Is there any Mig welders for under $400.

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Whats a decent MIG welder thats under or around 400 bucks. Im looking to weld 1/8" to 1/4" steel and thats about it.  Just brackets and tubing.Last edited by Ezalycasaid; 12-11-2011 at 05:10 AM.
Reply:Decent new?  No.Keep an eye out on CL & ebay for a used one possibly.You'll need 220V with 200amp to mig 1/4" properlyBuy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:IMO you will need to spend twice that much to get yourself what I would call a decent mig welder. Yes, you can get yourself a made in china machine that will fit in your budget but you get what you pay for with welding machines.I have a cheap 120v mig that does nothing but collect dust and make spatter. I use it for making spatter on metal art work and even doing that the darn things kicks off cause the duty cycle rating is so low on it.Last edited by snoeproe; 12-11-2011 at 09:28 AM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:x2 on looking for used.   look for a 175-180amp machine.  can be had for the $400 range.   the duty cycle is not great up at 1/4 inch welding but it will weld 1/4" fine and for brackets and whatnot it will work fine.   Lincoln, miller, hobart, thermal arc, all do machine s in that rangeTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I sold my Miller 251 to a guy that bought a 110V, cheapo welder.  He came over, put on his hood, ran a test bead, and you should have seen the grin on his face.  He had never seen a bead that looked so good (3/16" steel).  Perfectly uniform, just barely a ripple in the surface.   At that moment if I had told him the price had doubled, I probably could have gotten it.I've seen 251s for less than $1000 (Craigslist - in this case near Baltimore).  I know you can get quality, complete 220V welders for that price even new from Miller (see the 211).  Lincoln and Hobart also have a good reputation - With Lincoln you tend to get more features at a the same price point.  Last time I checked, many of the Hobarts were tapped machines (limited, fixed voltages), but at prices significantly lower than Miller.  Esab and ThermalArc make some qualitity stuff as well.  I'd make sure my local welding supply company actually carries consumables for whatever I bought (find a local welding supply company that has at least some Saturday hours and ask what they carry).  I'd stay away from anything that came off the tool trucks (those guys typically overpaid, want too much, and getting parts/service involves tracking down the same brand tool truck).As for the cheaper, typically Chinese made welders.  If you must go that route, consider the ones that sponsor this forum.  There are sales guys that actually monitor the forums and seem to honestly support their customers.  That doesn't necessarily mean you can get parts faster, but at least while under warranty, you will be take care of - even if you have to wait.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I have seen an exact copy of my original SP100 made in china.  I think it was dirt cheap.  If its an exact copy, its a good machine.  Continuous voltage and wire speed controls gas ready.I will look at the LWS on Monday.Edit, I have a Lincoln Wirematic 250 for $900 in western new york state.  davidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Right now I already have a Forney C5 Plug and play. (only way I know how to describe it) You just plug your fairlead into what amps u want. I havent looked at it in a while, I suck at it so I just kinda stopped messing with it. Can I weld 3/16" with that? I really only need something for 3/16th and lower but I figured if I went with something capable of 1/4" Id have a little more to play with.
Reply:Eastwood has a 175 amp machine for 500 that has served me well the past 2 years -- 0 trouble works like a champhttp://www.eastwood.com/175-amp-mig-...spool-gun.html
Reply:Originally Posted by FarmerEastwood has a 175 amp machine for 500 that has served me well the past 2 years -- 0 trouble works like a champhttp://www.eastwood.com/175-amp-mig-...spool-gun.html