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I've done searches and checked till I'm blue in the face. Which is the best mig to buy????  Lincoln 180c  Hobart  187  HTP     Mig160    I was at the Route 66 nationals and talked to the rep from Lincoln who gave me a track price of $737.00 . He also mentioned that the ones at the big box stores are NOT the same and if I was serious get one from a supply house. Hobart has a good price from Northern tool + free shipping HTP is a little more expensive but are made outside of Chicago (not too far from me) and I've heard nothing but good things about their customer service.   Confused , confused and confused  This will be my first welder and it will happen this week. I'm trying to buy the best I can afford so I wont be disappointed in the long run.
Reply:Hmmm,... I am not an expert by any standard but (I stayed at [insert a motel name] last night), I have checked into MIG welders in the price bracket you mentioned. I assume you have already decided on what tasks you will need for a welder. When I found that I would be limited to thinner materials than I expected I decided to start with an AC-DC arc welder first (Miller Thunderbolt XL). The Miller AC-DC stick offers a greater range of welding possibilities. I found the Hobart 187 to be priced best for sheet metal work as well as having more current (heat) available than other similarly priced machines. For this reason, I think the Hobart 187 will be my next welder purchase. The Miller 180 version is almost virtually the same yet is at least $100 more than the Hobart. Both are made by the same company. I avoided Lincoln because I couldn't decipher the vast differences between the same welder size, ie. industrial, home use, Home Depot version, "# paks", et al. And I have never heard of HTP or whatever you mentioned above.  Then again, if you are hot to get your first welder and have never done it before then a cheap one from Harbor Freight might be in order, just to see if you like it first.As posted in the forum previously, ask them to try one out before you buy it.Steve Last edited by rookie_steve; 06-18-2009 at 04:31 AM.JunkYard Tools .com
Reply:If you have never welded before, buying a welder is like buying a pair of shoes.It all depends on what you need it for, just like shoes, your not going to buy a pair of Italian leather dress shoes to use out in the woods, and vise versa, would you want a pair of mud guard water proof hiking boots to wear to someones wedding or to some important business meating?Different welders are made for different processes, and even welders in the same class but different manufacturers can give you different weld characteristics. why I say all this is because you didn't mention what you plan on using one for!My own personal use of those welders you listed, I would add one more to that lineup, the HTP 2400, it is more money, but that would be the one I would buy, unless you want continuous control of the volts, and then I would take a serious look at a more expensive machine from Miller, Lincoln or Esab, for me though Miller and Esab would be the front runners, just because of some features on the Miller and Esab's weld characteristics! But of those you did list, I would personally go with the Lincoln 180C, with its wide sweet spot, constant variable volt control and my LWS sells and services Lincoln.But thats just my own personal choices!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:I'm a plumber by trade and have only arc welded in apprentice school. So, I have welded before but it's been a while. My international union ( United Association ) sponsored the route 66 nationals in Joliet Illinois. Lincoln was there with everything under the sun. They had a track special for a 180c $737.00 . Plus another 10% off for being a U.A. member. Plus I did a freebie side job for some relatives who sent me a $200.00 visa gift card. I'd be getting this one rather cheap. I'm mostly into motorcycles and have a nice triumph bob job that I would like to do some more work to. I doubt that something like that could weld something strong enough to build a frame , but could it??? Most custom jobs are TIG welded but there are plenty that have been MIG welded. I can't imagine doing anything thicker than 3/8". I'm tired of bringing everything to someone I know to weld stuff up for me.
Reply:Shoot!In that case, I would go for the Lincoln!I don't see why it wouldn't work for use on bike frames, sure a Tig would make prettier welds, but the Mig is quite capable, just ask ZTFab!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!