I need advice on choosing a welder.

[hawkeye]

Ive been doing alot of prototypes and messing around. Ive been borrowing a small MIG from a friend but I want get my own.

What would you guys suggest that i get for a entry level MIG welder? I have 220v power. I dont want to spend to much $$.

Thanks

 

[fj40charles]

Ive been doing alot of prototypes and messing around. Ive been borrowing a small MIG from a friend but I want get my own.

What would you guys suggest that i get for a entry level MIG welder? I have 220v power. I dont want to spend to much $$.

Thanks

Do a search for Hobart Handler 187 or Hobart Handler 210. That is what I'd buy based on your requirement of not spending much $$. Do not buy any cheap made in china POS. Stick to Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln brands.

 

[SouthCoastMudder]

X2 If that is also out of your budget I wouldn't get anything smaller than a Miller/Hobart 140.

 

[jtree]

x3 on the hobart handler 187.

 

[yotawheeler]

if you dont have much money to spend then buy a little AC stick welder and learn to weld with that, AC/DC welder would be better but more bread...you can weld a wider variety of electrodes...stick welding is also probably cheaper...it just takes a little time to learn. you can use it on sheet metal, u just have to know how...and use a 3/32nd electrode instead of a 1/8...makes life alot easier

i have a millermatic 250 nd kinda wish i had gone for a stick or tig welder...much more versitile and just a plain stick welder is MUCH cheaper then a wirefeed

 

[chicago]

I got the Hobart 187 and dig it! Northern Tool had the best price when I was looking. They also have no interest financing...
I also have a Lincoln AC/DC machine.
MIG is MUCH EASIER to get working with IMO.

Chicago

 

[CruisinGA]

Happy with my Miller 175, infinite voltage control is nice. Running .035 solid wire and C25 gas. Couldn't be easier to get started. Will likely switch to .030 wire when this spool runs out. Keep .023 wire on hand for the thin stuff. Makes a big difference.

Go ahead and start looking at plasma cutters - you'll want one.

 

[LC_Hamma]

How thicka steel will you be welding typically? When I first started setting myself up for building trail rigs, I wanted a badass welder that could handle 1/2" in a single pass w/ a 100% duty cycle, so a used Lincoln 255 popped up locally for a good price & now it resides in my garage. I've only welded 1/2" once, but the point is buy a bigger machine than you think you'll need. Same with a plasma or air compressor. You don't wanna sit around & wait for your plasma to cool down or your air compressor to power up more air = time wasted. One more thing, buy a dual 220V receptacle so you're not constantly changing out plugs.

 

[ocdbeetle]

I was at National Welders looking at migs and the Miller Rep happened to be there....
I was looking at the Miller mig which would compare with the Hobart 187...The Hobart 187 was 599.00 from Tractor supply...the Miller was 660.00....The Miller rep said they were the same thing except the Miller had the "auto-set" feature....Miller makes Hobart (many notice a Miller gun with their Hobart purchase) and with recent upgrades the Hobart is a great buy compared to the same in a Miller....The Miller rep and the salesman at National Welders told me to go and buy the Hobart.....

 

[hawkeye]

I know how to weld ok, and I dont want a stick welder. I want to weld 3/8 if possible.

 

[davegonz]

I too recommend the Hobart 187. The damn thing is a breeze to use and has never let me down.

 

[-Spike-]

I too recommend the Hobart 187. The damn thing is a breeze to use and has never let me down.

x11eleventybillion.

-Spike

 

[justweldit]

your checking craigs list right ..... welders are easy to test drive might make your money go alot further?

 

[Leaping Deer]

your checking craigs list right ..... welders are easy to test drive might make your money go alot further?

x2 Picked up a MM210 off craigslist for $750 and I couldn't be happier.