another welder thread

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

So I've been thinking and it would be nice to have a 120v welder to keep at the house and take on trips, which one packs the most punch out of the 120's?

 

[22213evl]

hobart and miller make good ones, stay away from the HF ones.

 

[Explorer]

Depends on your budget. I've got a MillerMatic 211 that runs on 110 or 220v and will run on a generator.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

I don't want to spend over 500 and want to keep it in the 400 range.

something like this it looks good enough for stuff like body exhaust shock mounts bumpers ect.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

if I added up all the beer I gave out and gas I used to use friends equip I could have bought one by now.

 

[Explorer]

Hobart Handler 140 will be at your limit, but a quality machine.

 

[phred]

I've got an older version of the lincoln you posted. I've welded a bit of everything with it and had good results.

 

[patrickmitton]

You should try the ready welder it's a spool gun that is awsome...check them out and you will never go back to miller or lincoln

 

[Wyflyer]

whichever one you get, make sure it has steel drive rolls instead of plastic, and a replaceable gun liner. you get what you pay for with these, for years of service avoid the harbor freight junk and stick with brand names

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

does the hobart have steel drive wheels? I know you can get an upgrade for the lincoln

 

[Wyflyer]

does the hobart have steel drive wheels? I know you can get an upgrade for the lincoln

i dont know i've never owned a Hobart but it is a good name in the industry so it should have a good reputation

 

[recoiljunky]

I've got a 220V Hobart and I love it. It has steel drive wheels.

My breaker panel is in my garage, so dropping a new 220 line was easy as pie.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Biggest bang on 110V.
Miller Passport.
Didn't say the most affordable, but great bang for the volt.
Inverters are more efficient then old transformers but they do cost more.

Side benifit, if you have 220V around you can run that too.
Travels in its own Pelican case.
Never seen a better portable MIG welder

 

[JakeAlex]

Been looking to get one myself and found that TSC has the Hobart 140 for 479 I think. I'm told I don't have to run a bottle, then other say I will. I'm not sure exactly what running a bottle does but I do k ow that the #2 bottle at TSC is $120 and cost about $30 to fill it up. Also, a 10lb spool of steel wire is $30 vs $79 for flux core. As for helmets, TSC had the cheaper price on auto tints and lowes had a cheaper price on the cart ($89 vs TSC's cart at $105).

Maybe a little to much info but this is what I found last week. Figure I'll go with this setup.... Good luck

 

[Goldhawg]

I agree w/getting quality. If you have the room, look for a used Snap On FM-140. I see them on Craigslist/ebay for ~500$ routinely, and these things are industrial quality (100% duty cycle--weld all day). Can do up to 3/8 in steel in single pass, have the DC tig weld & spool gun attachment that you can also buy. I have an even older version M-140i, but it is one stout piece--I got for $300 on c/l (w/tank!).

If I had the $$ today, I'd buy the millermatic 211 mentioned above. It is the best solution for hobbyists who need an easy to use welder and don't need high duty cycle.

 

[deltarat]

does the hobart have steel drive wheels? I know you can get an upgrade for the lincoln

Yes, the Hobart 140 has steel drive wheels and is a good welder.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

Yes, the Hobart 140 has steel drive wheels and is a good welder.

well I am a fan of Hobart and Miller so I guess the Hobart 140 is at the front of the line since it comes with the steel rollers stock. it does max out my price range but like they say you get what you pay for I'm sure when I get back from this next deployment it will make a nice addition to my tools.

One thing I forgot to add is that my reasoning for the 120v is that it can weld 1/4 which is thick enough for just about anything I will do and Its sneeky see I live in military base housing, Ive already been warned that my broncos look real nice but they would look better out in town by the base inspector here so it's easier to fab stuff with a 120v welder and stay outa site.

 

[LEDCREATIONS]

I don't want to spend over 500 and want to keep it in the 400 range.

something like this it looks good enough for stuff like body exhaust shock mounts bumpers ect.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

if I added up all the beer I gave out and gas I used to use friends equip I could have bought one by now.

I have this one and I've been very happy with it.

 

[JB Fab]

An old fart told me when I was buying my first welder.....
"Good welders are not cheap, cheap welders are not good"

 

[goblin79]

i got a hobart 140 i dont use gas i build my toyota twice welded spiders done sheet meatle with it and use it for alot of other stuff i defenlty recomend its like stated above tsc has the for less than 500 you can also run a big spool insted of a small 1

 

[22213evl]

An old fart told me when I was buying my first welder.....
"Good welders are not cheap, cheap welders are not good"

words to live by, and proven every day.