What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Help me pick my second welder

Stomis

Stomis

Professional Amateur
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Posts
10,331
Reaction score
752
Location
Roseland VA/PtPleasant NJ
I knew nothing when I bought my first one. I actually got it really cheap cause I knew someone who worked at harbor freight. Its a Chicago Electric 90 amp fluxcore welder that plugs into a 110 outlet.

The thing is basically only good for doing exhaust work and tacking light material. Its got 1-10 variable wire speed which is nice except its so weak I always have to go really slow and weave to get any sorta bead out of it. Its only got high / low for the power which tics me off.

I want to step up to something better. I'm going to tube out the back of my truck and I want to do it myself. I already know I need a better welder but I cant spend an assload of money on one. I'm not interested in brand names or anything like that because for being a cheapo this thing has served me pretty well.

I want something that I can penetrate tubing with no problem and make structural welds with for cages, tube beds, bumpers, etc without having to make multiple passes.

I know I'm most likely gonna have to go with a 220 outlet but what do you guys suggest? What amp output do I need to penetrate tubing well?

O yeah and would it be cheaper to go with a stick to get the penetration?
 
Last edited:
if you're just looking for a stick welder, i'd get a lincoln tombstone welder before one of those. they're about $400 at home depot.
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=2493

or the hobart, which is even less$
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...20|14238|36307?listingPage=true&Special=false

for about the same $$ you could get the 110 v mig, its definitely more versatile than what you already have and would let you weld a little thicker material (5/16 is thicker than any tube you'd use for a cage). and the infinite control on the power and feed setting would let you dial it in.
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=59618

but most of the experienced welders on here will tell you to go right to the 220V welders. it's better to have a bigger machine working easily than a small machine that's trying to keep up. for the $$ the hobart is what i'm looking to get, although i wish it had a variable power instead of the 5 presets.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_112318_14238_-1_14151|14220|14238


i'm a novice welder working with a lincoln pro135. it's been fine for the body work i've been getting done, but i do wish it had the infinite power output. the floor pans i'm working on are just a little too thick for the "a" setting and too thin for "b". i have tried it on 1/4" plate and it penetrates well, even without the flux core wire. i think these machines are a little under rated. when the machine is turned up to weld anything thicker than 1/8" it would pop the the "regular" 15 amp outlet. i put in extra 20 amp outlets in the garage when i wired up a 220v outlet for the big welder and plasma cutter. if you're looking for a bigger machine and want to stay in the 120v family, you need to check your circuit breaker. if you have to rewire, you might as well go to the 220v welder and rewire to match.
 
Myself, i would not use a stick for cage, tubing, etc. You will need to be talented to have it look decent. A Mig 220V will be much easier to use and quicker.

I run a miller 180, beautiful machine but alittle more than your 200 budget.

If you want to do it real cheap, use three car batteries in series. Penetration may be an issue though.
 
How much are you looking at building? If you are looking at doing a bunch of fab work, invest in a decent welder once. If you are just wanting to build one or two things, it may be cheaper and safer to pay to have it done.

Keep an eye on Amazon. They sometimes have screaming deals. Keep an eye on your local CL.

Buy a Miller, Lincoln or Hobart. You will get what you pay for.

I have a Hobart 180 and it has been a great welder for me.
 
AZ79K5Project said:
How much are you looking at building? If you are looking at doing a bunch of fab work, invest in a decent welder once. If you are just wanting to build one or two things, it may be cheaper and safer to pay to have it done.

Keep an eye on Amazon. They sometimes have screaming deals. Keep an eye on your local CL.

Buy a Miller, Lincoln or Hobart. You will get what you pay for.

I have a Hobart 180 and it has been a great welder for me.
Click to expand...


Yeah I'm going to look at a hobart 140 today from sears. I'm doing a bumper, cage, and possibly a sas on my friends toyota. I want a nice one so I DONT have to find someone to make my stuff :D
 
I picked up a Lincoln gas shielded MIG welder a couple years ago. There is a welding supply place a short drive from me, and they hooked me up with a refurbished, i believe model 100 that had the same internals as their larger 120 model for $100 less. I realy like the Lincoln welders style of adjustment knob for wire speed, it doesnt have clicks in it, it is a free spooling knob, allowing for small adjustments. It lays some nice welds, i have used it a good bit now. i had around $700 in it, a large 20lb gas tank, and a nice $175 Jackson electric welding mask, and a couple spools of wire. I have welded some pretty thick metal with it, and it performs well. i have yet to run a diffrent size wire thru it yet i cannot remember whats in it. Next i need to invest in a set of torches.
 
BGKYK5 said:
Free sig line for somebody:
Click to expand...

Lol bastard!

Yeah I went to the welding supply place today. The guy was pretty set on convincing me that no other welder beneath a 140c or t lincoln would do the job. I have to admit that the 110 outlet lincoln 140t they had there was damn nice, but not $700 nice. His main argument was that the lower machines need to have everything changed out to weld aluminium which I really dont care about, cause I'm never gonna weld aluminium.

Right now I'm taking a look at a 110v Hobart 140 flux/mig. Its $460 new or $400 refurbed.


Hmmm starting to consider a Hobart 125 flux. Just cause I know I'll never weld gas and it is has the same penetration. Plus its only $260 refurbed.
 
what everyone else is saying is true--you'll out grow anything less than a 140 in about three months, and you'll wish you saved a bit longer. I have a Lincoln 140T and it's great for bodywork, but as soon as I finished my first rust repair I wanted to start doing custom bumpers, suspension stuff, etc. Now I'm looking for a 220v stick :doah:
 
Wrench said:
what everyone else is saying is true--you'll out grow anything less than a 140 in about three months, and you'll wish you saved a bit longer. I have a Lincoln 140T and it's great for bodywork, but as soon as I finished my first rust repair I wanted to start doing custom bumpers, suspension stuff, etc. Now I'm looking for a 220v stick :doah:
Click to expand...

Again, So true. I have a Lincoln SP135 and it works great but have the itch to get a 220v. I have a buddy with a Miller 251 with about 4 hours on it for $1200 and I may pick it up at the first of the year if the money is there. go bigger than you think you will need if you can afford it.
 
Ok I'll take the $100 plunge and get a 140 then. I'm still looking. Aparently my one of my moms customers is an owner of hobart industrial supply so she is gonna see if its the same company and maybe get one at cost :D
 
I shopped welders for MONTHS.....

you can find damn good deals on 175 to 187 amp migs, 220... especially new Lincolns.... refurbed Hobarts, handler 175's from pawn shops, etc.. $250 to 500 or so...

any 220 will kill a 110 imo... I ended up going with Millers new 180, nice welder and can burn pretty deep when the occasion arises...
 
ryoken said:
I shopped welders for MONTHS.....

you can find damn good deals on 175 to 187 amp migs, 220... especially new Lincolns.... refurbed Hobarts, handler 175's from pawn shops, etc.. $250 to 500 or so...

any 220 will kill a 110 imo... I ended up going with Millers new 180, nice welder and can burn pretty deep when the occasion arises...
Click to expand...

Same here. I was looking for probably 6+ months before I found a screaming deal on Amazon for my Hobart.

I currently hate Amazon. They just dropped the price on a saw I just bought elsewhere by $200.00:mad::mad:.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom