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For welding at least 1/4 steel what welder is the best bang for the buck

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Old 04-21-2005 | 07:45 PM
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For welding at least 1/4 steel what welder is the best bang for the buck

Got about an $800.00 budget for one. I saw a Hobart welder does anyone knoew if that is a quality unit?
Old 04-21-2005 | 08:22 PM
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Hobarts are good machines.The miller bobcat and lincoln ranger 8 are all about the same unit as the hobart.If you want a really bad machine,get a lincoln Classic 1.It is the same unit that they have been making for years with a new name.Used to be the SA-200.Probally alittle over your budget though.But they are the best.Had alittle trouble with the miller bobcats when they were new.We had 3 of them blowing oil past the seals at less than 2 hours.But I'm sure they have solved that problem by now.So we instead got a new lincoln.And its a hoss.But really more machine than most guys really need.But they last forever.I know a guy who has a 50's model SA-200 and it welds like a new machine.So good luck,I think a hobart would probally be a great choice.
Old 04-21-2005 | 08:32 PM
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Hobart is made by Miller. My last welder was a Hobart 180 amp MIG I loved it but anything bigger than 1/4 inch will probably require multiple passes, I bought it for 400 bucks used sold it with bottle for 500 and picked up a MillerMatic 250 amp MIG for $500 that was a STEAL for a welder that aint stolen. anyway Hobart Miller Lincoln or Century are good welders
Old 04-21-2005 | 09:17 PM
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Millermatic 215 I think is what I have. May want to stray away from the Lincolns. My welding instructor isnt too fond of them.
Old 04-21-2005 | 09:48 PM
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Are we talking stick or mig welders?
Old 04-22-2005 | 05:07 AM
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I have a old Lincoln AC/DC buzz box stick welder and prefer it over my Century MIG welder.....maybe it cause I'm a old school type of welder and learned to weld with a stick welder but I get better welds with a buzz box and I trust it to get better penetration then my Mig will
Old 04-22-2005 | 07:31 AM
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I'm talking mig. Like pappyman, It's what I learned on so It's what I use.
Old 04-22-2005 | 08:31 AM
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Get the small 110V Miller. Very nice machines and lot better service than Lincoln.


Roman
Old 04-22-2005 | 09:22 AM
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Yeah a 110 will be perfect for 1/4".
Old 04-22-2005 | 12:05 PM
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Miller vs Lincoln is like Ford vs Chevy. (Maybe this isn't a good place to use that) What color do you like. I just bought a Lincoln Power Mig 255c. Also looked at the Millermatic 251. Salesman offered to flip a coin for me. These type machines are so similar if you couldn't see the color you woudn't know one from the other. They have identical warrantees. I have heard that Miller's support is faster, should you need it. I have a Lincoln SP 125 Plus (110V) and it will weld 1/4" with inner shield wire but if you use hard wire and gas it's only good to about 1/8". I'd go for any of the big three 220V machines. They will do it with out running wide open and give you more duty cycle. I've used both the Lincoln and Miller, but not the Hobart. I'm sure the Hobart would be fine also. All of the 180ish machines should be in you're budget, not including a gas bottle if you're going that route.
Kim
Old 04-22-2005 | 12:45 PM
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I like the Miller matics, good track record. If you can stick weld that's the way to fly though, $300.00 and your welding. Get a Lincoln SA200, been around forever years and will last you 50............
Old 04-22-2005 | 01:13 PM
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i have 3 miller mig welders and a miller plasma cutter in my shop and love em. the last miller i bought off ebay (new from indianapolis) . it is the 175 . we bought it for our small parts production and use it on 1/4 stock all day and ocassionally on 3/.8 stock and it works fine.
Old 04-22-2005 | 02:27 PM
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Oh,my bad.I thought we were talking arc welders.So ya'll are right,miller is the best.But for a stick;nothing touches a lincoln.Sorry to confuse everbody!
Old 04-22-2005 | 02:32 PM
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had a Lincoln stick welder for years and it was a gem. bought a lincoln for my first mig and it was junk. shame that they did not develop a good mig as they had such a good reputation in the stick welder field.
Old 04-22-2005 | 06:04 PM
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how much welding are we talking? We use Millers at work, they are only 30% duty cycle so they aren't ideal for production work with welders running almost constantly.
There are even some knock off brands from miller that will work for home use.


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