First Welder Purchase

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Small quick background on me and what i need the welder for: Never welded anything in my life, my dad has back in the days but doesnt remember anymore, i believe he used a TIG this was back in Cuba. Anyways i want it for small repairs, inventions and tinkering on my part, perhaps some future aluminum if possible, most likely a few uses a yr at most and hopefully doesnt break the bank. I live in Miami FL by the way so there will be no tractor welding, frames for a barn or whatnot, again this will be for small tikering projects and repairing stuff that might need welding.So i need some opinions and advices whether to get e MIG or TIG, do i need the gases or can i do without them since it will get light use, other than the welder i would need some advice on what else to get like gloves, mask, etc etc.
Reply:If you have the cash buy the best. For easy learning buy a Miller Diversion 180. Way easy, no school involved, just practice. For mig, I recommend a Lincoln. Just rock solid performance. Avoid any mig that does not have a setup chart under the hood.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:What is your budget?  What kind of electrical outlet do you have available (120, 240, # Amps ...)For an entry level MIG, this Lincoln 180 isn't bad at $569.http://www.lowes.com/pd_256723-1703-...der&facetInfo=For $530. you could get a reconditioned Hobart 190.  It's a good welder:http://www.hobartweldshop.com/servle...ers/CategoriesThen there's used stuff on Craigslist.  I almost got a Lincoln 175 with cart, medium gas bottle, gloves, clamps and a long extension cord for $300.  Guy sold it for $450. as I was driving over to get it.   Did get a clean Clarke 130EN (not much of a welder) with a 5 lb CO2 tank, flowmeter regulator and about 5 spools of wire for $85.Last edited by Oldendum; 10-11-2013 at 11:53 AM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:A few uses a year ? Get a torch setup. You can weld(and braze,solder) damn near anything with practice and it also gives you the ability to cut and bend without any other machines. If you have a torch set all you need is a pair of #3-5ir glasses, gloves a vice and a little 4 1/2 grinder.No worries with electric. Even if you start with the most hotdog machine on earth you eventually can't be without a torch so why not start there ?Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeA few uses a year ? Get a torch setup. You can weld(and braze,solder) damn near anything with practice and it also gives you the ability to cut and bend without any other machines. If you have a torch set all you need is a pair of #3-5ir glasses, gloves a vice and a little 4 1/2 grinder.No worries with electric. Even if you start with the most hotdog machine on earth you eventually can't be without a torch so why not start there ?
Reply:Rounding it up, $600 is more than i want to spend on a welder that will be used very little, now i have a few stuff i need to do which are very very small projects, like making 9 connection welds on a 1"-1/4" square steel tubes. This thing will be use to make a weld here and there, perhaps one day weld some chairs, fixing a 5' trailer or hitch or simple small stuff like that.I have 120 and 240 but the 240 is at the laundry room and being used, amps are regular of those in a household but where i will be connecting it i really dont know i would have to find out.Honestly $600 for something i know i will barely use unless i try to make projects just so i can give it some use is a waste of money (for me), so with that in mind what do you guys think? Still recommend the $600 ballpark or something less expensive?
Reply:There are cutting-only (one piece) torches, but more common are torches with a separate handle and cutting attachment.  Remove the cutting attachment and screw on a welding/brazing tip. Torches are versatile.  However, if you want to weld or heat big stuff, you need a pretty fair size acetylene tank.  Best deal I saw locally for a cart, mid-size cylinders, torch, regs & hose was around $250.  It sold fast."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I'll look into the torch setup, what about a mig? Isnt it supposed to be more forgiving and easier to use?
Reply:Originally Posted by ycastaneI'll look into the torch setup, what about a mig? Isnt it supposed to be more forgiving and easier to use?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYup. You can go gasless too. I still recommend Lincoln, but you may not find the $600 range you need unless you go ChiCom.
Reply:Hobart, Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics...they're all good. Hobart is owned by a consortium that also owns Miller. They are good welders. Each of us has their own preference and/or bias. I do own one Lincoln, but generally go with Miller...if I were out in the sticks using a portable, it would be Lincoln. Welding isn't a cheap hobby by any means, but if you bide your time you should be able to come across a decent deal on a used machine.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Save you money and have someone else do the welding for you, problem solved.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416Save you money and have someone else do the welding for you, problem solved.
Reply:Still gotta disagree. After the torch get a stick. AC/DC. Thunderbolt has a good price point. Yes. It's worth the extra for DC.If you can't stick weld you cant weld.You can glue chit together with a MIG and make it look like something, when you really have nothing. Welding is about manipulation of molten metal. Somebody who is a welder can tell by many different(non-obvious) signs if the feed and heat is right on a MIG. A non welder thinks he's caulking a tub and how great it LOOKS.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeStill gotta disagree. After the torch get a stick. AC/DC. Thunderbolt has a good price point. Yes. It's worth the extra for DC.If you can't stick weld you cant weld.You can glue chit together with a MIG and make it look like something, when you really have nothing. Welding is about manipulation of molten metal. Somebody who is a welder can tell by many different(non-obvious) signs if the feed and heat is right on a MIG. A non welder thinks he's caulking a tub and how great it LOOKS.
Reply:OK. Example time. When I first moved here I bought a torch,a box of Bronce C, a Makita grinder and some gloves.This was in prep for my stuff, yet to arrive.I painted it with a 3/4 brush.....and allot of rum. Bends and all. Torch. How else can you get 360 degree attachment on a sunray pattern ?http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/1...fe29f0a6_h.jpgLast edited by Burpee; 10-11-2013 at 05:57 PM.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by ycastaneI'll look into the torch setup, what about a mig? Isnt it supposed to be more forgiving and easier to use?
Reply:It's time for this :Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Nice,  watched the entire video.  Those guys were pretty good with oxy/act and tubing.  Thanks for sharing...