Beginner..Need advice on welder to buy!

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hey guys i just joined this forum hoping you guys can help point me in the right direction...well i am looking to get into welding and plan on practicing and getting good at it...i have done some research on welders and think i would like to go with a lincoln mig..i work at Home Depot so i see their HD line of welders and was wondering if they are anygood? i heard they use plastic component compared to the metal components of say a pro mig or th sp line...i am gonna be welding around my home and for like auto repairs and such and would like to eventually get into welding aluminum...what would be the best welder for me to start out with that would be the most cost effective...how are the weld pak 100hd? just give me some input guys and let me know what you think would suite me best.. thanks!
Reply:hello and welcome.I would recomend you choose something other than a 110v mig unless all you want to do is sheetmetal. The 220v units are much more versitile in the long run. Rather than list all the pro's and con's, I sugget you take a look at this thread and read the linked threads in the first couple of posts. thes will give you a good idea why 110v migs are not the best choice for a 1st time welder and their only machine.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=208832nd I would recommend that you look around at the local tech schools and community colleges, many offer night classes in welding. Take the class before you decide to buy a welder. Get an understanding about what makes one type of welding better than another, stick vs mig for example. My instructor is always happy to let new students try the different processes. The best way to learn the correct way to weld is to get immediate feed back on what you are and are not doing right. There is only so much info that can be gained from a picture.3rd think VERY hard about what you want to weld. I know it is difficult to do this until you have some grasp of the process. That's why I highly recommend taking a class first. Most people find they want to do more than they originally planned. 110v migs will weld to at the very best 3/16" if you give them a dedicated 20amp line (not the standard 15amp house outlet). Running on a 15amp line limits you even more. If you are planning to build a trailer in the future, or and engine stand, hoist, a stick machine or 220v mig will be a better choice. Want to fix your plow? Are you planning to do body panel repairs on a car? Art work? I can go on, make a list and think about how thick the steel will need to be for each project.Generally people are not unhappy they bought a bigger machine, but often find they wished they had gone bigger if they buy a small one.Post up some picts of your welds and we will be happy to help. Also it doesn't hurt to add your location to your user cp. That way we know where you live and can make some recomendations on where to find classes. Also some guys might be near by and willing to help.
Reply:I have a Weld-Pak 100 and I like it very much.  This machine is severally limited in capability.  I only want to use it for auto body so I keep it but believe you me I would buy 220V if I had to do it again.Won't be good for aluminum, you need more power for that and also different wire delivery system such as a spool gun.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:yeah i talked to my uncle and came to the conclusion that i am gonna buy a 220 for sure...can anyone reccommend a good welder thats a 220 and a decent price?
Reply:Since your looking at the Lincoln 100HD I'll assume you're primarily looking for a MIG type machine.  I wholeheartly agree about considering the 220V version versus the 110v.  I'm just a hobbyist, doing welding repair around my house/shop and the 220v gives me much more versatility.  From sheet metal to 1/4" (single pass) and the duty cycle time is more than I need.  I've repaired my boat trailer and repaired fenders on my lawn tractor with equal ease.  While my machine is a Miller 175 (the new ones are 185), whether you go Lincoln or Miller is, too me, immaterial. Both are excellent machines as many here will attest to.  The vast majority of posters will also agree that 220 is the only way to go.  I know two other welders with the 110v machines and both agree they should have gone ahead and bought the 220v version (I has Lincoln, 1 has Miller).  I've yet to find something I wouldn't weld quickly and easily without with the 220v machine I have.
Reply:Originally Posted by atvkid4eva i heard they use plastic component compared to the metal components of say a pro mig or th sp line..
Reply:For the money the Hobarts are good machines. HH187 and ironman series. Resonably priced and decent power. If I was getting a 1st machine on a budget I would look hard at them. Same parent company as Miller. Miller and Lincoln are top notch. You would not regret spending the extra money, but as a beginner I doubt you would see a noticeable difference. Buy as much machine as you can, it's cheaper to over buy now rather than want more later.As much as I hate to recommend guys buy internet, look at the prices on line 1st. Then look local. With the economy the way it is nowadays, you can usually get the LWS to adjust their price IF you ask politely with the right attitude. No one WANTS to loose a sale, but piss them off and they won't move for squat. Don't forget you have to buy gas from someplace.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Since you work at Home Depot use your employee discount and purchase the WeldPak 180HD( 240v) . . . and get to weldin'
Reply:Welcome to the forum atvkid4eva. I was going to reply to your first post earlier but saw that DSW said pretty much what was going to and then my 'puter had a hick-up so I didn't.  It's good to see your thinking about a 230v unit since talking to your uncle for all the reasons stated earlier and I'm sure you'll be glad you did if you follow through.  That being said I agree with Broccoli1... Originally Posted by Broccoli1Since you work at Home Depot use your employee discount and purchase the WeldPak 180HD( 240v).. and get to weldin'
Reply:I was in the same boat your in a few years ago.  Talked to several folks in welding shops and all recommended a Miller 220 volt unit.  Bought the Miller 175 amp MIG unit with a cart and bottle of gas.  It's done a wonderful job for a super amateur welder like me and the new unit is a 185 amp unit.  I bought a Smith torch kit at the same time and got a good deal on the welder and gas and they threw in the cart for free.I've been doing my shop projects with it now for about 4 years and never regretted the decision one minute.  What ever you get good luck with it.  I sure enjoy being able to put a few metal projects together.  I just built a stand for a bandsaw and I'm doing a spring over lift on my little Suzuki Samari hardtop.Bob from Idaho
Reply:thanks for all the responses guys!...well home depot has the 180hd for $669.00..and i dont really get an employee discount home depot dosent offer them to employees...(I kno how lame right?) but i may be able to talk to the hardware dept. manager and see if he can take some money off...but for 669$ is that the best bang for the buck? and will it weld aluminum at all with the hose kit that comes with it and i would need to buy another gun correct?
Reply:It is about as good as it gets and it is going to cost about 150-200 more for a jug of Shielding gasYou'll want to spend the 200.00 on the Spoolgun for ALooominum but that can be down the road after you get some time on the machine, plus it is a nutter 150-200 bux for a bottle of Argon for the Aloominum.Yup you need a jug of C25 for steel and a jug of Argon for AL.The cost starts to add up- just like womenNot much in used machines on CL in your area.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:i just got off lincolns site...and it appears that there arent any differences between the sp-180 and the weldpak 180hd? also i dunno if you guys know but what guage wire will i need to run 220v with to my barn for this welder at about 100ft long?
Reply:Originally Posted by atvkid4evai just got off lincolns site...and it appears that there arent any differences between the sp-180 and the weldpak 180hd?
Reply:ha ha ha i believed you! just had to make sure ...can you answer my question about running the 220v to my barn please?
Reply:First post- might as well be helpfulI'd run #4 copper (i'm going to assume its going to be underground). That will be good for 50a at 240 without any problem. If your going to be adding lights and such put a sub panel up in the barn and maybe step up a size in the wire, its easier to do it once.Ben