what welder?

Jeep_parts

Jeep_parts

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Joined
Nov 3, 2005
Location
Kernersville, North Carolina
saw several threads on here about mig welders, and there are so many different opions on the different makes, and problems that they have. wantin a welder like an 175-180 for around $700 or so. which welder exactly would you go with or brand???
 
zj_95 said:
saw several threads on here about mig welders, and there are so many different opions on the different makes, and problems that they have. wantin a welder like an 175-180 for around $700 or so. which welder exactly would you go with or brand???
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If you are just starting out, I'd go with the Hobart MIG 180 or so. Its very affordable and is great for the hobby welder. It doesn't have the "fine tune" on the amps, but thats easily overcome by adjusting your wire speed and method of welding. I think you can get them new for around $650 or so from Tractor Supply, and TS has never had the reputation for being the cheapest. I'm sure you can find some cheaper if you look around for sales.

The Miller of the same calibur will run about 20% more. If you only use it for occasional welding, as most of us do, it should be fine. If after time you need to be able to fine tune your amps (V on MIG), you can upgrade to a Miller 220 or so.

Most Millers are decent as are the Lincolns. Personally, I prefer the Esab mig as all of their equipment I've ever used has been fantastic. Plus, it tends to be fairly affordable.
 
One thing to think about is that it is better to step up a level or two so you don't find yourself later on with a welder that is too small.
I went with a Thermal Arc 210. It is actually a 250 amp unit. I paid about $1100 online back in the spring and it had the best warranty in the business. It has done a superb job for me thus far. Northern Tool also carries them now.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200358769_200358769
 
Lincoln Pro Mig 140 - Enough power to do most anything you want to and still has the portability of using 110 volt power. I hardly ever use my 220v machine anymore preferring the ease and portability of my Lincoln machine. I throw it in the truck whenever I go to Harlan, Mountain City, etc.
 
Miller trailblazer 280 nt
 
If you're looking for a nice, small 110v unit, I'd recommend this guy. http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=153864&WT.svl=153864 A guy at work just bought one for lawnmower repair, so I got to play with it, teaching him how to weld. I was very impressed with the auto-set feature! It took a lot of the guesswork out of setting up the welder. And it was pretty much spot-on. I'd say it's worth the extra money, especially for the beginning welder.

If you've got the support for a 220 machine, I'd go this way. http://store.cyberweld.com/millermatic175.html Airgas (National Welders) has this one on sale, too, actually cheaper than Cyberweld.com, but I couldn't find it on their website. This is the one with the auto-set feature. I've got the older 175 version, and I love it. The auto-set is the only thing I could see that could improve mine, well here's one with it! BTW, both of these units have infinitely-variable voltage control, which is quite handy once you improve your skills.

The biggest recommendation I can make, though, is go to FTCC and take the MIG welding night course. Best $80 you can spend if you want to weld!
 
zj_95 said:
lookin at the Hobart MIG 180 compared to the Hobart MIG 187, which one would u go with ????
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The 187 is far superior than the 180. Totally different choke design, better puddle wetout and smooter arc. Besides, they don't make the 180 anymore. The 187 was it's replacement. I like mine.
 
Bought a Hobart MIG from Tractor Supply in 2004 and have used it heavily since then with no issues at all.
It is a basic MIG, but, the wire speed control is very sensitive for fine tuning.

The 187 as stated above is supposed to be a great setup too. I don't see anything wrong with either one as an option.
The majority of your welders will work, setup is key and a knowledgeable user is also a benefit.

Goodluck.
 
I've got an old Hobart 180... has done EVERYTHING I've thrown at it.

If you can find decent pricing, the variable tap Lincolns are pretty sweet. IOW, unlike the Hobart/Millers, the Lincolns have a pot for the amperage... better adjustment IMO.

I'll second the tech school welding classes. I took Oxy-Acetylene Welding I & II (technique is very similar to TIG) with my dad back in the '70s (was 13 IIRC) at GTCC. After that, I took a couple Marine Corps Institute courses (Metalworking & Arc welding), & used a POS Lincoln Arc for a few years. In the late '80s was thrown into welding almost daily (plant maintenance)... of the training/experience I had, it was easy to acknowledge the GTCC courses were the cornerstone and benefited me the most. I continue to struggle a bit with MIG (mainly *pushing* the puddle as I'd always pulled the puddle), but still manage some decent looking and strong welds
 
catfishblues said:
The biggest recommendation I can make, though, is go to FTCC and take the MIG welding night course. Best $80 you can spend if you want to weld!
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X3 on the class.
I took ARC, MIG, and Oxy there, the evening continuing ed classes.
1 night a week, 3 hrs. First 15-30 minutes each week is a demostration, rest of the time is you playing around screwing it up over and over again, just working at your own pace. If you want to split early, fine.
They provide all the equipment, even scrap metal to practice on... but if you have something you'd kind of like to build, you bring it in and work on it yourself using their stuff and teh instructor will give you tips..

Honestly, even if you know how to weld and just don't have the equipment - for $80 you get open access to good equipment for 8 weeks, hell just use the time to work on a project you can't do at home. The registration cost barely covers the consumables you'd use youself, especially compared to buying a tank etc.
 
catfishblues said:
The biggest recommendation I can make, though, is go to FTCC and take the MIG welding night course. Best $80 you can spend if you want to weld!
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This is a good idea and a hobart or miller is your best choice for the money. Also look a your local weld shops a lot of people and companys trade their welders in and refurbish them at a discount and dont forget you have to get a gas bottle and those can be high.
 
rockmafia said:
Skip those small welders, and just search the FS section here;)
You can never heve a welder thats too big.
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Unless say you don't have a shop to work in. 210+ welders are far from portable as well as very overkill for most offroad hobbyists. Just saying.
As was said, you can't go wrong with the hobart 180/187 for the price.
 
braxton357 said:
Unless say you don't have a shop to work in. 210+ welders are far from portable as well as very overkill for most offroad hobbyists. Just saying.
As was said, you can't go wrong with the hobart 180/187 for the price.
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The Hobart Handler 210 is about the biggest you can get and still be easily portable. It's about the same sized case as my 187 and just a bit heavier, but you're right, most 210s and larger just can't be thrown in the back of the jeep.

BTW, I thought this thread was dead weeks ago.
 
Thats a nice machine......

We use it around the shop for light material.

However, for those of you still looking don't forget Craigs List! 2 weeks ago I got a 4 year old ESAB 250 for $600 and a month before I got another Miller 250 for $1000 and it came with a brand new spool gun!

We run a Lincoln 350 for the big stuff (Diff Covers) either of the 3-250's for anything else but sheet metal and the 187 for sheet metal......I was happy just having a good backup but 2 more 250 machines and a total cost of $1600 I couldn't say no.....
 
I just picked up a factory refurb Millermatic 175 from National Welders for $600 out the door. New gun, cables, gauges, wire, tips and all paperwork. BTW they have one left. Played around with it yesterday for quite a while and I love it.
 
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