Is there a significant difference in the EASTWOOD 175 vs. the MILLERMATIC 180? Would like to learn how to weld and would just be used for hobby purposes only. Do I want MIG or TIG? Is TIG only for certain metals?
I use a TIG for all my welding, it can do so much more than a MIG. I may get some who say differently, but for me it works. I dont kow much about the Eastwood, but you can't go wrong with the Miller.
Miller or Hobart. I would bet you could also get one cheaper than eastwood. Nothing against TIG, but I have not found anything I can't weld with my MIG. For sheetmetal,I've been practicing with my torches.
TIG is more versatile than MIG, I have all types. MIG,TIG,stick, OX/AC. I like TIG the best, I use TIG 98% of the time. Cleaner, deeper penetration, no sparks, weld any metal without change hassle. suit yourself. Ago
Do you have 220 in your garage? I bought a Hobart Handler 140 mig and it runs off of 110. Great for sheet metal repair panel work and exhaust, but not anything say thicker than 16 gauge. I think I paid roughly 600.00 out the door for it. Miller machines are top of the line in my book.
Check the local community colleges and Applied Technology Centers for evening classes. Take a night course in basic welding BEFORE you buy anything! Hobart is built by Miller and is very good, but doesn't necessarily have the adjustability or duty cycle that the big brother Miller does. For hobbyists, Hobart is an EXCELLENT choice. I've heard some negatives about Eastwood's welders but haven't used one. My decision would be based on where I can get parts... Miller/Hobart EVERYWHERE versus Eastwood parts at Eastwood. MIG is easy to learn and will cover 99% of what most hobbyists do. TIG requires a certain skill set that is required over many weeks/months/years. Hope that gives you a little direction. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Miller = Diamond, the best Eastwood = Rhinestone, maybe okay, but...??? That aside, I have both MIG and TIG in my shop, but if I could only have one then it would probably be the TIG. A bit slower, requires a bit more "skill", but you can literally weld razor blades to two inch steel. Get the best make you can afford. You will not regret it.
I would go with a little Lincoln mig welder for a hobby welder. Just as good as miller, better than miller in my book.
Nothing but good things to say about my Eastwood MIG 175 replaced a small Lincoln with it. My experience with Eastwood is they fully develop things before going to market. Hope to buy their TIG next!
My mig is Miller My tig is lincoln,,but for $499 bucks plus the spool gun you prob cant get hurt with the Eastwood especially for just starting out just my 2 cents
1) Can't really comment on Eastwood vs. miller, but personally I would go miller because they are high quality 2) As far as tig vs mig, to me it's not so much tig requires more skill--I think it does require a little more skill, but more so mig is faster and tig is a little more versatile. Because I'm just a hobby welder that doesn't really need speed AND Nara requires chromoly to be Tig welded, I'm going with tig
i would get the miller. and i want both, but if your not planning on getting two machines or 1 dual purpose machine. then i would go with the mig. it will cover most of want you will probably do. i think mig is also easier to pickup then tig is; at least if you dont have a lot of previous experience.
I have: 1.) an old Snap-On 205 230V MIG...Good for thin body work and tacking stuff. 2.) a 10 year old ESAB 165 AC/DC 230V TIG. This puppy can weld anything almost....including old ford body panels. (It's the only one i trust for critical things, suspension etc.) It also does SMAW - Stick for burning things together when it's windy. 3.) And a OXY/AC gas setup (started to watch the DVD on metal work from that brittish guy last night...!!!) I'll probably start using gas for body work!...? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8676682#post8676682 http://www.metalshapingzone.com/shop...BBm&shop_param= It's awesome (10cents) Tommy
I think it depends what you plan on welding for a start, a TIG is fucking great, i love mine.. but if you are welding something underneath a car or on something rusty a mig will blast over it, whereas a tig has to be 100% clean bare steel otherwise it'll weld like shit. As a boilermaker by trade I would have to say there is no "better" between a TIG and a MIG, it depends on the application and what you will be welding. Skill level also helps, a mig is by far easier to learn than a TIG. Edit: TIG is definitely more versatile although you can weld stainless steel and aluminium with a mig welder as well, just need pure argon gas and stainless / aluminium wire for those metals. Whereas a TIG you only need to have one bottle to do stainless, aluminium or mild steel. Mild steel needs a Argon / CO2 mix with a MIG.
I love my Miller 180 best mig purchace I made because I always wonder "well should I have gone bigger" haha Had a 110 lincoln first. Miller is clean powerful and high quality made in the USA! As far as tig goes, I too have to agree with many that it is the top way to go for anything. Most universal, no sparks ( awesome and already mentioned) and most important when doing sheet metal the tig weld is more workable than a mig weld, less build up and less hard. gas welding is good for this too. I have a old P&H tig, can go from welding rail road track to pop cans with that puppy Good luck and have fun!
Want the bare bones minimum equipment to do maximum versatility ? Small buzz box with DC output and fine or crank adjustment- stick weld Get a tig torch for the above machine - scratch start tig ( everything but aluminum) Oxy acetelyne weld set -( everything including aluminum - no stainless) Ger cutting torch and rosebud for above . With that equipment you can do almost anything you can think of.
This. You get to try a little bit of everything and pick the instructors brain on whats best for what.
as to your question---look at what production companies use as it will get the best result with the least operator skill---that would be mig--- buy the best you can afford ---mine is a miller bought used from a limo co.---these threads usually end with tig guys being labeled elitist---use your own good sense as to parts and service availability---good luck...
I agree 110%. Simply put, a TIG can do everything a MIG can do, plus, plus, plus!! All a MIG *might* have over a TIG is speed, which matters in a hobby situation, how??!! Cosmo
31 Vick is right. A stick welder and a scratch start tig is cheap and can do a lot. Learning curve with the tig is to be considered.
Foundation- don't settle for anything less then 220volt input power. Much more balls and consistant then 110. Mig would be a good start for you, as Tig as mentioned takes more experience and control. Miller and Hobart are married now and pretty much on the same plane for quality. Shop the sales for Hobart such as at Tractor Supply Co. I got the best deal on Hobart 175 a few years ago. Good basic machine, just lacking fine tuning on the power settings. Good for sheet metal to 1/4" stock. Usually you can't bargain with a regular welding supply store. STAY AWAY FROM "HF". I did see a ad though for a Northern Tool unit that supposebly had a good rating. Again as mentioned you can't go wrong with Miller or Hobart. My 2 cents
Buy a 220 machine it will weld thin sheet body work and thicker metal frame work. I have a Lincoln 180( 220)mig and have no complaints I would like a tig but not sure when I would use it I never weld one inch metal and can pulse weld with the mig not quite as nice as a tig weld but looks ok. Befor you buy a 1800 tig weigh the options.You could buy a lot of other tools for the 1100 you would save mig over the tig. I learned to weld on a 220 Lincoln coffin buzz box and glad I did but a mig is so much faster. Jake
Maybe a little more time should be spent on fitup? Not to be breakin your balls Vicky because i agree with you 100% I sold my mig because i didnt use it after i bought my Syncrowave 250. I do find things i wish i had my mig back for, for sure. I repair welding equipment for a living and i am dyed in the wool MILLER BLUE kind of guy but i think if i was in the market for a mig i would buy the Lincoln because of the drive system. I would definately buy Lincoln if i was looking for 250 amp machine. The starts are softer and i think the weld is smoother. Stay away from anything that is not Miller, Lincoln or Hobart. For smaller 110 volt machines i may consider Hobart just because of cost but quality is still there. As far as Hobart adjustability goes you can usually dial it in using wire speed. For a hobby guy a mig may be the ticket. Just my 2Cents Rod
I bought a barely used Hobart Handler 140 for $400. It didn't include the ArCo2 tank - which will cost me $190 to purchase a large tank, but I've used it with flux core and it works great. I'll be doing sheet metal repair on my '55 Chevy truck soon - the main reason I bought it - and I'm sure it will do that great!
Having a career were I have to use both processes, I have to say they both work well given the circumstance. I would say that I lean more towards the TIG side though. Whatever you choose would be fine. If you start to weld a lot you might find that you would want both machines. Or at least I do. My advice to you is pony up the bucks for a nice Miller welder. The reason why is because if something breaks parts are available and cheap. They're like the sbc of welders.
I'd say like mentioned before here and on every weld thread................ it all depends on what you plan to do and how much you are willing to spend , I just upgraded from a miller 110v, mig to a Thermal Arc 181i 220v that will do stick mig tig and will run a spool gun for aluminum , shipped from east to west coasts for under a grand , no tax, it will do all and do it very well , a few buddies weld for a living and said it was "THE SHIT" (in a good way) and they were right , give them a look on line
Also if you go the TIG route. You don't have to buy different gas bottles for different metals. Or buy a spool gun if you want to do aluminum welding. TIG is tougher to pick up, but when you get it, working sheet metal would be easier too. If you are a garage guy that only gets to really experience one process more than another than the other process won't seem like that much of a big deal though. I'm with poster #6 take a night class too. That way you'll have a better idea of what you think would be right for you, rather than get a load of opinions.
Go Lincoln 110 Mig. It paid for itself after the first job. However,it is must that you use argon/co2. I have been using it since 1995 never gave me any trouble. I started with torch and will never go back. I basically taught myself. It's like they say ....."how do you get to Carnagie Hall........ Practice,practice". My .02, good luck.
Hobby welder, get the Miller, better made machine the will last for long periods of non use. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
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