MIG Welder.

[96Cruiser13]

So for my 24th birthday, my parents are bugging me to buy me something, as many times as Ive told them they don't need to get me anything they insist.

So I'm going to get a welder for the house. I want something i can take with me if i need to help a buddy out or something so 120v is important. Not too picky about other things, like duty cycle or gas/flux.

Been leaning towards this one Hobart Handler 125 EZ Welder - 3806489 | Tractor Supply Company

What would the differences in that and this be? http://www.tractorsupply.com/weldin...mig-welders/hobart-handler-140-welder-3812040
Anything major?
Reviews look good, but I'm a novice welder, so if there's anything you guys know, that would help me out; feel free to speak up.

Thanks a lot,
Ryan

 

[DavidAW]

So for my 24th birthday, my parents are bugging me to buy me something, as many times as Ive told them they don't need to get me anything they insist.

So I'm going to get a welder for the house. I want something i can take with me if i need to help a buddy out or something so 120v is important. Not too picky about other things, like duty cycle or gas/flux.

Been leaning towards this one Hobart Handler 125 EZ Welder - 3806489 | Tractor Supply Company

What would the differences in that and this be? Hobart Handler 140 Welder - 3812040 | Tractor Supply Company
Anything major?
Reviews look good, but I'm a novice welder, so if there's anything you guys know, that would help me out; feel free to speak up.

Thanks a lot,
Ryan

Those are some good reviews and price.
I was in the same place, novice, when I got mine. Mig135 from northern tool, house brand. It got good reviews as well. I have been happy. It did come with the gas gauges and hookup. I rented a tank but havent welded too much small stuff. The 110Vs need the flux wire for anything thick.

 

[NCFJ]

If you plan on doing any heavy welding such as frame work, bumpers etc I would suggest re thinking the 120V. You will learn much faster and do much better work with a 220 unit. Almost any place you may want to take your welder like your pals house will have a dryer with a 220 outlet. All you need then is a heavy extension for the welder.

The 120 just makes things take longer due to things like mutiple pases and it simply will not produce the strength of welds that a 220 unit will.

THIS IS OPINION!!!!! some will swear by a 120 unit

 

[Mtbcoach]

I agree with Stan. There are some that will be dual voltage but the extra costs don't give more power to weld heavier materials.

I went through this a few years ago and went with a Miller 180, not regretting the extra cost...

 

[fourtrax]

Ryan, I have had my hobart 120 handler for about 17 years now. while it has been a real trooper it has some limitations. 1st you need a good 20 amp outlet and you need to keep the power cable short or use a high quality 20 amp extension cord. the duty cycle on the 120v units are light, which means you need to weld for shorter times and let the welder rest for longer times when welding thick material. Unless you need the welder to be portable or do a lot of body (sheet metal) work I would recommend the 220v version as well. don't get me wrong both 120 and 220 versions are very capable welder. most come with flux core (gasless wire) which is easy to weld steel and will even weld with rust, you just have a lot of splatter (more cleanup time) with the shielded gas option you will get cleaner welds ( mostly due to a lack of splatter) there are two types of shielded gas argon (for aluminum) and argon/co2 (steel). which ever way you go get a good helmet and gloves. do not use solvents such as carb or brake cleaner to clean material when welding, as the fumes can quickly destroy your lungs. read up on welding safety and have fun.
just a start.
Welding Health Hazards

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Got to agree with all of the above.

Once i get enough funds together and talk the better half into it i will be getting a 220 also. For the time being though, if i am welding heavy stuff i break out the Stick welder.

 

[96Cruiser13]

Thanks fellas,

I dont plan on doing much thick plate steel, but i plan on fabing up some tube bumpers/sliders. Stuff like that. But unplanned fixes always come up.

Is it impossible to weld thick plate with every 120v mig? Is there not a way to layer the welds or anything? Because dont you need a seperate breaker for a 220 outlet? I'm very new to this so i hope my questions arent too dumb.

I'm not completely against getting a 220, but i'd LOVE to be able to plug it in anywhere.

Thanks again
Ryan

 

[mtweller]

It's worth the hassle of find 220V outlets. Others have said it and I'll reiterate. It's like me and my compressor - god I wish I'd have gone ahead and bought a 2-stage....

R

BTW - Sliders and tubing is usually what would fall into the "thick" category, IMO. 0.25 wall tubing is going to be tough on a 120V welder and don't even think about welding a cage on 120V unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

 

[rockdragster]

it is not impossible to weld thicker metal with the 120 machines. multiple passes will be necessary b/c u will not be able to carry as much metal. I have a dual voltage machine and it is night and day difference. I wish my machine was bigger in fact , but I do alot of welding. On the other hand I have used a 120v machine all day (not by choice but it was all I had) and it got us byin Haiti. I would push for a 220 machine. For bigger stuff Ill it weld for you im not too far from you.

 

[96Cruiser13]

Just thought about this. I have a generator that has a 220v outlet on it. Would that run a nice welder?

 

[Mtbcoach]

Just thought about this. I have a generator that has a 220v outlet on it. Would that run a nice welder?

Mine is rated at 21.7 amps, at 220V, thats right around 5kw. So, if your generator is running that much output power, it should...

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I used my 120 Volt Miller for my front bumper built on my 60. It did not have a problem doing it. Non of my welds broke on the 55mph impact, but it did bend 3/8 thick metal.

 

[NCFJ]

How far is your dryer from your shop? I use a 50' chord on a regular basis in the shop and never have an isse.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

How far is your dryer from your shop? I use a 50' chord on a regular basis in the shop and never have an isse.

Did the very same thing in my last place. Built my own extension cord for just that. Well, maybe over built it but it never let me down.

 

[96Cruiser13]

The generator is 8.5kw. So it sounds like it will work

For the record, my shop is on the other side of the house than my dryer, but i have a hotel air conditioner/heater thats 220 pretty close

 

[jfz80]

Ryan,

Youve got great advice so far.

I went through the same decision trying to get a good welder on a budget.
I too would say hold out for the 220 and recommend checking out some of the Harbour Freight stuff.
Some write off all their stuff as Chinese junk but I felt it was a great way to get a welder in the garage with a warranty and be able to afford all the accessories too. I have a friend that has been welding with his HF unit for 4 years. Dont forget about the accessory costs, or ask you parents to buy you a bigger/better welder and you grab all the gear. It adds up too. I was stoked to get a welder on sale for 150 but ended up at 400 bux or so after gloves, jacket, helmet, wire, cart. You are playing with fire in a sense so the house should have an extinguisher and it should be close by when welding.

I got this unit with a coupon for 150. Join their lil club and get super coupons or go buy a popular mechanics/science and there is always a 20% off anything coupon in there.

http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...0-amp-220-volt-flux-and-mig-welder-94164.html

mild, alloy, and stainless capabilities, no aluminum

heres there others, the 151 is what i was after with a 5% greater duty cycle but no stainless

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders.html

and dont forget craigslist. I found some sweet Millermatic and miller 230's but was always a day late or a state away.