What is a good Welding Machine to buy for a Beginner

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Yes I want to buy a welder for my husband for Christmas he is into doing classic cars, what would be a good one for a beginner, I am wanting to spend 300 to 400 dollars, and can I get a decent one from Lowe's would rather buy one local in case he wants to return it.Thank you Lisa
Reply:"doing" classic cars is a rather vague statement, especially the "doing" part.  Exactly what does he do, and how has he been doing it so far without a welding machine?    Doing body work is quite different from modifying the chassis, motor mounts, heavy duty stuff, etc.
Reply:I would Imagine he wants a TIG welder if he likes to repair classic cars. Don't forget accessories.
Reply:I dont thing a tig is the machine for a new welder working on classic cars. A tig is also certainly not in her budget range.I believe a mig welder is what the guy should be starting off with. I'd look for a Lincoln power mig 140, Millermatic 140 or Hobart handler 140. You might have to bump up your budget a couple hundred dollars though if you want a new one. A used machine will fit your budget however.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:give him a ride to his local welding supply to pick out what he wants, when u get there, hand him 400$ and say anything above this u gotta pay, hahaPersonally id think u were awesome if u were my wife.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeI believe a mig welder is what the guy should be starting off with. I'd look for a Lincoln power mig 140, Millermatic 140 or Hobart handler 140. You might have to bump up your budget a couple hundred dollars though if you want a new one. A used machine will fit your budget however.
Reply:My first welder (a Linclon SP-140T) was purchased for a body work project on my '71 Bronco.  The 3 welders above are great, and of them I'd probably pick the Power Mig 140, mainly because it's on sale right now and has a little bit more robust internals than the Hobart.  The Miller is a great choice, but you'll spend a little more.  If you can't stretch to do one of those, pick up one of these:http://www.weldingmart.com/sp-140t-m...ory-recon.htmlI went this route and was extremely pleased.  The SP-140T is largely the same welder as the Power Mig 140c, but has more plastic inside and a decently lower price.  I just sold mine for only a little less than I paid for it, so if he wants to upgrade down the road they hold their value well.  Don't sweat the fact that it's reconditioned.  I'm fairly certain that mine was never used, as there literally wasn't a scratch on it.
Reply:Save yourself a headache......... Buy a dual voltage machine.  Get a Miller 211 or Lincoln 180 dual voltage.   When you "upgrade," you'll have to only change out your electrical outlet and not your machine.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:A Hobart 180 or 187 or the Miller equivalent will be all that he will ever need.  Get it from your local welding supply store or used with the cart and bottle and get him one of those inexpensive auto darkening hoods too.  Do not mess with a 120 volt machine as he will soon be doing projects that require more power and never get it from Lowes as it will not have the tanks and cart with it.  A flo\ux core welder is a PITA.
Reply:Get your husband one of these models.....http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...incolnElectric)or this.....http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00245or this....http://www.hobartwelders.com/product...ed/handler210/Don't look at the MSRP price on the factory websites.  The respective manufacturers inflate that price.  Shop around and buy from the internet.  Look for deals such as "no tax" and/or "no shipping" costs if it's available.  Many times around Christmas, you can find those deals.   Out of the two mentioned above, I'd tip my hat to the Hobart 210, based on cost alone.  I think the Millermatic 211 offeres the best features, but it's also the most expensive out of the three.  Basically, all three models can do the same job.  Although, the Lincoln model is slightly less in overall power.  However that diminished power loss compared to the other two models would be neglibible for your husband's needs.   I know you only have a budget of 300-400 dollars, but that isn't going to work.  You DON'T want to buy him a cheap and inefficient welder that will only drive him to "upgrade" and buy a better one a year or two later.  Invest in something nice.  Cheapest I found on the internet just now for the Lincoln is this sweet machine:https://weldingsupply.securesites.ne...NDEF:X:K2473-2Cheapest I found with a bit more power and capability from Northern tool with FREE SHIPPING and NO TAX is this Hobart:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479230_200479230?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Welding-_-Wirefeed%20Welding-_-20860&ci_sku=20860&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gcli  d=CKK3oeTx-bMCFal7QgodVxcAkAThat Hobart I think would be your best bet.  To save just about $50.00 or so, the Lincoln 180c would be the second choice.  He's your husband............. ain't he worth it?  "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:If your stuck on the $400.00 price tag your best to go a canadian tire or princess auto as a new lincoln or miller from a wwelding shop will cost you double that by the time you purchase extra consumables, helmet, gloves and a cylinder of gas not to mention the taxes.
Reply:Originally Posted by loneeagleIf your stuck on the $400.00 price tag your best to go a canadian tire or princess auto as a new lincoln or miller from a wwelding shop will cost you double that by the time you purchase extra consumables, helmet, gloves and a cylinder of gas not to mention the taxes.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcIf she can't afford anything other than $400, may I suggest you just don't buy it at all.  Instead, give your husband that money to save and wait a few months to go buy the better quality machine.  Your husband will thank you later.