Mig Welder Recommendations
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
I'm sure red is a much better welder than I but I'm willing to bet that anyone but the most superior welder can not get as nice a job w/ stick as w/ a good mig setup.
Do I get bonus points for UV skin burns???
I was suprisingly well tanned after welding in shorts last year LOL
Sam Adams...that must be beer
Do I get bonus points for UV skin burns???
I was suprisingly well tanned after welding in shorts last year LOLSam Adams...that must be beer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Fevre
Just got a chicago elec 220v 130 amp one for $199 on sale via Harbor Freight website, is set up for gas add on if I want to.
Here is a cheap tig they have on sale, done some reading since i got my MIG and prolly would have bought this one instead, TIG is better but slower.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91811
Here is a cheap tig they have on sale, done some reading since i got my MIG and prolly would have bought this one instead, TIG is better but slower.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91811
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
My first welder and first welding experience so I have no frame of reference. I got the 220 v cuz guys like Norval and TT suggested it and the price was not much higher than any of the other 120v welders. I have only used it a couple times so far but my buddy who uses a stick welder seemed to like so it can't be too bad. I test welded a peice of angle iron to some flat stock, welds looked like crap but it held together when I put it in a vise and beat the snot out of it trying to break the angle iron loose. It did get beat up in transit (bent frame and borken door hinge) and was missing a few parts from the ad (extra tips and couple other minor things) but decided sending it back was too much hassle. All and all it should be fine for small projects that do not need perfect welds.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I bet I am one of the crappiest welders around and I have an auto darkening helmet too, welded 2 thngs for my brother, the first one I burnt a hole in his motorcylce oil tank and the second fell apart when he dropped it on the floor, he has not asked me to weld anything for him recently 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Fevre
My first welder and first welding experience so I have no frame of reference. I got the 220 v cuz guys like Norval and TT suggested it and the price was not much higher than any of the other 120v welders. I have only used it a couple times so far but my buddy who uses a stick welder seemed to like so it can't be too bad. I test welded a peice of angle iron to some flat stock, welds looked like crap but it held together when I put it in a vise and beat the snot out of it trying to break the angle iron loose. It did get beat up in transit (bent frame and borken door hinge) and was missing a few parts from the ad (extra tips and couple other minor things) but decided sending it back was too much hassle. All and all it should be fine for small projects that do not need perfect welds.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Fevre
My first welder and first welding experience so I have no frame of reference. I got the 220 v cuz guys like Norval and TT suggested it and the price was not much higher than any of the other 120v welders. I have only used it a couple times so far but my buddy who uses a stick welder seemed to like so it can't be too bad. I test welded a peice of angle iron to some flat stock, welds looked like crap but it held together when I put it in a vise and beat the snot out of it trying to break the angle iron loose. It did get beat up in transit (bent frame and borken door hinge) and was missing a few parts from the ad (extra tips and couple other minor things) but decided sending it back was too much hassle. All and all it should be fine for small projects that do not need perfect welds.
Gas is the secret.
I agree with Twin turbo it takes a very very good stick welder to beat a mig and Twin Turbo the pictues you posted of mig welds were not done in a easy position. YOu were welding at an angle down into the tube. A difficult place to get perfect welds.
while my experience might put me out of this, his welding skills are impressive. and the first shot shows it. i wasnt knocking mig or tig. i hope that got across.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Summerville SC
I bought a "MILLER-Matic 250" wired in on 220V. You really want more power than the 120V units to be able to weld thicker metal. 
Last edited by INTIMIDATOR ZO6; Jan 29, 2005 at 11:34 AM.
