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iwaxmyjimmy

iwaxmyjimmy

College web wheeler
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Ok, so I'm new as hell to this whole welding thing. I don't know jack about them but I've been eye balling this one http://store.weldersource.com/p-3302-lincoln-sp-140t-mig-welder.aspx. I know I probably wont weld anything thicker than 1/4 plate. And its mainly going to be for bracket, tabs, rear bumper, sliders/mini boatsides, and repairing my floor in some areas. More than likely I'll build a cage on down the road after I feel comfortable with it. Anyone know of any other that would better suited for me? Btw I have no clue on how to adjust them or get the heat range right. Has anyone used one of these welders? I probably wont use gas either just flux core wire.
 
Excelent welder. Can't go wrong with that, but, for just a tad more you can have a 220V welder. My 220V Miller 180 autoset with cart kit was $713 to my door, that is IF you have 220V power. If you do I would spend the minor extra coin and get as big a welder as you can. Like most, you will find once you have a welder and learn and know how to weld, you WILL be wanting to fab up all kinds of crap....because you CAN now. Go as big as you can, most all will agree. Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Esab are all great welders. And there're others too, they're the main most popular brands. But Thermal Dynamics, Thermadyne are awesome as well but more then likely more expensive.
 
rdn2blazer said:
Excelent welder. Can't go wrong with that, but, for just a tad more you can have a 220V welder. My 220V Miller 180 autoset with cart kit was $713 to my door, that is IF you have 220V power. If you do I would spend the minor extra coin and get as big a welder as you can. Like most, you will find once you have a welder and learn and know how to weld, you WILL be wanting to fab up all kinds of crap....because you CAN now. Go as big as you can, most all will agree. Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Esab are all great welders. And there're others too, they're the main most popular brands. But Thermal Dynamics, Thermadyne are awesome as well but more then likely more expensive.
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Yeah I figured its kinda like buying 35s.... You want bigger when you hit the limits of them. I don't have 220 volt readily available, plus more than likely won't use gas for a while (I'm in the military and live in the barracks). But I heard that autoset is nice, I have no clue how to set it up for wire speed or amps lol I'll have to read the manual.
 
iwaxmyjimmy said:
Yeah I figured its kinda like buying 35s.... You want bigger when you hit the limits of them. I don't have 220 volt readily available, plus more than likely won't use gas for a while (I'm in the military and live in the barracks). But I heard that autoset is nice, I have no clue how to set it up for wire speed or amps lol I'll have to read the manual.
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I happened to pick up an open box 140T at Home Depot. It was marked down and they let me put my military 10% discount on it....it has been a great welder for the wife and I for the $345 I spent on it!:thumb:
 
I bought an eastwood welder myself and I've been very happy with it. It's a lot cheaper than the one you have linked, but I've been able to do everything you say you are interested in doing with it and the quality seems fine to me.

I'm as new to it as you are as well for whatever that's worth. :)
 
ashman said:
I bought an eastwood welder myself and I've been very happy with it. It's a lot cheaper than the one you have linked, but I've been able to do everything you say you are interested in doing with it and the quality seems fine to me.

I'm as new to it as you are as well for whatever that's worth. :)
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Yeah I was reading your thread earlier, there are just so many choices lol. Btw the girl I'm seeing calls this all truck porn.
 
That's a nice little welder. I have the older SP 135 version of it. I've done up to 5/16 w/ good penetration. It will pop off a standard 15 amp circuit breaker when you have it set to the higher outputs. You'll be well served to run a 20 amp line to be safe.

The only thing I don't like about these welders is the stepped voltage. It always seems like one level is too cold and the next one up burns through, especially when doing sheet metal. Infinitely variable machines are much better. Lincoln used to make a PRO 135 w/ infinite voltage. I'd look for one of those (or a new 140 pro?). The Millermatic 140 is infinite. I'd go to that if you can afford it.
http://store.weldersource.com/p-3475-millermatic-140-with-auto-set-mig-welder.aspx
 
runamok151 said:
That's a nice little welder. I have the older SP 135 version of it. I've done up to 5/16 w/ good penetration. It will pop off a standard 15 amp circuit breaker when you have it set to the higher outputs. You'll be well served to run a 20 amp line to be safe.

The only thing I don't like about these welders is the stepped voltage. It always seems like one level is too cold and the next one up burns through, especially when doing sheet metal. Infinitely variable machines are much better. Lincoln used to make a PRO 135 w/ infinite voltage. I'd look for one of those (or a new 140 pro?). The Millermatic 140 is infinite. I'd go to that if you can afford it.
http://store.weldersource.com/p-3475-millermatic-140-with-auto-set-mig-welder.aspx
Click to expand...

Honestly both are in my price range, but I saw where the Lincoln can do 5/16 and I figured it was better .... I'm totally new as hell to this whole welding thing.
 
I'm a Miller guy.. infinite adjustment rocks... my 180 AS is awesome and is only a hundy or so more than that 110 you linked......

I'll just say this, buy the biggest you can get.. put a 220 plug in if need be, it's not hard...

it has to do with duty cycle, as much as thickness...
 
ryoken said:
I'm a Miller guy.. infinite adjustment rocks... my 180 AS is awesome and is only a hundy or so more than that 110 you linked......

I'll just say this, buy the biggest you can get.. put a 220 plug in if need be, it's not hard...

it has to do with duty cycle, as much as thickness...
Click to expand...

And the thing with that is I'm in the military and more than likely wont use gas often if ever. I can't just run along cord from the barrack laundry room to the parking lot lol. Trust me if I had somewhere to store a bad ass welding cart, bottle, and big ass welder than I would buy a millermatic 250 like my buddy back home has.
 
Have you looked to see if the base auto hobby shop has a welder? Living in the barracks I'd imagine it will be tough to store. Also, even with a 110v machine you can't expect to run a cheap extension cord out to the parking lot.

I had a small rollaway box when I lived in the barracks, and honestly it was more of a pain in the ass than asset. I can't imagine trying to store a welder, cart, bottles, and all the little crap to go with it.
 
I know there is a plasma cutter but I haven't seen the welder. More than likely I'll only use it while I'm at the shop. When I PCS from here I am going to try and get a duplex or something off post, so mainly prep for that.
 
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