Which is the best welder to buy for home/farm using 110 outlet. rookie!

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Need some help.I just want an easy to use self feed welder Flux core for a rookie. Need something that is good and safe that will not break the budget!I do not have 220 plug so needs to be 110 ready no gas.Thanks for any insight on what to purchase.
Reply:Miller Sync210 with spoolgun/mig option.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:I have a Lincoln 140 that you can get new for 5 or 600 bucks. You can also find them and others on CL but in my experience they aren't cheap enough to take a chance on used. Just don't go buy the HF 90 junk.By the way, do you have an electric dryer? You can run a lot of MIG/flux core on that size circuit.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Hobart 210mvp. You can run it off 110v or 220v if you ever get 220put in or a big enough generator
Reply:Originally Posted by Gravel do you have an electric dryer? You can run a lot of MIG/flux core on that size circuit.
Reply:Tweco 141i  I did have to ditch the mig gun to get it to weld correctly, (Ebay is your friend) Have to admit,the arc quality will match machines costing thousands of dollars..Just not output.. By the way, I have welded with over 10 different Lincoln 140c machines. Like them ,but not even in the ballpark on versatility. and hot adjustable arc.. Pretty good wet out on the top with the Lincoln, but not even close on the driving/ low spatter clean arc of the Tweco. Don't know what Tweco was thinking with that gun. Nice feel, but just sucks hind tit..Got the same liner as the Lincoln machine has in it, so more in how the diffuser/ nozzle works or does not work.I modified my MB-15 AK grip 12 ft gun to work with the Tweco. Had to shim between the Block, and the pin to get clearance to use the gun. Awesome setup, and It's one heck of a machine.. I am sure a standard 10 ft Lincoln gun would go right on it without mods.Probably work pretty nice.. Attached ImagesLast edited by Brand X; 08-04-2014 at 01:45 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:you mean there are other welders besides red? lincoln sp125, had it for about 15 years and run strictly flux core. i had to switch the gun liner tho. never one problem. ever.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:This is a simple basic easy to use fluxcore unit.   http://www.hobartwelders.com/product.../handler125ez/If it's going to see any serious stress, I wouldn't exceed 1/8" thick material with a 120 volt wire unit.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:ESAB MiniArc 161LTS.  Dual voltage 115/230VAC, welds 110A/160A output DC.  Will burn 6010 rods.  Great little welder.  I use mine in 115V mode...no problems in over a year.
Reply:Tweco 141i at $575. delivered and free helmet:  http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIP"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:Originally Posted by OldendumTweco 141i at $575. delivered and free helmet:  http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIP
Reply:I used to own a millermatic 140 with spool gun which was a great welder especially for a beginner but as usual the price won't be cheap with miller stuff.I am sure everyone is going to jump me on this one but the Harbor Freight 90 amp flux core welder is decent and can be had for 89 dollars at tent sales. I have used the harbor freight welder with their flux core wire to weld up my foundry furnaces powered by waste oils. The harbor freight welder is good for putting dirty metal together under 3/16 using their wire everyone so hates, will you get structural welds ? Get real, but for the beginner its perfect.  I built my last furnace with harbor freight flux core wire (2011), The base was 1/4 , the case that held the firebrick was 3/16. After about 100 melts and because I was moving my shop I decided to scrap my furnace but before I did I ran it at full throttle. The furnace was white hot, The infrared output was so powerful it shut off the solar charged night lights from 20+ feet away. The firebricks turned into bananas before melting into a glass like material, The stainless steel crucible melted and the base warped like crazy, sand under the base  turned into glass.  Hell had no fury like that furnace but after all that , the harbor freight welds survived, not one crack. Attachment 794501Attachment 794511
Reply:Little bast#$d is for the experienced.  That said, most decent quality self-shielded wire has a wide sweet spot.. Not like tuning in hard wire with inductance messing with your short-arc.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XTweco 141i  I did have to ditch the mig gun to get it to weld correctly, (Ebay is your friend) Have to admit,the arc quality will match machines costing thousands of dollars..Just not output.. By the way, I have welded with over 10 different Lincoln 140c machines. Like them ,but not even in the ballpark on versatility. and hot adjustable arc.. Pretty good wet out on the top with the Lincoln, but not even close on the driving/ low spatter clean arc of the Tweco. Don't know what Tweco was thinking with that gun. Nice feel, but just sucks hind tit..Got the same liner as the Lincoln machine has in it, so more in how the diffuser/ nozzle works or does not work.I modified my MB-15 AK grip 12 ft gun to work with the Tweco. Had to shim between the Block, and the pin to get clearance to use the gun. Awesome setup, and It's one heck of a machine.. I am sure a standard 10 ft Lincoln gun would go right on it without mods.Probably work pretty nice..
Reply:Works great.. I generally just have a few of them in my carry kit, and 3/32 7018 /309-312 in 3/32-1/8  I really like my Pee-Wee 85s the best, because it's a great little stick unit.. 6 pounds is hard to beat, and lots of open circuit voltage.. (Old school, and kicks it)I just found my Hobart self-shielded nozzle cover, and knurled drive rolls for the 141i just tonight. Going to load up the .030 weld-it self-shielded I have laying around.Should give solid welds to 3/16. Dan, how thick could you weld Mild steel using 140 amps tig. Multi-pass? Seems like you could get some pretty decent capacity out of a 120 volt welder that way. Just to stretch the capability a bit farther..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Hobart 210MVP or Miller 211GlenMiller Dynasty 200DX - Millermatic 350P - Hypertherm Powermax 45Want to sell!! - Hobart Handler 150
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XWorks great.. I generally just have a few of them in my carry kit, and 3/32 7018 /309-312 in 3/32-1/8  I really like my Pee-Wee 85s the best, because it's a great little stick unit.. 6 pounds is hard to beat, and lots of open circuit voltage.. (Old school, and kicks it)I just found my Hobart self-shielded nozzle cover, and knurled drive rolls for the 141i just tonight. Going to load up the .030 weld-it self-shielded I have laying around.Should give solid welds to 3/16. Dan, how thick could you weld Mild steel using 140 amps tig. Multi-pass? Seems like you could get some pretty decent capacity out of a 120 volt welder that way. Just to stretch the capability a bit farther..
Reply:The duty-cycle (at least in my 70 degree shop) does not seem to be a issue at all. Cycles on and off like the passport did. This is mig mostly,and I am real happy using .023 wire. I tried the lower e and reverse J with .023 but I have not ran enough .030 to really know how well it does.(some) .023 is pretty well matched to the machine, and it burns in pretty hot. 3/16 is  good with C-25 and that combo..Still would just use the caddy-mig 200 in those type applications. In fact, I rather use my Shopmate, because it's sitting right there.. In most ways the 141i, and the Shopmate cover all my needs. If I was using a generator the Caddie mig would show it's real advantage over those two machines..(and any other mig units I can think of)That, and I have .030 loaded in it.. .023 in the 141i, .030 in the Esab, and .035 solid-045 dual-shield in the Miller. Grab, and go that way..The tiny machines don't take up too much much room, because they are on carts with other machines..Last edited by Brand X; 08-07-2014 at 10:52 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I would consider looking at Craigslist or ebay for any of the used 115V Hobart Handler, Miller or Lincoln units.  Buy one cheap and when you decide on what you need, buy a bigger unit.GlenMiller Dynasty 200DX - Millermatic 350P - Hypertherm Powermax 45Want to sell!! - Hobart Handler 150
Reply:Originally Posted by DanScott, in short circuit transfer mig, do you ever use the lower case cursive "e" motion? If so, give an .030 wire a try, on a 1/4" horizontal T or lap joint, in the 17 - 18 volt range with an amperage in  the 130 -140 range. Set the inductance to give you a crisper style arc like a MM 180 or SP 175 Plus. Actually even a touch softer like a MM 210 works good too. This should result in the 141i being able to produce sound enough single pass fillet welds on 1/4" for non-critical applications.
Reply:For 110.  I would actually recommend a stick/TIG  Esp if you want to do thicker metal.   3/32 or 1/8 TIG rod can be run well on 110vac.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I really like my multimatic 200.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawFor 110.  I would actually recommend a stick/TIG  Esp if you want to do thicker metal.   3/32 or 1/8 TIG rod can be run well on 110vac.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XHere is one for non critical .250 .030 wire.   Just going to run .023 wire in this machine because it's at it best.. Need to weld thicker stock, then the Esab comes out. Pretty hot arc for a 120 volt unit. No standard 120 volt wire-feed (20 amp circuit) is in the same class.. (IMO)
Reply:The guy that rents half my shop has a Hobart 140 that he bought at TS. He uses it for remote hand rail stuff where he only has 110 available. I used it just today on some hand rail and was very impressed.Originally Posted by Brand XI would first recommended a high output 240 volt welder with any of the above processes first..