I've been wanting a welder for a cuple years now. I tryed to talk my dad into a welder genarator but he didn't think we needed an arch welder. So I have been doing some resurch on mig welders. I would like it to be pritty cheep, becuase I will be paying for it. 110volt and able to use flux cord. I have looked at this one from hobart and this one from milller. I relize that miller owns hobart and they probaly are the same thing. The Miller tent at the airshow told me that hobart was the "home owners" verson of miller. I am not going to be welding anything much with it just some body work and maybe some tubing. If i need arch I can borrow one from a friend.

So what do you think, are my choices good, do you have any suggestions?

Coop

 

You can buy a cheep one that you have to use flux wire with but they are alot harder to weld with. The flux wire is alot higher when you go to buy more. If you plan on using a welder much at all, i would suggest a 220 amp and use 75/25 argon gas. you can buy a decent welder starting around 250. and you can rent a bottle from your local dealer, or purchase it for around 200. i would rent it if i was you. but if thats not in your budget you can buy a 110 cracker box for around 100 bucks. but like i said they are hard to use expecally on thin metal like body work. but thats just my opinion. But what do i know, im only 15.

 

I have used the little Miller not a bad welder for sheet metal. It is a LOT nicer with gas no flux to ciean up and it welds much better.You mite find a used one that someone traded in on a bigger one. shop around

 

I am planing on using the MIG but would like the option if i ever dont have a tank.

I already have tanks rented for the tourches so i dont think an argon tank would be a problem. I don't want 220 because I would like to be able to take it to a friends house and weld for them, hopefully paying for its self. I will check in my local classifyed flyer.

Coop

 

Well on welders. If you do much welding you won't like flux core.(I certainly didn't). I sure like argon mix gas . I bought a 260 amp mig welder and love it. ( $1600.00 )It has the 208V, 240V, 347and 440V. Having and using a 240 V @ 30 A breaker isn't hard to find and use. The option of having the 240V for welding is very good. I draw about 17 amps each leg. With having the 260 Amp the duty cycle is above what I need so not to worry about burning out the transformer. That size I can weld up to 3/8 ths" easily. Love designing and building things. Built a wood stove with internal water jackets last year for hunting. Had the option on an ex commercial mig welder and I welded 32/1000" wall and the weld was perfect. Was very happy with my first try.

With the 120V you will be limited to the metal size that you can weld and the (duty cycle) that you can use it without damaging it. This is the time on and off that you can weld. Don't know your age but you are going to have it for some years and if you like welding it (will) (maybe) not enough for you.

If you need more info will be glad to help .

 

i got a mig flux im real good with it too it just takes practice with them to not burn through

 

i looked at the units that you were talking about and they look high quality. Check the duty cycle on em. the the highest one possible. We have a older one that has 220 but its low cycle. so when im weldin it kicks off all the time because it gets to hot. So i just drag the stick welder out instead.

 

Get a millermatic 210, and have the friends come to you. Don't realize how many friends you got till you get a truck, or a welder.

 

Thats the truth

 

There is a Dually running around here with a Mig generator setup on it. IM not positive of the brand tho....

 

Probably a miller Bobcat. Had a chance to get one for a grand... wish I did.

 

If you can, try to avoid 110volt and flux core in the long run you will not be happy. Your freinds will always have something heavier then the welder in capably of welding. I have 2 miller 175 amp 220 volt, 1 300 amp miller. 1 lincoln 175 (tig) and a hobart 250. Love them all great welders. I have also found that 90/10 argon works great.

 

I have a 110 mig and a 110 stick for light quick work outside. I use my Lincoln 175 SquareWave for good work. Using 100% argon lets me mig or tig aluminum or steel.
Has anyone tried tig weld on cast iron? I did on an old chevy water pump w/cast iron rod and it flowed and filled great but I didn't test it or anything. It didn't crack just sitting inna junk pile for a few years.
Suggestions for improvement needed and always welcome

 

I have both AC/DC stick and wirefeed welders.
Go to your local welding supplier (Airco) and you can usually try out the units they have and see what feels good for you.
But what ever unit you decide to buy, the most important thing is to buy the BEST helmet you can afford.
The auto darkening are sure nice and make it alot easier to find where you are if you are stick welding, also take care of them.
Flash burns always feel worse at 4:00 A.M.

 

Does anyone make wleders that will work on 220 and 110 for a reasonable price? I would like to stay with 110because of how much easier it is for me not having 220 at my house, I would have to run it to the garage. What is the cycle on them, and why do i want the highest possibaly?

Jim, say I am tacking something together how long does it take the auto dimming mask to come back from being dark?

Coop