Picking a welder
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 152
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From: Near Allentown
Picking a welder
Hey! I'm looking for a mig welder. I heard that Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are good so i'm planning to get one of those. I dont want to spend much more than 500$. I'm gonna use it for welding frames on farm exiptment and exaust tubing. I also want to get one that plugs into a normall outlet. would one of those be to small for welding on occasions? Any opinions? Thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 346
From: SE Iowa
Save your $500 and wait until you can afford a welder capable of welding frames. Now if you want to buy a stick welder, there is no problem. You can get a nice stick welder for under $500 that will handle anything with the correct rod. For doing frame work with a MIG,( people's lives are at stake!) get a nice 230V welder. The 110Vs just dont have the needed amps to get proper penetration to make something safe. Frames are not something to take lightly.
Here are a few link to look at.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...40#post3190740
Stryder
Here are a few link to look at.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...40#post3190740
Stryder
Last edited by stryder; Aug 1, 2006 at 08:55 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
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From: Charleston Illinois
Miller 135
I bought a MIller 135 last year to replace my old flux core.
I frequently do sheet metal work and minor body structure. It probably wont do frame work, but I rarely do frame work and would use the stick welder for it anyway.
The miller 135 (Hobart is the same just a different color) makes a great low budget shop welder. Handles angle iron great and can still be turned down enought to weld 24 gauge sheet. The penetration I get welding both sides of a seam is about 1/4 inch. I rarely weld anything bigger than that.
For me the ability to move the welder around easily makes it more valuable than a larger welder.
But like I said I rarely weld much more than sheet metal.
I frequently do sheet metal work and minor body structure. It probably wont do frame work, but I rarely do frame work and would use the stick welder for it anyway.
The miller 135 (Hobart is the same just a different color) makes a great low budget shop welder. Handles angle iron great and can still be turned down enought to weld 24 gauge sheet. The penetration I get welding both sides of a seam is about 1/4 inch. I rarely weld anything bigger than that.
For me the ability to move the welder around easily makes it more valuable than a larger welder.
But like I said I rarely weld much more than sheet metal.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ohio
I have both a Miller 250 MIG / gas UltraMix, and an old Forney stick welder dad purchased years ago. I have not used a Flux-Core wire in my MIG.
Most of your work on farm equipment is outside, wind blows the gas away from the tip, so I use the stick welder. All farm equipment is dirty, a stick welder works best for penetration in such applications. A small MIG will not have the power to penetrate larger frame materials but will work well for exhaust and body panels.
A small Mig with flux-core allows road trips since it is portable. I don't think a right answer can be made on what is best. My personal opinion, save your money and look at combinations. This is an investment with years of return and value.
Most of your work on farm equipment is outside, wind blows the gas away from the tip, so I use the stick welder. All farm equipment is dirty, a stick welder works best for penetration in such applications. A small MIG will not have the power to penetrate larger frame materials but will work well for exhaust and body panels.
A small Mig with flux-core allows road trips since it is portable. I don't think a right answer can be made on what is best. My personal opinion, save your money and look at combinations. This is an investment with years of return and value.
New User
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From: dodgeville/ wisconsin
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Nashville
Miller and Hobart are not the same welders in different colored packages. Hobart is decent, but I'd go Miller. For a given "class" they're only about $50 more usually. I've used both brands in both 110 and 220 versions and the Miller work better in all cases. For light sheetmetal work the Miller really stood out at letting you weld without getting burn through.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I have a 220v Hobart. It's fine. But some of the Millers give you infinitely variable control of the amperage where the Hobart's amperage is in steps. Not significant in most instances except in thin material or very small welds.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
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From: Charleston Illinois
yep the're the same. The parts even interchange.
The dealer I go to sells and services both.
The major difference between the two is the adjustability. The Hobarts have clicking amperage and wire speed ***** and the Millers dont. the Miller welders are more adjustable, which is why I bought a Miller.
In my opinion, the Miller was worth the extra money. I would still recomend the Miller over the Hobart. The added adjustability does become usefull when welding light sheet metal.
In any case talk to a reputable dealer. They can ussually tell you what you actually need, and they are far better equiped to discuss the differences between welders.
The dealer I go to sells and services both.
The major difference between the two is the adjustability. The Hobarts have clicking amperage and wire speed ***** and the Millers dont. the Miller welders are more adjustable, which is why I bought a Miller.
In my opinion, the Miller was worth the extra money. I would still recomend the Miller over the Hobart. The added adjustability does become usefull when welding light sheet metal.
In any case talk to a reputable dealer. They can ussually tell you what you actually need, and they are far better equiped to discuss the differences between welders.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
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From: "Islander"
With 38 years working the "Power of Blue" and trying every other brand you can't go wrong with a Miller.
Check into the www.millerwelds.com forum with questions and answers from Miller techs to certified nuclear welders. Tips and ideas for the best welder for your needs. Check into the ask Andy section.
.....=o&o>.....
Check into the www.millerwelds.com forum with questions and answers from Miller techs to certified nuclear welders. Tips and ideas for the best welder for your needs. Check into the ask Andy section.
.....=o&o>.....
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