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best welder

R

riz

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I've decided to seriously look for a welder and learn how to do it. What is the best inexpensive welder for jobs like welding in floor panels and normal types of welding jobs? Brands and prices would be appreciated. I'm not going to become a proffesional welder but I'd like to have it in case I ever need to do something so I don't have to pay through the ass for somebody else to do it for me. Thanks in advance.

RIZ :waytogo:
 
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Hobart 140 mig!! Its awesome, welds up to 1/4", does flux core, and reg wire and includes gas regulators and everything for gas setups. I beleive it was like $400 something. Its super super easy to use, and I would recomend to anyone :thumb:

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Hobarts are good for brand new welders.

You can cruise craigslist sometimes and find good deals.

Any of the big three lincoln, miller, hobart would work, Esab, is good too but you are probably going to find mostly miller, lincoln and Hobart
 
riz said:
I've decided to seriously look for a welder and learn how to do it. What is the best inexpensive welder for jobs like welding in floor panels and normal types of welding jobs? Brands and prices would be appreciated. I'm not going to become a proffesional welder but I'd like to have it in case I ever need to do something so I don't have to pay through the ass for somebody else to do it for me. Thanks in advance.

RIZ :waytogo:
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You kinda get what you pay for. I bought my Lincoln mig used for 250 with a cart, tank, gloves, and hood. Also a partial spool. Tank had gas too. (full).

I'd definately get one with gas. If you want to do body work and sheet metal.
 
I bought a lincoln 140 from canadian tire. Got it on sale for 450, had it for almost 2 years. Seems to work good for what i do.
 
Got a hobart 135 (older version of the 140) here at the house, but have a miller 252 at work :D.

Anyway, if you can afford it, maybe look at something like the miller 211 that can use both 110 & 220 power. Gives you more flexibility if you have to take it somewhere else and use it. Does you no good if you have 220 in your garage, but need to weld something at someones house who only has 110. Just a thought. What kind of power do you have?
 
I got a Eastwood 135 a few months back. It's been flawless. Internet wisdom says its all name brand parts. It has all the features of a Miller 135 or a Migpak 10, but for only $300, it's a damned steal! They usually have it on sale with either free shipping, or a free welder cart, or some other bonus package too.
 
I have used the Hobart, and the Millers. Both great welders, also both same company. The Miller's seem to have a smoother arch, and Miller 180 is great. I also have a Miller Thunderbolt xl stick that I actually use more than my Mig. I know that some say that Migs are the only way to go, but for fabrication I can do anything with my stick, and have more options. Yes sheet metal can be done with a 220 stick as long as you know what rod, technique and amperage to use. Overall I would buy a stick first then a mig if you need in the future. Make sure that you get a machine that has a good amperage control, not a 10 amp per setting like the Lincoln AC/DC welder. And make sure to get an AC/DC welder because you will prob. never use the ac setting.
 
I was on a really tight budget and browsed Craigslist for the cheapest MIG welder I could find. I cam across a Clarke 110 MIG welder. I was really skeptical until I layed my first fillet bead on 1/4" plate. Best 200 bux I've ever spent on any tool! I also think that I can get 3/8 plate done also. Who wants to spend 500+ on there first welding machine? :rolleyes:
 
I have a Lincoln 135 with a mix bottle that I picked up off craigslist for $200... Great little machine...

I used a Millermatic 180 and a Lincoln 175 both on bottles to build the Blazer... Both are great machines, but the Miller does weld a little bit nicer...

Here's my 135...

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Ive had the miller matic 135 for 10 years now and its been a great investment.After paying $30 to a muffler shop to do a small weld on a seat frame I knew I had to.The welder was 5-6 then I got the cart and a full tank so out the door $800.Worth every penny considering Ive probably saved 10k easy with the work Ive done to my truck and chevelle.And that doesn't count all the times somebody calls me needing something welded paying cash for the work.
 
I'm part of the Miller fan club as well, I have an old 135 at my house I use for light stuff, and a 251 at my shop for everything and anything. I have used a lot of other machines over the years and IMHO the millers in general seem to be a little smoother and more precise :dunno: . At some point soon I plan on retiring the 135 and upgrading to a 211 at my house , like said earlier, dL voltage input, same size as a 140 but more capability then a a much larger machine. They can be had brand new with a cart for around 1k.

Whatever you go with, buy a name brand and go with one bigger then you currently think you need.
 
I would also recommend Miller products. I have a Miller 251 and a Lincoln 255 at the shop at work. The 251 seems to, for whatever reason, run smoother and is receptive to fine tuning moreso than the Lincoln. I happened to see a Miller 140 on powerblock today that would probably suit your needs pretty well. Set the wire size and the material thickness and it takes care of the rest. Perfect for the diy or those just starting out. Just my 2cts.
 
SilverduneJimmy said:
I would also recommend Miller products. I have a Miller 251 and a Lincoln 255 at the shop at work. The 251 seems to, for whatever reason, run smoother and is receptive to fine tuning moreso than the Lincoln. I happened to see a Miller 140 on powerblock today that would probably suit your needs pretty well. Set the wire size and the material thickness and it takes care of the rest. Perfect for the diy or those just starting out. Just my 2cts.
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Millers new "auto set " feature ^^ , a friend of mine has a newer 140 with auto set and loves it :D
 
yeah, my 180 has it.. I use it about 2/3's to 3/4 of the time.... it can be a bit fast in certain circumstances, but I still give it 2 thunbs up for getting ya close most of the time... a good base to start from....
 
i have a sears crapsman 100 amp mig that uses flux core.its very simple with only 4 settings,but ive used it to do sheet metal and plate steel on my 72 with no problems.its very simple to use for someone just starting out and costs 200 bucls.if i had my choice later on when i got good and had more money,id go with a lincoln.ive used one before,and they put out a real nice amount of power and the control of line speed is real nice.thats what ill be lookin for when this one dies.its been 8 years and its still working like new.it also has a high duty cycle and can handle some pretty long welds,but also has heat preotection so you dont blow it.
 
I run a Hobart Handler 187 and I couldn't be happier. For the money it's a great machine and I've used both ends of it's spectrum. I did a little body work on my dodge with it almost as low as it'd go (1 on the voltage setting and 10-15 on the wire) and it was forgiving on the sheetmetal. On the other hand I've cranked it up and done some single pass welds on 1/4" plate and it didn't miss a beat.

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