is lay tacks, you do not have to run a bead and you don't want to. So control is super easy, lay a spot move to another area spot next area etc. this way you don't over heat the metal and you just stich it up by filling in the spot. Last once you get it welded you can still warp the area with the grinder so having the cleaner gas shield is important IMO. Just take your time and it is easy.
2 make sure you have more than 4 settings, I have a campbell and it has hi and low and 1 and 2 so you can have a hi 1 hi 2 etc. I have been able to do everything I do but even on the lowest setting I have to work hard to not blow through thin stuff
3 parts! I can not get smaller cups and finding tips for different wires is harder so the lincoln, hobart or miller and many others are good units but I would look around at a few shops and see what they carry and what parts stock they have. You don't need to buy the unit from them if their cost is out of hand but you do want to know that you can get the stuff you want.
Now sheet metal work is the easiest there is because all you do is lay tacks, you do not have to run a bead and you don't want to. So control is super easy, lay a spot move to another area spot next area etc. this way you don't over heat the metal and you just stich it up by filling in the spot. Last once you get it welded you can still warp the area with the grinder so having the cleaner gas shield is important IMO. Just take your time and it is easy.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: Comfort, TX
I went with a Lincoln HD3200 from Home Depot with is the 110V unit. I came with gas and flux wire, video, cart, and all the items needed to weld except the bottle. I have used it heavily on patch panels and it works great. I was a complete novice before getting the welder and I am an experienced novice now. Saved some money on doing things myself.