Choosing A Welder?

[Hudson]

Not sure if this is shenanigans, if it isn't please feel free to move it to the right section.

I'm looking for a welder, preferably mig. I know to get started and what not stick is going to be cheaper, but i want to go with mig. It seems like that's what everyone is switching to nowadays. It also makes a nicer looking bead.

I'm looking for something that can weld up 1/4" easily. I guess if i want to constantly be welding 1/4" i should get something that's meant for something a little bit thicker.

I have no experience in welding at all. Never welded a thing before. It's just something that i want to learn. I can get unlimited scrap metal from where my dad works, so that's not the problem. I just need the welder and some argon.

I'm looking to stay with the big three; Miller, Hobart & Lincoln. This does not mean i want to just go out and blow a bunch of money on the most expensive one i find, i simply want something that has a good reputation. I convinced my dad that a welder was a good investment, and he's going to throw in half. (If it's 600$, he's throwing in 300.) Does anyone have any suggestions/input? Thanks.

Just in case anyone is wondering what i plan on making here's what i'm thinking up so far; Rear Bumper W/ Tire Swing out, Rockers, Quarter Panel Armor, Roof Rack, & Light Bar. I should be able to make all of this for almost free.

[customcreationsllc]

where are you going to be welding and what kind of power do you have?

Do you have a 220V plug. do you have at least a 25amp 110v plug?
Are you going to need to weld on an extension cored?

for 1/4" single pass you will need to get a 220 machine with a nice V groove and preheat you can weld it with a 110 machine. Some welders can plug into both.

But the biggest problem most people have is the power coming out of the wall. You loose a lot with extension cords and if the plug is far from the panel it is like a long extension cord. They are actually rated for 30amp plugs.

If you get the Hobart battery welder you just use the 110v to charge the batteries you actually just weld off the batteries so you always get a nice constant power even on extension cords.

after that the larger the welder the better the duty cycle. so if you wanted to weld 1/4" non stop you would need something rated more like 1/2". Once the machine gets hot it welds like crap, some shut off for a safety.

Miller vs Lincoln is like comparing ford vs chevy cannot go wrong with either both have their following I use Miller.
Hobart is a sub brand of Miller.
Lincoln Homedepot are specifically made for homecheapo.

Definitely get a name brand you can buy parts. Even look for a good used one, old welders work just fine.


My suggestion would be this Hobart battery welder. You can find them cheaper.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/product...wered/trek180/
You get a lot of power maybe not the best duty cycle but sounds like you will only be doing small projects. And if you ever need to weld something in the back yard you can weld off just batteries or charge them with a generator. etc.

No matter what it is nice to have a small welder 110 just in case you need to bring it to a friends house etc.

Another option if you only weld a small amounts is the ready welder, you weld off 12v batteries 1 battery for sheet metal 2 for 1/4" and 3 for 1/2" and take it where ever you go.

Let us know what you get
~Justin

[Hudson]

Mostly in my garage. I'm pretty sure there is a 220V outlet out there already, but if there isn't it wouldn't be a problem to get one wired in.

What would be the purpose to weld on an extension cord? I understand more freedom to move around, but wouldn't it be easier to get a longer cord that comes out of the front of the welder (don't know the technical name.)

I just don't like the idea of welding off of batteries. It just doesn't sound right. I'm probably totally wrong on this, but that just makes me think you get like 20 welds out of a battery, then you need to wait all day for it to charge. I would prefer to get something that plugs into the wall.

Yeah that's what i figured. Whenever you want something to do one thing, you get the one the next step up so you're not maxing it out.

The Lincoln Homecheao ones are not good at all? I should stray away from those?

I've been browsing craigslist recently for a nice one, but i'm not really sure which one i want. The options are near endless.

I guess i'd be doing mostly small projects, but i don't think i want to get something that shows that. I would rather get something a little more expensive and maybe have it leaning towards the commercial side of things.

Thanks for your input.

[customcreationsllc]

The hobart one plugs into the wall and is fully charged in 90min. it will work just like a normal welder plugged it just constantly charges the batteries when it is plugged in.

I wasn't sure your wiring situation is.
You get 180amps out of 110 with the hobart battery welder where the other 110 max out at 140amps. 5/16" vs 3/16"

No you cannot buy longer cables that come off the welder.
You need to push the welding wire through that and the gas the longer the harder it is.

220 welder is the way to go. but if you ever need bring the welder some where it is hard to find a 220 plug.

The homecheapo welders work all depends on how much you use them. basically do you want bearings or bushings both work bearings last longer.
The homecheapo Lincoln I used weld OK the duty cycle sucked.

I bought new because most people want to much for a used welder.
Sometimes you can find a deal.

[Hudson]

Ah that actually reassures me. I thought it was just running solely off of a battery 100% of the time, and had a separate battery charger. However, i'd still feel assured having one that ran off of live power 100% of the time.

I figured 220 was the way to go. I don't plan on ever bringing it anywhere. If someone wants something welded, they're coming here. Is there a price difference for a 220v and a 110 that does the same thickness?

I think i'll just buy straight from miller, that way i'll rest assured. I also have my dad throwing in half, so i can get a good welder for 1/2 the price. What beats that?

I actually got into this debate a while ago on another forum, and i had it narrowed down to these two welder(s); what do you think?

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00209

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00245

[Harry]

I have a Homecheapo Lincoln 140. If I'm doing anything more than sheet metal, I run .035" fluxcore. I welded all the suspension brackets to my unibody stiffeners using that welder, but I intentionally made them all out of 3/16" because that's the most I feel comfortable welding with that machine. The manual says you can do 5/16" with the fluxcore, but that is complete horseshit in my opnion. It's a good welder, but I know it's limits. I also tracked down a 10ga extension cord and I always run it on at least a 20 amp breaker. I would have bought a 220v machine from the get go, but I was living at home with only 110v outlets and I got it cheap off Craigslist.

I personally think the dual voltage machines are the bee's knees. Get 220v in your garage and have the ability to burn the shit out of just about anything you'd ever need to for a Jeep project. But also have the ability to throw it in your trunk and go weld anything for anyone anywhere. Between my dual voltage TIG/stick and my 140, I feel like I have my bases covered. But if I were looking for a package deal, I'd be looking hard at any of the dual voltage wirefeed (MIG) machines the big 3 offer.

[customcreationsllc]

If that is the case then always buy the bigger machine, you can always weld thin with a large machine but you cannot weld thick with a small machine.
Also the Duty cycle is a lot better on the larger machine.

You can usually get a deal on the welders at a welding shop or e-bay dealers.
Pretty sure a miller is a miller.