About time for a new welder

Parts availability?

I've got a 8 or 10 year old hf 90a fcaw welder and have not put anything but consumables in it.. esab about has to be better quality. You have to watch what Lincoln units you get for parts availability... Big box stores are not the same as welder store units, and they can't get parts for them afaik. Just a fyi.
 
Go to a welding store and see why they have on trade in. I picked up a like new Miller 210 for just under a grand ready to run.
 
Loganwayne said:
Eastwood MP250i Multi Process 250 Amp Welder

i also found this. its a bigger machine but it has alot better duty cycle than the esab and vulcan welders
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If I'm not mistaken, AHP sold Eastwood the specs for that machine based off there alphamig 250 which was universally thought as a good machine after a gun replacement.

That said, I'm not a big fan of multiprocess welders. If one goes down your out a welder until its fixed.

I think the best deal going is the MIG only rebel. I really like the smart mig. It makes welding tube tube joints where you have to run a little more stickout much easier.

ESAB Rebel EM 215ic 120V/230V MIG Welder - 0558102436
 
I've got a 1987 Lincoln idealarc 250/300 arc welder I'm selling to probably pick up the hf Vulcan pro tig 200! In my opinion having 120/220 is a huge advantage especially in our hobby! I've never tig welded only stick and mig the only thing with the Vulcan pro tig is only D.C. For stick but I'm guessing if you need ac tig would be in order!!? I've been eyeballing these since they came out and lady at hf told me same thing about welder as the predator engines if I simply don't like it the day before warranty bring it back... I've always used Lincolns tho bc I learned on them at 11 but side by side welds from tig/stick from Lincoln vs Vulcan I don't see a diff!? I've never used any of these newer welders either except hobarts 140 and cheapi flux core...
 
well sat down and had a long talk with myself, i really want the esab rebel if im going to throw right at grand at a harbor freight welder im just going to pony up and get the rebel. that said im going to use a welder alot to finish the buggy then not much at all so justifying the cost of the rebel is a hard sell for myself. That brings me back to a Hobart 190, not a multi process machine but should be able to finish my buggy just fine and then not be so sad looking on a shelf until i need it once every couple of months.
 
Loganwayne said:
well sat down and had a long talk with myself, i really want the esab rebel if im going to throw right at grand at a harbor freight welder im just going to pony up and get the rebel. that said im going to use a welder alot to finish the buggy then not much at all so justifying the cost of the rebel is a hard sell for myself. That brings me back to a Hobart 190, not a multi process machine but should be able to finish my buggy just fine and then not be so sad looking on a shelf until i need it once every couple of months.
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I've been toying with selling my 2 lincoln machines to get a new welder but I doubt they will bring enough to get the one.......
 
I bought the Esab model you're interested in. I've tinkered with it some and I love it! I still need to try the TIG option out, but the MIG function does everything it should. It's a loud little thing once you put a duty cycle on it, and the fan in it can move some air. Otherwise, it's a simple machine and does what I want it to.
 
@catfishblues was telling me about a welder he got last time I was at his shop. Don't remember the make or any specs just that it was very affordable and he liked it.
 
I am not a trained welder.

I got the Eastwood 250 earlier this year. I've three 10lb spools through it so far and have zero complaints, though I do not have extended, long-session time on it. I definitely haven't come close to testing the duty cycle cut off point. I fiddle around with everything from 14ga up to 1/2", though it has been a bit harder to dial in at the lower end of the range. I have only run it 220v, have not played around with the 110v capabilities, so that may help with the thinner stuff.

Parts are all readily available and you can likely find some kind of discount code or special from Eastwood.

If you are not wanting a production machine, I can confidently recommend it. I am using a better regulator that what came with it, but I was expecting to need to.
 
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jeepinmatt said:
I recall him being the Eastwood fan.
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Correct, but I'm not a brand loyalist. There's some other good looking affordable welders coming on the market lately. I've been happy with the Eastwood products I've gotten, though.

tkeaton said:
I am not a trained welder.

I got the Eastwood 250 earlier this year. I've three 30lb spools through it so far and have zero complaints, though I do not have extended, long-session time on it. I definitely haven't come close to testing the duty cycle cut off point. I fiddle around with everything from 14ga up to 1/2", though it has been a bit harder to dial in at the lower end of the range. I have only run it 220v, have not played around with the 110v capabilities, so that may help with the thinner stuff.

Parts are all readily available and you can likely find some kind of discount code or special from Eastwood.

If you are not wanting a production machine, I can confidently recommend it. I am using a better regulator that what came with it, but I was expecting to need to.
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You got the large-frame multi-process 250? Must have, because the smaller one doesn't hold a 33# spool. Have you tried the TIG function yet?
 
Im sorry, I meant the 10lb spools, I had 3 on the brain.

I have the MIG250, not the one with TIG function, apologies. I stand by the rest of my comments. :beer:
 
I don’t want to hi-jack, but it seems redundant to start another thread, so figured I’d just ask here and maybe the feedback will help us both.

I am needing a welder for mainly welding frame stiffeners on my XJ, build a swing away or swing down rear tire carrier, rear cargo rack, and anti-wrap bar from ruff stuff. The 115V Lincoln 140 MIG welder will do 1/4” in a single pass. Other than welding on my axle tubes I don’t know when I’d need to weld anything much bigger. If so I can tack things in place and have acces to bigger welders with some local friends.
It seems the 140 will suit my needs but everyone and everything I read mostly points me to moving up to a 220V machine. I don’t mind it so much other than the fact that once this over haul is done, the welder will mostly sit in my garage and get used once in a while.
I don’t ever see welding too much stuff bigger that 1/4”.

Just under $600 for the Lincoln 140 or similar (I do want infinite controls) or $1000-1200 to step up to a much more capable machine.

Going with the smaller welder will allow me to buy a lot more goodies like crossover steering, Iron man Andy steering box brave and anti wrap bar from ruff stuff. Going with the bigger welder will delay those other things.

Opinions? Again sorry to hi-jack.
 
77GreenMachine said:
I don’t want to hi-jack, but it seems redundant to start another thread, so figured I’d just ask here and maybe the feedback will help us both.

I am needing a welder for mainly welding frame stiffeners on my XJ, build a swing away or swing down rear tire carrier, rear cargo rack, and anti-wrap bar from ruff stuff. The 115V Lincoln 140 MIG welder will do 1/4” in a single pass. Other than welding on my axle tubes I don’t know when I’d need to weld anything much bigger. If so I can tack things in place and have acces to bigger welders with some local friends.
It seems the 140 will suit my needs but everyone and everything I read mostly points me to moving up to a 220V machine. I don’t mind it so much other than the fact that once this over haul is done, the welder will mostly sit in my garage and get used once in a while.
I don’t ever see welding too much stuff bigger that 1/4”.

Just under $600 for the Lincoln 140 or similar (I do want infinite controls) or $1000-1200 to step up to a much more capable machine.

Going with the smaller welder will allow me to buy a lot more goodies like crossover steering, Iron man Andy steering box brave and anti wrap bar from ruff stuff. Going with the bigger welder will delay those other things.

Opinions? Again sorry to hi-jack.
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So I’ll ask one question to kind of help this along...does the area you work in have an existing 220V plug or have a spot where one could be wired in relatively easy?

A Lincoln 140 or similar will do what you want. Is the larger welder better? Yeah. But if you don’t have a plug or access to put one in, eh kind of a moot point.
 
Don’t currently have 220V but my panel is right there in the garage. I can put the plug right at the panel for less than $100 I’m told. Well, have my friend do it for lunch and I buy the parts. This guy don’t touch no electrical stuffs unless it’s 12 volts on a car
 
That is a deal there.
 
I've been eyeballing a newer welder @Loganwayne. My current one is a Hobart 180 that works great. If you're interested, let's talk.
I don't need to sell it, but I would be willing to if your cheap butt comes off the hip accordingly.

Gimme a call. You should have my number. If you don't, your lady does.

Edit: I'm serious about the welder. The other stuff is the mandatory @McCracken inspired ribbing.
 
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77GreenMachine said:
I don’t want to hi-jack, but it seems redundant to start another thread, so figured I’d just ask here and maybe the feedback will help us both.

I am needing a welder for mainly welding frame stiffeners on my XJ, build a swing away or swing down rear tire carrier, rear cargo rack, and anti-wrap bar from ruff stuff. The 115V Lincoln 140 MIG welder will do 1/4” in a single pass. Other than welding on my axle tubes I don’t know when I’d need to weld anything much bigger. If so I can tack things in place and have acces to bigger welders with some local friends.
It seems the 140 will suit my needs but everyone and everything I read mostly points me to moving up to a 220V machine. I don’t mind it so much other than the fact that once this over haul is done, the welder will mostly sit in my garage and get used once in a while.
I don’t ever see welding too much stuff bigger that 1/4”.

Just under $600 for the Lincoln 140 or similar (I do want infinite controls) or $1000-1200 to step up to a much more capable machine.

Going with the smaller welder will allow me to buy a lot more goodies like crossover steering, Iron man Andy steering box brave and anti wrap bar from ruff stuff. Going with the bigger welder will delay those other things.

Opinions? Again sorry to hi-jack.
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Since I've had the Lincoln 140 for quite some time, you won't be dissapointed. Duty cycle is only "annoyance" but you learn to cut/measure/sand while waiting. Put a big power cord on it, extra 6-8" cooling fan, it's a pretty awesome little machine. With .35 flux wire, you can weld onto axle tubes btw. Just thought I'd help out on that welder!
 
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