general welding, what welder?

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Hello all, i have a question, i have been looking for a general welder that i can use in my barn to weld say, light steel and small parts. nothing major( nothing over 1/4 )I had a miller stick but lent it out and never got it back, dont ask long story........I would like to go to a mig welder, would a 110v welder do what i am looking to do?I have been thinking about this for months and now is the time, i went to my local miller dealer the other day to buy a new ac/dc stick but they had to order it and i couldnt get it for a few weeks so i am back to the big decision.any help would be greatly appreciated.Rob
Reply:With multiple passes, I'd say yes, a 110v wire machine would do the trick.  I have a MM135, It's been a nice machine.  I've exceeded the duty cycle quite a few times on heavy material ( not that this is recommended though ) and it hasn't complained yet.  I have no experience on using flux core, but I hear it burns a bit hotter for doing the heavier metals.
Reply:Bigger is always better.  If you can afford the 220V mig, you really should go that route, you won't regret having the extra capability.
Reply:Originally Posted by firedude26Hello all, i have a question, i have been looking for a general welder that i can use in my barn to weld say, light steel and small parts. nothing major( nothing over 1/4 )I had a miller stick but lent it out and never got it back, dont ask long story........I would like to go to a mig welder, would a 110v welder do what i am looking to do?I have been thinking about this for months and now is the time, i went to my local miller dealer the other day to buy a new ac/dc stick but they had to order it and i couldnt get it for a few weeks so i am back to the big decision.any help would be greatly appreciated.Rob
Reply:Hey Firedude,  I know you mentioned getting the 115 volt units, but if you would like to step up to a 230 volt unit there will be a new one out in a few weeks that will be well worth the wait. It will be a little larger then the 175 size units but still a little smaller then the 210 size units.
Reply:It's a personal decision, 110v has the convenience of "plug-n-play" portability but not a lot of power; 1/4" is pushing it. Multiple passes are your option if you find a need to weld heavy guage and have decided to go with 110v, which in many applications is just fine. Added benifit is a less expensive machine. If you see yourself needing the heavier duty and deeper penetration a 220v will get you, by all means dig in to those pockets.  We see this kind of post regularly, and opinions vary (widely). What I did note was that some guys get hooked once they start welding; if you see that as a possibility, try to make your purchase one you won't regret in a year. Let us know what you decide!Last edited by Clanweld; 10-21-2006 at 11:23 AM.If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:If you do decide to go with a 110 volt unit, you should be using it where it is the only thing operating on that fuse and it needs to be a 20 amp fuse. The use of extention cords is not recommended on many of the 110 volt units and if using one it would need to be kept short and of good quality. A lot of people think that they can buy the 110 volt units and weld about anywhere, but the little welders do require a good supply of juice to operate well. As said before welding seems to get in to your blood and after you get a taste of it, you get like Tim the Toolman and demand more power. Basic rule should be to buy as big as you can afford so that you only have to buy once or less times then you would if you bought the minimum requirement then kept upgrading. The welder I spoke of that should be coming out in the next few weeks is a 230 volt welder, it should be what I would consider the top of the line for the compact type welders. It will do a great job welding  1/4 and 5/16 materials.
Reply:Good point about the extention cords, left that part out! You do indeed need a solid supply of juice.If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:Originally Posted by gnewbyHey Firedude,  I know you mentioned getting the 115 volt units, but if you would like to step up to a 230 volt unit there will be a new one out in a few weeks that will be well worth the wait. It will be a little larger then the 175 size units but still a little smaller then the 210 size units.
Reply:THanks All for you responses. I am still undecided but i dont wanna spend alot of cash now i am looking for another stick machine used perferably. I can always ask SANTA for a welder. I get accused of buyingwhat i want and never letting anyone else get me anything. IF anyone has any opinions please post i love to read these.
Reply:Originally Posted by firedude26who is making this machine?
Reply:Thanks for the info, i will check it out.