First welder advice

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Hey guys, I'm looking to buy my first welder. I never welded before and thought I try my hand at mig, mainly for things around the house and my motorcycle.  I only have 120v outlets in my garage.  Any advice on what and where I should buy?  Thanks Sent from my SPH-L520 using TapatalkLast edited by kevnj; 02-08-2016 at 02:58 PM.
Reply:Sure,Everlast has a nice one that fits that criteria. It's rated well by users and its features are superior to all others in its price range, e.g., aluminum feed drive, duty cycle, etc. I've found Everlast support to be excellent, and their warrantee is also superior to all others, I believe, by a couple of years. There's free shipping on this, with no State extortion paid if outside the Alta California area.You may outgrow the 140 amp limit of a unit like this, especially if you ever attempt work on motorcycle frames. But, you'll undoubtedly want to keep a unit like this around, regardless. Originally Posted by kevnjHey guys, I'm looking to buy my first welder. I never welded before and thought I try my hand at mig, mainly for things around the house and my motorcycle.  I only have 120v outlets in my garage.  Any advice on what and where I should buy?  Thanks Sent from my SPH-L520 using Tapatalk
Reply:Well, I wouldn't do anything that I would consider critical welding with a 120V MIG welder unless it was not much more than 1/8" thick.  Anything much thicker is pretty much using it as a glue gun.  There are a lot of threads around the web on the subject of 120V mig welders (would suggest you find and read those, many here on this very site).  I have a small 120V 140 amp one and it works just fine for what it is capable of and for nothing more.  It was my first mig welder and I must say I quickly out grew it.  In a matter of a few months.  Got a much bigger machine shortly there after and won't need to upgrade that one.  That being said, if you are just testing the waters a small machine will let you know whether or not you want to continue on with this addiction and not cost you that much to find out whether or not you do.  If you do buy the small machine first and then if you eventually decide that you do want to continue on with the addiction you've wasted some cash, but then again you will always have another machine (assuming you don't sell the smaller one to help with getting a bigger one).  Knowing what I know now I would have gone with the bigger machine 1st but I didn't and now I have two MIG welders (can't complain about that though).
Reply:I really see the value in dual voltage machines. I have a Lincoln 210MP, and while expensive, it will be tough to outgrow as a home MIG unit. Also, the name brand (pricier) models seem to tend to hold their value far better than the cheaper units.
Reply:Do you have an electric range, and if so, how far from the garage is it? With a bit of SO cord and the right ends you can make an extension cord to run 240v to your garage.  I would suggest a new Miller 211. It's dual voltage so you can run it on 120 or 240v, and being an inverter you'll get a little extra power on 120v than with a transformer machine. On 240v it's more than enough welder for just about any homeowner. I would go for a 200 amp class welder over a 120v only model, as the price difference isn't that great. I bought a Miller 140 a couple years back when I did auto body because it was all I needed at the time. Now that I'm fabricating and not doing auto body I kick myself for not spending a little more and getting the 211.Last edited by Sharon Needles; 02-08-2016 at 10:04 PM.
Reply:I think I'm just going to run a new outlet in my garage, I love the idea of a dual/multi voltage unit, only problem is price.  I looked around for used ones but no avail. I'd like to keep my budget under $600, is that possible for a dual volt?Sent from my SPH-L520 using Tapatalk
Reply:My search results turned this up.http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Copl...o5JxoCrKPw_wcBI have heard the name but know nothing about Norstar, and do not have time to research it right now at work, sorry.I really think it is worth it to spend a little more for a red or blue unit, if for nothing else but, parts availability (consumables) and resale value if you decide it isn't your cup of tea.The only brand loyalty i have is name brand. I believe in you get what you pay for. It is also much easier to learn on a machine that is forgiving and easily adjustable.Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Reply:what metals you plan to weld and what thickness? .a dc tig/stick welder for welding mostly steel, stainless, cast iron you can get for $200. that includes tig torch but you will have to get argon flowmeter and argon tank if you want to tig weld figure $200 more depends very much on size of argon tank.usually it costs more if you want a better bigger welding machine for welding thick aluminum
Reply:$600 dual voltage machine would be tough.Here is one for $900, free shipping and no tax - bonus it also is a multi-process mig/tig/stick.Tweco Fabricator 211ihttp://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...FVc1aQodKV4ILQLast edited by MinnesotaDave; 02-10-2016 at 01:42 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:hobart 210mvplincoln 210mptweco 211ithose are probably the dual voltage models I would pick from. but under 600 for a quality unit probably won't happen.  i would even consider the eastwood 250 mig if they dropped the price a little. supposed to be a decent machine.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:Been right where you're sitting a couple years ago.  Honestly, the 110V welders are outgrown really quick.Flux-core also makes welding in the garage a little nasty.I bought a Hobart 210MVP and never looked back.  I always use it on 220V.  If I want I can derate to 110V with a plug change.  If I had to do it again, I would buy a machine that only runs 220V.  You really don't need a dual voltage machine.  I run an extension cord from my dryer to the garage - they are next to each other.Don't bother with the 110V is my humble opinion.I also picked up an everlast 140ST - and I use that for stick/tig on 220V too.  Frankly, 110V on household wiring is another thing that scares me.