So after some scouring of the HAMB forum I have not found a good straight answer. Myself and my girlfriend (kalalilys) are planning on getting a welder and getting some good practice in after we close on our house in early August. So the question is what would be a good model to pickup? We will be using it for a lot sheet metal work and a moderate amount of heavier gauge work like motor mounts and frame work. I have seen some fantastic work with TIG welders and they seem to be somewhat flexible (but then again maybe thats mostly the person doing the work) We would be looking at used welders and trying to keep below 1500$ So our questions are which style (MIG or TIG) and which model would be good to start with? Thanks in advance!
Miller MIG 180-on up. Used is fine. Here are some prices for new ones, so you don't spent too much. I have made a ton of money pro-welding in a car shop, and on some crazy art stuff with my trusty Millermatic 210 (discontinued), but roughly the 212 now. Lots of guys I know like the Millermatic 180 autoset. Can't go wrong with old blue.
X2 on the Mig, a lot more versatile without the learning curve...Get a spool of .025 wire for sheet metal work and some .030 or .045 for the heavier work.
Just bought a Miller 212 autoset. Much better than the Millermatic 180 I used to use. 212 autoset = $1600 and free shipping. Pm me for info
A good welder is an investment that will last for years and years. Our Miller 210 mig has been FLAWLESS for probably 7 years or more and has welded literally miles of welds. The other thing is that a quality welder will make learning easier and you won't outgrow it as your skills improve. My other Son Don just recently bought the 212 that has been mentioned and it is also a nice piece of equipment. Don
I like Lincoln equipment. I have a 135 box (110) for thinner stuff, and I have a 180c (220) for heavier guage.
I actually have an older Snap-On MIG welder, which I believe used to be made by Miller. Bought it off of CraigsL for 100 bucks (with that price I think the guy was possibly a meth head to be honest) and it is a DREAM. So, with your budget, for sure go with a Miller like the above suggestions or a Lincoln (which is what I learned on. An older weld pack 100). I would honestly go with a MIG for learning, as long as you practice often, it'll come to you quickly, and it's fun as hell too.
Go for a cruise around to a few panel shops,these guys get reps in frequently,they will give you a heads up and set ya straight, Gaz!
x2 on having a larger 220v machine for the big stuff, but a smaller 110v for the thin, its a nice luxory. You could easily pickup two machines used for that budget... or just pickup something not so massive. I also have a snap-on ya212, while its nice NOW.... it uses a funky euro torch setup, and if the feed mechanism goes out, good luck with that!
The other thing is that a quality welder will make learning easier and you won't outgrow it as your skills improve.
I got a Air LIquide 130,,,made by Miller and it has worked it's tail off. It was about $600 up here but in hindsight I would go a bit bigger,,the 180 Miller,,ya know these could last you a lifetime if you make the initial purchase count. I think it's the best bang for your buck, quality engineering,,just a bit camera shy
Hobart Handler 187 here. Cant beat the price or quality (shares alot of parts from miller). Get yourself a shat load of heavier guage steel 11-12 guage and go nuts. Buy yourself a book. Learn the proper techniques. Just learning to setup the machine will take you awhile. Possibly take a night votech class. A weld aint doin much if you can pick it off with a plier.
Stay with Miller, Hobart or Lincoln. They are all top of the line, been around forever, and parts are readily available unlike getting one from a tool truck.
I've had a Hobart 210 for 2 yrs. Have had no problems with it. The 210 is built by Miller, and uses the drive wheels and gun from Miller. It is a 220 unit and welds from 22 ga. to 3/8 . I paid $ 1,000.00 FOR IT AT Big R here in Trinidad. Lee
Shag: Just a mention if you dont mind. Think about what welding supply houses are close to you and what equipment they offer. Nice to be able to drive quick to someplace and get that part or supply you need quick. Saturday rolls around , your hoping to get some work done and the welder throws you the finger. Also think 220 machine if your doing more then sheet metal work. Think about OA , you would want this for the tool inventory anyway. Many different things you can do with this. Not a real giant investment after you buy your tanks. Good luck and congrats on the house Luke
After you decide on your welder go to www.weldingtipsandtricks.com I subscribe to his news letters (email). there free. Terry
Miller, Lincoln or Hobart. You can always get those three fixed and buy parts. Some time or other you will either need parts or repair for any welder and it's a lot simpler and saves a lot of time listening to the welding shop guy laugh and roll around on the floor if you have one of those rather than one of the off brand units that there are no parts available for. There is some high end stuff that is good but most of that is probably beyond the budget of most home shop guys anyhow.
Thanks everyone for the input! A lot of good info here from a lot of good people! So I have been looking at the Millermatic 212 with autoset. Dons hot rods, sounds like your son was having some good luck with that model?
I'd suggest taking some community college courses, this way you learn from a pro and use their consumables as well as practice on their metal. An auto darkening helmet is the way to go as well. Once you get comfortable with either setup (mig or tig) then you could buy the best setup for you with some first hand knowledge.
El Caballo, that is a great suggestion! And that works for anyone looking to learn to weld. I have been searching to see which ones offer those classes
Look into Everlast a US company that is made in China...( so is Miller and Lincoln saddly ) like all the others. I have a nice TIG and LOVE IT. Watch some videos on this dudes site "weldigtipsandtricks" on youtube. he uses them time to time.....they are good no BS. I'm going to school right know at Dunwoody for welding (top ten in Nation) and I think it holds it's own. 5 year warranty and you can talk em down on price...call the company and MAKE EM AND OFFER got my 180 TIG with pedal and other stuff for around $800 shipped...good luck dude. My buddys got a Dynasty 2000 and its the same as mine.......read up about it on the net
Not true. I've been to the Miller factory recently. Appleton Wisconsin is not in China. Get your facts straight.
I have aillermatic 200 I bought about 10 years ago used. It came with a spool gun which of intend to possibly do anything with aluminum. I've never had a Lick of problems with it.
I have a miller 185 MIG that I've had for probably 15 years, its always worked great. I run 023 wire in it for sheetmetal, my tig is a miller 180sd. It's been great too but being an air cooled model they drain the bottles pretty quick. I also have a 110 Lincoln MIG that works great on the thin stuff up to 1/8"
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