What to look for when buying a used welder?

1stgenxxx

1stgenxxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Location
Hudson
It welder time :Rockon:. I have been looking at a few different ones and Miller, Hobart are at the top of my list. I don't see myself welding much over anything bigger than 1/4" so I was thinking about the Hobart Handeler 210. It's $800 at TSC. Then I got to thinking...I could get a bigger used welder for around the same price range.

What problems should I be look for when buying a used welder? What components go back or burn (other than tips and such) that could be expensive to replace?
 
Circuit boards are kinda costly. Mine give no warning, just worked one time, then the next time it didn't

Also the linings get damaged. Easiest way to look see if it needs replaced is to coil it naturally and see how it feeds.

Check for cleanliness inside in the wire compartment, and also around the cooling fan.
 
if you don't weld much and nothing over 1/4", don't waste your time, efforts, $$$ on a used unit that is "bigger". Why pay for something you'll never use?

If I had the $800 and knew I wasn't going anything over 1/4", I'd either buy a new hobart or find a used one for cheaper and spend the rest of the $$$ on something else.

Bigger is usually better, but if you never will use it then its just wasted $$$
 
Thanks for the input
 
If you are looking at a used welder. See if you can do some test welding first, to see how it dose. I have a lincoln 250 and I wouldnt have anything smaller unless I was doing exaust work.
 
Hell if you're not going over 1/4", get one of the little 110 Lincoln deals and go for all the extras so you can do MIG or flux-core. Cheaper, allowing for more $$ for all th other stuff that adds up (regultors, gas tank, helmet etc), and nice and small/portable, easy to get around and tuck in the corner of a shop.
 
Stick with a 210 and down. Having to use a forklift to move your welder around sucks. A new hobart/miller 210/211 will handle anything you will ever need to weld... (and more likely, a 180 would too for that matter) Not to mention, with the big machines the whips and gun get massive.
It's not like you're running an industrial metal fabrication shop here.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Hell if you're not going over 1/4", get one of the little 110 Lincoln deals and go for all the extras so you can do MIG or flux-core. Cheaper, allowing for more $$ for all th other stuff that adds up (regultors, gas tank, helmet etc), and nice and small/portable, easy to get around and tuck in the corner of a shop.
Click to expand...
x2 I have a lincoln 135 w/ gas and it does about anything I want. $450 Home depot. If I buid a buggy some day I will up grade.
 
Ive been running a Hobart Handler 175/180 for 7 years with no problems. It has had 30 hours a week for some weeks, and sat for months. Never had any problems with it. Will weld 1/4" all day long without stopping (I have to stop before it hits duty cycle). Welds 1/4" on setting 3 of 4. Ive welded as thick as 1/2", but it seems to be pretty happy with 3/8" material on the highest heat setting.
 
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