Welder choices

[kicker91laser]

I was also going to suggest buying a used quality welder. Just ask for cash for xmas I personally have no experience with the HF welders, I have only used Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart. I will say, if you are planning to weld anything "important", ie. structural welding, please use a quality welder.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

I bought my home welder from tractor supply, being clearanced out because they were no longer going to carry them. Got it for $150.

I've built several things with it, which are used frequently under significant load, and also used it to shave the molding from the side of my accord that i had at the time. So it worked fairly well for thin material as well.

One thing i made was a custom cargo rack for the rear of my father in law's camper, 72 inchs wide, by 30ish deep if i remember correctly, welded to an extended trailer hitch. built with either 2X2 or 3X3 1/4 inch angle, dont remember at the moment.

It carrys the spare tire, a fullsize grill, 2 totes of firewood, a circular dog run, and a few other things. It has been in use for a year now, so i would say the welder does fairly well for itself.

For the moment i use lincoln flux core that you can get at lowes or homedepot, and will eventually upgrade to using gas.

The one thing i do hate about it is exactly what bryan said, the feed is very inconsistent due probably to the liner.

That being said, a HF special is fine if you just want something to screw with. Once you start getting serious about welding, and wanting to build stuff frequently, then its time to go bigger.

I am a welder by trade and use the welder at my work for anything other then little BS or projects i cant take there. My next welding related purchase i plan for a tig rig.

 

[nicknorth11]

If I were in your situation, and if it weren't for a lucky pull on a slot machine I would be, I would get this:
MIG / Flux Wire Welder with Wheels - 120 Amp

and in time I would mod it via this thread at welding web:

Mod-Your-151 How-To Guide - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

That's a great idea, and I read the thread you posted and it seems great too. Unfortunately, this welder advertises that it can't weld stainless steel, which I want to be able to do. Thanks a lot for the idea though.


Thanks guys for the input. It's appreciated.

 

[Ravenous]

I've welded stainless with ER308L welding wire and the 151... You must use shielding gas to weld stainless or aluminum. I bet it is because it is setup for flux core. I have also welded stainless to mild steel with the same wire in my exhaust and it is still going strong

 

[brian9397gsx]

How about checking out Eastwood's line of welders I'm considering their tig setup in the spring bit the mig 120v has great reviews and its not to much higher than the hf. Also I have a cambell hausfield 90 and its junk my friend picked up a Lincoln electric 140 and that thing rocks. Just a thought but check out Eastwood they have great reviews

 

[GSLENK]

I have the cheap one that killerdsm has. I too found it on sale for less than $100. It leaves much to be desired, but it is getting the jobs done. (with the help of some brazing rods to seal exhaust holes...) but really it does weld stuff together. It is decent for most DIY home jobs not requiring flawless precision.

It is really hard to get a bead going with the supplied wire. I cant wait to try some of the mentioned lincoln stuff. Im also curious to see if SS flux wire will work. but for now, it has paid for itself. 2 body holes filled, 1 exhaust reflange, short shifter.

 

[nicknorth11]

How about checking out Eastwood's line of welders I'm considering their tig setup in the spring bit the mig 120v has great reviews and its not to much higher than the hf. Also I have a cambell hausfield 90 and its junk my friend picked up a Lincoln electric 140 and that thing rocks. Just a thought but check out Eastwood they have great reviews

I'm on their site looking at these things and they look good. How often do they go on sale, and their sales any good?

 

[tmaxx411]

I have the HF 90 amp welder, and it struggles with body panels. it can do them, but it burns through... a lot. i also dont like that the only adjustments you get are high and low

 

[brian9397gsx]

Most of the sales that I have seen were on the higher end welders and it was just free shipping. But for the cost of the HF and time along with the cost to mod it to get it to weld decent this would be the route to go especially when you factor in duty cycles.

 

[nicknorth11]

Eastwood's website is down right now, So I'll have to look into it tomorrow.
EDIT: It's back up.

 

[brian9397gsx]

yeah I was on it its kinda sketch, contemplating the tig plasma combo myself especially since the dgr group buy fell through

 

[RamenPride]

I have this welder from Sears that I got probably 4 years ago. I had a coupon so it was a little over $200 when I bought it. Well, the only thing I can say is that it works. I've done some exhaust work and intercooler piping with it, but the welds aren't pretty at all.

 

[4g63tc]

I use this one, and it works well from body panels, to steel security gates. runs off 110v, and uses shield gas. usually it goes on sale from time to time, and comes with a free welding cart.

Had it for about 3 years and never had an issue.

Uses Tweco parts which are easily sourced at any welding supply.

Northern Industrial MIG Welder — 115 Volt, 22-135 Amp | Wirefeed Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[nicknorth11]

I'm considering getting this Eastwood welder,. It seems to be a great welder for the price. Does anyone have opinions on this one? Thanks for the suggestion brian9397gsx.

MIG Welder 110VAC/ 135A Output

 

[kicker91laser]

That Eastwood looks an aweful lot like my Lincoln 135 mig, I bet it is just a rebadged unit. My Lincoln works fine, I have used it for exhaust/intercooler plumbing, both mild steel and stainless. It will also weld thicker metals, but I prefer a larger welder for anything 3/16" and thicker.

 

[brian9397gsx]

Hlthe Lincoln unit is great if that Eastwood unit is half as good as it it would be a great deal. Plus the duty cycle on that hf unit is in the neighborhood of 12% so you can weld for a little over a minute out of ten minute work span you may not think that's a huge deal but trust me it will make practicing a pain in the ass. We used my friends Lincoln unit for a full 3 hours Saturday never had an issue I'm sure the hf unit would've been dead after that we blew through 2lb, spool just practicing.

 

[nicknorth11]

Ok Ok. Here is a hobart unit. Usually $350 on sale for $320 shipped. What do you guys think? I really can't go more expensive than this.
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Handler 125 115V Flux Cored/MIG-Ready Welder — 125 Amp Output , Model# 500495 | Wirefeed Welding | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Ravenous]

Ok Ok. Here is a hobart unit. Usually $350 on sale for $320 shipped. What do you guys think? I really can't go more expensive than this.
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Handler 125 115V Flux Cored/MIG-Ready Welder — 125 Amp Output , Model# 500495 | Wirefeed Welding | Northern Tool + Equipment

If it is in your budget you will not regret the Hobart over the no names. The difference in the guns/wire feed alone is worth the price difference.

 

[nicknorth11]

Wow! Just noticed it also comes with a free cart!

 

[91stocker]

I think you will be very happy with that welder. Being made by Miller means replacement parts will always be available and that machine will last a life time. Those guys stand by their name.

 

[nicknorth11]

FYI, I've found in my research that Hobart is not owned by Miller. They are owned by the same parent company, which originally owned Miller and later acquired Hobart. They do share some parts, but they are still their own separate companies. Regardless, I have read nothing but good things and recommendations for them. I think this deal is too good to pass up, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it.

 

[Jon91TSi]

You wont be disappointed, Hobart, Miller, and Lincoln are the top 3 welder manufacturers. A welder is an expensive investment, it's not something you want to have to spend the money on twice. Enjoy your Hobart!!

 

[UofACATS]

Any basic 110v MIG is worth it, but buying the cheapest is false economy. The Hobart at $320 shipped looks like a great comprimise between price and quality. Go for it!

To MIG you'll have to buy the kit, listed here for only 50 bucks.. Hobart Fixed Flow Regulator Kit, Model# 770657 | Welding Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment which is a fair price. Any regulator will be about 50 bucks.

 

[Fejery4491]

I personally have the Hobart Handler 140 and love it. I use it as a "portable" mig welder, that I can load up in the truck and bring it over to a buddys place and not have to worry about whether they have 220v or not. I'm yet to find something this little welder couldn't handle doing light fabrication and other around the house jobs. I'm glad you moved away from the Harbor Freight welders, I never had any luck with them. I think you'll be very happy with your Handler 125!

 

[dalesmitsu]

Ok Ok. Here is a hobart unit. Usually $350 on sale for $320 shipped. What do you guys think? I really can't go more expensive than this.
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Handler 125 115V Flux Cored/MIG-Ready Welder — 125 Amp Output , Model# 500495 | Wirefeed Welding | Northern Tool + Equipment

Awesome, thanks for posting this up.

This topic has been brought alot, I also started one asking about welders since I have replace my lower tie Radiator support and lower rear quarter on passenger side(caused by the jack point gave out) This will save me the headache and money.

Make you guys pick up the Hobart Fiberglass welding blanket for 49 from tractor supply.


There's a harbor frieght in michigan? Last time I checked there wasnt around Macomb county.