In the market for a first welder

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Having had a good bit of welding experience from my college welding program, and having just come into a fair amount of money from a recent birthday, I have decided to start looking for a welder of my own. I have never bought a welder before, so I am not exactly sure what to look for, or even where to look for that matter.So, I am currently looking for something that can run on standard 120V power (I don't have 240V, sad for me ), has a fair duty cycle, and would fit in my budget of around or under $1200. I'm just looking for something that would generally be used as a hobby/garage welder. Stick or MIG isn't particularly important to me right now, I could easily go either way. So, with all this in mind, what would be some good recommendations?Thank you in advance.
Reply:You cant beat this special going on at cyberweld. $378   Great to start out. Stick/TIG 110 volts and comes with a TIG torch.http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcstwe95s1.htmlThen take a coupon to Harbor Freight and get this bottle for $72, and go to your local welding shop to swap it or get it filled.http://www.harborfreight.com/20-cubi...der-92807.htmlLast edited by yesindeed; 03-06-2016 at 08:47 PM.Millermatic 211Everlast 200DX Thermal Arc 181iKlutch ST80i lunchbox stick welderLincoln Weld-Pak 100Century Stick welderPowermax 30 plasma cutterHenrob 2000 torchLogan 200 lathe (60 years old)Clausing 6339 Lathe (for sale)
Reply:If I were you I would look at the Hobart 210 MVP, it runs on both 110 and 220 and cost less than a $1000.00. It welds up to 3\8 and down to 24 gauge sheet metal and aluminum with a spool gun. Both Hobart and Miller are owned by ITW and they both have outstanding customer service. I don't much like multi process machines that stick, tig and mig. Just my opinion from my experience. Good luck!Last edited by kctgb; 03-06-2016 at 11:28 PM.
Reply:Another contender, Tweco 211i.  Under $900 right now.Both 120v/240v, mig/tig/stick, plenty of power for when you do get 240v.http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...anUaAgTL8P8HAQA tig/stick dual voltage machine, ESAB 161 LTS.http://www.weldersupply.com/P/901/ES...c161LTSTIGSTICDave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:What ever you get, get the dual voltage.  It will be able to grow whey you do get 240V power and it will worth more if you ever want to sell or trade for another.Buy quality the first time to avoid the pain of a lesser machine.Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:As stated definitely get a multi volt 120 / 240 volt machine . I would say a mig wil give you more versatility in material thickness. Stick can be frustrating on thinner materials.
Reply:Dual volt, multi-process Mig/Tig/Stick would be my pick if I had the money. You can run Mig & Stick with no gas if the buy pushes you right to your $$ limit and get a bottle later. A well known brand will bring you more bucks if you ever want to sell and parts will be more readily available.
Reply:Lincoln 210 mp 110 or 220 volt multiprocess with cool digital display with tons of beginner presets. And it'll burn 1/8 6010s the thermal arc/tweco 211 fabricator's wont. I've ran them all.... The small 92 thermal is ok but you'll out grow it soon. The miller equivalent is out of your price range and unless you plan on dropping it from the roof of your house is over built for your needs...... Sent from my LG-LS995 using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:Also worry about consumables...nozzles and tips....With the small hobart/miller dual voltage machines you can buy nozzles and tips at even harbor freight, but not the Lincoln.I have owed the Hobart 210MVP and over 3 years now and use it almost daily...Both the Hobart and Millers always come with EVERYTHING except a gas bottle...The small Lincolns come with NOTHING except welder..No regulator, no welding wire-nothing.The Hobart has no digital crap to fail and it will not fail like imports. You can buy it at Tractor Supply or many many places on internet with free shipping and no taxes for lots less than a thou bucks...It truly does weld perfectly from thin metal up to 3/8 thick using all it ships with....It also welds alum VERY well if you buy their fantastic spoolgun for less that 200 bucks.I liked it so much, a few months ago I bought the Hobart 250 amp mig, but the 210MVP I can tote around easy if needed
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderAlso worry about consumables...nozzles and tips....With the small hobart/miller dual voltage machines you can buy nozzles and tips at even harbor freight, but not the Lincoln.I have owed the Hobart 210MVP and over 3 years now and use it almost daily...Both the Hobart and Millers always come with EVERYTHING except a gas bottle...The small Lincolns come with NOTHING except welder..No regulator, no welding wire-nothing.The Hobart has no digital crap to fail and it will not fail like imports. You can buy it at Tractor Supply or many many places on internet with free shipping and no taxes for lots less than a thou bucks...It truly does weld perfectly from thin metal up to 3/8 thick using all it ships with....It also welds alum VERY well if you buy their fantastic spoolgun for less that 200 bucks.I liked it so much, a few months ago I bought the Hobart 250 amp mig, but the 210MVP I can tote around easy if needed
Reply:Originally Posted by Alex-PLWSHaving had a good bit of welding experience from my college welding program, and having just come into a fair amount of money from a recent birthday, I have decided to start looking for a welder of my own. I have never bought a welder before, so I am not exactly sure what to look for, or even where to look for that matter.So, I am currently looking for something that can run on standard 120V power (I don't have 240V, sad for me ), has a fair duty cycle, and would fit in my budget of around or under $1200. I'm just looking for something that would generally be used as a hobby/garage welder. Stick or MIG isn't particularly important to me right now, I could easily go either way. So, with all this in mind, what would be some good recommendations?Thank you in advance.
Reply:http://m.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/c...m.facebook.comSent from my LG-LS995 using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:My opinion would be to look at everlast stick welders. You can get a 200 amp machine for 350$ then take the rest of the money and look for a used generator to run it from. Or to have a electrician come run you a 240v outlet. Or you could get a 140 stick machine that is dual voltage. I personally have a Miller maxstar 140 and a longevity 140. But I have welded with the everlast machines and I'm way more impressed with it than the longevity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Alex: you have gotten some good advice in this thread. Have you considered used? You could get a nice welder on C-list in either mig or stick that runs on 120 for well under $1200 used. I would recommend you stay away from the cheap Chinese market.Millermatic 211Miller Syncrowave 350lx with cooler and tigrunner Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 811955 National Cylinder Gas O/A setup with original patina
Reply:I'm alittle late but get the Lincoln 210mp. I have one and I love it. Havnt had one problem with it, other than it won't run 6010 but that's expected with in inverter, but it's great. I love it. If I needed one machine it would probably be the 210mp or the 350mp.
Reply:Look i bought my sa-200 at auction with trailer and leads $700, a thermal arc 300mst for $600. My boss liked the thermal so much he bought one off ebay for $1000 with flow meter, pedal, tig torch and stick leads. Deals are out there dont rush into anything.  Get on craigslist, ebay, and go to auctions and garage sales. Learn your machines and values. I always bought machines and equipment that was beyond my needs at the time and grew into them.     Sent from my LG-LS995 using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk