looking to purchase my first welder

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I am new to welding and looking to purchase my first welder.Have been doing my research on Miller180 Auto-Set, lincoln 180C Or Weld-Pak180HD, and Handler 190. Does anyone have experience with this welders?what is a good size tank to use?Thanks for your help
Reply:I don't own any of those but I would say you can't go wrong with any of those brands.   What kind and thickness of metal do you plan to weld?  Welders are like motorcycles,  you always want more power.   Have you consisted the miller 211?  Alot of people really enjoy it.  My first welder was a lincoln 140hd and I quickly outgrew it and got a miller 252 that I love.  She can weld all day with no problems. Get the biggest tank you can afford.   It is cheaper to fill larger tanks and you don't want to be constantly running out of gas and having to take it to be refilled.
Reply:Trying to get into chassis work and some sheetmetal work.up to 3/8 in thickness
Reply:You'll struggle a bit with that thickness but with a good bevel and pre heat I'm sure you'd be able to do it I know either the lincoln 180d you get dual voltage which is kind of nice with portability. I myself have the 140c and I've only done sheet metal it struggles otherwise.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:You will save money in the long run if you step up a size.  Or even look for a decent used 250 amp machine.
Reply:HH210 or HH230.
Reply:Either one will work for you,I have an old miller matic 120 that I have welded 3/8" with no problem and just finished tacking in a floor and firewall with20 Ga.If I were to replace it I would look at the 211 also.
Reply:Originally Posted by firebrick43You will save money in the long run if you step up a size.  Or even look for a decent used 250 amp machine.
Reply:If you could see yourself moving even farther to a 250 amp class mig, these often come with "run-in" control. Two for instance are the millermatic252, and the Thermalarc252i. This feature is very useful if you ever wanted to weld alum with a spool gun.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Don't rule out the thermal arc machines. They are just as good if not better than the big "USA " brands. And easier on the wallet too. I bought a ta 211 over a miller multimatic 200. And don't regret it one bit. As others said buy bigger than you think you need and you won't be disappointed. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:We've used a mm180 for 5 years in a fabrication business and it works great for thin to 1/8 all day.  When welding 1/4 and larger it will trip out after a while. We also have a 252 which is a beast compared to the 180. The larger you can get the better but the 180 is an excellent machine for the cost. If 1/8 is your daily thickness and occasional 3/8. The 180 is ok but if you will weld 1/4 and 3/8 more then get a larger machine
Reply:Im thinking 211 or bigger. I would like something I will not out grow quickly.
Reply:Thanks everyone for all your help!
Reply:So what did you decide on?
Reply:Miller has a current rebate on the 211 if that's your choice. http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
Reply:Miller 211 or 212 what ever I can get a deal on
Reply:Originally Posted by xbwebsterMiller 211 or 212 what ever I can get a deal on
Reply:maybe it is just me, but I can't help but think that your first welder ought to be a stick welder, especially if you are like me an not terribly experienced. I felt like the stick welder helped me learn how to read a puddle better than the MIG ever would. I feel like learning stick welding made me better with the MIG when I got one and at 3/16ths and up I just think stick shines. But that's just my 2 cents.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:first welder ought to be a stick welder...agree completely, my first welder was a Lincoln buzz box, mig was easy forme to transition to...Charl