What welder to get

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Hello every one. First post. Hoping to get some insight from some professionals and steer me in the right direction. I own and operate a small tree care business and find the need of a 110 welder would be a huge asset to the company. I am not to come here and act bull headed or act like I know what I am talking about.  I have a welded here and there growing up.  My dad is an Iron Worker and have been around welding most of my life. The extent of my welding mainly exists with little mig welders with no bottle just as a straight wirefeed.  I have also done some arc welding. I just contacted a professor at the local Junior college to see if they have a intro 101 type course.  Any books or anything any one would recommend?I always remember using the Lincoln SP 125 plus and it being a great little welder. Do they still make the Sp 125 plus?I went to Airgas and the guys wasn't sure he thought the Lincoln Mig 140 is basically the new version of it. In same respect I have seen the Lincoln 3200 HD sold at the Home D. What welder would you guys recommend?I know everyone has there preference and a battle can errupt when it comes to Lincoln vs. Miller vs Hobart. Would love to have a SP 125 plus if they still make them, if they don't what would everyone say is more comparable the Lincoln Mig 140 or the 3200HD. Most of the work is on lumber racks, or chippers, stump grinders, trailers, just light steele.  Thanks in advanceI know it is a mental thing but I would like to stick with Lincoln as a company, I am not sure who really the best is, we have this debate all the time in the tree world of Stihl vs Husqvarna vs others.  Just a personal preference here. Thanks,Mike,Sonoma County
Reply:Another question or thing to bring up. I believe the unit at Airgas he showed me was a MIG 140C and Lowes has a a MIG 140 what is the difference?
Reply:Another note to ad and at least for right now realistically a couple more years no accesibility to 220 outside of a generator. Most of the stuff is fairly light and would feel confident in saying a 110 can weld it.  But have to keep it that way at least for another year or two. No realistic way to tie into the washer/dryer at home either. Anyone use generators???  or are they not a consistent enough feed of energy for the welder?If so what generator or size would you recommend of a 110 or a 220 welder?
Reply:By the time you invest in a generator to power a welder, you may as well buy a welding generator. There are small generator weldors that will suit a small business just fine. Most of them would be stick welders, http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...t.aspx?p=45966I think Miller makes a small wire welding generator.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/.../renegade_180/Brand loyalty? Meh... I used to have a bullet proof Honda welder genset.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I was thinking the Miller Renegade too Danny.  The dual power source feature (engine drive or wall power) and ability to use solid wire in the shop or flux-core in the field (or both in either) plus the 5000 watt generator makes it perfect for canyonbc's current application needs and future power plans.canyonbc, aside from saying welcome to the forum , don't rule out craigslist or ebay as sources for a good used unit that will meet your needs and still save you some $$$.  Check out that Renagade too.  I just saw one somewhere for $1,600 and the best price one of the guys at work got recently from our LWS was $2,350 and Cyberweld has them listed for $2,198.Last edited by duaneb55; 12-31-2008 at 03:45 AM.Reason: Added Cyberweld pricingMM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Personaly I would be more tempted to get a regular mig and generator like I did. I was going to buy a motor driven welder but then realize that I would always need to burn gas and move the welder outside everytime I wanted to weld. Since I don't go without power very much, I figured that the generator was the better setup I bought a Miller DVI2 mig for the dual voltage input and decent output and a 7500 watt generator. My generator also will run my TD cutmaster 38 and air compressor, so I think I have things pretty much covered. Miller has also anounced the MM211 which is a dual voltage mig but the same size unit as the MM180. This would make it much better then the DVI2 if you ae going to be transporting it around. I think the dual voltage units are great for people like this.  I perfer the Miller migs myself but I do have a Lincoln SP135 Plus and work and it works very well. You might want to hunt around for a good used one. Just my thoughts here and hope it helps you out.Last edited by jamlit; 12-31-2008 at 07:39 AM.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by canyonbcHello every one. First post. Thanks in advanceI know it is a mental thing but I would like to stick with Lincoln as a company, I am not sure who really the best is, we have this debate all the time in the tree world of Stihl vs Husqvarna vs others.  Just a personal preference here. Thanks,Mike,Sonoma County
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverBy the time you invest in a generator to power a welder, you may as well buy a welding generator. There are small generator weldors that will suit a small business just fine. Most of them would be stick welders, http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...t.aspx?p=45966I think Miller makes a small wire welding generator.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/.../renegade_180/Brand loyalty? Meh... I used to have a bullet proof Honda welder genset.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I was thinking the Miller Renegade too Danny.  The dual power source feature (engine drive or wall power) and ability to use solid wire in the shop or flux-core in the field (or both in either) plus the 5000 watt generator makes it perfect for canyonbc's current application needs and future power plans.canyonbc, aside from saying welcome to the forum , don't rule out craigslist or ebay as sources for a good used unit that will meet your needs and still save you some $$$.  Check out that Renagade too.  I just saw one somewhere for $1,600 and the best price one of the guys at work got recently from our LWS was $2,350 and Cyberweld has them listed for $2,198.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlitPersonaly I would be more tempted to get a regular mig and generator like I did. I was going to buy a motor driven welder but then realize that I would always need to burn gas and move the welder outside everytime I wanted to weld. Since I don't go without power very much, I figured that the generator was the better setup I bought a Miller DVI2 mig for the dual voltage input and decent output and a 7500 watt generator. My generator also will run my TD cutmaster 38 and air compressor, so I think I have things pretty much covered. Miller has also anounced the MM211 which is a dual voltage mig but the same size unit as the MM180. This would make it much better then the DVI2 if you ae going to be transporting it around. I think the dual voltage units are great for people like this.  I perfer the Miller migs myself but I do have a Lincoln SP135 Plus and work and it works very well. You might want to hunt around for a good used one. Just my thoughts here and hope it helps you out.
Reply:How would a unit like this run a 220 welderhttp://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...345&lpage=noneNot at the same time but I have air compressor and a few other tools that would be nice to use at different times.What would be the min. size generator that you would go with to run a 220 successfully.   Trying to efficently price everything out and make the best decision.Last edited by canyonbc; 01-01-2009 at 01:38 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by canyonbcWhat generator do you have and how much did you pay?I am half inclined to go with buying a generator too, as I know it would have many uses around the yard and home.
Reply:Originally Posted by canyonbcHello every one. In same respect I have seen the Lincoln 3200 HD sold at the Home D.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlitI bought a Coleman 7500 watt generator. It has one 30 amp 240 volt plug and 4 20 amp 120 plugs. I got lucky with this one and found it on ebay. It was brand new still in the box and I got it for 299.00 US about 2 years ago. Since I lice in Nova Scotia Canada, it cosy me 740.00 Ca shipped to my door. At the time that was 500.00 Ca cheaper then the same unit sold here. Generators have become so popular now that the price has come down so I think if you look around you will find some good buys.
Reply:I too am also looking for a machine - I currently have a Lincoln AC225 Arc Machine - It's been a great machine but very limited... or maybe it's me that's limited. I am looking for a bench machine or a floor machine - "Non portable" that can do Mig / Tig / Arc / Stick..... I will be working with up to 1/4inch steel and aluminum most of the time and steel up to 3/8 or 1/2 at other times. I want a machine that could do it all ... My budget is around $1200.00 or less..... I can go over somewhat on budget but.... you know - Im a cheap *** HA HA....Regards and thanks in advance for any advice or guideance.JohnnyO
Reply:Originally Posted by JohnnyO333I too am also looking for a machine - I currently have a Lincoln AC225 Arc Machine - It's been a great machine but very limited... or maybe it's me that's limited. I am looking for a bench machine or a floor machine - "Non portable" that can do Mig / Tig / Arc / Stick..... I will be working with up to 1/4inch steel and aluminum most of the time and steel up to 3/8 or 1/2 at other times. I want a machine that could do it all ... My budget is around $1200.00 or less..... I can go over somewhat on budget but.... you know - Im a cheap *** HA HA....Regards and thanks in advance for any advice or guideance.JohnnyO
Reply:How would $ 1200 fit into a used budget???That is a lot of applications you want to do with your machine. I am now looking into the Mig 180C - but would need a generator at least for now so i have some searching to do.
Reply:you should be able to get new for a mig and generator if you look around.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlityou should be able to get new for a mig and generator if you look around.
Reply:Originally Posted by canyonbcAnother question or thing to bring up. I believe the unit at Airgas he showed me was a MIG 140C and Lowes has a a MIG 140 what is the difference?
Reply:Originally Posted by canyonbcNow I am not trying to be rude in any respect. And I am not and never was the best in English, but what exactly are you saying?
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlitSorry I misread the post. I thought you were referring to your original question not the one that Johnny ask. If you are looking for a machine to do all processes, you are going to need a lot more money than 1200.00 even for used. I thought you were referring to just a small mig and generator.Sorry about this
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1The Power Mig 140c has a Continuous Voltage selection and an all Aloominum Drive roll system- Sold only at Distributors like Airgas and yer Local Welding Shop (LWS).  I forgot to add-ALL of the new 140/180s have the Diamond Core Choke technology for a much better Arc than the previous models.The LWS can sell you a Tapped machine also but it will be the SP140T or SP 180T.Lincoln just loves to screw with the friggin model numbers- heck they even had the Power Mig 140T and 180T for a while then changed to the SP designation again but only on the Tapped machines.The Lincolns sold at the Box stores have Tapped Voltage selection- different names but same machine so they don't have to price match.Current Models: ProMig140/180 Lowes..140HD/180HD Home Depot and Sears has a model name also.Previous Models: HD3200 175HD, Weldpack 135 Weldpack 175 yada yada yada