First time buyer: Welder. What do I get?

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NYC FJ62

NYC FJ62

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Oct 31, 2009
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Hi all.

I'm looking to pick up a welder for the first time. I plan on using it for typical automotive repairs/fabrication. Nothing too craftsy.

I'm not sure what specs to look for as its my first time. don't want to break the bank. I dont mind picking up something used/old as long as it gets the job done.

What specs do I need to be able to do body repair, and also be able to weld to the frame?

:beer:
 
INO. I like the linclon 220v (i own a 180hd) bought it off ebay for 520.00 free ship new in box.

a wire feed will allow you to turn it way down with a small wire. turn it up and weld 1/2 inch plate with multi passes

they are the easy to learn how to use. much easyer than a stick

you can weld without gas but it's not very clean.

the draw backs are price over stick is greater. the welding surface has to be clean.
 
some of the new 100v are supposed to be improved enough to weld automotive.

I had a lincoln 110. years ago did not like it for anything more than mufflers
 
Get a 220v machine. You may not 'need' it now, but you'll definitely want it later.

I'm really impressed with my Hobart 187, but I'm no expert.
 
What specs do I look for ?

Keep in mind this is just to do general repairs at home. Maybe some light modifications such as motor mounts, body repair, muffler repair. Maybe custom stuff ?

What should I be looking to pay for a welder for what I need one for ?
 
I'm a welding novice but buy the most machine you can. I have a Miller dual voltage Mig and practiced with 110V until I ran 220V to the garage. Big difference. I passed on a Craigslist Miller XMT for $1300 as I would have had to buy a feeder for MIG and I thought it was more machine than I'd ever use. Now that I've taken some welding classes and tried different methods and machines, I'm kicking myself. Yes they are expensive but I really think you get what you pay for with welders.
 
Uncle Grumpy said:
I'm a welding novice but buy the most machine you can. I have a Miller dual voltage Mig and practiced with 110V until I ran 220V to the garage. Big difference. I passed on a Craigslist Miller XMT for $1300 as I would have had to buy a feeder for MIG and I thought it was more machine than I'd ever use. Now that I've taken some welding classes and tried different methods and machines, I'm kicking myself. Yes they are expensive but I really think you get what you pay for with welders.
Click to expand...

XMT 304 or 350 CC/CV with a external feeder is a nice setup. You can use it a wire feeder or a stick welder. Makes for a nice portable setup if you need 250 amps at 60% duty cycle with single phase 230v input power.

Do a search on "first welders" or "hobart 187." You'll see many threads on buying a welder.

Yes, you do get what you pay for. Buy a name brand welder such as Miller, Hobart, Lincoln, Esab and you'll be okay.
 
Don't waste your $$ on a 110v machine. Save a few more dollars and buy a machine with the capacity and duty cycles you might need some day. Consider this...if you purchase a new 110v machine now at say $500-600 and 1, 2 or 5 years from now you need a 220v machine to build that linked 40 you've been dreaming of now you'll be out another $700-1200+. What you spent on purchasing two machines you could have saved and used towards the plasma cutter you now want.

Also, used is a good thing especially when you can test drive it. I was not in a hurry and set my sights on a few specific machines from Miller & L-Tec (now ESAB) and it didn't take long to find what I wanted at a great deal. Check out CL, there are deals in your area.
 
Found a Lincoln 220v Weld Pak 155 with Gas conversion done to it. $150.

Comes with 75 Feet of gas hose and 10Ft gun.

Read good reviews on this unit.
Hopefully no one has snatched it yet and I can pick it up.
 
NYC FJ62 said:
Found a Lincoln 220v Weld Pak 155 with Gas conversion done to it. $150.

Comes with 75 Feet of gas hose and 10Ft gun.

Read good reviews on this unit.
Hopefully no one has snatched it yet and I can pick it up.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an ample unit for what you described you would be using it for. You can easily sell it for that price if everything works on it. Double check that it feeds wire just fine...sometimes the liners on the feed are worn and need replaceing...kinda pricey.

I owned a small stick welder first. I never got good at it and lamented often about not being able to effectively work with sheet metal...despite using a stitch welding gun, thin rods, special rods, etc. I ended up buying a MIG and have never looked back.

I own a Hobart 187 and picked up from Sears on sale...with a coupon...on a shipping holiday window....been happy ever since and can everything I need on the my truck....panels, spot welds, frame repair, bumper fab...fixing the neighbors stuff...etc.
 
Looks like a great way to get extremely frustrated- you won't know if the welds look like crap because of you or your no-name welder. I'm sure getting parts will be a lesson in frustration as well.
 
NYC FJ62 said:
Does this look like an OK welder to learn to weld with, possibly fix exhausts, make motor mount brackets, etc?

Flux MIG WELDER 151 120AMP GAS WELDING MACHINE 220V NEW - eBay (item 190356902205 end time Dec-16-09 16:39:00 PST)
Click to expand...

You see welders like this all the time on Craigslist for $100 because people buy them and find they aren't useful. They either go and get a real machine or are done with welding because they weren't good at it (because of the machine).

I picked up a Lincoln Weldpak 100HD from Home Depot. Then got the gas kit. I should have just bought a used 220v welder in the first place. I found my Millermatic 210 on Craigslist for $750 and I love it.
 
I have never welded or really looked into it until now.

I am a car guy, and have done motor swaps, tranny swaps, etc. I have never had the need for a welder personally as I have friends that own shops/have welders but now I see myself needing to weld more and want to learn to weld on my own.

Still looking around........
 
NYC FJ62 said:
I have never welded or really looked into it until now.

I am a car guy, and have done motor swaps, tranny swaps, etc. I have never had the need for a welder personally as I have friends that own shops/have welders but now I see myself needing to weld more and want to learn to weld on my own.

Still looking around........
Click to expand...

How thick of metal do you plan to weld?

Not a car guy myself but lift kits and trailers are close.

If you have 220 single phase power. Doing cars. A 200 AMP MIG is all you need.
 
I agree w/ some of the others ,buy what you can afford !
A 110V unit is ok but a 220v would be better.
Think of all the mods Cruiser guys do . It starts with 33's then 35's w/ soa so on and so on.
You can always get a bigger better unit later but if you think you want to learn and progress with it, buy the best you can get. It makes a difference.
Mig units are nice to have they are quick and easy to use. I prefer Tig.
You can get units that are single phase as well as three phase so you could plug it in any where. I have the miller dynasty 200dx and it welds what ever I feal like welding.

Do you know anyone with a welder that would let you try it out?
 
Ive got a Miller 175 for sale 220v with regulator for Argon. Very simple unit to use plus can weld from16 gauge to 5/16" no problem, looking for $750 plus shipping. Very cleana nd runs great. Just upgraded so its just sitting in the corner. email me for pics
 
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