Good all around welder?

[thirdstreettito]

I want to get a welder. I want to be able to do 3/8" thick steel and do bodywork as well. And it must save my wallet!

[lakeroadster]

Doing sheet metal and 3/8" thick with one machine is pretty much not an option if you want to do good welding and do it inexpensively.

A good GTAW (tig) set-up will accomodate the range you are talking about, but it is really expensive and you need good welding skills for GTAW. GTAW is not an entry level welding process.

Now for sheet metal only there are a lot of GMAW (mig) welders available and GMAW is an entry level welding process. My advise though is to get one that has gas shielding capability. I have a Lincoln SP-100 110 volt that is great for sheet metal. I have owned it for 15 years and have NEVER had any problems with it.

The other option for cheap is to get a Lincoln AC SMAW (stick) welder for the thicker parts but it is not for use on sheet metal.

FYI there are machines out there that do all (3) processes in one machine but they aren't cheap. I have an ESAB Multimaster GMAW / SMAW / GTAW (lift arc). But I still use my Lincoln SP-100 for all my sheet metal work. It is just much handier to use with it's smaller size and smaller gun.

I hope this helps.

[custom70]

I have the Hobart 140 and it has been a good welder for sheetmetal as well as light duty general welding. Would reccomend it, I think it was a little less than $500

[Indian113]

I have the Lincoln 175+ with gas and it does everything you want to do. I've had it so long I've forgot how much I paid for it.

[crushermechanic]

you can get a mig that will do both. you will need to find a 220v machine that will handle .030 wire. you can easily weld 3/8 with that. you will have to swap to a smaller wire like .023 to weld sheet metal.

[youhaveamonkey]

There are a lot of things to consider here. You could, with proper welding prep and some grinding, weld 3/8 steel with a lincoln 110v. You would to do it with FCAW and it would take several passes and proper grinding and prep at the end of each pass. This is fine if you are willing to take some time. For sheet metal, you will be fine with that machine. Even up to 1/8" steel. You will want to set it up with shielding gas for this process (GMAW or "Mig").

You need to answer a few questions. Which will you be doing more? Welding plate or welding sheet metal? What are you willing to pay? Remember that you will have to buy a regulator and a bottle (and fill it with gas) to weld GMAW. You will also need to buy a few other things to go with it, you will need a GOOD hood. DO NOT go to harbor freight and buy one of their ****ty hoods, your eyes will pay for it in the long run. you will also go through a few sets of contact tips which arent cheap, but arent really expensive either.

Lots to consider. Personally, I weld a lot at work, but in my garage, I have a 220v lincoln set up for GMAW. It does fine, but I weld mostly in sheet metal. The machines at work are generally Miller, and GTAW machines that are capable of stick welding. We also have a machine that is set up for FCAW, but we run it with shielding gas. We call it dual shield.... whether or not it makes a difference??? who knows? We use it for heavy steel, I beams, heavy channel. etc....

Hope that helps. Ask more questions. there are a lot of REALLY valuable people on here who will steer you in the right direction. Cheers!

-J

[cdowns]

a good welder for less than $1000 is miller gas 170 or 180 both 220v down to thin sheetmetal and doing chassis work for 3/8you best do the 2pass method tho


www.cyberweld.com

[blime81]

I think the Lincoln 110v 100, 140 etc are good little machines. Using flux core wire you can weld heavier stuff and they are great on sheet with gas. About $400 or so.

I wouldn't build a roll cage with one, you'll want a 220v for that.

BTW make sure you get one that has a gas setup. Many of the smaller (cheaper) machines don't.

['63GENIII]

I vote Blue. Millermatic 130 Plus. I learned on one 20 years ago and recently bought one and really like it. I tend to weld pipe and 1/4" plate. I've done shetmetal with some sucess, just haven't done alot. It will do 3/8 with multiple passes but it is pretty hard. My brother has the Miller 220v mig for the bigger stuff and an old (1940's) P&H tig welder that will do anything you put in front of it. The Millermatic is a good all around machine though.

[fabguy]

I agree with the miller recommendations although I have a Lincoln Invertec 350 pro that I use for TIG and when I need too, I hook up a DH-10 mig ( dual feeder system) that will do heavy steel also. I have 5 different miller machines and think that all the welders work great (no difference).

[68K30]

Watch E-bay for a Millermatic 200, they are 250 amp machine and were built to do from body work up to 1/2",are set up to run a spool gun (for aluminum) and are pre-wired for an optional spot/pulse panel, panel is hard to find but they are around. Ask any weldor, these machines are legendary.

Bill

[thirdstreettito]

So basically, I should get a small welder for body work. And a bigger welder for the "good stuff"?

[cdowns]

no need for 2 welders


if you really want some good info go around to local welding supply stores and talk to the guys selling and servicing them for a living.. they might also have tradeins and factory reconditioned machines at good prices// either way thier knowledge is free with no obligation for you to buy

[mongoose]

how often are you going to be doing 3/8ths?

I ask cuz it is doable on say 180/7 miller/hobart.. but it's on the upper limits.. ie beveling or some pre heating.

but yeah either of those should do you good, even a lincoln... I'm just not personally a fan of them... they have weird angled guns and it's harder to hold imo.

[jkade]

I bought a like new miller 180 off ebay for $450. That machine will weld anything on a old truck.

[thirdstreettito]

Thanks guys, looks like I'll be saving up for a Miller 180, its the best I've seen so far.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Thanks guys, looks like I'll be saving up for a Miller 180, its the best I've seen so far.

Keep your eye on craigslist and ebay. The miller I bought off ebay was close enough that I met the guy and picked it up, it even came with a cart. Your average person that buys a smaller welder will hardly use it so most of the time they are still in great shape used.

[donut]

For what you want, look toward 220v machines. I had a Lincoln Pro-Mig 180 that I recently sold for about 450 bucks (retails for about 650.00) It was enough to do sheet metal and repairs on my plow gear. In fact, I'm half checking locally for another similar.