MIG for home shop/sheet metal

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I'm looking to buy a different wire welder for use in welding steel 24GA and up. Maybe aluminum as well. I don't want another flux core. I use it working on car bodies mostly and other small projects. I've used a MIG with CO2/Argon and I liked the way it ran. I can't afford the very best so please advise with that in mind.
Reply:You have two ends of the spectrum listed. For 24 ga, a decent 110v machine capable of gas mig would work well. However for alum you are going to need a machine with more balls and the ability to run a spoolgun. You will max out a 180 amp class mig doing 1/8" alum. That leaves you zero room for adjustment and the duty cycle is very low. A 200 amp or larger class mig would be a better choice if you are serious about doing alum. The larger machines will still do a great job on 24 ga, so you don't loose anything there, but machines in the 180 amp and above are all 230v. Also decent machines in this class plus spoolguns aren't inexpensive. You also will need two different cylinders of gas, 75/25 for steel, and 100% argon for alum. You can't make one gas work for both. Expect to shell out between $800-1000 to get completely set up with a 180 amp class Hobart, spoolgun and 2 mid size cylinders. If you go with a better or larger machine, obviously the prices will increase..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:To add to what DSW said,  you HAVE TO decide whether you want to do aluminum or not, because that really is the "breaking point" where the cost factor changes dramatically from the power requirements and gas costs perspective.  You gave no actual limit to your budget so please be advised that you won't get the very best advice without that crucial piece of information available to us. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:True, but you can add the spoolgun and extra cylinder later as long as the machine is capable of using a spoolgun and has enough power to do so. This can help "save" money in the short run and help with the budget..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:Oscar: I see in your signature line that you have the Eastwood 175/spool gun. Any reason you wouldn't recommend that for hobby use?
Reply:Originally Posted by 84JSDOscar: I see in your signature line that you have the Eastwood 175/spool gun. Any reason you wouldn't recommend that for hobby use?
Reply:What I think would be nice is two machines stacked, one set up with .035 wire and the other set up with .023. In fact I am starting to watch for a deal on another smaller MIG set up just for thin stuff.
Reply:What about going with a Tig? An inverter unit is quite inexpensive, say from Everlast. I got the 160 amp which will do some pretty thick stuff. Just a thought.
Reply:Tig would be a poor choice. One it doesn't tolerate rust and paint well, making it a poor choice for auto body work unless everything is spotless. 2nd the learning curve on tig is fairly steep compared to mig. Almost everything with auto body is out of position welding and that increases the complexity. DC tig's aren't that expensive, but to do alum you need an AC/DC tig and the price suddenly goes way up. A 160 amp tig will do 3/16" steel, and 1/8" alum unless you switch it to stick. Duty cycle at max to do 1/8" alum is probably extremely low.. I wouldn't rate that as " pretty thick" in my book..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 can see that aluminum is out. I'd like to keep it under $500 for everything except the cart which I could build to suit me. I already have a 30 amp circuit in the garage, the hood, and the rest but no gauges or bottle. I also want to be able to drag it out in the yard to work on the fence and the like. I read an article in Popular Mechanics where they tested what they considered hobby-welders but they weren't clear except to rate them. The 135 Eastwood machine sounds like it might be alright as would the 175. It's free shipping on either and I think they may be sending me a 10% off coupon. I already have a "bargain" machine that's not worth didley so this time I want to be sure it really is a true value and not just cheap. That's why I'm here.
Reply:try an eastwood mig or a reconditioned hobart or wait till homedepot or lowes has a sell and see what you cant find or ebay and cragilist all are options for a cheap mig i understand i have low budgets so i hunt for any deals
Reply:The Eastwood mig175 needs 230V just so you know.  I don't know about the 135 though. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:My longevity mig140 with spool gun will put holes in 1/8" aluminum.Just like any other spool gun the first 1/2" or so is cold then hot.My dad has this welder. Short gun. And mig welds aluminum pretty damn well. http://www.usaweld.com/ProductDetail...60130&CartID=1But I wouldn't mix from steel to aluminum without changing the liner.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:I do want the new welder to be 110V which is what the Eastwood 135 is. I have good cracker box that I run on a 50A 220V circuit when I need to work on heavy stuff. I'm always interested in a bargain but, again, I'm here because I don't want to waste anymore money buying something that won't run a good weld.I'd like to here whatever recommendations anyone can make with respect to their personal experience with type of machine I'm looking for. Hopefully, all that is a little more clear now.Last edited by Tool_man; 08-27-2013 at 10:47 PM.
Reply:You should post up your location.  Go to user CP and add it.  Alot of guys are willing to hunt around for you or dispose of an extra machine.  If you're looking for a 120V machine, they're a dime a dozen on CL in my parts.  Lincoln electric are more common than Miller around here.  MANY unused machines sell regularly for less than $300.  In my area, I think alot of guys buy them at Home Depot for one job or get one for Christmas and never use them again.I was gonna recommend a multiprocess machine, but I see you have a buzzbox already.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Location posted, Norman, OK.
Reply:The Hobart 140 is a 120v machine. Can use .023 to .035 wire.
Reply:I just got an email from HTP saying that their MIG 130 is on sale for $329 with free shipping, until Sept. 15 2013.  3 Yr warranty.The Longevity MIG 140 is also a very good deal at $349, 5yr warranty, but no free shipping.Last edited by Oscar; 08-28-2013 at 09:48 AM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarI just got an email from HTP saying that their MIG 130 is on sale for $325 with free shipping, until Sept. 15 2013.  3 Yr warranty.The Longevity MIG 140 is also a very good deal at $349, 5yr warranty, but no free shipping.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleLucky you, my email says $329
Reply:Do you guys all use the machines you're recommending?
Reply:Originally Posted by Tool_manDo you guys all use the machines you're recommending?
Reply:I looked at the Longevity 140 website. I've never heard of it. They compare it to Hobart. You can add a spool gun for $120 which might be a reason to buy a Longevity MIG. I'm not sure how that would work with 90A @ 20% if, like was said earlier, it takes 160A to do much. There's a authorized Longevity dealer close so maybe no shipping charges.
Reply:Don't even bother trying to do alum with a 110v machine. Best you can expect with the machine maxed out is maybe 16ga. Problem with alum mig is it's a hot process. Anything much thinner and you'll just blow holes in it. Much thicker and you won't get solid welds because you don't have enough power... That applies to everyone's machine no matter what the brand..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 have a Miller Matic 140 W/O Autoset, a 3035 Spoolmate, and a SGA 100 converter box. I bought it specifically to weld thin aluminum, john boat thickness material. It has worked good for this type welding. I also keep it loaded with a 10# spool of FC for when I need to weld steel. That way I only need an argon bottle, and can use it outdoors.In your case you would need both kinds of gases for the welding you want to do, but this rig works for me. If I need to do thicker aluminum in the future I may get a TIG rig for the Bob Cat. I have successfully welded on about 5 different boats with this little MIG with the spoolgun. It was not Maxed out doing this work either.Well Toolman, did you narrow down your choices of the type of MIG welder you think you need yet?