Best 110 Welder Recommendations...?

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Beginner in welding.  I can only use a 110 in my garage bc the HOA runs the electricity and pays for it in the garages.  Even so, I have already blown out the circuit breaker running an overloaded track light, several hanging lights, a heat gun, portable heater and a saw all at once while another person "tried" to open their garage door. Lucky for me it was during a storm and it gave me time to figure out how to get out of my garage and find the breaker box.That leaves me thinking I have very little amperage to work with and a 110 outlet I can't upgrade.I have read the different posts on 110 Mig welders and know there are limitations with what they are good to weld.  I am also aware that many welders don't think 110 is quality welding, but to the welders out there that use 110 welders, which is the best one to buy?Thanks for any push in the right direction
Reply:Best or best for you MM140Lincoln Power Mig 140cBoth top of the line 120v machines but also around 700.00best bang for the buck- probably Hobart Handler 140Ed 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 agree with Ed.But before you go shopping, you might want to try borrowing (or renting) a 110v welder to try with your outlets.  If some lights and a door opener are tripping the breakers, it might mean that you simply can't weld there.  It'd suck to spend $5-700 on something you can't use.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Good point and good suggestion.  I'll give it a go with a rental first. Thanks.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI agree with Ed.But before you go shopping, you might want to try borrowing (or renting) a 110v welder to try with your outlets.  If some lights and a door opener are tripping the breakers, it might mean that you simply can't weld there.  It'd suck to spend $5-700 on something you can't use.
Reply:By far, the most electricity efficient 110v mig out there is the Millermatic Passport.  It is the only inverter power supply mig that will run on 110 volts.  Inverters are far more 'fuel efficient' than transformer machines.  The Passport will run fully through it's 150 amp limit on 110 volt power on a 20 amp breaker.  On a 15 amp breaker, it will run through the majority of it's power output range.  I run mine on both 220v and 110v power.  I welded all the metal stud framing on 14 new school building, including clips to beams and tracks to beams, on 110 volt job site power on a 20 amp circuit with the Passport.  The Passport can do alot more on 110 volts than any other 110v mig available.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:any possibility of using a 10 gauge extension cord out a window from a dedicated socket in house?I use my mig on up to 2 seperate extension cords each 50 foot & 10 gauge. technically probably could use a 12 gauge if not more than 50 foot & on a dedicated 20 amp breaker.how about a generator? one of my friends has his shop around 1000 feet from his house. he runs his welder on a generator, but for lights he has 10 regular orange 100 foot extension cords plugged together & hooked up to a makeshift breaker box & running 220 volts, but he only uses lights, bench grinder, drill on the breaker box, I think he says he has 96 volts available, which suprised him for that much run. he is too cheap to pay a seperate electric bill for his shop for lighting only most of the time.Later,Randy
Reply:Wowza- DesertRider33- very impressive on 110.  The Passport looks like a sweet machine. Multi Voltage Plug... No way & you can carry that guy around, eh?  That's nice.  It also looks like it holds the CO2 inside it, do you use the little one and does it give you a decent amount of time? Nice machine, thanks for the heads up.knucklepanshovel- my HOA is pretty cool at least as cool as they can be but an extension cord out the window may be too unHOA for them plus I think my garage is too far from my place to be powered by a cord any size but I did consider welding on my patio or in my living room but my cat and dog are way too nosy.  lol and thanks for the suggestion.
Reply:All have given good advice.I had a miller 135 (older version of the 140) it did a good job. I was happy with it. I sold it to a buddy he loves it.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by happyhadoWowza- DesertRider33- very impressive on 110.  The Passport looks like a sweet machine. Multi Voltage Plug... No way & you can carry that guy around, eh?  That's nice.  It also looks like it holds the CO2 inside it, do you use the little one and does it give you a decent amount of time? Nice machine, thanks for the heads up.