Need new Welder Advice-Help

[fj40charles]

Thanks for your feedback. I guess what sold me was the direct comparirison of the Lincoln verus Miller welders on the Lincoln website. The Lincoln does appear to have some design advantages over the Miller. Other than that, they seem very similar.

Flash

Can you elaborate on the design advantages of the Lincoln? Keep in mind that not all Millers are great welders. Some models were well designed and work very well. There are some Lincolns that are good too.. Just need to buy the models that are good.

If I were a first time welder buyer on a budget that needed portability and had access to 230v, I'd buy the Hobart Handler 187 or 210. I think these are the best welders considering the cost and performance. These welders weld very well and have a nice arc.

 

[Mace]

Thanks for your feedback. I guess what sold me was the direct comparirison of the Lincoln verus Miller welders on the Lincoln website. The Lincoln does appear to have some design advantages over the Miller. Other than that, they seem very similar.

Flash

You decided not to get a non slanted evaluation on the machines?

Would you trust what a Nissan dealership said about a Toyota?

 

[yotawheeler]

You decided not to get a non slanted evaluation on the machines?

Would you trust what a Nissan dealership said about a Toyota?

my thoughts exactly...

if i were on a tight budget and JUST wanted to do steel i would go with a hobart machine...i have a miller 251 and love it, also like the fact that it will run aluminum with very few modifacations, i think all i would need is a spool or push pull gun to run aluminum...

in the end though i still vote for a TIG welder any day for versatility

 

[tyama]

Udder things

I would also add that getting a great welder and spending all your funds on that could make you unhappy if that's all you've got. Other pieces of equipment- a good helmet, grinder, a chop saw, a bench mounted drill press, and wire brushes used on the job are just as important. IMHO, I would say a chop saw is almost as important as a welder. If I were doing it all over again, I'd look at what I was going to do first and buy a welder to cover those needs. I'd buy a chop saw and a grinder right off the bat too if i had the funds. If not, I'd go with a abrasive blade for my circular saw, a cheap grinder, and a good hand drill.

I've got a 110 miller mig, a holbart ac/dc stick, and a small oxyacetylene unit and I think those cover pretty much all my needs. I like the stick as I want to see my puddle as I work it. Just my 2 cents. Best wishes on your new endeavor!

ty

 

[yotawheeler]

u know....i bought a good helmet, and then at a job they supplied lenses but only for the standard 2x4" wondow so i started using my cheap "crappy" mask because lenses were free instead of 3 bucks a hit and now i find that im reaching for my $30 flip mask with a polycarbonate (gold) lense before my miller elite...kinda weird...and a bit of a pissoff, i coulda saved myself $$$. otherwise yea..i would go for a bandsaw instead of a cut off saw, cleaner, less sparks. less mess. just my thoughts/experiences