Technical Who's had success with 110v welders?

I taught auto mechanics in a prison here in Ca. Before I retired. When it came time to buy light duty mig, I spoke to the welding instructor. He recommended the Lincoln SP135 plus. His reasoning was that he had 8 of them in his cl*** and inmates using them six hours a day five days a week for a few years. He said the inmates could not hurt any of them. Believe me, if inmates can't break something, it's gotta be tuff! I bought mine and it has done everything I asked it to very well. I believe Lincoln has upgraded it slightly since then. One thing to cosider is consumables. Home Depot and several big box stores carry them for Lincoln but only welding supply houses carry Miller consumables,at least around here in Ca. Nothing like running out of something on Saturday and then having to wait until Monday to finish job. Yes I know we are supposed to plan ahead, but we ALL have screwed up on that one sometime. Life is easier when stuff is ten minutes away every day.

 

BEST money you can spend is for an AUTO-DARKENING HELMET!!!
Leave a couple C-notes in your budget - my Miller helmet was around 2-bills, but the difference in my work was PRICELESS. Turned me from a mud-dabber to a fair welder the minute I put that thing on!

1) Shop for a GOOD a/d helmet - DO NOT cheap-out here, spend good cash at a welding supply for somthing that feels 'right' and you can see out of.
2) Sign up for a welding course. Good oppertunity to try your hand welding with gas, arc, MIG and TIG, AND you will learn the correct material prep.
3) Beat the bushes for a name-brand unit gently used - welding supply, c-l, etc. RESIST the Harbor Fright flyers!

Good Luck, Tim

 

I started with stick and also an oxy-acetylene set up.. About 20 years ago I bought my first MIG it was a Century from northern tool. You could weld nearly anything with that machine.. Later I bought a closeout 220V Lincoln from Depot and like everyone says, the wire feeders are cheap.

So to sum up, 1) you don't need a 220V machine as long as your projects are suited to the capabilities of the 110v welder. 2) Don't try to get by on the cheap, it will bite you later on.

By the way, the welding wire that was mentioned here is more than likely Radnor, not Raydon. Radnor products are available from AirGas