Another "what welder to buy" thread

[barronj]

Yep! Gas water, heat, dryer, cooking... now all I need is a decent gas welder!

 

[bigbadktm]

check out the miller DVI 2. When I was looking for a welder last year, I did all kinds of research and had it between the DVI 2 and the miller passport. Well even though it cost more, I went with the Passport and couldn't be happier. Both machines will do 110 or 220, just a switch of the plugs and you're set. But for the money, you cant beat the hobart 140, made by miller now, or at least like mitsubishi is to chrysler.

 

[Explorer]

Hobart Handler 140, $479 at Tractor Supply or MillerMatic 211 at Indiana Oxygen, under $1000, free shipping. Don't waste your money on the cheap China brands.

 

[gddyap]

Millermatic or Hobart Handler 140. Check cyberweld.com. They usually have free ground shipping.

 

[bigbadktm]

Indiana oxygen is where I priced out all the welders I was looking at, had the best prices IMO

 

[blakerj10]

For what it is worth, I bought my first welder two years ago. I bought a Hobart 187 which is the 220 model, but the smallest one they make. It is a great unit and they are some how affiliated with Miller. Mine even came with a Miller brand gun. If 110 is all you can do, I still think you will be happy- buy a name brand one, that way you can sell it if you ever need to upgrade.

I use the lowest settings on mine the majority of the time- body work, fabbing little brackets, modifying linkages, etc. That is where having a welder in your garage is invaluable. Its like super glue that works- Projects that used to seem real difficult, now you just zap it with the welder. I can't beleive I every got by without one and would have the same feeling toward a quality 110 model.

 

[Bundy]

Wow lots of responses and a few threadjackings... ;D

I thank everyone for their post, but no one was able to help me answer if the 110 140A Hobart 500500 will allow me to do shock mounts/hoops, cages. I see that this will be a good choice for body work, which is great but i want to do much more than body work.

it's says it will handle .025" steel... is that enough to do F150 shock mounts or a shock hoop in the front and rear?

 

[gddyap]

I think a 140 will handle what you want to do. You may have to use flux core on thicker stuff and sometimes have to make multiple passes. I read it can do 3/16 in a single pass. Only has 20% duty cycle though. That means for every 10 minutes you can weld for 2.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Yes, it will do the mild suspension work that you have mentioned. I don't think any of the parts listed are more then a quarter inch thick. The frame is not that thick. It will be fine.

 

[73bronco]

Haven't seen it mentioned yet but technique is almost more important than welder ratings! Practice sticking random pieces of thick steel to each other before welding something to your frame! I have seen welds burned in at higher amperages/voltages that broke because the technique sucked! I would trust a weld layed right with a 110V machine over a weld layed wrong with a 220V machine.

 

[Bronco717274]

I got the Miller matic 180 autoset I really love it's ease of use and also got the spool gun for alum. It's a 220 volt I got welder spoolgun for the alum. and full bottle of gas for 900. bucks.

 

[zerostar2410]

Sounds like ill be purchasing a Hobart this weekend from the responses. Thanks for the help even though its not my thread haha