Choosing the right welder! (Budget welder)

I've got a Harbor Freight TIG, and its fine, but probably not the best learner machine. The nice thing about the name brand MIG boxes is that they hold their value pretty well. Buy one for ~$600ish, use it for 6 months. Buy a $200 Harbor Freight TIG, use it for TIG quality stuff, and be in $800 for the ability to do both. Then you can sell the MIG or $500 and upgrade, or just run the TIG because you are a total badass (and like to overclean and overprep everything :D).
 
I built my first 2 trucks with a 120v Hobart. That little joker did everything I asked it to do, but I had to have it turned all the way up and make 2 passes on some stuff. Now I have a Miller 210. It is night and day different. Things that were pushing the duty cycle of the baby welder are no sweat for the bigger machine. I am not a pro welder, my FIL is. He taught me some stuff but I have never been formally trained. I like having the ability to burn things in deep if I need to.
 
So Hobart handler 190 would burn all the stuff I need it for?? it's inexpensive and heard great things about em I'll wait for a Lincoln Ac/doc arc welder to show up at pawn shops and pick it up for stick welder in future I reckon! What say ye??
 
C.Berry said:
So Hobart handler 190 would burn all the stuff I need it for?? it's inexpensive and heard great things about em I'll wait for a Lincoln Ac/doc arc welder to show up at pawn shops and pick it up for stick welder in future I reckon! What say ye??
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Yes the Hobart 190 would be just fine for most any 4x4 related work we do. There are some exceptions but for what you would use it for it would be great.
 
I like the price it allows me to spend few extra on a quality helmet gonna look into it more tho the millers and Lincoln are pricey for what I can tell same machines!?
 
C.Berry said:
I'll wait for a Lincoln Ac/doc arc welder to show up at pawn shops and pick it up for stick welder in future I reckon! What say ye??
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Be careful at the pawn shops. Most welders I see there are on their last leg and that's why there at the pawn shop and not used as a trade in at welders supply.
 
That's a valid point! Ive looked for a old stick like the old Lincoln I first used they use to be for sale all over now I never even see em now. Appreciate all the help fellas I'll post it up when I get some beads down!
 
I have two Lincoln machines. My 110 is set up for flux and is easily transported and run off extension cords or generator. I use it when I can't get to the bigger machine (like fender repair on my trailer). Other is a 210 with gas and stays within a big extension cord of the plugs.

No formal training or instruction here. I'd back the decision for a 210 machine. Buy what you can afford in a name brand no matter the color of the box and weld on. A 210 mig should be able to do anything needed for 98% of wheeling fab in my uneducated opinion.
 
Ive decided on the Hobart 210mvp it's a lil more than I was wanting to spend but may wait till Christmas to get a deal somewhere!? Reasoning is I like the option of 120 in a pinch and lil more power if I'm not mistaken!! Glad I've got nc4x4 to help with things like this, bc my woman would strangle me if I wasn't on here!!
 
o_Oor maybe it's bc I'm always on here!? I get that confused...
 
Another old school Hobart 175/180/187 user here.
Got mine back in 2003 and use it every week. Granted I'm not doing the level of welding many are, but for typical axle brackets, exhaust, tabs, sheet metal, etc it has never failed me.
 
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