Welder advice
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Tuned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
Welder advice
I know, stupid thread; But I'm going to start welding in some new parts on the body of my 76 f350 this weekend so I just picked up a Hobart 125 wire welder, cheapest Fleet Farm had. Will this work for the floor pans, cab mounts, bed side, ect.. I can weld with the best of them but usually am using someone elses welder. I have had a couple stick welders but this is the first wire welder I've purchased. I usually never buy the cheapest model so I think I'm having buyers remorse on this. Thanks
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Hobart makes some pretty good stuff, and 125 amps should take you up to 3/16 to 1/4 inch or so, should be good for what you're doing. Just pay attention to the duty cycle, and go with gas, preferable to the flux core.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
Hobart is the "cheaper" division of Miller. I have a 120 volt Miller mig welder and love it (when the metal isnt as soft as TP) Its basically the same as your Hobart, but mine also came with the gas set up, and at the time Hobart you had to pay extra to get it. Flux core is kinda a pain in the butt, but if you are only welding ocasionally, then it will be fine. Just watch out for major spatter with it. I used it one time, threw the coil of flux core in the scrap pile, went solid wire with gas and never looked back.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
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From: Union Lake MI
Hobart is the "cheaper" division of Miller. I have a 120 volt Miller mig welder and love it (when the metal isnt as soft as TP) Its basically the same as your Hobart, but mine also came with the gas set up, and at the time Hobart you had to pay extra to get it. Flux core is kinda a pain in the butt, but if you are only welding ocasionally, then it will be fine. Just watch out for major spatter with it. I used it one time, threw the coil of flux core in the scrap pile, went solid wire with gas and never looked back.
2X Hobart is like the tractor supply Millers, Throw away the flux core. You will have 3 days cleaning up after 1 hr welding. Go with a .023 wire @ 75 Argon 25% Co2.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
2X Hobart is like the tractor supply Millers, Throw away the flux core. You will have 3 days cleaning up after 1 hr welding. Go with a .023 wire @ 75 Argon 25% Co2.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Dillsburg PA
I have the Lincoln’s equivalent 135sp and as stated above .024 wire and mixed gas and you'll be great. I’ve only done stick welding till I got this and for sheet metal you can't beat these little migs. There's really not much that can go wrong with them and Hobart/Miller is still a good name.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
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From: Union Lake MI
That is why they make credit cards = $15 per month, I bet the wife would even OK it
(If you make her something)Better yet break the lawnmower & tell her you have to get e welder to fix it..
Look around on CL they go for 4-500 depends on where you are. I just sold my 142 MM Autoarc for $550 with bottle & cart. Now I just have the 185 MM 220v & my little 135MM.
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"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
That is why they make credit cards = $15 per month, I bet the wife would even OK it (If you make her something)
Better yet break the lawnmower & tell her you have to get e welder to fix it..
Look around on CL they go for 4-500 depends on where you are. I just sold my 142 MM Autoarc for $550 with bottle & cart. Now I just have the 185 MM 220v & my little 135MM.
(If you make her something)Better yet break the lawnmower & tell her you have to get e welder to fix it..
Look around on CL they go for 4-500 depends on where you are. I just sold my 142 MM Autoarc for $550 with bottle & cart. Now I just have the 185 MM 220v & my little 135MM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 0
From: Union Lake MI
When did you say you wanted a welder? I thought it was the other guy??? Who had remorse now you do too??
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 0
From: Union Lake MI
I would not know about them my wife keeps them. I just try to come up with emergency's' for them.
ie: we needed a 19' cantilever gate for the house the guy wanted $3300 for one the steel was $850 & the MM 185 was $750 = She told me to save money we should just buy the welder & do it ... She is always right..
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
2X Hobart is like the tractor supply Millers, Throw away the flux core. You will have 3 days cleaning up after 1 hr welding. Go with a .023 wire @ 75 Argon 25% Co2.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
The best technique for welding thin metal, is dont lay a constant bead, the metal will heat up and warp. Start with wide spots, cutting them in half every time so the metal cannot warp or stretch. You will obviously need to practice on a thin metal item that is garbage because factoring in exrension cord lenghth ect... will matter when working with any small welder.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
2X Hobart is like the tractor supply Millers, Throw away the flux core. You will have 3 days cleaning up after 1 hr welding. Go with a .023 wire @ 75 Argon 25% Co2.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.
It should be fine for sheet metal.
Now the real question is Why would you knowingly buy the cheepest in the store if you never do it for other tools.
Return it before it is too late. Pick up a Miller 140 with cart bottle & gauges. It is one of the best 110v machines out there.