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As the title says I'm looking to buy a new multiprocess welder for home fabrication projects. I'm currently using an old Lincoln Weld Pak 100 but I know I need something considerably more substantial. Almost all of my experience is in MIG or FCAW and a little bit with gouging rods but I'd really like to learn TIG. I currently have a bottle of C25 and I'm willing to pick up a bottle of Argon for the TIG. 220v is fine, I can run another 220 circuit if needed or just plug into the 220 circuit I just ran for my air compressor. I'm currently looking at the Miller Multimatic 220 and the ESAB Rebel 235ic but finding a welder at or below MSRP right now is proving difficult. Went to my local Airgas and they are $1200 above MSRP. Originally I was hoping to keep the cost between $2000-$3000 but it looks like I will be lucky to keep it below $4000. I had looked at the Lincoln MP210 as well but it's a very small machine and the wire drive wheel is using a plastic arbor so I have kind of pulled it off my list. I also looked briefly at Everlast but I don't know the brand or it's quality. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good Multiprocess welder (MIG, flux core, TIG and Stick) in the general range of $2000-$4000? Airgas quoted me $5300 for the Miller Multimatic 220 with a TIG kit and bottle of gas and $4800 for the ESAB Rebel 235ic without the bottle. Can welders be found for MSRP or below right now or is the market really that high at this point?Thanks in advance for all your help
Reply:Just a brief update, it turns out the ESAB Rebel 205ic is able to AC TIG but the 235ic is not so I think the 205ic has replaced the 235 on my list. Oddly I saw the same thing with the Miller product line, only one of their Multimatic line of welders is AC TIG, the 220. Bakers Gas has both welders at MSRP, the ESAB they have for $3849 and the Miller for $4099.
Reply:If you don't absolutely need AC TIG and can work with a lift-arc DC TIG function, the HTP Pro Pulse 220MTS might fit your criteria. Has 9 pulse programs for steel, aluminum, and SS, and a total of 21 programs in all including gasless flux core and gas-shielded flux core. You can weld aluminum down to about 0.030" without a spoolgun or push-pull using a dedicated aluminum MIG gun with a carbon graphite liner that will run you about $200 when you factor in the additional U-groove drive rolls. Oh and they might be close to you, their up in the Chicago area. Maybe they will let you run one of their machines in-house for a couple of minutes.Last edited by Oscar; 1 Day Ago at 03:28 PM.
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Reply:Welding machines have been selling for MSRP/ Street price for a while now. Way before pandemic times.Airgas has always had their own tier of pricing- never shop there.On Line:baker's gas, Cyberweld or Welding Supplies from IOC.Miller even updated their website a quite few years ago and listed street prices - basically same price as what their retailers were listing them at.I think Lincoln followed as well.*** Prices have jumped quite a bit so MSRP is what it is.
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:You are wasting your money trying to buy a multiprocess machine that will do AC TIG, in my opinion. What thickness and types of material do you commonly work with? For most TIG tasks on steel, any of the DC only multiprocess machines are probably fine. But for AC TIG I would suggest you go get a Primeweld TIG 225 https://primeweld.com/products/tig-2...-dc-tig-welder AND buy a separate DC only multiprocess or a MIG. You will save a lot of money and get more features for welding aluminum than you will out of the Miller 220 or the ESAB 205i. Pair up the Primeweld with a Hobart Ironman 240 ($2200) and you will be in right at the $3000 mark. Alternatively, go find a used Ironman 230 or Millermatic 252 or Lincoln Powermig 255/256 (all of these can be found used for around $1500 if you look hard enough) and save a few dollars moreIt's hard to believe but I paid $3800 for my MM255 last June and it is currently priced at $4800..holy crap!Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Have zero experience with these, but they are husky brand from home depot (one of their store brands). Probably the same welder as other chinese vendors, but backed by a big name common store.3 year warranty - I've never had any trouble returning husky tools, even with obvious signs of abuse, but have never had to return a welder.$548.00 (2022)Single Phase 180 Amp 240-Volt/120-Volt AC Wire Feed 180 MIG Wire Feed Welder with Foot Pedal and Dual Voltage Technology Output (120V): 10A - 70A (Stick); 10A - 90A (TIG); 30A -140A (MIG)Output (240V): 10A - 170A (Stick); 10A - 180A (TIG); 30A -180A (MIG)Duty cycle (120V): 70A@40% (Stick); 90A@40% (TIG); 90A@40% (MIG)Duty cycle (240V): 170A@25% (Stick); 180A@25% (TIG); 180A@25% (MIG)https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Si...51654-23-12030
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Originally Posted by Louie1961
It's hard to believe but I paid $3800 for my MM255 last June and it is currently priced at $4800..holy crap!
Reply:If you have the room I would buy one welder for Mig and fluxcore and different welder for tig and stick. If one gives out the other can get the job done Dave
Originally Posted by C4Mac
As the title says I'm looking to buy a new multiprocess welder for home fabrication projects. I'm currently using an old Lincoln Weld Pak 100 but I know I need something considerably more substantial. Almost all of my experience is in MIG or FCAW and a little bit with gouging rods but I'd really like to learn TIG. I currently have a bottle of C25 and I'm willing to pick up a bottle of Argon for the TIG. 220v is fine, I can run another 220 circuit if needed or just plug into the 220 circuit I just ran for my air compressor. I'm currently looking at the Miller Multimatic 220 and the ESAB Rebel 235ic but finding a welder at or below MSRP right now is proving difficult. Went to my local Airgas and they are $1200 above MSRP. Originally I was hoping to keep the cost between $2000-$3000 but it looks like I will be lucky to keep it below $4000. I had looked at the Lincoln MP210 as well but it's a very small machine and the wire drive wheel is using a plastic arbor so I have kind of pulled it off my list. I also looked briefly at Everlast but I don't know the brand or it's quality. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good Multiprocess welder (MIG, flux core, TIG and Stick) in the general range of $2000-$4000? Airgas quoted me $5300 for the Miller Multimatic 220 with a TIG kit and bottle of gas and $4800 for the ESAB Rebel 235ic without the bottle. Can welders be found for MSRP or below right now or is the market really that high at this point?Thanks in advance for all your help
Reply:Thanks for all the great suggestions, I will look into all of them. One final update, I have added the Everlast Lightning MTS 275 to the list. It has terrific specs for duty cycle, significantly better than the Miller or ESAB for right at about $3000 with the water cooler for the TIG but they are still an unknown for quality. Currently space is an issue but that will change in the next couple of years. Louie I primarily weld steel plate and tube from 1/8-1/4 and every now and then a little bit of 1/2". I'd like to do some aluminum and SS but even when I do it won't be a lot and it will be 1/8 to 3/16 most likely (going to try welding a 15' aluminum staircase). Oscar I don't actually know if I absolutely need an AC TIG, I've never done it before so I didn't want to short myself on any features. As far as I know you need AC to TIG aluminum and I think you need it for HF start? Broccoli I looked at Bakers Gas and they have reasonable prices and they are a known quantity so I'm leaning towards buying through them, I think they also sell all the welders I'm looking at. I'll check out Welding Supplies from IOC, been to CyberWeld and they seem similar to Bakers.
Reply:
Originally Posted by Louie1961
But for AC TIG I would suggest you go get a Primeweld TIG 225 https://primeweld.com/products/tig-2...-dc-tig-welder AND buy a separate DC only multiprocess or a MIG.
Reply:The Hobart would be on my short list for that type of mig which is the real workhorse of small fab, maint, etc. I only use something else on occasion cause I can and cause I got it. My ideal setup is a 140 class with 023, a bigger machine with bigger wire and a DC stick. If I got to do a little alum for service,,, which I do its spooly.www.urkafarms.com
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Originally Posted by Oscar
I see it at the same price right now through a few online vendors. Unless I misunderstood what you were saying?https://bakersgas.com/products/mille...28831155650613
Reply:
Originally Posted by Oscar
If you don't absolutely need AC TIG and can work with a lift-arc DC TIG function, the HTP Pro Pulse 220MTS might fit your criteria. Has 9 pulse programs for steel, aluminum, and SS, and a total of 21 programs in all including gasless flux core and gas-shielded flux core. You can weld aluminum down to about 0.030" without a spoolgun or push-pull using a dedicated aluminum MIG gun with a carbon graphite liner that will run you about $200 when you factor in the additional U-groove drive rolls. Oh and they might be close to you, their up in the Chicago area. Maybe they will let you run one of their machines in-house for a couple of minutes.
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Originally Posted by Louie1961
I have the mutimatic. The one you linked to is the MIG only millermatic. That unit was right around $3k last year
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Originally Posted by C4Mac
Louie I primarily weld steel plate and tube from 1/8-1/4 and every now and then a little bit of 1/2". I'd like to do some aluminum and SS but even when I do it won't be a lot and it will be 1/8 to 3/16 most likely (going to try welding a 15' aluminum staircase). Oscar I don't actually know if I absolutely need an AC TIG, I've never done it before so I didn't want to short myself on any features.
Reply:Here is what I really think. Veg has hit this really close for "being able to do the work" a hobby/home guy really does. I have a specialty but where it really hit the road I need tig about twice in 40 years, find a bud to dabble with that and most guys could do anythiong they can dream up with a 210 wire feed,,, really. I add a stick like the veg did but maybe even more modern for "to go" stuff, its really handy. I can understand the dreaming, the research all of that but if you wanna get a machine where the rubber really hits the road get a 210 feeder and then if you are hung up add another machine, 2 or 3 but that should be one a guy has even if he got every other one they ever invent. My bud retired, bought a 211 and a 200 Dynasty. Says the Dyn is ok and the 5 hours he put on it mostlky a little practice and in hindsight would keep the 211 and skip the 4000$ dust collector,,, has hundred hrs on a 211. Got another neighbor hobby bud,,, as a fabricatore an expert and hasnt been over but to weld 1 alum thing since getting a 175 20 yrs ago. He can run any machine they make. Gets by just fine at hom, with a 030 feeder.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Only time I need big machine is occasional contracting, very rare on my own stuff and 95% done with a 180, 4.9% more DC buzzer and .001 with a spooly. Used my tig twice in last 15 yrs, both customer repair. Once just to see if it worked.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Louie was an educated want it buyer. He bought a machine he wanted cause he wanted it but he know what he is doing. Different than picking the right machine for a new guy, I am all for doing if you want, if you obsessed with tig that's ok too but to get stuff done for Joe Suburb hobby farmer or car guy its not the right starter machine. Different than a guy has his heart set on exotic motor sports etc. What it is about its the perfect diy machine and the reason they got your picture on the wall as a poster child for it the place they invent and build it and why this class a machine so extremely competitive for quality performance and even price. I can find some guys should have bought 210 over 140 but the reason no one see 210 for sale is guys got them keep them. I dont know personally anyone ever sold a 175-210. There can be 2 or 3 other machines in the corner collecting dust and one 210 doing the work. I see a couple 3 210MP sitting around a heavy shop I was in the other day. For every big piece of steel welded in the world there is 5 other small ones, maybe more.Last edited by Sberry; 1 Day Ago at 09:05 PM.www.urkafarms.com
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Originally Posted by Louie1961
Regardless of the brand of MIG welder, you need a different gas for aluminum MIG welding (Argon) and yet another different gas for stainless MIG welding (a tri-mix gas)
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Originally Posted by C4Mac
I checked out the link you posted, that welder has 898 reviews and only 1 review below 4 stars (it got 3 stars, nothing below 3 stars). I've never seen a ratio like that and I've never heard of that brand. I will take a serious look at that machine and consider doing 2 machines. Thank you very much for pointing this machine out, I would have never seen it otherwise. Do you know if the Primeweld MIG and stick welders are as good as the reviews on the TIG you posted?
Reply:
Originally Posted by Sberry
Louie was an educated want it buyer. He bought a machine he wanted cause he wanted it but he know what he is doing. Different than picking the right machine for a new guy, I am all for doing if you want, if you obsessed with tig that's ok too but to get stuff done for Joe Suburb hobby farmer or car guy its not the right starter machine. Different than a guy has his heart set on exotic motor sports etc. What it is about its the perfect diy machine and the reason they got your picture on the wall as a poster child for it the place they invent and build it and why this class a machine so extremely competitive for quality performance and even price. I can find some guys should have bought 210 over 140 but the reason no one see 210 for sale is guys got them keep them. I dont know personally anyone ever sold a 175-210. There can be 2 or 3 other machines in the corner collecting dust and one 210 doing the work. I see a couple 3 210MP sitting around a heavy shop I was in the other day. For every big piece of steel welded in the world there is 5 other small ones, maybe more.
Reply:Most anything will be a huge leap from a 100 and no point in buying too small. If it is used a lot it saves cost. If there is any time is money factor its a no brainer. I am a regular user, dont want to fool with changing wire size and have extra bottles. The 100 with 023 would be a keeper for sheet. I had a loaner for that and might need to buy one now. I can do near foil with it. But lately due to FREE rods and the need to stay current I been doing more stick.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:
Originally Posted by Louie1961
You are wasting your money trying to buy a multiprocess machine that will do AC TIG, in my opinion. What thickness and types of material do you commonly work with? For most TIG tasks on steel, any of the DC only multiprocess machines are probably fine. But for AC TIG I would suggest you go get a Primeweld TIG 225 https://primeweld.com/products/tig-2...-dc-tig-welder AND buy a separate DC only multiprocess or a MIG. You will save a lot of money and get more features for welding aluminum than you will out of the Miller 220 or the ESAB 205i. Pair up the Primeweld with a Hobart Ironman 240 ($2200) and you will be in right at the $3000 mark. Alternatively, go find a used Ironman 230 or Millermatic 252 or Lincoln Powermig 255/256 (all of these can be found used for around $1500 if you look hard enough) and save a few dollars more
Reply:
Originally Posted by C4Mac
I checked out the link you posted, that welder has 898 reviews and only 1 review below 4 stars (it got 3 stars, nothing below 3 stars). I've never seen a ratio like that and I've never heard of that brand. I will take a serious look at that machine and consider doing 2 machines. Thank you very much for pointing this machine out, I would have never seen it otherwise. Do you know if the Primeweld MIG and stick welders are as good as the reviews on the TIG you posted?
Reply:
Originally Posted by SlowBlues
Have zero experience with these, but they are husky brand from home depot (one of their store brands). Probably the same welder as other chinese vendors, but backed by a big name common store.3 year warranty - I've never had any trouble returning husky tools, even with obvious signs of abuse, but have never had to return a welder.$548.00 (2022)Single Phase 180 Amp 240-Volt/120-Volt AC Wire Feed 180 MIG Wire Feed Welder with Foot Pedal and Dual Voltage Technology Output (120V): 10A - 70A (Stick); 10A - 90A (TIG); 30A -140A (MIG)Output (240V): 10A - 170A (Stick); 10A - 180A (TIG); 30A -180A (MIG)Duty cycle (120V): 70A@40% (Stick); 90A@40% (TIG); 90A@40% (MIG)Duty cycle (240V): 170A@25% (Stick); 180A@25% (TIG); 180A@25% (MIG)https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Si...51654-23-12030I stopped by HTP Products today since they are relatively local and they were great. They don't have a showroom it's just an office/warehouse/service building but one of their techs spent a good 20 minutes walking through the whole place with me answering all my questions. I was really impressed with how far out of their way they went to help someone who hasn't even decided on what to buy yet and they were very upfront about what their machines would and wouldn't do. They even let me take a couple pictures which I will post here when I get home and get them off my phone. The one big takeaway from that visit was that I might be better off using a spool gun instead of an AC TIG for aluminum. I don't know if I like the European Dinse connectors they use but that's only from a replacement parts perspective but I saw how many parts they have there and it should be fine. They actually build their aluminum spool guns on site at that facility and it's a nice spool gun. It has wire speed adjustment at the gun which seems really convenient. Anyhow, I would be comfortable buying the HTP 220MTS that Oscar suggested but that Primeweld TIG machine that Louie pointed out has me thinking twice, I could just get that and a good dedicated MIG machine like the IRONMAN 240 which can be had for $1700 brand new right now. I had no idea it was going to be such a pain in the *** making this decision, I also haven't ruled out the ESAB 205ic because it has everything I'm looking for and an exceptional duty cycle. I'll be watching a ton of videos over the next couple of days but these are the three options I'm focused on right now. Thanks everyone for your input so far, I'm reading ALL of it and looking into ALL of it.
Reply:
Originally Posted by C4Mac
I stopped by HTP Products today since they are relatively local and they were great. They don't have a showroom it's just an office/warehouse/service building but one of their techs spent a good 20 minutes walking through the whole place with me answering all my questions. I was really impressed with how far out of their way they went to help someone who hasn't even decided on what to buy yet and they were very upfront about what their machines would and wouldn't do. They even let me take a couple pictures which I will post here when I get home and get them off my phone. The one big takeaway from that visit was that I might be better off using a spool gun instead of an AC TIG for aluminum. I don't know if I like the European Dinse connectors they use but that's only from a replacement parts perspective but I saw how many parts they have there and it should be fine. They actually build their aluminum spool guns on site at that facility and it's a nice spool gun. It has wire speed adjustment at the gun which seems really convenient. Anyhow, I would be comfortable buying the HTP 220MTS that Oscar suggested but that Primeweld TIG machine that Louie pointed out has me thinking twice, I could just get that and a good dedicated MIG machine like the IRONMAN 240 which can be had for $1700 brand new right now. I had no idea it was going to be such a pain in the *** making this decision, I also haven't ruled out the ESAB 205ic because it has everything I'm looking for and an exceptional duty cycle. I'll be watching a ton of videos over the next couple of days but these are the three options I'm focused on right now. Thanks everyone for your input so far, I'm reading ALL of it and looking into ALL of it.
Reply:
Originally Posted by SlowBlues
Have zero experience with these, but they are husky brand from home depot (one of their store brands). Probably the same welder as other chinese vendors, but backed by a big name common store.3 year warranty - I've never had any trouble returning husky tools, even with obvious signs of abuse, but have never had to return a welder.$548.00 (2022)Single Phase 180 Amp 240-Volt/120-Volt AC Wire Feed 180 MIG Wire Feed Welder with Foot Pedal and Dual Voltage Technology Output (120V): 10A - 70A (Stick); 10A - 90A (TIG); 30A -140A (MIG)Output (240V): 10A - 170A (Stick); 10A - 180A (TIG); 30A -180A (MIG)Duty cycle (120V): 70A@40% (Stick); 90A@40% (TIG); 90A@40% (MIG)Duty cycle (240V): 170A@25% (Stick); 180A@25% (TIG); 180A@25% (MIG)https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Si...51654-23-12030
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As promised a couple pics from my trip to HTP today. There is another section of the building the same size as this one where they do testing, repairs and classes I believe. They really couldn't have been nicer and I would highly recommend them from a customer relations perspective.
Reply:So you didn't get to give it a test run? Darn it, you missed out on the fun!
That 2nd pic reminds me, I need to order more coolant.
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Reply:
Originally Posted by Oscar
So you didn't get to give it a test run? Darn it, you missed out on the fun!
That 2nd pic reminds me, I need to order more coolant.
Reply:Oops, duplicate post.Last edited by C4Mac; 6 Hours Ago at 08:53 PM.
Reply:Im assuming the unit is meant to be a mobile unit. If so then I see no reason to have more than one gas port as normally you will only be moving one gas tank at a time when transporting the machine. I can appreciate having two different gas ports and gas valves to keep from having to swap hoses, regulators, gasses etc all the time if you are swapping between processes all the time.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo. Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:
Originally Posted by N2 Welding
I’m assuming the unit is meant to be a mobile unit. |
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发表于 2022-6-16 15:51:50