Any suggestions? Any brand to avoid? Of course I don't want to spend a lot of money. :lol:

Not planning on any serious frame welding though. Mostly repairing small items. I could used it to weld my oil pump pickup etc.

 

Home Depot sells a Lincoln unit (about $400). It uses flux core wire so you don'y need to get a bottle of gas. The welder at work just bought one, and loves it.

 

Lincoln is a good welder but spent the extra and get the bottle and regulator, you'll be glad you did.

Steve :steering:

 

I agree with stpman, as the flux core ones spit alot of sparks all over and I wouldn't use it for heavy duty stuff. If you got one with CO2, your weld wuality would be much better and could handle heavy duty stuff.

My .02

 

I agree. Get the biggest MIG (with gas) that you can get for 110V. Usually 135 amps. Lincoln is good and so is Hobart. These will do good quality welds on fairly thick steel. Avoid flux core unless appearance is not an issue.

 

I've got the 120v lincoln.

I upgraded to the CO2. Works great. Done everything from sheet metal to 1/4 steel. :iagree:

 

I bought a Craftsman 80 amp gassless wire feed welder for under 200 bucks a while back and it's great. With practice you get used to the way the flux core wire works and can lay down some decent beads......to be sure they have limitations but for price and convience :thumbs:

Mike :cheers:

 

I have the Craftsman 120 volt Mig with Gas. This is their industrial welder #20559 and comes as a kit for $499.99 If you wait until they have them on sale or have the 10% off from the Craftsman club you have a very good welder for the price. This was the only one in this price range with adjustable heat settings-usually they have 4 heat settings. I've run this on a 15 amp circuit without a problem but recommend a 20 amp circuit. Get a cart from Harbor Freight for $40 and you can practice welding it with your new welder! It has already paid for itself working on the car,just rebuilding a rad support was worth it.
Gary

 

I am very pleased with my CLARKE welder.
It is a 110v unit that puts out up to 130 Amps.
Here is a link to the one I bought:
http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ot/WE6523.html

It comes ready for flux core - with the option to buy a tank/regulator for MIG welding.

One thing to keep in mind is adjustability. Mine has infinite wire speed
control, with four heat settings. The more expensive units have infinite heat
settings, which can make it much easier to dial it in to the job.

The price at a local hardware store was about $300. The CO2 tank was about
$100 - but I got a fairly large tank. You can get a small one for about $60.
I bought the tank at a local gas supplier. When you go to refill it, they give
you a new tank - leak tested, etc - like an exchange program.

Welding helmet: $20 for fixed shade - about $100 for auto shading.

Have fun. :seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 5:50 PM 8/20/2003]

 

Great info guys.

What kind of gas do these welders use and where do you get the gas? :confused:

 

Look in the yellow pages under - um - gas (industrial) or welding supplies.
The company I got mine from is - Wesco - division of AGA Gas.
They had a decent showroom, and tons of welding supplies.
The guys there even talked with me for a bit to select the proper gas to do
the welding I intended - and gave me a few tips, too.

 

flux core sux, get the gas. Gas is Ar(argon) CO2 or a mixture of Ar & CO2. (some also use helium)

for carbon steels the gasses most used are:
CO2, Argon + 2-20% O2, Argon + 5-25% CO2

For non ferrous it's Ar or Ar + He (helium)

If you're a starter CO2 is the easiest since it leaves the plasma hotter, Argon (based) gives less spatter but can lead to poor penetration due to it being colder.


[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 4:59 PM 8/20/2003]

 

Lincoln Pro-MIG 135 :thumbs:

 

Hate to go against most of you guys but say away from 110Volts. They do not do the job. Also stay away from flux core. They run like a stick welder.
Lincoln makes a good unit.
So you need a 220Volt unit, a flow meter and a bottle of gas. Argon/Carbon dioxide mix.
I teach a welding coarse plus have 4 welders in my personal shop.

 

:iagree:

WHAT HE SAID !!!!!

GEO

 

Forget a MIG, get a TIG! Lincoln 175 Pro Squarewave TIG.

 

I will agree with Norval to a point. I have 3 mig welders and an AC/DC welder with a tig torch (no Freq control) one of the migs is flux core only 80 Amps and I don't like it (saving it to us for parts if I can locate another decent mig needing a transformer) of the other 2 Migs one is a 90 Amp 110 Volt with a regulator and bottle the other is a 160 Amp 220 Volt with regulator and a bottle. I used the 220 Volt mig to weld together my car trailer 12 years ago. the 110 Volt machine I've done all of the welding on the cab of a '77 GMC 1/2 ton and weld up some 1/8" tube engine storage/shipping stands.

If you have the 220 Volt power then I suggest a 220 (lots of good ones to choose from) but don't rule out the 110 Volt machines.


Steve :steering:

 

Home Depot in your area? They have Lincoln. Not bad prices and they have all the supplies.

 

Oh yea whatever you buy keep in mind that there are parts that wear out and have to be replaced. make sure you can get replacement "consumables" (tips, nozzles etc")

Steve :steering:

 

I recently bought a Millermatic 135 and it is nice. Incidentally, a hobart is just a re-labeled miller. I shopped around a lot and looked at a lot of comparisons at the local goodguys show and there is a difference in quality. The lincolns all have a plastic drive assembly that is prone to breakage. The miller is metal.

I got mine with a free cart and at the moment am using strictly flux core but agree that gas shielding makes a nicer weld. I have been able to weld seams on my frame, a broken tranny mount bracket, the busted railing at my house, and several other things for friends. The only downside I have seen so far with this unit is the short duty cycle, but when welding small things, it will never be an issue.

Keep in mind that there are other expenses as well. A decent helmet (most 'kits' come with a ridiculous hand held shield) is necessary as is gloves, jacket, extra wire, chipping hammer. I have also started buying those cheap knockoff vise grips whenever I see them. A tank of gas if you go with sheilded wire wil run you about $100 for a short one or $150 for a tall on. The miller comes with the regulators and hose for the tank.

Also, even tho flux core wire is a little more messy than shielded, using a wire wheel in a grinder will clean it up enough that you cant tell the difference.

Chris