Tool/Equipment Advice (1 Viewer)

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ocdbeetle

Joined
Aug 22, 2008
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Location
Florence, SC
After some internet research I'm going to buy a welder tomorrow.....

Any Advice?

Here's the criteria:

$500-$700 for The basic unit or package deal

Has to be 115V input

Needs to be good for a beginner

Items to weld will range from light sheet metal, square tube, 3/16 mild steel......?....I want to make a safari type rack for the 40.....

I was thinking about getting a Hobart or Miller MIG welder in that price range unless anyone knows something better or ?

I don't remember from the other thread about Gregs roll bar if any welders were among us......:)
 
Tech use to have a welding class, I considered taking it but have not checked into that yet. Do you know if they still have the short classes?
 
Check it out if you can, I would still be interested even during the day. I looked online but the website takes you around in circles and I planned to call them but never did.
 
ocdbeetle said:
After some internet research I'm going to buy a welder tomorrow.....

Any Advice?

Here's the criteria:

$500-$700 for The basic unit or package deal

Has to be 115V input

Needs to be good for a beginner

Items to weld will range from light sheet metal, square tube, 3/16 mild steel......?....I want to make a safari type rack for the 40.....

I was thinking about getting a Hobart or Miller MIG welder in that price range unless anyone knows something better or ?

I don't remember from the other thread about Gregs roll bar if any welders were among us......:)
Click to expand...

Good question, I hope someone can chime in on a good welder!
 
i just serched charleston craigslist and about 10 welders came up. there is one for 100.00 on james island up to 5000.00. seems that you can get one for alot cheaper than you budgeted.
 
I wouldn't reccommend a 110 unit. also, make sure it will accept gas.
Flux core wire makes too much splatter. Makes it much harder to weld also.
Lincoln, Hobart, and Miller all make good welders. I just heard that Lincoln parts are more expensive.
They won't accept generics.
 
ocdbeetle said:
I'm waiting to hear back from this guy:

Hobart 140 Mig Welder

I didnt want to have to worry about running 220.....Am I going to notice that much difference learning David?
Click to expand...

I am no expert (yet) but I can tell a difference when watching someone weld witht he 115 units as opposed to a 220 seems to be much harder to control and finish as they wish. Just my .02 worth.
 
flux core is good in windy conditions, bottle fed is good if you work solely in a shop or little to no wind. Invest in the best helmet you can afford, ur eyes will thank you, i miss using the auto darkening helmets at TTC
 
OK Gents - Its going to be the Hobart 180 from Tractor Supply for 599.00 Versus the Miller 180 for 806.00.........The 180 is 220V but I'll put in an extra outlet and be lovely....

I went to National Welders and looked at the Millers....The Miller rep was there and said Hobart was made by Miller and since the recent quality updates on the Hobart (plastic to metal) they're almost identical other than the "auto set" feature on the Miller....
 
I was going to suggest the MillerMatic 140, but the Hobart is nice too. I prefer an ARC welder in 210 and a mig in 110 for sheet metal work. I have used the MM140 and it is sweet, not sure about the Hobart, but I know they are a little better than the Lincolns. Now you should keep an eye for a deal on a plasma cutter. That is the next toy, er tool you will want.

Have fun!

Jeremy
 
Brock said:
That had a good write up about a Miller setup in the latest Toyota OffRoad magazine....I will read it tonight on the THRONE and then let you know what they said. LOL
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a standing date on the THRONE:ban:
 
Miller 165

The welder is the new MILLER DIVERSION 165.
Miller-Diversion-165-Pkg.jpg


It is a 165amp full welding output that can weld material from as thin as 22guage up to 3/16" in a single pass. It needs a 230V hookup with a 25-amp circuit like your wifes dryer uses. :D :D

It is based on their Miller's industrial inverter TIG machines...but does not have their duty cycle but the testers at Toyota 4WD said the home fabricator would never know the difference...or so they say.

They also include a DVD on welding as well as a book...TIG WELDING FOR DUMMIES with every purchase.

Some of the other things mentioned was a more ergonomic holding position for the TIG torch which has been a problem on other models...this one has swivel on torch handle allowing control cable to bend and move for you...



There are some write ups in other 4wd magazines online and in the March/April issue of 4WD Toyota Owner magazine I received this week in mail....

Good luck OCD...
 
OK - Thanks guys...
I bought the Hobart 187....230V Mig welder.....599.00 at Tractor Supply, another 360.00 for 25/75 tank and auto dark helmet from National Welders.....
That left a little mad money for a new 60 Gal Air compressor, Sand blast setup and some other misc metal tools......

I want to get the powdercoat gun/powders and oven then I'll be set for summer.....Thanks for helping out....
 
sounds like you went all out.......... hope ur sub panel can handle the amperage
 
BenMara said:
sounds like you went all out.......... hope ur sub panel can handle the amperage
Click to expand...

Yeah, going all out included an upgrade in supply for sure......new flux capacitor is going to take care of everything.....lol....
I had a dedicated line ran that will power my 230V equipment. I can keep the Compressor plugged in and uplug/plug the welder as I need to use it....
So - Unless someone is there working with, I'll only be pulling amps for one tool at a time....
 
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