keeping a welder

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Ive had nothing but bad luck with welders since i have started using them. My first welder was a craftsman 80 amp thin another craftsman 130 amp a HF dual mig 151 and now i have a hobart 187. I would realy like to know what is the best way of keeping a welder in good shape and running right becouse now that a have a $900 welder i dont want to replace it any time soon. The welder is in my garage which is not insulated with a metal roof and gravel floor with a wood burner. With all my bad luck with welder this hobart does make me head conscience with dust, grinding, and paint.
Reply:Get a cover for it.
Reply:The welder is in my garage which is not insulated with a metal roof and gravel floor with a wood burner.
Reply:You've already done the best thing to make it last, which is to get a good welder in the first place. Don't abuse it or overheat it, keep it away from dust and water, and it should last you a good long time.Just think of your previous welders as "learning experiences". JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:First if you buy a good machine it should last you a long time,  I have a old Miller 135 mig that I have hours and hours and it has been abused and still runs great. I also like to keep covers on my machines its dusty in Arizona!!! Good luck with that new Hobart!Miller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:Keep it well off the floor.  If you have a cabinet or enclosure, you could put in a low wattage heater (bulb or whatever) to prevent condensation when the shop is cold and the weather gets warm and humid."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Of course, now that you have a good MIG you could make a cool cart which rolls well on gravel and has a latching cover which connects to a "tray" holding the welder.The "roll on gravel" part will make lift much nicer too.
Reply:well the welder is off the ground i built a stand and i made a cover out of a pillow case to keep dust off and i blow the welder out every week but im thinking of some kind of cabinet.
Reply:I see a boat anchor in the bottom of the pic.   Even environmentally friendly as its painted blue to match the water and not scare the fishiesTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I still think you are in the junk range of welders. Hobart never impressed me. But getting harbor freight welders I can't imagine you expected them to last. A craftsman 80amp wire feed? when did they make those? 80amps is pretty dang low amperage. I think the Lincoln 110 migs are barely even passable even though I use mine a lot.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:But keeping it and making it last should be as simple as keeping it dry and dusted out.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI see a boat anchor in the bottom of the pic.   Even environmentally friendly as its painted blue to match the water and not scare the fishies
Reply:I just blow my welders out with a air gun every year or so.
Reply:Hobart makes VERY good welders, Ive got two of them, and have used the daylights out of them, and have never had a problem from either...To the OP, the 187 is a quality machine. As long as you dont go out of your way to kill it (overheating, abuse, dropping/damaging it) it will last for years to come [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009