Eastwood Welders

[Von Hayek]

Anyone have or use an Eastwood welder? http://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html

You sure can get a lot more for the money. And since I am not a professional and will not be using this for 8 hours per day, I figure if they function well then it may be a good buy for the amateur like myself. And I could get a plasma cutter plus a spool gun to boot.

 

[Jakes40]

Looks like a Campbell Hausfeld welder I had. It worked really good with flux core wire. it was not set up for gas.
I don't know the original manufacture. (Probably Lincoln welders) Campbell and Eastwood just put there name in it.

LIFE • HEALTH • PROSPERITY

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

Try posting/searching in the tools/Fab section. There' a lot of welder threads.

I just picked up a hobart 190 on sale at Tractor Supply. It did not include the spool gun but I don't think I'll be welding aluminum anytime soon.

 

[bkfj40]

I have had my Hobart welder for almost 10 years and have been very happy with it. If you don't go with a miller or Lincoln, the only other next step down is Hobart. I wouldn't use a Campbell, harbor freight, or whatever.

Don't waste your money on something that only does flux core...

I don't spend my money on snap on or other things since I don't make my money spinning wrenches. When I do spend my money, I want value.

 

[Stumpalama]

IMHO, you can't go wrong with Lincoln, Miller or Hobart (made by Miller).
I cut my teeth with a lincoln SP135+. It is a great welder, I even did my SOA and cut and turn with it, but it took a couple passes to get proper penetration. I am now looking at the Hobart 190 or 210 (dual voltage with one plug).
If you are welding thicker steel (.120 DOM or 3/16-1/2") to build mainly sliders bumpers and skid plates, I recommend going bigger because you will quickly want more umph than a 135 will give you.

I think the Hobart 190 is the best deal going (currently $645 at Tractor supply).

 

[Von Hayek]

Looks like a Campbell Hausfeld welder I had. It worked really good with flux core wire. it was not set up for gas.
I don't know the original manufacture. (Probably Lincoln welders) Campbell and Eastwood just put there name in it.

LIFE • HEALTH • PROSPERITY

They are the original manufacturer. There are a couple of threads on different forums where a service rep from Eastwood states that they designed their welders in-house and have them made by an independent plant in China, i.e. not by Miller or anyone else.

But I am normally a quality over quantity guy and I'm leaning toward one of the name brands.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

check out weldingweb
tons of info on every machine, accessory, and type of welding.

if i had the funds,plugs, and a garage i'd get an ac/dc tombstone and build off of that.

 

[kulangot]

I have had my Hobart welder for almost 10 years and have been very happy with it. If you don't go with a miller or Lincoln, the only other next step down is Hobart. I wouldn't use a Campbell, harbor freight, or whatever.

Don't waste your money on something that only does flux core...

I don't spend my money on snap on or other things since I don't make my money spinning wrenches. When I do spend my money, I want value.

Good advice however!

Don't forget ESAB - they invented TIG under the Linde name and trademark of "Heliarc". ESAB makes wonderful machines. They are THE global player while Lincoln and Miller are the USA market. I love their arc qualities and their stitch and spot timers. Great stuff.

AND - Victor makes the Thermal machines which are the up and comers.

If I were you I'd get a Lincoln with an optional timer module. Makes for awesome rust repair work but don't use it for structural stuff.

I used to be a tried and true, blue all the way fan of Miller until they changed their warranty policies where the warranty starts the day the machine is made - NOT when you buy it. I also don't care for all of the auto set nonsense for people who don't know how to weld or adjust the machine. Now I will be buying Lincoln and ESAB or maybe Thermal.

Don't get a welder from Eastwood though! And don't get flux core. You could buy a used Hobart Handler for the same price and it is a much better machine and investment.

Go check out the old Linde MIG machine that Doug D. has - it's the size of a freezer.

 

[macattack_ga]

Esab has great customer service... in Europe. Not the US. So finding someone that carries parts and Esab welders/plasma cutters/other equipment may be difficult compared to the big three that originate in the US.

PS having great difficulty restraining myself from getting the H190 /w spoolgun on amazon... they make it so easy to spend.

 

[Stumpalama]

Mac: no doubt! Amazon is the DEBIL!

 

[kulangot]

Esab has great customer service... in Europe. Not the US. So finding someone that carries parts and Esab welders/plasma cutters/other equipment may be difficult compared to the big three that originate in the US.

NOT TRUE!!!


Mac, my old friend, I hate to call you to the carpet on this one - but that is not true! Besides, when did you get into welding? :roll eyes: You got to stop cutting and pasting stuff when you reply to posts.

ESAB USA is headquartered down in SC

You can call Miller in Wisconsin, Lincoln in Ohio or ESAB in SC. What is the difference there?

So as far as "Customer Service" they are all equally accessible to anyone with a phone or email.


Product Information & Support Line:
1-800-ESAB-123
(1-800-372-2123)
Support Phone Hours:
Customer Service: M-F 8am-7pm ET
Equipment Technical Support/Warranty/100% Satisfaction: M-F 8am-7pm ET
Filler Metal Technical Support: M-F 8am-5pm ET
Accounts Receivable: M-F 8am-5pm ET

Welding & Cutting Equipment
P.O. Box 100545
411 South Ebenezer Rd.
Florence, SC 29501-0545
Phone: (843)-669-4411
Fax: (843)-664-4258

I have called all three personally: ESAB has GREAT customer service. I can't say the same for my personal experience with Miller. You experience may be different, mine was not great. Actually, to clarify - Miller had great customer service but their regional rep would not back my claim and denied my warranty coverage.

As far as local support - true, you are not going to walk into Arcet, Airgas, Roberts Oxygen or B&R and see a lot of ESAB sitting there but they ALL are authorized dealers and can get parts and machines to you. Parts are not a problem.

Most of all this:

http://esabna.com/us/en/support/satisfaction-guarantee.cfm

Quote:

100% satisfaction is always just a toll-free call away.
What happens if your ESAB product doesn’t perform to your expectations? What if you’re unsure about how to get the most from your product or how an ESAB product should work? Put the ESAB 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to work by calling our Customer Satisfaction Team at 1-800-ESAB-123, Press 8. Your representative will find the best solution for your question or problem, guaranteed, and make sure that you are 100% satisfied with the result. Count on ESAB to do whatever it takes to make it right for you – from helping you understand a process to helping you with a return, replacement or refund!


End Quote.


Remember, this is not some whacky company from some other country - ESAB INVENTED THE TIG PROCESS in 1940. They are a major player.

I tried one and I was hooked.

To bring balance to my post, I think if you bought the Hobart it would be all of the welder that you need and you'd be very happy with it. Just because I had a problem with my Millermatic Passport that came broken right out of the box does not mean that you will. And you probably don't need, can't justify and benefit from having a full strength industrial welding machine.

Ill probably get over being pissed at Miller and buy another one day but now I am a ESAB customer and a Lincoln Customer.

Rant Mode OFF!

 

[Stumpalama]

Yes, those ESABs are POWERFUL! I used a HD MIG at a buddy's machine shop while building some 80 series sliders. That thing could lay down some metal. I could definately feel the difference between it and my little 115V Lincoln when welding 3/16" and 1/4" plate. One pass and done with max penetration.

Though, for the hobbyist, or at least for me, the ESAB is more money and machine that I need. Like you said, If I were burning steel day in and day out I would put ESAB in the mix.

 

[kulangot]

Stump,

I would tend to agree, in General - the Hobart 190 is all the welder that most people would need. and is a good purchase decision for most. However, ESAB does make a lower end machine as well and it has a little better duty cycle for about $75 bucks more than the Hobart. Not a big Delta - certainly not like Snap-On vs Craftsman where there is a big price difference.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESAB-CADDY-...70778606246?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item5654208aa6

vs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOBART-Hand...582?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f23fcd806

But...for the same price more or less you can get that deal where you get the Hobart and a spool gun. Pretty good deal. For aluminum a must have and super handy for fixing cracked intake manifolds.

However, I'd have have the nicer arc characteristics and if I got a spool gun, I'd rather have a nicer spool gun and would pay more to get it.

Clearly, like Brian said he does not buy Snap-On because he is looking for value. If that is the thinking - get the Hobart. If you want a nicer arc and mainly welding on steel then consider the ESAB. With a money back guarantee, you can't go wrong. I tend to buy tools for the super long haul and don't mind paying more for certain tools to be Snap-On because I see the added value not offered by Craftsman. For example: Flex Impact Sockets - Not sold by Sears. A hammer? Sears is fine.

 

[Von Hayek]

Discussion moot...just received a Miller as a gift. Party on.

 

[kulangot]

My welding instructor said that someone will tell you that the very best welder is the one that person has. (everyone is biased one way or another and most want to defend the purchase decision that they personally have made)

I think you have one upped that in the very best welder is the one you got for free!

Take it over to Doug's and have him show you the ropes.

Are you still working on the 356?

 

[Von Hayek]

My welding instructor said that someone will tell you that the very best welder is the one that person has. (everyone is biased one way or another and most want to defend the purchase decision that they personally have made)

I think you have one upped that in the very best welder is the one you got for free!

Take it over to Doug's and have him show you the ropes.

Are you still working on the 356?

No, trying to sell it. It is just too much of a project for me. The floors have been cut out and and a new pan needs to go in and it is just not something I am in the position to tackle. Something about "kids" and "family time." It also doesn't help that there is not a nut or bolt on that vehicle that costs under $100.

 

[kulangot]

Very similar reasons for me not keeping mine.

$3500 for a used tool kit

$2,376.21 for a gas tank

$500 for a used workshop manual

I did however sell the car for 4x what I paid for it...

Makes a Land Cruiser seem reasonable to buy parts for!

Call Lewis Hauser at Karosserie in Fairfax, I'm sure that he would know someone who wants to buy it if Doug D. does not. Lewis is a great guy. His workshop and metal working skills are amazing.