Welder Recomendation

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Hi,I hope I've put this in the right area.What's the best welder...A bit open ended I knowI'd put myself in to the hobbyist category. I don't make my living of welding but I'd like a nice welder to do some projects with. I'll be doing body work and lighter duty stuff mostly, but it would be nice to have the ability to have a bit of power. I've got access to a stick so I think what I want is a MIG. I also though a dual voltage might be a nice feature, not sure if its as great as I think it is, having the ability to plug into all the 120V plugs around but have the power of 240 when I want it.I get the impression that if I stick with a major brand name like miller, lincoln, hobart I can't go wrong, but what are your thoughts?Thanks
Reply:Sounds like mig is what you want. The 110/220v capable migs are probably the most versitile units out there for the avaerage hobbiest. You get the ability to do thicker material on 220v power in your shop, but still have the portability of a 110v machine for light duty stuff. The down side is usually the cost, but you usually end up saving in the long term vs buying two machines. You will want to get a gas cylinder for the machine at some point to do sheetmetal and body work.The MM211 is a great machine from Miller. Many here have them and they have gotten great reviews. I believe both Lincoln and Hobart have multivoltage machines out there as well now. Hobart machines tend to be less expensive than their Miller and Lincoln counterparts usually. On a buget, I'd probably start there..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I am about to demo the new Thermalarc Fabricator 181i.It is mig and tig in one package for around $995.Might be worth a look.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonI am about to demo the new Thermalarc Fabricator 181i.It is mig and tig in one package for around $995.Might be worth a look.
Reply:Ya that three in one would be pretty sweet if it is a quality unit. A bit hesitant that they can have a three in one for sub $1000 that is actually good
Reply:i would look at a thermal arc 181i  mig/tig/stick.. its not dual voltage, but it would be pretty versatile in a small home shop/garage.. i seen the 181i for sale for $815 somewhere on the net, i think cyberweld, went and looked , it was cyberweld http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18miw.html  thats a good deal if its as good as other thermal arc welders..  plus you get a free Tweco autodark hood...Last edited by brucer; 09-16-2011 at 04:14 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by thisandthatYa that three in one would be pretty sweet if it is a quality unit. A bit hesitant that they can have a three in one for sub $1000 that is actually good
Reply:My LWS and  the manufacturer's rep are bringing one over Tuesday morning. I asked that the foot control be included for a workout.We will see. If it behaves like an Econotig, I will toss it out with the rest of the scrap.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonMy LWS and  the manufacturer's rep are bringing one over Tuesday morning. I asked that the foot control be included for a workout.We will see. If it behaves like an Econotig, I will toss it out with the rest of the scrap.
Reply:I'm supposed to demo one tomorrow, I think this is gonna be the way to go in the future, small machines that can do it all. I'm probably gonna wait, but the price is very resonable for what it is. The pros for me are: it's light-only 30 some pounds, my 211 weighs 70 something; it's 3n1; has lift start tig.  Con's- doesn't have as high a capacity  (amperage) as my 211; doesn't have dual voltage, only 220v; doesn't have a internal gas valve for tig, like my maxstar does. So it's kinda a toss up for meLincoln: 255 Mig w/spoolPrecision Tig 275Ranger GXTMiller: 211 Mig w/spoolMaxstar 150 STLSpectrum 875Scotchman 5014 IronworkerHougen-Ogura PunchJancy USA-5 SluggerPowr Kraft LatheVictor Pattern TorchJet 9m Bandsaw
Reply:Thermal Arc TIG torch extra 110.00. Is says lift TIG, so no pedal....Would be nice, if I knew it ran 6010 correctly...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:I agree ESAB and Thermal arc both make good machines equal to Red and blue quality.  HTP is another machine to considerTiger 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:Originally Posted by ShadillI'm supposed to demo one tomorrow, I think this is gonna be the way to go in the future, small machines that can do it all. I'm probably gonna wait, but the price is very resonable for what it is. The pros for me are: it's light-only 30 some pounds, my 211 weighs 70 something; it's 3n1; has lift start tig.  Con's- doesn't have as high a capacity  (amperage) as my 211; doesn't have dual voltage, only 220v; doesn't have a internal gas valve for tig, like my maxstar does. So it's kinda a toss up for me
Reply:Originally Posted by MadMax31Thermal Arc TIG torch extra 110.00. Is says lift TIG, so no pedal....Would be nice, if I knew it ran 6010 correctly...
Reply:So how did that thermo arc end up? Any good?