Welder Opinions Wanted

[herb101]

Originally Posted by shifty

Read that thread cdowns is talking about. it's permanently stuck to the top of the welder forum.

Some thoughts - I went for a Lincoln 175 Weldpak on eBay, paid $325 I think (new in box!!), used it the first time the other day to fix a bed frame, sadly enough. Saved me $50, now the wife can't ***** at me anymore, it's paying itself off

Buy the biggest/best you can afford in your budget now - you want to make this a one-time deal.

Include budget for a tank filled with 75/25 mix (argon + CO² mix).

Include budget for either a) the steel to build you a weld cart or b) to buy a pre-made one from CyberWeld.com or a similar store online (making a cart is a good first project, but one that I avoided )

Include budget for any extension cords you will need, and if your welder is 220v only, budget for the supplies you will need to wire your breaker box - breeakers, outlet, wire, and cost to have someone wire it properly to code if you don't know how.

Include budget for gloves, and a decent helmet, autodimming if you want.

Buddy up with the guys at your local weld supply shop.

"Duty cycle" is supposed to be an important figure with regard to your welder. the 110v units just don't have it.

If you stick with Miller, Hobart or Lincoln, you can't go wrong. Start looking at name brands, you'll be screwing yourself.

Most of the package deals you get at the store come with a free video, which is bonus.

All excellent points! Thanks

I have a bit of an advantage as I already have a Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC stick machine and, therfore, all of the paraphenalia associated with welding (gloves, AD hood, etc.). I also have a TIG (heli-arc) torch attachment for the crackerbox welder and the stuff to go with it (flowmeter, bottle of Argon, account at local welder's supply, etc.), so I'm not starting from scratch....get it - arc joke

The machine size is solid in my mind - a 110V unit will be too small for me and a 250 A machine on running gear is out of my budget. I have the provisions for power (I do electrical work, among other things), so that will not be an issue. I did read through the referenced thread, but didn't really find the info I am looking for (mostly looking for "user reviews" of these machines). Some of the links have provided me with good info and hopping from those links have as well. Based on my research so far, I am leaning stongly toward the Hobart 187. We have 6 local supply places in town - Praxair, Airgas, AOC, Mathess and a couple others, so local support of any of the big 3 should be OK. I have a hard time paying $150 more for the same machine to "buy into" my local support. If my consumables bussiness is not enough for them, I find another place.

Herb

[arkracing]

[QUOTE=metalmassfab;2084284]much less splatter than the 175, and 251 - nill on the splatter. QUOTE]



I don't understand.

Shouldn't make a differance if the machine is 115 or 230

[shifty]

Herb, I will say this: I have very little MIG experience, but I was overjoyed to see what my Lincoln 175 would do. I probably sat in one small area too long (2-3 seconds), and it literally melted a section the size of a quarter in the bed frame I was working on - fortunately this worked in my favor. This was on roughly 1/8" thick steel I am very confident that this thing could do a number on a truck frame - and I am using mig with solid wire, not flux core. I think the inside of the box says to use flux core if you're doing anything over 3/8" but I am still needing to look at the chart to know what to use.

I am a super newbie when it comes to welding though, so ... obviously I wouldn't rely on anything I said - I can only share my experience, and everything I've typed in here so far has been my experience

[ryanroo]

I say miller axcess 450... HAHA 10 grand.
that is what i use at work everyday, i weld half inch plate almost every day and i was welding 3mm(1/8") material today. go big if you can. when i get myself a welder in the next year or so, it will be a miller 251 or if i think i can swing it a miller 350 CC/CV. the 350 is a power unit that can supply for TIG MIG stick air-arc and flux core. besides being 4 machines in one, it has pulsed mig capbility, which is nice. or a miller 350p which is rated for 22 gauge through 1/2 single pass, you can also get a push pull gun for it so you can use a roll of aluminum wire instead of a spool gun
ryan

[herb101]

Pulling it back down to the realm of reality....


I ordered the HH187 tonight - less that $675 shipped and I'll have it next week. Can't get to a point to use it until well after that anyway.

Herb

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by herb101

Pulling it back down to the realm of reality....


I ordered the HH187 tonight - less that $675 shipped and I'll have it next week. Can't get to a point to use it until well after that anyway.

Herb

Good choice. I got the HH180 a couple years ago. It's a great machine. I've had no problems with it at all. I've mostly been working with 1/8 to 1/4 steel.

[boraxman]

I have a HTP 200 I still havent even tried.

[metalmassfab]

[QUOTE=arkracing;2085326]

Originally Posted by metalmassfab

much less splatter than the 175, and 251 - nill on the splatter. QUOTE]



I don't understand.

Shouldn't make a differance if the machine is 115 or 230

It shouldn't, but it does. I had all three of those welders at one point, and the little guy splattered the least, by far. I tried different cords, breakers, outlets, wire sizes, gas.... kinda weird. Been using it almost daily on 14 ga. to 3/16" for over 4 years. The tips last over a year, just used the 3rd one that came with the machine a few months ago
I know, sounds like liar material its true.

[jodydewey]

[QUOTE=arkracing;2085326]

Originally Posted by metalmassfab

much less splatter than the 175, and 251 - nill on the splatter. QUOTE]



I don't understand.

Shouldn't make a differance if the machine is 115 or 230

It makes all the difference in the world. Using a 115V machine adds convenience since you can plug it in anywhere. Unfortunately, a 115V machine is limited on how thick you can weld. I have a Lincoln SP135 and I love it. It is 115V and so far has done everything I have asked it to do. I also have a Lincoln PrecisionTIG185 and since it is 220V it takes up where the SP135 left off. TIG is definately a great way to weld but sometimes it is not practical to weld with since it has a foot pedal current control. My skill level is also not so good on vertical welds with it. One of the advantages of buying a Lincoln SP135 is all of the consumables, tips, and torch supplies are available at LOWES. Having a local welding store is great but their prices are usually high and my local AIRGAS store isn't open on Sundays.

[arkracing]

[QUOTE=jodydewey;2086418]

Originally Posted by arkracing

It makes all the difference in the world. Using a 115V machine adds convenience since you can plug it in anywhere. Unfortunately, a 115V machine is limited on how thick you can weld. I have a Lincoln SP135 and I love it. It is 115V and so far has done everything I have asked it to do. I also have a Lincoln PrecisionTIG185 and since it is 220V it takes up where the SP135 left off. TIG is definately a great way to weld but sometimes it is not practical to weld with since it has a foot pedal current control. My skill level is also not so good on vertical welds with it. One of the advantages of buying a Lincoln SP135 is all of the consumables, tips, and torch supplies are available at LOWES. Having a local welding store is great but their prices are usually high and my local AIRGAS store isn't open on Sundays.

Did you read the entire theard before posting

He said that he gets less spatter with a 115 machine vs. a 230 machine - should really make a differance.

[herb101]

It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here!

Yea!

Now to get a bottle and try it out! I went to Cyberweld for it and they had it backordered, but it showed up today.

Herb

[metalmassfab]

Originally Posted by herb101

It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here! It's here!

Yea!

Now to get a bottle and try it out! I went to Cyberweld for it and they had it backordered, but it showed up today.

Herb

Happy B-day!!! The best try out for a new welder...build a custom cart for it!

[timcos]

OK...so went to my first welding class last evening.

I really like the pulsed welding....I think he called it spray mig welding...man it was smooth.

Of course it was 208V.

[herb101]

Originally Posted by metalmassfab

Happy B-day!!! The best try out for a new welder...build a custom cart for it!

Yep, yep - that's the plan.

Then fix the Willys clutch cross-shaft, then steps/sliders for the Blazer, then body panel learning on the Scout, then more practice on the Willys body, then bumpers for the Blazer, then bumpers for my son's Jeep, then more bodywork on the Blazer....

And then in May.....



Herb

[ChevyDude]

I'm buying a Miller 210 as soon as funds are available.

[glock35ipsc]

Good choice Alex!! You won't be disappointed!

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Good choice Alex!! You won't be disappointed!

Yep yep yep....I did a lot or research and reading...I think it will do just about everything I need for this 67-72 truck building dieseze I seemed to have been aflicked with!

[72 Cheyenne402]

What is the best mig for under 500.00 bucks

[72 Cheyenne402]

I am looking at a Lincoln 175T and a 180C I just like the price of the 175 better

[Tigman]

23 years as head fabricator in winston cup says LINCOLN!! RED!! NOT BLUE!!

[BAGGERSOCAL]

I bought a lincoln Weld pack 155 several years ago and its still new in the box this will be my first time using it hopefully it will take care of my welding needs for now. 230V

[herb101]

Originally Posted by 72 Cheyenne402

I am looking at a Lincoln 175T and a 180C I just like the price of the 175 better

The T indicates a tapped transformer, where you get usually 5 voltage settings. The C is continuously variable so you can set voltage setting between those available on the tapped model. That is why the T verision is less - less expensive parts required. For most hobbiests, the tapped selections will do just fine. I have heard that beginers even have more trouble with the C models, due to the ability to fine tune it to be totally wrong for the project at hand. One of the reasons I looked into the Hobart is that the 187 has 7 taps, rather than the usual 5, getting closer to the 'perfect' setting without springing for a C model's price.

Herb

[Tigman]

The new MILLER's have a micro-switch in the trigger which WILL give you trouble if you use it everyday!! Better order a spare! Lincoln uses a simple contact that's trouble free.