im looking to buy a relatively inexpensive welder but i do want some bang for my buck. not planning on welding frames or anything like that, mostly sheet metal, brackets, whatever. ive been looking around for a solid core mig welder with the argon attachment. is this a decent welder? what kinda stuff should i be looking for when shopping? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00982889000P?keyword=mig&prdNo=8 thanks!
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=59619 I've got one of these and I love it.
I bought a Lincoln Handy Mig and in hindsight I probably should have bucked up and bought something I could grow with. Its ok for some body stuff, but anything heavier than that I'm not so sure it can handle it.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=467889&highlight=welder http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463094&highlight=welder http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352974&highlight=welder http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448896&highlight=welder http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448372&highlight=welder Just a few of many posts re: welders
Personally I wouldn't buy one from Sears ! I would invest in a good 220v Miller , Lincoln , Clark , Hobart or any of the other good name brands out there . I have a Lincoln and does well for me . I will say I see more Lincolns & Miller than any others . Just my opinion ! Retro Jim
Consider a Miller, Hobart or Lincoln. I just bought a Hobart 210 but I thought there 110's were on sale for 299 at TSC.
For about the same price you can buy a lincoln at home depot and your going with a name thats trusted just my 2 cents.
You're helpless. Pay attention to yourself. You also said, "what kinda stuff should i be looking for when shopping?" The first post in the first link is asking the same question. Wouldn't it be smart to gather up existing information rather than wait for people with the knowledge that won't repeat themselves? In kind words. Go help yourself.
Second on the Hobart Handler 140. A very capable machine for the price, and runs off standard household power. Set it up for gas right away, much cleaner than flux-core.
get on craigslist and find yourself a used Miller or Lincoln. Most likely for less money. And you can always get it serviced and find consumables for it.
Well it'd help if you told us your price range, (if that's not too personal). That way we can tell you exactly which ones to look at. I love Miller's and always have. Just my .02
spend the money and buy a miller or snap on 220v or you will own two welders by the time you are donelike my self a 110v that i never use anymore and a nice 220v that will weld anything
Just bought a miller 135 off craigslist. It rocks. It can do most welding jobs. New model is the 140. Check craigslist and save a few bucks.
jackedup460 first post, really? you've been around here a while haven't you? non the less welcome and way to "jump" in.
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=980><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><!-- end of left column --></TD><TD width="100%"><!-- header ends --><!-- begin p-catalogdetail-lft template --><STYLE>.addedToCart {background-color:#FFFAF4;border:1px solid #E2A269;margin-bottom:15px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#333333}.addedToCart A:link, .addedToCart A:visited, .addedToCart A:hover, .addedToCart A:active{font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#333333} </STYLE><!-- product added to cart message --><!-- end product added to cart message --> <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="15%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT] </TD><TD></TD><TD width="80%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ESAB MIGMaster 203 Industrial Ready-To-Weld MIG Package, MXL 200, 13 ft. MIG Welder - 0558005174[/FONT] <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Manufacturer: ESAB®[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR><TD>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]SKU:[/FONT]</TD><TD width="100%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ESA0558005174 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Price: $1,104.95[/FONT] Order Now <FORM method=post name=cartadd action=/servlet/Cart><INPUT value=add type=hidden name=smode> <INPUT value=13447 type=hidden name=product_no> <!-- begin cartadd template --> Quan***y: <INPUT value=1 size=3 name=qty> <INPUT cl***="actn_****on actn_****on_color btn_add_to_cart_lrg" value="Add To Cart" type=submit> <!-- end cartadd template --></FORM> [/FONT] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ESAB MIGMaster 203 Industrial Ready-To-Weld MIG Package, MXL 200, 13 ft.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The ideal welding machine for every light industrial shop that wants rugged, simple equipment to do welding jobs of high quality. The MigMaster® 203 is a step regulated welding power source for MIG/MAG welding. Designed for medium and light-duty applications. A built-in wire feeder and the low weight of the units make them perfect, practical solutions for fabricators, farmers, vehicle repair shops and light production users.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Power Smoothing Device - excellent welding performance for single phase machines. Easy change of polarity - it may be used with both conventional solid wire and self-shielding cored wire. Easy setting of welding parameters - welding machines for light industrial shops. Spot Time Built in standard. Burn-Back Built in standard. Units are fan-cooled and equipped with thermal overload protection. ESAB MX Torches - designed to provide the utmost in convenience, versatility and economy. Spool Gun Control - Standard on the MigMaster® 203 with gun-on-demand. Three-year warranty. The MigMaster 203 can also be fitted with optional digital meter kit for precise measurement of welding parameters. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Power Smoothing Device[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Although the MigMaster 203 is single phase unit, Power Smoothing Device gives them excellent welding performance in straight CO<SUB>2</SUB> as well as mixed gas. Power Smoothing Device provides the same smooth welding current normally only experienced on 3-phase machines.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ESAB MXL Torches[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Equiped with ESAB MXL torches featuring enhanced gas-cooling and ergonomic handles. Features spring loaded contact pins in the central connector to eliminate any possibility of pin misalignment.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Optimum cooling of the torches gives them extended life time of the goose necks and the wear parts. You can choose gas nozzles in 3 different versions -- standard, straight and conical. This provides maximum flexibility and an optimum life.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Comes Complete With:[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Power Source MXL 200 MIG Gun, 13 ft .030" drive roll .023-.030" drive roll 10 ft mains cable with plug 10 ft work cable with clamp R-33-FM580-HB regulator/flowmeter 5 ft gas hose undercarriage cylinder tray and chain instruction manual [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Specifications:[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]<TABLE style="WIDTH: 496px; HEIGHT: 567px" cl***=vertical-prodtable cellSpacing=0 summary=""><TBODY><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Mains voltage</TH><TD>208/230 vac, 1 ph, 50/60 Hz</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Input current @ 20% rated load</TH><TD>41.0/37.0 A</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Rated Load</TH><TD></TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">@ 20% duty cycle</TH><TD>200 A</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">@ 30% duty cycle</TH><TD>163 A</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">@ 60% duty cycle</TH><TD>115 A</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Open circuit voltage</TH><TD>17.5 to 33 V</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Setting range</TH><TD>30 to 200 DC</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Power factor at maximum current</TH><TD>0.83</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Efficiency at maximum current</TH><TD>60 %</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Wire Feed Speed</TH><TD>39 to 670 ipm, 1.0 to 17 m/min.</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Wire Diameter</TH><TD></TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Fe, Ss</TH><TD>0.023 to 0.04 in., 0.6 to 1.0 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">C</TH><TD>0.03 to 0.04 in., 0.8 to 1.0 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Al</TH><TD>0.04 to 3/64 in., 1 to 1.2 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Burn-back time (adj. on PCB)</TH><TD>0.02 to 0.25 sec.</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Spot Welding</TH><TD>0.2 to 2.5 sec.</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Voltage steps</TH><TD>12</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Dimensions</TH><TD></TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Length</TH><TD>34 in., 864 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Width</TH><TD>17 in., 432 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level3"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Height</TH><TD>29 in., 737 mm</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Weight</TH><TD>150 lbs., 68 kg</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Operating temperature</TH><TD>-10 to 40 °C</TD></TR><TR cl***="oddRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Enclosure cl***</TH><TD>IP 23</TD></TR><TR cl***="evenRow level2"><TH style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Application cl***ification</TH><TD>S</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Return to Catalog[/FONT] <!-- end p-catalogdetail-lft template --><!-- footer begins --> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I own and use both Miller and Lincoln brand welders. I cannot praise them enough and would never consider buying anything else. I have heard great things about the Millermatic as well. It seems a great machine for a beginner welder. If you have 220 anywhere in your house/garage then please do yourself a favor and DO NOT buy a 110 welder. The 220 units are superior and you will be glad you made the choice when you start welding on frames and other thick metals. My .02 cents.
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