Reputable Welder Machines?

admin

Im curious who makes a good welder. I know the 'big' names around here, such as Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart. But im not sure who else makes a solid product - perferably in the middle class paycheck range  - I've heard alot of bad things about the Chicago Electric band (Harbor Freight), so im trying to avoid being, well, just plain cheap. My primary goal is to have a nice all around setup - arc/tig/mig/plasma cutter - no so much a fan of oxyacetalyne* (im bad about blowing stuff up!). Im just learning to weld, but have enlisted in the Army for Metal Working, so Im sure my skills will advance in the near future - but as of now im looking for something to play with and get the feel so I dont go in looking like a complete dufus  Please reply with any advise possible for both a newb to welding and a man looking to buy his first equipment for, hopefully, a reasonable price for the quality.Thanks,Rob
Reply:Do yourself a favor and stick with the Big Three name brands.  If you are low on cash, buy used!  I found a $3500 bobcat for $1500 with 700 hrs on it.  Just an example.You can find really good deals on them at craigslist.org, ebay, and your local classifieds in the newspaper.
Reply:Thanks for the tip! I didnt consider buying it used right off the bat, but i guess like motorcycles, buying used is probly smart for a few reasons (stratches, mistakes, and most of all MONEY!)Edit - Based off another thread i was reading, how is Clarke's Machinery?Last edited by ChainDriven; 09-05-2007 at 10:00 PM.
Reply:But an important thing is to use the machine first.  Test ALL functions, all switches, all dials etc...  And if you aren't familiar with the machine, ask here first.  There may be a reason why it's so cheap.  For example, the Miller ALT multiprocess welders are AWESOME machines that rival the XMT models, but they had electrical issues and break down very often.  Most people don't know this and end up buying them for $800-$1500 thinking they are getting an XMT twin only to find themselves shelling out $300+ a month getting the thing repaired.
Reply:For the most part Hobart is Miller just more plastic, so less $$.Me!
Reply:Ekk. I have heard alot of good about Miller and, now that im here, alot of relatively bad. I have a few coworkers who own Miller Tig welders (a bit older, say late 80'ish) and they swear they are the best thing since sliced bread! Now that I have come here and read arounda  bit, i've heard ALOT of bad things. Making the right choices on whats good and whats not isnt as easy as buying a motorcycle
Reply:Miller is always a good choice.  The only bad things i've ever heard were about EconoTigs.  And the only bad experience i've ever had was with the Miller ALT and Roughneck machines.  One was poorly designed, the latter was just old.  Overall it is always a good choice to go with the top three.  Oh, and don't forget ThermalArc.  They make KILLER welding machines.I have lincoln, miller, and thermalarc machines.  They are all top notch.Lincoln Weldanpower 225 AC/DC welder generator:  LOVE ITLincoln LN-25 wire feeder:  LOVE ITMiller HF-251-D1 High Frequency Box:  LOVE ITMiller 22a wirefeeder:  LOVE ITThermalArc 190GTS:  LOVE ITI use the following at workMiller XI:  LOVE ITMiller XMT 304/350:  LOVE ITMiller ALT 304:  LOVE IT (But has issues)Miller Phoenix:  LOVE ITMiller Dynasty:  LOVE ITMiller 12vs, 8vs, S-32P:  LOVE EMLincoln Idealarc:  LOVE ITWhat bad things did you hear about Miller?
Reply:Don't worry you won't look like a complete dufus.There will be someone in you class that won't know what end of the rod to put in the holder. Perhaps you could beg or borrow some equipment. If you got the $$ perhaps you could rent a welder for a day or 2. I would hate to see you buy something that you'll never use again once you get your hands on good equipment. Do you know any pro welders?   Tell them your story and offer to clean their shop for a chance to burn some rod on some scrap.
Reply:most army welders use stick and spool guns and mig guns. 3rd shop does the tig work and thats rarely. most of the stuff in the army is too thick for tig. yeah ZAP i know, but a 1 inch ali plate is rough duty for a mig. and CD, all army manuals are written on the 5th grade reading level. very easy to read with lots of pictures. get yourself a good stick machine, maybe a lincoln ac/dc tombstone. they run cheap esp used. and go to lowes or hd and get the small lincoln mig welder. my cousin got one for like $175 and it works fine on small stuff up to 3/16. and in a pinch i did scab on some 1/4" plates to the tongue of my trailer to get it home using his little mig. you could get a new mig and new tombstone for a grand total of $700. also, if your single you may just want to go with the 110V mig unit. no access to 220 except in the laundry room and someone may get a little ****ed if their dryer plug is being used for your welder. if your married then get the 220 and you will only have to argue with the wife over the dryer receptecle. stay away from the gas engine machines for now. just going in the army you can't move much weight when you PCS. and believe me a engine driven is smokin heavy."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:WB - I've heard, similar to your saying, some electrical problems. Someting along the lines of a coil??Tresi - I currently work at the HD, so renting a welder is relatively easy for me. As well, alot of my coworkers have backround (or other jobs) that have involved the use of welding for both job and home use, so plenty available! I've toyed with a MIG before, but nothing to fancy or to brag about.BUR - Thanks for the input on the military use, I have been curious on what methods they use most frequent. Im estatic about buying an Arc welder and already had my eye on one at work. The mig welders I have ben curious about, atleast on HD standards. They are all Lincolns, but majority is the flux wire only. Im not sure if the Military focus's on looks as well as performance, but I always figured a pretty Gas MIG would be a nice setup (minus buying/renting a tank!)
Reply:Originally Posted by ChainDrivenI have a few coworkers who own Miller Tig welders (a bit older, say late 80'ish) and they swear they are the best thing since sliced bread!
Reply:How long before you leave for Basic, days, weeks or months. Without knowing the answer to that question I can't recommend buying. Like has been stated, welders are heavy and you will be alloted only so many pounds for personal items every time you're transfered. HOWEVER, even if you choose to buy it would be a wise decision to find a professional shop so you learn the correct ways and not bad habits from guys that worked in some factory somewhere. Just find a reputable shop near you that flies the flag every day. They will be glad to help you out as long as you are receptive to the info being given. Most here would give whatever help we could for solders in our area. Good Luck with your new career, the military can be a great learning experience and I believe welding to be a great choice.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Thanks for the input Olddad  I have about 4 months until I leave (DEP as of now) so I have some time to kill and play. There is a reason im looking for something affordable - i dont want to leave all my EXPENSIVE equipment behind! I have immediate family members who could as well benefit from any welding equipment, but they are to stubborn to fork out the bills for it (they perfer to rent...bah)   There's only a handful of welding shops around here, and for the most part it seems they arent to 'public' friendly. They mostly specialize in fence manufacturing and repair work - nothing they're showing to the public. But I suppose it never hurts to call and ask right   Im hoping the Military will be very beneficial to me and my future family. My girlfriend at the time hates it, but if she sticks around im sure she will see the immediate good it can bring!  Thanks again for the input, and please feel free to give more!Cheers
Reply:Thanks for the input Olddad  I have about 4 months until I leave (DEP as of now) so I have some time to kill and play. There is a reason im looking for something affordable - i dont want to leave all my EXPENSIVE equipment behind! I have immediate family members who could as well benefit from any welding equipment, but they are to stubborn to fork out the bills for it (they perfer to rent...bah)   There's only a handful of welding shops around here, and for the most part it seems they arent to 'public' friendly. They mostly specialize in fence manufacturing and repair work - nothing they're showing to the public. But I suppose it never hurts to call and ask right   Im hoping the Military will be very beneficial to me and my future family. My girlfriend at the time hates it, but if she sticks around im sure she will see the immediate good it can bring!  Thanks again for the input, and please feel free to give more!Cheers
Reply:Yea, 4 months is plenty of time, I'd buy a good stick machine...but many recommend learning on mig. I'd try that repair shop first, more variety there. Most of what you'll probably be doing at a unit/post will probably be repair anyway (don't hold me to that, I was in micro-wave radars myself). Don't bother with the phone, just go to the shop. If I got a phone call I'd tell them I was too busy. Go introduce yourself, tell him what's up, he'll size you up and know whether he wants to help you out or not within a few minutes. If you do wind up as a helper in a shop, hold off buying a machine until after you've got a few days worth of work under your belt. You'll want to practice whatever his most common welding is so that would be your first choice on process. This site has a number of professionals here that post regularly so you shouldn't have any problem getting questions answered. "backuproller" sounds pretty familiar with it so you might have already hit the jackpot there. Good LuckAnything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:ChainDriven,If you buy anything now, buy an AC/DC stick welder.  Check out e-bay for a name brand unit.  These things are transformer based and are nearly bulletproof.  They'll still be running when you retire from the military.If you decide to pursue a welding MOS (military occupational specialty), don't worry, you'll have ample exposure to some of the best equipment available.  As far as training, that also will be good.  In fact, I think most military instructors would rather train someone with no experience, rather than a person who has developed a lot of bad habits from improper training.If, after welding all day, you still want to pursue welding as a hobby, the military craft shops will generally have anything you can imagine you'd need.As has been mentioned, at the lower ranks (especially single) you'll be severely limited in what the government will move.  Welders are heavy.I spent 22 years on active duty and never had a problem finding a welding machine when I needed one.  I was largely with engineer units and they'll all have welding capability in their motor pools.Good luck and hope you enjoy and grow with the experience.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Thanks for all the input gang. Please post up more! I always enjoy learning new things and diffinitly about the military. Is anyone familiar with the location/s of where the Army does their metal work training after basic? I live down in Atlanta right now, im curious where I may be heading in the future!