MIG welders
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From: Ormond Beach
MIG welders
I am looking to get one and was wanting some tips on them. What is good and what is not so good. Prices, where to but and such. Also what size should I get?
Thanks
Doug D
Thanks
Doug D
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From: Ormond Beach
Originally Posted by bluemoose89
i bought a lincoln 135sp. out the door $700. its a good welder havent had any problem with it at all
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From: Schwenksville,Pa
I've used a Lincoln Weld Pack 100 (gasless MIG) for several years with no problems. It says I can weld 1/4" steel with multiple passes but I've only welded 3/16". I built from scratch a loader for my garden tractor with it and haven't had any issues with cracks or bad welds. The duty cycle is only 15% so I have to pause between long welds, such as on the loader bucket.
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From: Northern Tip of VA
It's All In What You Want To Do With It...
I have worked in the Industrial Maintenance field for over 25 years and personally think both Lincoln and Miller make good welders. I have welded with Stick, Mig, and Tig Welders with the Tig being my most commonly used welder where I have worked. You will find people with different opinions just like in Ford verses Chevy Trucks to Gas verses Diesel engines. In my opinion on a Mig welder, I would buy a Miller. You will want to figure out what all that you will want to do with your welder first. Items like portability and the welders voltage will need to be considered. If you are wanting a good general purpose 115V welder, the Miller 135 would be a good choice. I'm not sure what kind of selection and prices of welders that you have around where you live, but you can get a decent deal with free shipping from a few places on the net. Good Luck On Your Purchase. 
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From: Carlsbad, California
The price that you'll pay is highly dependent on what you are going to try to weld. If it is just light gauge stuff and thin metals up to 1/8" or so then one of the 115 VAC units will work OK. If you are doing heavier tasks like welding up a trailer frame, then you need something that will produce more current (heat).
I have a Miller 115 VAC unit and have welded SS, steel, and aluminum with it. Just change the gas and wire and a diddle with the settings a bit and you're off and running. Surface preparation of the materials to be welded is 8/10s of the work, the actual job of welding is the easy part
Lastly, save some money for a good helmet with an auto switching face plate. Flipping an old fashioned helmet up and down is such a pain. Once you use a new helmet you'll never go back.
I have a Miller 115 VAC unit and have welded SS, steel, and aluminum with it. Just change the gas and wire and a diddle with the settings a bit and you're off and running. Surface preparation of the materials to be welded is 8/10s of the work, the actual job of welding is the easy part
Lastly, save some money for a good helmet with an auto switching face plate. Flipping an old fashioned helmet up and down is such a pain. Once you use a new helmet you'll never go back.
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From: nc
i meant to say sp- 175 plus for the welder that i own i got it mixed up. but to answer you question it can weld up to 1/2 inch plate
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From: Ormond Beach
Originally Posted by bluemoose89
i meant to say sp- 175 plus for the welder that i own i got it mixed up. but to answer you question it can weld up to 1/2 inch plate
I will have access to 220v for a hook up if that makes much of a difference.
I was certified to weld with stick years back and even had my own welding shop. Stick was all we used but they were all on trailers driven by big 4 cylinder motors so power was never an issue.
I just want to be able to weld at least frame steel with no worries when I am working on trucks and such.
Someone said that have past experience in stick will make learning MIG a no brainer...
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Mig is easy with previous traing or not. I taught my 10 year old neighbor to mig. If you have stick experience than it's all the same, check for pen, keep it straight and remember to turn the gas on.
Do not buy less than a 175 unless you plan to be mobile. A talented welder can make a 135 do what he needs but lets face it, most everyone needs something that makes it easier. If a shop welder and you have the cash, go for a millermatic 251. I think this is the best all around mig. Someone will be along shortly to say that they have built a nascar out of a 135 and bailing wire but take it from someone who puts his life on the line with his welds.
Do not buy less than a 175 unless you plan to be mobile. A talented welder can make a 135 do what he needs but lets face it, most everyone needs something that makes it easier. If a shop welder and you have the cash, go for a millermatic 251. I think this is the best all around mig. Someone will be along shortly to say that they have built a nascar out of a 135 and bailing wire but take it from someone who puts his life on the line with his welds.
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Annnnd, recently Harbor Freight was selling their 60 dollar auto darkening helmets for 5 bucks in a sidewalk sale. I bought three. When they didn't work, they were replaced by HF with new units. Ha!They said, "No sweat". I have used 400 dollar helmets and these work just as well.Save your money.
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Originally Posted by cwb
Someone will be along shortly to say that they have built a nascar out of a 135 and bailing wire but take it from someone who puts his life on the line with his welds.
...but seriously, I bought a Hobart 125 (110 volt) at Harbor Freight last year for around $325. I could have bought a 135 with a gas kit for I think $150-$175 more (mine is upgradable for around $100), but I just didn't need the capability (yet). So far I've been VERY pleased with its performance.
You can do even better, pricewise, by going with Harbor Freight's own brand (and there are plenty here who seem to like them), but I spent an extra $100 for the quality and reputation (as well as a better warranty) that came with the Hobart. If I had access to 220V I probably would have gone that way, but portability is an occasional need, so I stuck with 110V.
Oh, and I bought a "working" H-F auto darkening helmet on sale for $50 or $60 and I'm very happy with it as well.
Regards,
Steve
Last edited by Planecrazy; Nov 17, 2004 at 06:22 PM.
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From: Ormond Beach
Originally Posted by cwb
Someone will be along shortly to say that they have built a nascar out of a 135 and bailing wire but take it from someone who puts his life on the line with his welds.
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OK top this - I did built a Nascar... with battery weldpack and bailing TWINE....
Seriously, I have Miller 135, but I wish I had a Miller 210. It's easy to turn it down, but when its all the way up and still not enough????
The 210 comes equipped with dual gas solenoids standard and is setup for dual guns, so you can add a spool gun, have two different gasses hooked up, and whichever trigger you pull, turns on the right gas. Heavy enough to take care of almost any hobbyist needs, and still able to weld 22-gauge and will accept the large spools of wire. Very nice machine without getting into serious industrial stuff.
Seriously, I have Miller 135, but I wish I had a Miller 210. It's easy to turn it down, but when its all the way up and still not enough????
The 210 comes equipped with dual gas solenoids standard and is setup for dual guns, so you can add a spool gun, have two different gasses hooked up, and whichever trigger you pull, turns on the right gas. Heavy enough to take care of almost any hobbyist needs, and still able to weld 22-gauge and will accept the large spools of wire. Very nice machine without getting into serious industrial stuff.
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I bought a Hobart Handler 180. I love it. I am not sure if you have Tractor Supply Co around where you are. That is where I bought mine.
I would recommend a 230volt if you have access to the juice!
I got the following stuff for $729.00
Hobart 180
Auto darkening helmet
Guages and Bottle with gas
Gloves
hammer
2lb spool of solid wire
2lb spool of shielded wire
and a cart.
it was all in the same box from Hobart.
they also had one with the 175 handler for $699.00
I would recommend a 230volt if you have access to the juice!
I got the following stuff for $729.00
Hobart 180
Auto darkening helmet
Guages and Bottle with gas
Gloves
hammer
2lb spool of solid wire
2lb spool of shielded wire
and a cart.
it was all in the same box from Hobart.
they also had one with the 175 handler for $699.00
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From: Mt Prospect, il
several years ago i bought a used miller cp 250, its overkill for me but the ability to weld 3/4 inch plate in one pass is nice, and i never have to take brakes with its 100% duty cycle. my only advise is to get one that is bigger then you think you will need, like dsweger said its easy to turn it down but when its not enough it really sucks. one other thing i would agree with is the auto darkening helmet. you can get some good deals on used units