First time welder questions

[Zeus33rd]

Hobart usually has the 'tap' set-up for voltage. You get 4 or 5 choices. It's a lower end, more basic machine.

Can't go wrong with either the Miller or the Lincoln. I prefer Lincoln, but own a Miller. They're that close in perfomance and features that I went with the better deal at the time.

Rene

I prefer Lincoln too. I've got a lot of experience with both. I own a Lincoln 215. Much softer, smoother arc over the Miller machines, which leads to a more controllable puddle, which leads to nicer, less spatter'ized and cleaner weld. For sheet metal work, I think the Lincoln has the edge over the Miller as well. Hitting the trigger on cold wire with the Lincoln machines is a lot smoother, an almost instantly stable arc and puddle. Every Miller I've ever used pops and farts a bit on a cold wire start. This makes precision and welding thin material a bit tougher.

I also must mention that 99% of my experience is with the 75/25 mix shielding gas, which results in less spatter and a slightly smoother experience all around over straight c02.