buying my first welder

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I'm buying my first welder this week and need some input. My price range options are:Lincoln SP 180T refurbished $600Hobart 190 at TSC $699Hobart 210 MVP TSC & NT $849Which would you prefer and why?Is the 210 worth $150 extra over the 190? the 210 is a strech on my budget but doable if its worth it.This welder is going in my home shop to use for projects and fun stuff mostly. I won't be using it for business or to make money.My welding skills and experience is extremely limited.
Reply:My opinion is biased toward 220vac powered stick machines.Used machines in good condition ready to rock & roll are just the ticket. >$$$Last edited by tanglediver; 11-06-2013 at 09:33 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Get the most machine you can afford. If you don't you will want the better one immediately. Ask me how I know!
Reply:For most 3/16" and thinner the Handler 190 would be a good choice. The 190 is capable of weld 1/4" with solid wire. However, the additional top end of the Handler 210 makes it a better 1/4" unit.If I were planning on welding a lot of 1/8" and thinner material, a stick welder wouldn't be my first choice.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:I was looking real hard at this one before buying my Miller 250 Twin.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5145_200485145I had a Lincoln Power Mig 180 SP for a while, and it was a really nice machine.I still have its little brother, a Weld Pak 155, with which, I can do 1/4" outside corner welds in one pass using .035 flux core. Never bumped up against the duty cycle.Last edited by geezerbill; 11-06-2013 at 11:43 PM.Reason: Inadvertant Submission
Reply:I'd recommend the HH210. The ability to use both 110v power or 230v power is well worth the extra $150 over the HH190. At home you will want to run it on 230v power so you have the most output available for projects, but it's nice to be able to pack it up and take it with you for those inevitable light 1/8" and under projects for friends and family when they find out you have a welder..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:Originally Posted by HenrymacGet the most machine you can afford. If you don't you will want the better one immediately. Ask me how I know!
Reply:We use the 210 at work for stainless and sometimes pipe if the bigger machines are tied up. The unit works well for most things and the only time we trip the thermal overload is when doing 6" and 8" sst pipe flanges. For home use that machine should be fine and you will not regret purchasing it.TOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE
Reply:Also looking to buy my first machine.  It would need to be portable since I don't have a garage and will need to drag it outside every time I want to weld.  Anyway, I've only practiced stick so far but will eventually do MIG.  I've heard different answers depending on who I ask but I'll try it here.Are the combo machines good or should you get one for stick welding and another for MIG?  I'd be using it for basic around the house stuff....go cart frame, sculptures, furniture, etc........
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeinLINYAlso looking to buy my first machine.  It would need to be portable since I don't have a garage and will need to drag it outside every time I want to weld.  Anyway, I've only practiced stick so far but will eventually do MIG.  I've heard different answers depending on who I ask but I'll try it here.Are the combo machines good or should you get one for stick welding and another for MIG?  I'd be using it for basic around the house stuff....go cart frame, sculptures, furniture, etc........
Reply:Let me throw in that price is a little bit of a factor.........   I could only spend $1000 tops.
Reply:Mike while the industrial multi purpose machines like CEP posted or an XMT are great units, older cheaper import multi purpose machines had some serious issues. While the importers may have fixed the machine issues, they haven't shown they have fixed their poor customer service issues. I'd stay away from them myself. The newer homeowner grade multi prupose units are really still too new to have a history, but seem to be doing well. The Thermal arc units have gotten decent reviews as have the new Miller Multimatic. The TA's may be in your price range, the Multimatic new is not.$1500-1800 would get you a nice used industrial XMT 304 with feeder however. Probably one of the best units on the market. I've seen them lower on occasion, especially bare machines without the feeder. I'd take a nice XMT in a heartbeat if I had the cash..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:Hello, Grandpa.Welcome to the forum. I would vote to spend the $150 too. You will forget the money in a few weeks, but you will remember the welder for a long time. Sundown III used to say "you can't use amps you didn't buy". Many of us bought, then soon sold to get a bigger welder so you can learn from our errors and save yourself some time and money.The dual voltage is a big PLUS. You might also look at the Miller 211.Whichever one you buy, get started and then post some pictures. You will get a lot of advice here, and most of it is good.Also, post your location in your profile. You may be near a member who can help you get started.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeinLINYLet me throw in that price is a little bit of a factor.........   I could only spend $1000 tops.
Reply:Originally Posted by GrandpaI'm buying my first welder this week and need some input. My price range options are:Lincoln SP 180T refurbished $600Hobart 190 at TSC $699Hobart 210 MVP TSC & NT $849Which would you prefer and why?Is the 210 worth $150 extra over the 190? the 210 is a strech on my budget but doable if its worth it.This welder is going in my home shop to use for projects and fun stuff mostly. I won't be using it for business or to make money.My welding skills and experience is extremely limited.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1The Lincoln 180T is over priced: the T models are the exact same machine you can buy at the Box stores- they are just sold through Welding Distributers of which they believe that it is a better machine because it is sold at a "real" welding supply shop.The 140c and 180C is a different machine.Anyhoo- so the Lincoln is out unless you can find one a LOT cheaper
Reply:All machines ok and same,  I would buy a Lincoln ,Miller,Hobart or Esab 250 amp welder run. 045 and spool guns, some can run stick.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeinLINYLet me throw in that price is a little bit of a factor.........   I could only spend $1000 tops.
Reply:Looks like I'm gonna make a trip to TSC for the Hobart 210. The miller 211 is nice but i'm sure I cant justify the extra $300 at $1137 over the $850 Hobart.Thanks guys for the advise. Hoping this is gonna be a good place to learn as I'm pretty much going to be teaching myself to weld. Have a friend at work that's bringing me some scrap to practice on. He would be a good teacher but he lives an hour from me. This is going to be an adventure.Chris
Reply:Got it! Tried it! Hate the http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...variable-shade helmet that I bought. Half of the time it doesn't even go dark. It's going back tomorrow. My eyes are still foggy.Last edited by Grandpa; 11-07-2013 at 08:19 PM.Chris
Reply:sorry its sidewaysChris
Reply:Originally Posted by GrandpaHalf of the time it doesn't even go dark.
Reply:Maybe, maybe not. Most AD hoods will block against flash even if they don't darken, assuming you have them down while welding. The worst you get is to see spots before your eyes for a while just like if you stared at a bare light bulb. In fact most clear safety glasses will block out the UV and help avoid the itch of flash. I get flashed by the arc at the tech school semi regularly, but because my prescription glasses block out UV, I never get itchy eyes.It's a bit different with a manual hood. Then if you don't get the hood down fast enough before you strike the arc, you will have itchy eyes if you aren't protected..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:Nice ! That will be your first machine of many. Have fun and now make a cart !
Reply:I got a 135 amp Lincoln mig years ago and I am having to pick up a 230 amp stick welder to take up the slack left behind by my small mig.Go as big as you can.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 welderlook at the hobart helmets, they have a nice one for around $140..Last edited by brucer; 11-07-2013 at 11:50 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Great info and very helpful.  Thanks.
Reply:Well folks, it's official. I'm a welder. Took the POS hood back and picked up a helmet http://www.lowes.com/pd_396400-47120...ets&facetInfo= from lowes. Started building a small, about 2x4' welding table. Simple table, made from some angle that I had and some other materials that I am repurposing. Don't know when I'll have time to get back on it, busy weekend. Likely Monday or Tuesday evening. The new helmet works great. Also picked  a harbor freight portaband today.Chris
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWMike while the industrial multi purpose machines like CEP posted or an XMT are great units, older cheaper import multi purpose machines had some serious issues. While the importers may have fixed the machine issues, they haven't shown they have fixed their poor customer service issues. I'd stay away from them myself. The newer homeowner grade multi prupose units are really still too new to have a history, but seem to be doing well. The Thermal arc units have gotten decent reviews as have the new Miller Multimatic. The TA's may be in your price range, the Multimatic new is not.$1500-1800 would get you a nice used industrial XMT 304 with feeder however. Probably one of the best units on the market. I've seen them lower on occasion, especially bare machines without the feeder. I'd take a nice XMT in a heartbeat if I had the cash.
Reply:You might take a look at Everlast. I know some people don't like them. I have the 160 amp stick/tig and I love it. I like stick welding a lot! This machine was less than $500 on Amazon. I think it is discontinued now but you might find something you would like. Good Luck!Hobart 125 EZHobart Handler 140Everlast STH 160Generic 210 Amp Welder/GeneratorHobart Air Force 500i plasma cutterChinese 50 amp plasma cutter! Youtube Channel : Henrymac100
Reply:Originally Posted by HenrymacYou might take a look at Everlast. I know some people don't like them. I have the 160 amp stick/tig and I love it. I like stick welding a lot! This machine was less than $500 on Amazon. I think it is discontinued now but you might find something you would like. Good Luck!
Reply:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9230_200479230and don't look back.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