Where to get a welder?

[jzilla]

So my old century welder has bit the dust. Need a new one to finish my bumpers and tire carrier.
I took the century to Barry Hamel just near the Port Mann, Kms said to take it there. They took it apart and said it could cost more money than it is worth.
So I am looking at getting a new one.
KMS? Barry Hamel?
Miller brand I guess?
Thoughts on brand and where to buy for best value?
Looked on craigslist, seem pricey on there, also I think new might be the way to go since it will hopefully last me 20 plus years...

It is kind of exciting to be getting a new welder, thinking I may be able to do better welding than with the 19 year old century?
The downside is the money I have to spend

 

[Fantom]

I'll assume you have already gone through all the usual battery of self questions about what kind and how powerful of a welder you need.

Obviously, name brands have their benefits. Warranty, service, support, usually good quality and part as well as accessory availability.
The more industrial the brand the more professional the product, and usually better built. Miller, and Lincoln have been around for age, personally, Lincoln always seemed a little cheaper in quality to me. Miller is expensive but holds it's value and is always in demand. Hobart is good, I think they are made by Miller as well, or in the same factory? something of that type. There are several others that are good. There are countless knock offs and no name brands, some of which are not bad.
I did a lot of research before I bought my Miller 252, in the end I bought it, a year and a half after it first came out, to make sure it was good and no silly returns were happening. After all it replaced the legendary 251. I have used it for 4 years, flawlessly, still runs like new. It cost $2200 4 years ago and it costs $2200 right now (on sale).
The nice thing is you get warranty for your parts when you buy new, if you can find a used one for a good price then look at that. On average, the good ones hold their value.
I bought mine at KMS in Coquitlam, I know the guys there, they are always very helpful (even when I don't buy anything). In the end, the product will be the same, find the least expensive one you can.

 

[jzilla]

Perfect thanks!, just the feedback I was looking for.
Yeah the guy at Barrey Hamel said new miller comes with 3 years parts and labour, I asked about the Hobart which they don't carry he said it is basically a Miller knockoff or something to that extent.
So looks like a Miller I will be going for.
I am sure there will be lots of new features to learn about

 

[jcolvin]

What about the Everlast units? Welder and plasma cutter in one. Plasma Cutters, Welders, Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipment, Diesel Generators, Welding Accessories, Consumables in Canada

For instance SuperUltra 205 - Welders, Multi Purpose Units, Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipments, Plasma Cutters, Diesel Generators
or
PowerPro 205 - Diesel Generators, Welders, Multi Purpose Units, Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipments, Plasma Cutters

 

[jzilla]

I think I will go with a Miller, for a bit more, they have a great reputation.
Just found this one, Seems like a great deal
Miller Mig Welder 211 Auto Set
For that price plus the cart it would be cheaper than the millermatic 180...(would save the tax since it was already bought)
The 211 is on for 1099 at kms now.
Was going to go for the 180, but if I can get the 211 for $1000 hmm

 

[canucksafari]

I 've got a used Hobart which I got for a good price - free. I see there is a very nice 3 phase Hobart on CL. It's a steal if you have 3 phase power.

 

[jzilla]

That thing looks insane haha.
What about this one?
★New in Box! LINCOLN Electric Mig Pak 180 230 V, 30-180 Amps★
I use the dryer outlet for power, and I want something that can handle at least 1/4 inch.
All these people with brand new welders kind of weird...

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I think I will go with a Miller, for a bit more, they have a great reputation.
Just found this one, Seems like a great deal
Miller Mig Welder 211 Auto Set
For that price plus the cart it would be cheaper than the millermatic 180...(would save the tax since it was already bought)
The 211 is on for 1099 at kms now.
Was going to go for the 180, but if I can get the 211 for $1000 hmm

The 211 is a great unit. I have a Hobart 175 and its worked flawlessly for 8 years, if I was to replace it today it would be with a miller 211.

My Hobart has all Miller parts inside it.

 

[Fantom]

Keep in mind that a unit running off 220-240V is usually more efficient and way better than anything you can get off 110-120V.
Miller does have a great reputation but don't limit yourself to just that. It was my choice after doing about a year and a half of research for what I needed.
Everyone will have an opinion and a preferance, look at the important factors:
What you will use it for
thickness of your materials welded (and add 30-40% for future)
the power you have access to now and hopefully down the road (I am kicking myself in the butt for selling my little Lincoln 110V, I've found times where my large 220V machine can't be taken and a smaller welder would work)
Then look at reputable brands, best models to suit your needs, accessory options (even if you think you won't right now, you'll end up likely getting an extra toy for it like a spool gun), warranty and level of service, ease of operation, etc. Then find the place that sells it for the lowest amount of money that also has a good reputation for service after the sale.

In my case, the 252 fit the bill perfectly, and KMS has always treated me really well, so when it went on sale again (doesn't often) I bought it.
Hobart is great, and when you take the cover off it looks like a Miller but with a couple pieces a little cheaper in quality.

Like with many other things, get the best you can afford.

 

[Granite Grinder]

And to add to Mat's post: duty cycle
Welding for 5 minutes then sitting for 20 sucks, or risk burning out your machine by exceeding the duty cycle. My Miller just starts producing crappy welds when the duty cycle is near, you can hear the difference when laying a bead.

 

[AJAEbj42]

These might be on the industrial side, but Ritchie Bros Auction is at the end of May...

http://www.rbauction.com/search/Y2k...Jk50az1FcXVpcG1lbnQuZW4mTnR0PXdlbGRlciZOdHg9/

 

[canucksafari]

These might be on the industrial side, but Ritchie Bros Auction is at the end of May...

Search Results | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

Oh great! Just more stuff to drool over.
Misc Shop, Warehouse, Consumer for Sale | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

 

[Fantom]

I work for the company that does the sound for their auctions. Yes they have a lot of great stuff, usually, because you are going against other interested people, things are rarely a great deal. Those cabinets were selling for around $1200+ if I remember, they are heavy duty and well made though.
Only thing I've always found worth looking at was cars, they get sold first thing in the morning and you can usually find a good beater for $1000-2000.
I would not count on getting a great deal on something there or any other auction that deals with that type of equipment. Only chance you have is a place that normally does not sell industrial, has a couple lots and the crowd isn't interested in it. Then you'll get good deals. Also, ever since Ritchie Bros went into online live auctions as well it has been that much harder to get a "good deal"

 

[jzilla]

The 211 on craigslist was sold before I got to it.
Anyhow I bought the Miller 180 at Barry Hamel.
I would have bought it at KMS but since I bought it at BH the guy shredded the labour bill for the century that I brought in (saved me $85 which made it cheaper than going to KMS). They also unpackaged the Miller and made sure everything worked.
The tech also showed me what to do to try and fix my century, so when I get time I will work on it, if I can fix it I can always sell it and make some money back.
The 211 may have been the way to go, but in the last 10 years I never needed its features, and I don't have much coin to spend as I am driving across Canada this summer.
So hopefully the 180 does what I need for many years

 

[jzilla]

Thanks for all the replies btw

 

[Granite Grinder]

You'll never go wrong dealing with Barry Hamel, that's where I bought my Miller machine a hundred years ago. Their service is stellar

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

The 211 on craigslist was sold before I got to it.
Anyhow I bought the Miller 180 at Barry Hamel.
I would have bought it at KMS but since I bought it at BH the guy shredded the labour bill for the century that I brought in (saved me $85 which made it cheaper than going to KMS). They also unpackaged the Miller and made sure everything worked.
The tech also showed me what to do to try and fix my century, so when I get time I will work on it, if I can fix it I can always sell it and make some money back.
The 211 may have been the way to go, but in the last 10 years I never needed its features, and I don't have much coin to spend as I am driving across Canada this summer.
So hopefully the 180 does what I need for many years

Good choice. You'll be happy with that machine. Duty Cycles come into play on production lines but seldom when doing personal fabrication. I spent most of the time scratching my head and coming up with new designs, perhaps sipping a beverage.

Grab yourself some .030 and .035 S6. and play with heat settings (I bet you have Autoset for the wire speed)

.023 is nice for body work but I've always managed with .030.

Happy welding.

 

[seapotato]

That's the same machine I have.

I thought the autoset was kinda gimmicky when I bought it, but it actually works great. Its all I ever use...

I've only had the duty cycle overheat light flash at me once. ..kinda deserved it. Welding full blast for waaaay too long...

And yep an 11lb spool of .030 and you're good for months. Way cheaper than the small spools in the end.

 

[jzilla]

Yes it has the auto-set. Have some .030 wire that I was using before and I bought another big roll.
Was playing around with the welder just now...the auto-set is not bad. I was welding some 3/16 and had the auto-set on. Almost seemed a bit better if I had it near 1/8th though, less spatter. But I guess the more heat you have for thicker metal the more spatter? Does this seem right?
Welds about the same as the century from what I can tell, but I am no expert.

I have to make myself a cart though or something, a pain lugging it in and out of the house, ten years of that is getting old!

 

[Fantom]

The auto set is ok, I have always preferred fine tuning the welder to my liking and material I am using. Like Cam said, it's great for production, where you are always swapping back and forth between stuff but most common fabrication is usually done in one or two thicknesses and that's it.
The only issue I have ever had with my Miller 252 is that it has too much power. I found all the settings on it to be too high for what I was doing. When I weld 18ga (which is a pain because I have to change spools) I end up several settings below their "recommended" ones otherwise I just burn through. On thick materials I usually sit below the settings as well, it just cooks.
Spatter is due to several things, the dirt of the material, not enough gas, wrong setting, or even the filler wire. I have noticed that the no name stuff is terrible for spatter. My old Lincoln would not accept anything but Lincoln filler - it was beyond weird, I tried Miller, I tried KMS' normal brand and a couple others and all would spatter twice as much as Lincoln's.
Getting the antispatter spray will cut down on clean up time and make everything prettier.