Welding Equipment

Shopguys · Jun 14, 2011

I am trying to decide what type of mig welder to buy. Can you recommend a manufacturer, Miller or Lincoln? My budget is $2,000 for everything I would need, regulators, bottles, helmet etc. Model number would be helpful. I need it to be easy set up and user friendly. I will be welding up to about 3/8 steel plate. I can do more than one p*** if necessary. More than likely welding a lot of aluminum and minimal amounts of stainless. I have 110 and 220 available to use. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Mr cheater · Jun 14, 2011

miller 175 with a spool gun for aluminum

Blue One · Jun 14, 2011

Shopguys said: ↑

I am trying to decide what type of mig welder to buy. Can you recommend a manufacturer, Miller or Lincoln? My budget is $2,000 for everything I would need, regulators, bottles, helmet etc. Model number would be helpful. I need it to be easy set up and user friendly. I will be welding up to about 3/8 steel plate. I can do more than one p*** if necessary. More than likely welding a lot of aluminum and minimal amounts of stainless. I have 110 and 220 available to use. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Miller is the way to go. Definitely a 220 volt machine.

Mr cheater said: ↑

miller 175 with a spool gun for aluminum
Click to expand...

Absolutely not enough machine. For thicknesses up to 3/8 steel plate (Aluminum capacity will be less) a machine with 250 amp rating is required.

Welders are like shops or garages, sure the small one might work, but the bigger one will work better. And they are never really big enough

Shopguys · Jun 14, 2011

thanks will now shop

handyandy289 · Jun 14, 2011

Buy Miller- made in USA. Buy the biggest that you can afford. It will never be too big. Higher amperage machines have a higher duty cycle at lower amperages and will also be able to weld thicker aluminum without overheating.

Blue One · Jun 14, 2011

Shopguys said: ↑

thanks will now shop
Click to expand...

A good guideline also is to look at the manufacturers capacity guide in the specifications.

Keep duty cycle in mind although for most hobby work the duty cycles are adequate.

That becomes less true if you get too small a machine however because you have to run it in the upper heat ranges to make it do the work and then you can easily exceed the duty cycle and trip the machine into thermal overload where it stops welding current output while it cools off.

Millers website can give you good info.

Jalopy Joker · Jun 14, 2011

also, do a search here-lots of info on subject

RED DEVIL #1878 · Jun 14, 2011

buy miller machines they are the best, everything depends on whether you have 110v or 220v, if you have 110v go with the millermatic 140 with auto set comes with everything you need minus bottle, spool gun for aluminum is optional, 220v i would recommend millermatic 212 with auto set, there again comes with everything you need minus the bottle, the spool gun will fit the 110v and 220v model, the spool gun for aluminum on the millermatic 212 is optional, cheers......

Shopguys · Jun 14, 2011

Just visited Miller site WOW !!!! Do you think internet or local purchase ???

Blue One · Jun 14, 2011

Shopguys said: ↑

Just visited Miller site WOW !!!! Do you think internet or local purchase ???
Click to expand...

Internet will get you a better buy, shop locally and compare. It will depend on how big a hit you take for shipping.

flatheadpete · Jun 14, 2011

Hobart makes a nice product also....

Flop · Jun 14, 2011

try cyberweld.com . bought 1 of my millers from them and it was free shipping.dont kno if that offer still stands though...

Flop · Jun 14, 2011

they still have the free shipping!

Zephyr3789 · Jun 14, 2011

I would recommend the Miller 211 Auto-set with MVP... Great Welder! Comes with 115v 15amp plug and a 230v 50amp plug and a reg. Very user friendly and I would say you will come in it around 2k with bottle and mask.

As everyone has said I would definitely pick up the spoolmate for aluminum. It might put you slightly above 2k, but for the price and the added capabilities it's worth it!

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

patrick2965 · Jun 14, 2011

If you are going to be serious about what the welder will be used for, DAMN SURE make it a local purchase through your welder supply house because you WILL NEED them more than just the welder. You can be choosey of who you buy it from an who is to serve you because you are in what was Steel Town.
Local guys will remember you for what you did with them AND what you asked for after you didn't spend the money with them and needed service, parts, and supply help.
And some local welding supply vendors **** like a couple I have dealt with over the past 20 years or so.
The Power of Blue, Miller.

chopd top · Jun 14, 2011

Miller for sure! Check out Indiana Oxygen Company while you're shopping around. I've bought 3 welders from them and I couldn't be happier!

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/StoreFront

1935Ron · Jun 14, 2011

3/8 is pretty hefty.....what ya plan on building?

usmile4 · Jun 14, 2011

3 yrs ago I bought a Miller 140 with auto set because all I had was 110 v. Now I have access to a shop with 220. I would say buy the Miller with the dual plugs so you can weld anywhere. You could even hook it to a gas powered generator if you needed to do something away from an electric hookup.

I would also second the advice of buying local. I bought local and go back to the place all the time. I get my supplies from Cyberweld at times, but often my local place beats the prices.

tig master · Jun 14, 2011

1935Ron said: ↑

3/8 is pretty hefty.....what ya plan on building?
Click to expand...

Nothing on a car requires 3/8"
Or are you working on off road equip?

Tig

zman · Jun 15, 2011

patrick2965 said: ↑

If you are going to be serious about what the welder will be used for, DAMN SURE make it a local purchase through your welder supply house because you WILL NEED them more than just the welder. You can be choosey of who you buy it from an who is to serve you because you are in what was Steel Town.
Local guys will remember you for what you did with them AND what you asked for after you didn't spend the money with them and needed service, parts, and supply help.
And some local welding supply vendors **** like a couple I have dealt with over the past 20 years or so.
The Power of Blue, Miller.
Click to expand...

I agree, and if you look they'll get pretty damn close to the internets prices. But service after the sale will be so much better. Things like consumables and gas...

chopolds · Jun 15, 2011

I would even look into a used TIG machine, from your local welding suppy. They sometimes get trade ins, or rebuild units to sell. A Miller 250 Synchowave would work for you. You'd never get it new, with all the add ons you need, in your budget, though.

Shopguys · Jun 15, 2011

Thanks guys.Made my choice Miller 211 auto set with spool gun, purchased here in Pittsburgh,Pa. I run a facility that deals at times with thick pipe and plate. But will find it's way home occasionally for work in my shop. Everyone's input is so helpful.

1935Ron · Jun 15, 2011

tig master said: ↑

Nothing on a car requires 3/8"
Or are you working on off road equip?

Tig
Click to expand...

that was my tought also....I think for part time builders as myself on a budget...do not have to drop big bucks on a high end machine,,,,, some of the smaller machines work fine,,, I am amazed myself what can be done with a xp 130 miller,a lincoln square wave 175 tig and a old lincoln AC/DC tombstone.....pretty much covers from fine sheet metal work ,,to bridge building.........

chopd top · Jun 15, 2011

patrick2965 said: ↑

If you are going to be serious about what the welder will be used for, DAMN SURE make it a local purchase through your welder supply house because you WILL NEED them more than just the welder. You can be choosey of who you buy it from an who is to serve you because you are in what was Steel Town.
Local guys will remember you for what you did with them AND what you asked for after you didn't spend the money with them and needed service, parts, and supply help.
And some local welding supply vendors **** like a couple I have dealt with over the past 20 years or so.
The Power of Blue, Miller.
Click to expand...

[FONT=&quot]I disagree to a point! I dont believe that buying local will get you better service at the supply house. In my almost 30 years of experience, where to buy equipment and consumables has ALWAYS been subjective, ALWAYS! When I was living on the east coast of the sunshine state, there were several supply houses that were great with both sales and service. BUT, there were some, that you only needed to visit one time to know they were ***clowns. I now live in the northwestern part of the state and the welding supply houses here are **** and really dont want anyones business unless youre spending $1,000 a month there. Shopping around is key, and I cant stress that enough! My latest example of that would be the 33# roll of wire I needed last week. The local clown wanted $91 for it, I shopped around and found the same exact roll online for $48 shipped to my front door. I have all of my metal and consumables shipped in because I refuse to pay twice the retail price, but thats probably just in my region. Shop around and take your time. If you can find a decent local supplier that will give you a good deal, go for it but dont pay more for a local machine thinking its going to get you better service down the road, chances are it wont.[/FONT]

socalmerc · Jun 15, 2011

i got a Lincoln 255 mig with a spool gun and it works great but i would like to get a miller some day also. but my tigs a miller 180 and 250 syncro and they are just tuff as cat ****.

Log in or Sign up

Welding Equipment

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

Mr cheater
Member

from appleton WI

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

handyandy289
Member

from Georgia

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

Jalopy Joker
Member

from Rodsville, CA

RED DEVIL #1878
Member

from ORANGE/SANTA ANA,CA 92705

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

flatheadpete
Member

from Burton, MI

Flop
Member

from pittsburgh pa

Flop
Member

from pittsburgh pa

Zephyr3789
Member

from West Covina/LBC

patrick2965
Member

from North Little Rock Arkansas

chopd top
Member

from Florida

1935Ron
Member

from New Jersey (refineing country)

usmile4
Member

from Aurora, Illinois

tig master
Member

from up north

zman
Member

from Garner, NC

chopolds
Member

from howell, nj

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

1935Ron
Member

from New Jersey (refineing country)

chopd top
Member

from Florida

socalmerc
Member

from socal

Share This Page

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

Log in or Sign up

Welding Equipment

Shopguys Member from Pittsburgh

Mr cheater Member from appleton WI

Blue One ALLIANCE MEMBER from Alberta

Shopguys Member from Pittsburgh

handyandy289 Member from Georgia

Blue One ALLIANCE MEMBER from Alberta

Jalopy Joker Member from Rodsville, CA

RED DEVIL #1878 Member from ORANGE/SANTA ANA,CA 92705

Shopguys Member from Pittsburgh

Blue One ALLIANCE MEMBER from Alberta

flatheadpete Member from Burton, MI

Flop Member from pittsburgh pa

Flop Member from pittsburgh pa

Zephyr3789 Member from West Covina/LBC

patrick2965 Member from North Little Rock Arkansas

chopd top Member from Florida

1935Ron Member from New Jersey (refineing country)

usmile4 Member from Aurora, Illinois

tig master Member from up north

zman Member from Garner, NC

chopolds Member from howell, nj

Shopguys Member from Pittsburgh

1935Ron Member from New Jersey (refineing country)

chopd top Member from Florida

socalmerc Member from socal

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

Mr cheater
Member

from appleton WI

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

handyandy289
Member

from Georgia

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

Jalopy Joker
Member

from Rodsville, CA

RED DEVIL #1878
Member

from ORANGE/SANTA ANA,CA 92705

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

Blue One
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from Alberta

flatheadpete
Member

from Burton, MI

Flop
Member

from pittsburgh pa

Flop
Member

from pittsburgh pa

Zephyr3789
Member

from West Covina/LBC

patrick2965
Member

from North Little Rock Arkansas

chopd top
Member

from Florida

1935Ron
Member

from New Jersey (refineing country)

usmile4
Member

from Aurora, Illinois

tig master
Member

from up north

zman
Member

from Garner, NC

chopolds
Member

from howell, nj

Shopguys
Member

from Pittsburgh

1935Ron
Member

from New Jersey (refineing country)

chopd top
Member

from Florida

socalmerc
Member

from socal