So my Saturn project is at a complete stall till I get a welder to make the motor mounts other parts. I'm looking to spend $500-600 my current place only has 110v but I might want to be able to use 220 if I move. I'm going to need to weld mild steel and stainless but want to stick with mig welding any advice on what welder I should get?
Thanks
Jon
Lincoln and Miller got you covered. Not sure if you will slide in under the budget by the time you get a mask and a bottle of gas.
Pete
I recently got a Hobart handler 140. At rural king it was $100 off on a Black Friday sale. I don’t know much about welders or welding yet. But I really like it so far.
Looks like they have it listed a little cheaper than when I first looked at them. I think with the 100 off I was in the high $300s.
I have a Harbor freight welder, it's helped make a number of parts and repairs over the last few years. And it's cheap. Not the best machine but it has gotten the job done quiet a few times.
Take the supplied wire and toss it in the trash, get Lincoln flux core wire.
Paul B
If you are forced into 110 but want 220V forward capability look at the inverter based machines. I've got an Eastwood TIG 200 but many people make MIG machines. The inverters can run at reduced capacity with a 110V converter plug. Miller/Lincoln have these machines but they are not cheap.
Otherwise for dedicated 110V equipment the hobart handler 140 is a good piece. I have a handler 180 (220V) and am pleased with its durability. I have used a handler 140 and it seems to be all the good scaled down to a 110 machine
Any of the big 3 make good entry level machines. Just make sure you buy one that is GAS compatible. The Flux core only machines work, but you will quickly feel limited.
As others have said the supplied flux core wire is garbage. The ground is also something you should consider upgrading sooner rather than later.
I've never MIG welded stainless, that seems like a TIG only material IMHO.
I am extremely happy with my Eastwood 135. It welds about as well as the $1000+ Miller we have at work. It just won't do super thick metal, but it is awesome for sheetmetal work and light bracketry.
It comes with the regulator and such for shield gas but I have only been using it with flux core and it works great. I tried welding with a HF flux core unit once and I found it impossible to work with.
The more dials and knobs, the better. "High" and "low" are useless, with MIG you need to adjust the welder to suit the conditions so you must have lots of adjustability!
Also, the Eastwood autodark welding mask is like $25 so buy that while you're there.
I already have a welding helmet just need a bottle. I've never used flux core and really hope I never have to but I do have quite a bit of experience with mig. Most of the welding I'm needing to do right now is 1/8 inch plate. I would love to learn to to tig but will probably wait till I can afford a decent machine. I'm thinking about the Hobart 140 they are for sale at tsc for around 500 iirc
In reply to NordicSaab :
I know they sell stainless wire for mig is there any reason you wouldn't mig besides looks?
Like nocones said, anything in your price range will be 110v only.
I have 2 Lincoln 110v machines. An old WeldPak 100HD and a 140 ProMig. I use flux core wire almost exclusively, and either would be sufficient for 1/8" plate making motor mounts and other small projects.
These still pull a lot of power and really need a dedicated outlet wired specifically for a 20a plug, preferably with 10ga wire. Performance will be reduced otherwise.
Read the manuals carefully, as the 140 ProMig actually requires a 30a service to run wide open. It only takes about 30 seconds to blow a 20a breaker when doing sustained welding with the machine maxed out.
The ProMig will use up all your budget by the time you get a helmet/gloves etc, unless you buy used. The older 100HD machines should be in the $200-250 range.
Stay away from the HF auto darkening helmet. The lag time on them is abysmal, and if you do a lot of welding in a day you'll hurt your eyes. Especially doing sheet metal work or lots of tacking.
Saturnguy said:In reply to NordicSaab :
I know they sell stainless wire for mig is there any reason you wouldn't mig besides looks?
Welding stainless with a MIG is more challenging. I'm almost certain it requires a different shielding gas too.
Doing heavier plate or rod works OK, but l wouldn't expect to build an exhaust system without making a mess of it, and definitely not without a good deal of general welding experience first.
I am a big fan of Lincoln stuff. I have a Lincoln 140 buzz box that I use for just about everything.
I have been welding since I was 14 and actually did it for a living for a couple years a lot of 22g galvanized so I have a lot of practice with thin metal so hopefully I'll be able to make decent welds on stainless I've never tried it before. I know stainless takes a different gas can't remember what it is tho
Ya know, there is a way to keep extending a 220v power cord. In theory, if your kitchen’s electric range was close enough to a window or outside door, you could just pull the range out, get a long enough electrical power cord and do some 220v welding on the front porch...
im sorry... I’ve been watching a lot of the Red Green show lately.
I had thought about doing that but I want a smaller less noticeable unit plus my wife says no so I'm stuck w 110. The red green show is the best truly underrated
+1 Hobart. Lots of capability, and a tough little SOB.
I have had far better luck just using regular old ER70S6 and 75/25 to weld stainless. I have tried stainless wire and the proper gas (pure argon? I forget) and it's always been festival of burn-through for me.
Now, MIGing stainless isn't easy regardless, since stainless transfers heat poorly, so you have to be more patient and work smaller areas and wait for it to cool off again, especially when doing things like butt-welding thin exhaust pipe together.
I have a millermatic 135 that's for sale, due to my upgrade to a multi function. The 135 did everything I asked, up to 1/4" steel with proper beveling. I did one stainless project , using regular shield gas (wrong) , but it was heavier metal, and I could grind back the problems.
Don't know if it makes sense to ship a used welder, but will consider (I'm near Seattle). I haven't advertised it yet locally.
A little out of your price range but look at the esab Rebel EM 215ic. Will do both 120/240. Currently has a $200 rebate. If you wait until eBay has another 10-20% off day you can get another 100 off. (Buy from weldingsuppliesioc, they are legit authorized dealer) Ends up being around $770
Or the new harbor freight Vulcan 215. With coupon I think they are $600. They are supposed to be a pretty good machine.
Either one of those will let you do both 120 and 240. The higher amp 240 is there if you need it.
wheelsmithy said:+1 Hobart. Lots of capability, and a tough little SOB.
That unit looks EXACTLY like my Lincoln. Just different color labels.
I bought one of these lightly used from an independent tool store several years ago for a fair price.
https://m.sears.com/craftsman-mig-welder-with-cart/p-00920569000P
I converted to gas and got a decent helmet, but still came out under $500.
It has worked perfectly for the light work you can expect out of 110 that I've done: body panels, exhaust, etc. It's my only welding experience, so I'm sure it's a better welder than I am.
I picked up a Hobart 140 and a bottle for $350 off craigslist about a month ago and I really like it. Hobart also does factory refurbished units on its website for good prices.
Just a FYI for anyone unaware; Hobart is generic Miller. Probably assembled elsewhere.
wheelsmithy said:Just a FYI for anyone unaware; Hobart is generic Miller. Probably assembled elsewhere.
I bet assembled elsewhere is the key and then re branded by many. Not to say it is a bad unit at all in fact it’s an excellent unit for light duty stuff up to 3/16-1/4 inch.
I just got a new argon tank that came with the big machien I just got. I want to set up on my 140. As a flux core unit it was excellent. I am hoping that adding argon it will make it that much better. I still like the flux core for when I have to bring the welder to what I am welding.
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