Looking at buying a MIG welder

admin

I'm fairly new to MIG, currently in College taking a Auto Body Repair course, I'm looking at buying a MIG welder for around the house and to work on the cars, in school we been using a Lincoln Power MIG 140C Welder K2471-2 for our lab projects.I would like to purchase a quality MIG welder I will be using Gas (75% Argon 25% CO2) , my professor said to stay away from the tapped machines since its harder to weld thinner metals. what do you guy's suggest, I've researched and there's so many different brands out there Lincoln, Miller, Hobart etc, I want something that will last,
Reply:Budget? 220v or 115v?I had a hobart handler 140 that I loved. I had a longevity mig weld 140 that I loved. Everyone I talk to that has used a hobart 210mvp loves it. I have a tweco 141i that I like a lot. I have a longevity promts 200 that I like a lot too.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Hello and welcome. Take a minute and add your location to your profile so we have an idea where you are located. Someone here may know of a good deal in your area.Given a choice, go 230v over 110v when looking at a unit. You can always turn down a bigger unit. You can't use power you don't have. Small 110v units are over rated by all the manufacturers. They top out under real world conditions at 1/8" max. To get this you need to run them off 20 amp dedicated circuits with no extension cord. Go to a 15 amp circuit, have other things plugged into the circuit or use a long or small gauge extension cord and you loose power and can't weld even 1/8". The dual voltage units run off 110v power have the same max thickness limits, but on 230v power can do 1/4" or 3.8" depending on the machine. Now that I said that if all you are doing is body work, a small 110v unit is perfect for that sort of work. It's only when you want to weld continuously 1/8" or need to weld heavier steel that you need to go with 230v. Hobart makes tapped units. Miller units are very similar to the Hobarts, but are infinitely adjustable. The Hobart's I've used have a very nice arc. The Millers are also good, but I might give the nod to the Hobarts for arc on smaller units. I'm not as familiar with the lincolns, so I will leave them to those with more experience. While the added adjustment isn't bad, it's not required. There are plenty of "tricks" that allow you to use a tapped machine on sheet metal. One big "trick to allow you to work with tapped units is to vary your stickout. The farther from the work you are with the gun, the "colder" the machine welds given the same settings. Same works in the opposite direction to a limited extent. The closer you are the hotter it welds. To tweek the settings, go up one tap and increase your stickout and you can get a bit more power than you can on the lower tap, but less than what you'd expect with the upper one. Back steping, running short beads that overlap and other tricks also help with thin sheet. Using top quality wire is another "trick"..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:The 140c is one of my favorite 120 volt welders. Always liked it better then the Hobart 140 by quite a bit. Weld puddle wet out was better at the top. Something you really need in a 120 volt machine. Bottom end is excellent too. For some reason I liked to Lincoln 140c better then the 180c. Maybe because I like the Hobart 210 much better in that range group?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:The MILLER 211 is a favorite among many. It is a 120/230 volt machine too and is in MILLER'S current rebate program.http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
Reply:I thought i posted in this but i must have failed. I love my Lincoln 140. Best little guy ever.
Reply:I will be mostly using this unit to weld stuff on the car or frame, so I won't be welding 1/8 too much, I kind of like the Lincoln 140C 120 Volt unit since I've been using it almost everyday,  have you guys had any problems with this unit?
Reply:A varrac will make a tapped machine infinitely adjustable.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 ChevelleI will be mostly using this unit to weld stuff on the car or frame, so I won't be welding 1/8 too much, I kind of like the Lincoln 140C 120 Volt unit since I've been using it almost everyday,  have you guys had any problems with this unit?
Reply:I have a hobart 210 mvp and I can weld sheet metal all day and never come close to the duty cycle. Most importantly, if I need to weld 3/8 it will do it also. I agree with DSW get the biggest welder you can afford, you can always turn down the voltage but never turn it up if the welder doesn't have the power to turn up. Trust me, at some point you will wish it had more power.I looked at both miller and hobart and where I live the miller was almost $250 more than the Hobart. I have used both infinite voltage and tap settings and for me there isn't anything the Miller has over the Hobart, the Miller has auto set but I didn't need or want that so I figured why pay for something I didn't need. Either welder is a good choice for welding sheet metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by Canadian WeldingUsing it nearly daily for over a year, and its runs great! Keeps cool when running, very quiet, quality switches, nice trigger, very good ground clamp. Wire feed is very heavy duty etc. Built very well. These Lincoln 140 welders have been known to last over 10 years. No complaints yet, and man, for the price, you can't go wrong. Payed $380 for it on sale. Oh, and it can run off a 15 amp breaker. So super great for taking to a cottage, friends house, or small generator. Plus its small, and easily fits in the trunk of a small car.Get one.
Reply:Canadian Tire. It was on sale for $450, and it came with a 70 or 80 buck welding kit. I returned the kit, and got my money back from that. Payed about $380. But, i could see spending 500+ on it easy any day. Ya get what you pay for.
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 ChevelleI will be mostly using this unit to weld stuff on the car or frame, so I won't be welding 1/8 too much, I kind of like the Lincoln 140C 120 Volt unit since I've been using it almost everyday,  have you guys had any problems with this unit?
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 ChevelleWhere did you get the Lincoln 140 for $380? what exact model do you have? I priced out a 140 C model and its over $700
Reply:You can't go wrong with the lincoln 140C its a great 120 volt welderwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Don't count out the Tweco (formerly Thermal Arc) Fabricator machines.Great value for what you get. The 181i will be my next purchase for a portable unit to replace my LN25. Three processes for under $900 out the door is hard to beat.I had a Lincoln 120 volt wire machine years ago. Think it was a 135. Worked just fine. Lincoln makes a good machine either way.IMHO of course
Reply:I too have the HH210MVP and love it. It has taps on voltage and has never limited me. I also use a MM211 and i like my HH210MVP better, it seems to wet out cleaner. I say the taps are not an issue.Fireman BillHH 210 MVPMM 211 Spoolmate 100Lotas LTP5000D PlasmaOxy/Accet (Victor)Wards AC/DC buzz box30 ton old hyd pressA few brand name toolsA bunch of cheap toolsA wife to worry me and4 dogs to supervise me
Reply:If I was ONLY doing auto body/ sheet metal work, another vote for the lincoln 140. The one I have at work has been through hell and back and still works great. Seriously been through hell. My Guard unit took it with us to Iraq in 2004.  I welded MANY security gates and AC mounts with that little sucker and a 3KW genny. But that said, if I could only have ONE MIG I would have to go with the Miller DVI. Dual voltage, and can add a spoolgun and a tank of 100% argon to do aluminum. It is tapped but like DSW said, there are many little tricks to compensate for it.  Gotta try and look into the future man, yes you may mainly be doing autobody. But what if you want to build a rotisserie for a frame off restoration? If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 ChevelleWhere did you get the Lincoln 140 for $380? what exact model do you have? I priced out a 140 C model and its over $700
Reply:What's the price of the hobart handler 210 MVP in Canada?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadIf I was ONLY doing auto body/ sheet metal work, another vote for the lincoln 140. The one I have at work has been through hell and back and still works great. Seriously been through hell. My Guard unit took it with us to Iraq in 2004.  I welded MANY security gates and AC mounts with that little sucker and a 3KW genny. But that said, if I could only have ONE MIG I would have to go with the Miller DVI. Dual voltage, and can add a spoolgun and a tank of 100% argon to do aluminum. It is tapped but like DSW said, there are many little tricks to compensate for it.  Gotta try and look into the future man, yes you may mainly be doing autobody. But what if you want to build a rotisserie for a frame off restoration?
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 Chevelleyou make a really good point, down the road I might make a rotisserie,what do you guy's think of the Lincoln power 180 Dual MIG model number K3018-2
Reply:To me the 180 dual that Lincoln sells is underpowered compared with the Hobart and Miller dual voltage units. Lincolns tops out at 1/4" and the other two are capable of closer to 3/8". For the money, I don't think you can really beat the Hobart..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:I agree DSW. I bought my HH210MVP w/spool gun and have never looked back.Fireman BillHH 210 MVPMM 211 Spoolmate 100Lotas LTP5000D PlasmaOxy/Accet (Victor)Wards AC/DC buzz box30 ton old hyd pressA few brand name toolsA bunch of cheap toolsA wife to worry me and4 dogs to supervise me
Reply:Love my lil HH140 but if  your gonna go 110v only then go with the machine ur familiar with the L140C.HH140---------------------------https://www.facebook.com/brandon.pike.9Lincoln. ,Hobart. Miller. all the same. Weld capacity is bs, all you have to do is melt the wire and lay it down.I can weld 2 inch plate with. 030 wire and it will work.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XAt that price point go with a Hobart 210 dual voltage. That is what I think....
Reply:Originally Posted by 1967 Chevelleis the Hobart 210 Dual a tapped unit?
Reply:I was looking for a Mig welder about a year ago and I ran across a Longevity Migweld 140. It was a good price with 5 year warranty. I was very satisfied with their customer service that I had to purchase one and try it out. Been working great so far. Heres the link [link removed]Last edited by SWells; 02-26-2014 at 10:25 PM.Reason: longevity link removed