I think I want to buy a welder.

[Eli]

I know it would be best to stay away from Harbor Freight garbage, so that's what I'd like to avoid....

Actually, it's just research at this point I guess.

The price has to be right.. Under 200$. Obviously, this is going to be for very, very light welding/fabrication.

I don't know if any big, quality name brands offer models that cheap..

HF has quite a few models under 200$... Most made by Chicago Electric Welding Systems I believe.

Another thing I'm concerned about.. It seems that all the 120V models draw 15A or more. I'm not sure that we have a completely empty 15A circuit..

On the other hand, I could build a 240V extension cord and use that..... hmm.

Oh, and then I'll touch on the idea of getting a TIG welder instead of MIG. I like the idea, but I'm weary.. mostly because I've never TIG welded before.. and it also seems they're more expensive.

But I'm good at soldering, and I've heard it's kinda like that.. lol

 

[imported_Pablo]

I've been interested at getting into welding myself, but I think the Miller Millermatic 135 is about as entry level as you can get and still have a quality welder (pretty good resale value too). They are available in 120V and 240V models. I've seen these for around $550. That's out of your price range by a long shot, but that's about what price range to expect for a quality machine...

 

[imported_Pablo]

A tig welder will be significantly out of your budget, but would probably be more along the lines of something that you would use on a regular basis (lightweight sheetmetal, etc...) A class at your local tech. college would help you learn the basics, plus it would probably be cheaper than buying a machine and finding out its not what you want...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Pablo
A tig welder will be significantly out of your budget, but would probably be more along the lines of something that you would use on a regular basis (lightweight sheetmetal, etc...) A class at your local tech. college would help you learn the basics, plus it would probably be cheaper than buying a machine and finding out its not what you want...

I could swing it once I paid one of my CC's down a bit.. lol

It looks pretty nice actually... heh

 

[Insane3D]

No comment....

 

[Eli]

Something like this maybe?

15% at 115A is pretty good for a cheapo, heh.

It would suck to have it die though. But realistically, I'm not going to be welding a ship together or anything.. At the worst, I'll just have to be very careful about keeping the unit cool.

Hmm.. Are there people that "hack" their welders... add bigger heatsinks and fans?

LOL

 

[Grouchyoldguy]

Eli, take a look at some of the little Lincolns Home Depot sells. Welding is nothing like soldering but mig is as easy as it gets.
Pablo, I've had a 135 and didn't shed a tear the day it was stolen. Too light duty for me. I replaced it with the 175 and am much happier.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Contact the Lincoln Welder Distribution Office in your area.

They offer welders that are used by Tech Schools - cycled out about every 9 months at
big discounts - as mush as $ 200 off of quality units - and the offer the full waranty just as
if the product was new out of the box. They will sometimes toss in extra weld wire/stick
to sweeten the deal - and offer training so you learn to use the equipment.

They also hold 'Welding Seminars' and will overstock equipment that is used for 'Demos' by their sales & tech instructors - you might get 10% off for a welder that has only been
used for 8 - 16 hours in a controled presentation.

If you want a new unit, there are 'Automotive Specials' for those hobby builders that
are doing hot-rod projects, even for homebuilders involved in airplanes, etc.

You may be able to find the Lincoln product that you really want for less than a 'Chinese rip-off', or a less capable imitation - if you check with the local rep.
Most will even put you on a waiting list if they expect a educational exchange in the near future.

705 SE Victory Avenue
Suite 220
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: 360-693-4712
Fax: 360-693-4752

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Grouchyoldguy
Eli, take a look at some of the little Lincolns Home Depot sells. Welding is nothing like soldering but mig is as easy as it gets.
Pablo, I've had a 135 and didn't shed a tear the day it was stolen. Too light duty for me. I replaced it with the 175 and am much happier.

Hmm, interesting, thanks.

Looks like Home Depot's cheapest Lincoln kit is 250$here
. The unit does look nice though... 20% @ 70A. 1 year warranty.

Wow, the 339$ modelhere looks very nice. 20% @ 88A, 3 year warranty..


This would be best.. heh

But I doubt Home Depot has the best prices on them... ?

 

[NascarFool]

I got a Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder in December. 120v mig that can be used with or without gas. I tried it without gas to weld rocker panels on my truck. Very messy without the gas. I now have a bottle of argon/co2 on it and it is much better. It's almost too much of a welder for sheet metal welding. I think my son paid around $550 for the welder. It was my X-mas present from him and the wife.

 

[Grouchyoldguy]

They used to have a better selection.

 

[CaptnKirk]

But I doubt Home Depot has the best prices on them... ?


Home Depot, Sears, Etc. . . all are selling contract configurations made by Lincoln for them specifically to lower design standards than the base Lincoln product.
The derivatives have less materials used to produce a cheaper product - such as Aluminum windings instead of Copper, or a less capable transformer package, etc.

Any of the SP-125 or SP-135's from a home retail center are less capable than the original Lincoln premium unit -
as I said . . . contact the Lincoln Distributor & play 'Let's Make a Deal'.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Eli
Something like this maybe?

15% at 115A is pretty good for a cheapo, heh.

It would suck to have it die though. But realistically, I'm not going to be welding a ship together or anything.. At the worst, I'll just have to be very careful about keeping the unit cool.

Hmm.. Are there people that "hack" their welders... add bigger heatsinks and fans?

LOL

For $200 dollar range that is pretty good. That and its a good one to start as it can use gas or flux wire.
I got a cheap flux one from them and have done all my floorboard welding on my car and its works just fine. Not pretty but holds.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
But I doubt Home Depot has the best prices on them... ?


Home Depot, Sears, Etc. . . all are selling contract configurations made by Lincoln for them specifically to lower design standards than the base Lincoln product.
The derivatives have less materials used to produce a cheaper product - such as Aluminum windings instead of Copper, or a less capable transformer package, etc.

Any of the SP-125 or SP-135's from a home retail center are less capable than the original Lincoln premium unit -
as I said . . . contact the Lincoln Distributor & play 'Let's Make a Deal'.

I'll try, but I suck at that.. lol

It seems that often people get offended all too easily when you try to play cheap...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Eli
Something like this maybe?

15% at 115A is pretty good for a cheapo, heh.

It would suck to have it die though. But realistically, I'm not going to be welding a ship together or anything.. At the worst, I'll just have to be very careful about keeping the unit cool.

Hmm.. Are there people that "hack" their welders... add bigger heatsinks and fans?

LOL

For $200 dollar range that is pretty good. That and its a good one to start as it can use gas or flux wire.
I got a cheap flux one from them and have done all my floorboard welding on my car and its works just fine. Not pretty but holds.

Yeah.... that's something that I liked too, I could always get a bottle of gas later... since as you say, the flux-core welds will be messy.. But that can be cured with a little elbow grease, no biggy... to start at least.

 

[slag]

I've been looking for the same thing.. A decent wire feed welder that can be used for autobody or just welding stuff together to make tools, work on projects, etc.

I regularly see lincoln welders go for $150 or so at auctions for decent models with the gas. I might have to just nab me one of these and start playing with it.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: slag
I've been looking for the same thing.. A decent wire feed welder that can be used for autobody or just welding stuff together to make tools, work on projects, etc.

I regularly see lincoln welders go for $150 or so at auctions for decent models with the gas. I might have to just nab me one of these and start playing with it.

Really.. where are these auctions you speak of? eBay? Shipping kills most deals on there it seems....

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: Grouchyoldguy
Eli, take a look at some of the little Lincolns Home Depot sells. Welding is nothing like soldering but mig is as easy as it gets.
Pablo, I've had a 135 and didn't shed a tear the day it was stolen. Too light duty for me. I replaced it with the 175 and am much happier.

Yeah, I don't weld personally. Our guys use miller bobcats on the road, and three phase units here in the shop. I have heard that a 175 with gas lays a pretty good bead.

 

[drnickriviera]

I really think you should spend the extra money and get a Miller 175. I had a Lincoln weldpack 100, and it was just never good enough. I tossed the flux core wire the week after I got it and went to gas. The voltage settings were pitiful. 4 choices A,B,C,D. One thing I hated when I sold the Lincoln and got the Miller was I had to relearn all my voltage and wirefeed settings.

Forget about TIG. I paid around $1200 for my Thermalarc inverter unit. You may be able to get an older unit with transformers in it, but they weigh a few hundred pounds.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I really think you should spend the extra money and get a Miller 175. I had a Lincoln weldpack 100, and it was just never good enough. I tossed the flux core wire the week after I got it and went to gas. The voltage settings were pitiful. 4 choices A,B,C,D. One thing I hated when I sold the Lincoln and got the Miller was I had to relearn all my voltage and wirefeed settings.

Forget about TIG. I paid around $1200 for my Thermalarc inverter unit. You may be able to get an older unit with transformers in it, but they weigh a few hundred pounds.

jeebus christ they're like 750$ .. lol..

I really wish I could.

 

[aidanjm]

what will you do with him after you've bought him?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
what will you do with him after you've bought him?

Weld stuff together, duh!

I dunno. It's just one of those things... invaluble when you need one.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
But I doubt Home Depot has the best prices on them... ?


Home Depot, Sears, Etc. . . all are selling contract configurations made by Lincoln for them specifically to lower design standards than the base Lincoln product.
The derivatives have less materials used to produce a cheaper product - such as Aluminum windings instead of Copper, or a less capable transformer package, etc.

Any of the SP-125 or SP-135's from a home retail center are less capable than the original Lincoln premium unit -
as I said . . . contact the Lincoln Distributor & play 'Let's Make a Deal'.

Just wanted to thank you again for posting. I didn't really realize how invaluble this information was until I re-read through the post.

 

[alien42]

what about plasma, how does that compare to mig and tig?