? for the welders

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V8S10project

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Well im looking to start learning welding. I know some of the basics but i want to know what would be a good MIG welder to start out with. Looking to spend around $400ish. Lmk what you guys think
 
1) stay away from a fluxcore only machine- you will want the gas hookup

2) you want seperate adjustments for wire speed and heat

3) pay attention to the duty cycles- the cheaper machines are a lower cycle- duty cycle means this 10%- you can weld for one minute, than cool off the machine for 9 minutes. 80% you can weld for 8 minutes than cool off the machine for 2 minutes

You really cant go wrong with a miller, lincoln, or a hobart. TSC carries Hobarts and they are the cheapest of the 3 but a good machine.
 
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I'm getting ready to purchase a welder in the next week or so myself. I'm not an expert, but i can tell you that like most anything else, you get what you pay for. Stay away from the 110v models, IMO, they aren't worth your money. Don't even think about getting one from Harbor Freight either. I'm purchasing a Millermatic 180. It's a small portable 220v unit but it can do some of the big stuff. I'm planning on using it for everything from the floorpans to a roll bar and connectors in my 88. IMO, like any tool, you get what you pay for and the results will reflect that. Miller welding has one of the best websites i have ever been on. TONS of excellent info. on their site! Another one to try is "Cyberweld" on ebay. They have a ton of welding stuff and they offer free shipping on everything IIRC. Miller is also offering a Shell Oil gift card if you purchase one of their units. You can find some real good deals, you just have to hit the "net". Good luck!
 
Ive actually done some pretty heavy stuff with a 110 machine- The duty cycle isnt as high as a 220 machine but they are more than adequate for sheetmetal, floors, rollbar (.120 wall). You just have to drink a few more beers while it cools off.
 
I have a Lincoln SP135+. It was pricey for a 110 but it rocks. It has the infinite dials for voltage and speed. The cheaper machines have the settings of like 1-5. Everyone I know with something like that hates it.

Don't get too caught up in the 110-220. Unless you are welding rear axle tubes, a 110 is all you need. If you need more, you need to start thinking Tig anyways.

-Geoff
 
twistedstang said:
Ive actually done some pretty heavy stuff with a 110 machine- The duty cycle isnt as high as a 220 machine but they are more than adequate for sheetmetal, floors, rollbar (.120 wall). You just have to drink a few more beers while it cools off.
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for most of the stuff i do at home, 110 is fine
 
WhiteHawk said:
I have a Lincoln SP135+. It was pricey for a 110 but it rocks. It has the infinite dials for voltage and speed. The cheaper machines have the settings of like 1-5. Everyone I know with something like that hates it.

Don't get too caught up in the 110-220. Unless you are welding rear axle tubes, a 110 is all you need. If you need more, you need to start thinking Tig anyways.

-Geoff
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I have had one of those for about 15 years and use it for all sorts of stuff. I have built exhausts, fixed my snow plow frame, made tools, welded body panels, etc. Definitely get the bottle, the flux wire makes crappy welds.
 
Yeah, my brother in law gets a lot done with his 110 home depot lincoln mig. I used it a few times before I got my current setup, it's not bad for a garage welder. I do enough thick stuff (>=1/4") where I needed something a little more potent, so I got a Miller DVI2 I like a lot. Probably should have gone with the 252.

-Josh
 
i like my 110 lincoln i have at home for welding thin stuff. If you plan on going thick you need to run 220
 
Fastguy said:
I have had one of those for about 15 years and use it for all sorts of stuff. I have built exhausts, fixed my snow plow frame, made tools, welded body panels, etc. Definitely get the bottle, the flux wire makes crappy welds.
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Actually with flux-core you get a better weld and more penetration then if you were using non-flux electrode.

It really depends on what you plan on welding; If you go for a 110 machine, you are limiting yourself to 3/16" thickness and smaller. I would spend the money up front and find a machine you would be able to spray with (27+ volts).

Good luck
 
monster. said:
Actually with flux-core you get a better weld and more penetration then if you were using non-flux electrode.

It really depends on what you plan on welding; If you go for a 110 machine, you are limiting yourself to 3/16" thickness and smaller. I would spend the money up front and find a machine you would be able to spray with (27+ volts).

Good luck
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I don't think he's gonna need to go that far:)

Even in my day job I rarely need to do anything that recquires that kind of juice, I'm guessing he's not going to need to use spray transfer for anything as he's learning and doing projects in his garage.
 
I have a snap-on 110v mighty mig. I have done everything with it. I had to do some heavy frame welding once and had to warm the frame with a torch and then weld. This was on a mud bogger so it took some hard abuse. I do wish I had a 220v for the heavier metals.

IMO unless you are doing frames a 110v will work fine.
 
jdustu said:
I don't think he's gonna need to go that far:)

Even in my day job I rarely need to do anything that recquires that kind of juice, I'm guessing he's not going to need to use spray transfer for anything as he's learning and doing projects in his garage.
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I agree, but if he purcahsed a big machine up front, the oppurtunity is there to weld the thicker material. So just in case he wants to weld a bridge - he can :D
 
I've had my Miller 110v for about 8 years now. Awsome machine. If all your doing automotive work, it will work for everything your going to do. I've built many offroad suspension components and rollcages with my 110v welder, and never had anything close to a failure. How much metal on a car is over 1/8" thick. Not much. And the best part about a 110v welder is you can plug it in anywhere. Your not tied down to weld only where you have a 220v outlet. In a pinch I've even run mine off a 100' extension cord and it welded just fine. Make sure you get a name brand. Lincoln or Miller. And make sure you get one that uses the gas. Good luck. Once you have a welder it puts a whole new spin on the stuff you can accomplish in your garage.
 
monster. said:
I agree, but if he purcahsed a big machine up front, the oppurtunity is there to weld the thicker material. So just in case he wants to weld a bridge - he can :D
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Ha!

TWOBEERS said:
I've had my Miller 110v for about 8 years now. Awsome machine. If all your doing automotive work, it will work for everything your going to do. I've built many offroad suspension components and rollcages with my 110v welder, and never had anything close to a failure. How much metal on a car is over 1/8" thick. Not much. And the best part about a 110v welder is you can plug it in anywhere. Your not tied down to weld only where you have a 220v outlet. In a pinch I've even run mine off a 100' extension cord and it welded just fine. Make sure you get a name brand. Lincoln or Miller. And make sure you get one that uses the gas. Good luck. Once you have a welder it puts a whole new spin on the stuff you can accomplish in your garage.
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That's why I got that DVI-2, it's Miller's dual voltage mig welder. I can plug it into 110 or 220. It comes in handy when I go somewhere to weld and they don't have 220. Same with my tig/stick Dynasty, it can run off of any power source as long as you have the right plug. I've got a 220 plug on it, and a 110 pigtail made up so I can run it off of 110 if need be.

-Josh
 
I had a lincoln weld pak 155amp for sale, $300, already converted for MIG. I used the regulator/tank for my TIG setup so there is just a hose coming out of the back.
 
if you get a 110....later on you will sell it and get a 220...so dont waste your time with a 110...i have a hobart180...awesome machine...millers are great but expensive as hell.


JACKO
 
I got a Lincon 135, got it at Home Depot on sale new For $400. I use it everyday for long periods of time and have yet to hit the "Duty Cycle". I use .030 wire

I have a 220 but i rarely even use it because the 135 does the job so nice (up to 1/4 inch) and the 220 is to big to move around all the time... not to mention overkill for sheetmetal!
 
thanks guys for the info. i got ALOT of good info. Probably going to go with the 110. All its really going to get used for is automotive. Not much past that. I think someone said that once u get a welder it opens more things you can do, i totally think your 100% right on that. Thats why i want to get one, i hate being limited to certain things. Again thanks for the help.
 
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