Need help picking a welder

admin

I just sold my Lincoln SP-140T to fund an upgrade to 220V.  I'm mostly fabricating parts for my 1971 Bronco (plate bumpers, rock sliders, etc.) and those will be 1/4" plate, with the occasional part if 3/8".  I've currently got about $750 in the welder fund and am hoping to score a great Black Friday deal this week.  Any suggestions about which units I should be looking at?  I had decided to go with a reconditioned SP-180T, but am now looking at the Hobart Handler 210 for the extra power.  The ability to run 110v is a plus as well as my garage isn't currently wired for 220v and my wife will get cranky if I take over the dryer outlet too oftern.  I'm just fabbing parts for myself, so duty cycle isn't critical, but I don't want to have to upgrade again down the road.  Any help is deeply appreciated, as I'm a bit of a noob.
Reply:Definitely go with a 220 volt machine.  The Miller 211 is DV and is supposed to be a great buy, but you're not gonna get a great duty cycle.I'd personally get a used Miller, Lincoln, ESAB or TA machine.  Go with as big a machine you an buy or afford.   You can't weld with the amps you didn't buy, but you an always turn a big machine down.You wanna make sure you have enough amps to get sound welds on 1/4" steel.  MIG is notorious for laying cold weld beads on top of material that appears to be a sound weld but has little strength and penetration.I grabbed my Millermatic 200 for $299 with a Spoolgun.   All in after repairs, I'm at around $500-600 for a beast of a machine.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Note that on 110v power dual voltage machines like the HH210MVP or MM211 etc,  won't give you any more output than your old SP-140. You will still be limited to 1/8" material at best under real world conditions. To do 1/4" or 3/8" you must have 230v input with those machines. If you want to use that extra power you will have to run a 230v line to the garage..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Hey Mort,First off, welcome to WW.I'd watch ebay along with craigslist.  Can't go wrong with any of the name brand stuff: Lincoln, Miller, Thermal Arc, Esab, Hobart.  At least with those, you'll get a higher re-sale when you want to upgrade.Don't be afraid of used welders, as long as you can test 'em. I've bought used off ebay and haven't got burned yet, but there is that chance.  I'm guessing you've already got a good handle on what a welder is supposed to do.Good luck and be sure to post up pics of your projects.Another thing you can do, if you're dead set on buying new, demo the machines in question at you local welding supplier.I've had 4 220 migs like what you're looking for: a dual voltage Migatronics of '80's vintage, a Lincoln 155 tapped, a Thermal Arc 180, and now the Esab 160.  They all got the job done, but my fave is probably the Esab.  It was available new on ebay for around $600.  the Lincoln and the TA were nice, but both were a "tapped" voltage output, so control was limited, like with your old 140T.  Something to keep in mind.Last edited by dubl_t; 11-20-2012 at 07:52 AM.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions, keep'em coming.  I'm not set on a dual voltage machine.  If I find one that has it, great, but I'm making the upgrade specifically to go to 220v.  I've been watching Craigslist, but haven't had much luck despite being in a major city (Denver).  Still holding out hope...I'd be really happy with a Millermatic 200.  How big a deal for what I want is the extra power of a 210 sized machine over a something like the SP-180T?  Will a 180 do good welds on 1/4"?  I've got about $750 in the welder fund at the moment, but could stretch a little for something like the Hobart 210, which Northern Tool has for $850.  If a 180 will do fine, it'd leave me money to have a friend help me wire up the garage for 220v.
Reply:Mort,go check this out: http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3382933502.htmlor this one: http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3408300401.htmlor in a pinch: http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3348439687.htmlI'm done now.....but I do love welder shopping Last edited by dubl_t; 11-20-2012 at 11:24 AM.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Keep it up, it's helpful.  I like spending other people's money, too. :-)  Not sure about that last one.  The reconditioned SP-180Ts are going for about $600, so I'd probably buy new.  That's the kicker with this.  I'd love a MM211, but I'm not convinced it's almost double as good.  Now if I could find a refurb 210....
Reply:With your budget, for 1/4" steel, in a new unit, I'd definitely go with a Handler 210 MVP over a 180 amp unit.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Originally Posted by DanWith your budget, for 1/4" steel, in a new unit, I'd definitely go with a Handler 210 MVP over a 180 amp unit.
Reply:110v will get you started but will definely limit your power and the thickness of metal you can weld.  get a good quality dual voltage to get you going but start thinking about how you can plug into 220 if you are serious about weldingEverlast PowerTIG 185
Reply:Have narrowed the search after doing some shopping today.  I've crossed the Hobart off the list after looking inside-parts don't appear to be finished as well as the Miller and Lincoln units.  Will definitely be going with either the Lincoln Power Mig 180C or the Miller 211.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...81#post1835981
Reply:Welcome..bigger is better...
Reply:Hey Z3, don't you have a grinder project to finish....Well good luck Mort.  Whatever you get will be better than what you had.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Thanks.  I've pretty much talked myself into a 211.
Reply:Any thoughts on thermal arc 181i, then you could get a machine that can tig, mig, and stick. Some processes will be very basic but then you have more options.
Reply:Originally Posted by mortimersnerdHave narrowed the search after doing some shopping today.  I've crossed the Hobart off the list after looking inside-parts don't appear to be finished as well as the Miller and Lincoln units.  Will definitely be going with either the Lincoln Power Mig 180C or the Miller 211.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...81#post1835981
Reply:You can weld all you want for your Bronco project with a Miller 211.  Just run it on 230v and never look back at 120v.   Also, the Hobart 210 MVP is an excellent welder from everything I've seen with it, including reviews.  Buy new.  You get a warranty that way.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