what mig for me?

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well i have currently welded for about 4 years with this craftsman flux core only welder,it still works fine but its flux only, i have got really good with it(it was my first welder)..i have used for many turbo set-ups, pretty much welding up intercooler/exhuast pipes,ect and other car related stuff.well i want to get a mig with gas what do you guys suggest?it would be used for mostly turbo manifolds(sch 40 pipes),charge pipes,exh,ect, anything to do with cars mostly here is a link to the a welder i was thinking of getting..http://www.harrisweldingsupplies.com...ROD&ProdID=680also it would be nice to get a welder capable of making nicer looking welds.im still a noob when it comes to welder info/knowledge so any help would be nice.thanks
Reply:Hello and welcome to the forum.If all you really plan to do is weld thin stuff, say 3/32" or less you can get away with that machine. I suggest that you read the threads linked in the sticky in the general questios section on 110v migs.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20883It will explain why 110v migs are not generally the best choice for many. I would suggest that you look at a 220v unit. It will do everything thesmall unit will and have the extra power to do a bit heavier materials and do thinner materials better. The small 110v migs are great for shemetal but poor for structural projects like frames in most cases.Good luck.
Reply:thanks for the help,for the 220v units what would you suggest, i don't have alot of cash, so a cheaper 220volt unit would something i would consider but it has to be a name brand not a knockoff/HF welder.thanks
Reply:Hobart Handler 187http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...187-MIG/DetailLincoln Pro Mig 180 ( Lowes) about 625.00Lincoln 180HD (Home Depot) didn't check price but they are about the same.You get twice the machine for about 100.00 more.120v or 240v machine you will still need a Bottle of shielding gasEd 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:Originally Posted by DSWHello and welcome to the forum.If all you really plan to do is weld thin stuff, say 3/32" or less you can get away with that machine. I suggest that you read the threads linked in the sticky in the general questios section on 110v migs.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20883It will explain why 110v migs are not generally the best choice for many. I would suggest that you look at a 220v unit. It will do everything thesmall unit will and have the extra power to do a bit heavier materials and do thinner materials better. The small 110v migs are great for shemetal but poor for structural projects like frames in most cases.Good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by ryan1also it would be nice to get a welder capable of making nicer looking welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Man I hate the friggin thread Even a 240v 180 amp machine isn't going to make a satisfactory weld on 3/8"   in a single pass.Do you guys realize you are doing more damage than good by referencing that "test":As it implies that all one needs is a 240v machine to weld "good".
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Sorry, that part is up to youJust because some one drives a $50,000 dollar Mercedes does not make them a better driver than someone who drives a Yugo.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Hobart Handler 187http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...187-MIG/DetailLincoln Pro Mig 180 ( Lowes) about 625.00Lincoln 180HD (Home Depot) didn't check price but they are about the same.You get twice the machine for about 100.00 more.120v or 240v machine you will still need a Bottle of shielding gas
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Man I hate the friggin thread Even a 240v 180 amp machine isn't going to make a satisfactory weld on 3/8"   in a single pass.Do you guys realize you are doing more damage than good by referencing that "test":As it implies that all one needs is a 240v machine to weld "good".
Reply:Originally Posted by ryan1i was think more along the lines of these 180 michines i posted the wrong link, anyone have any thoughts/reviews about these?
Reply:weldingsupply.com has the 140c for 70 dollars less than that price and the 180T for 31 less than that price as well. Excellent service. I get all of my wire from them as well as most of my other stuff.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly Rogerweldingsupply.com has the 140c for 70 dollars less than that price and the 180T for 31 less than that price as well. Excellent service. I get all of my wire from them as well as most of my other stuff.
Reply:You have 220v? Get the biggest one you can run on 220v. Wire the place for max amps. Don't look back.Last edited by GSteve; 07-21-2008 at 12:59 AM.
Reply:well i think i will go with a lincoln 180, there is a local welding supply store and i talked to the owner (old dude) and he told me a bunch of info and said he would match any price i can find on any of the lincohns i was looking at(talked to him late last winter, well the problem is the old dude that ownes the store and also does repair work on welders is sick and he has some younger dudes working there know and they don't seem like they know much at all, they told me he would be back in a mounth or so.so the lin. 180's..... from what i have searched it seems like the right one, + I would like to weld aluminum later and it seem like the spool gun for the lincoln is a good price too.im still not 100 % sure cause of the hobart 187 is starting to look very impresive also.so what is the diffrences in all of the newer lin. 180 welders?Lincoln Pro Mig 180 vs .Lincoln 180HD vs.ectthanks for your help so far.
Reply:After rereading your original post, I would say any 220 unit should be fine. The MM180 , lincoln 180 , and the HH 187 are all good choices. Becareful of the Lincoln lines though. Don't get me wrong here as Lincolns do make great welders, but they are making some machine cheaper. Here in Canada, the Mig-pak seriers are cheap and not built as good as The SP seriers which is a lot better built. You will see that the price reflects that. Miller hasn't done this yet to my knowledge but I believe the Hobarts are the cheaper version of the Miller line. Again this doesn't mean that hobart is junk. I am just trying to point out the fact as I know them. Personally I like the Miller line but thats just me.  I would always get a make that has a local welding supplier close. If all three are close then get the one you like the best. Good luck.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Lincoln Info:Sp180 T (Only the T model) Welding Shops/Distributers Pro Mig 180- Retail Lowes180 HD Retail- Home DepotThose 3 machines are exactly the same machines and are Tapped Voltage.They all are Spool Gun ready and have the new Diamond Core Choke design, which supposedly helps with creating a better Arc.The drive roll housing is plastic in all of the above machines.The Lincoln Power Mig 180 C- Note the C in the model name- is the top of the line unit and only available from Welding Shops or DistributersCast Al Drive roll housing and Continuous Voltage selection, Diamond Core choke.Ed 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:If you wish to compare the Specs go to:http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...px?locale=1033Under products click on Retail for the retail unitsClick on Mig welders to see the SP and Power Mig specs.Ed 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 just bought an hh187 not too long ago and i love it.. i have read reviews allover the internet both before and after buying the welder (comparing brands) and i have not read a single bad review about the 187 i have not got a ton of experience but i dont think you could go wrong with an hh187
Reply:I have had a couple of the 120 volt migs and a couple of the  220 volt units, currently I have the HH 187 and I find it to be a great welder. Easy to set up, easy to weld with and welds great. I don't think you can go wrong with one.
Reply:thanks for all the help so far, keep posting more info is always helpful.what do you guys think of these recondtioned units, good or bad?thanks againLast edited by ryan1; 07-26-2008 at 01:18 PM.
Reply:well i have not been here in a while, and still have not bought a new welder,so i guess im still looking for more reviews of the hobart and linc.
Reply:Well, I'm here to make it harder. Check out the new Miller 211. It is 110v & 220v.I've never seen a complaint on a HH 187, its reputation is very good. And if the budget dictates, they're available as refurb.If you'd like, you can go up to User CP on the left side of the page and fill in your location. It shows up on the right side of each post where mine says Colorado.Last edited by Craig in Denver; 03-01-2009 at 02:33 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I have a Lincoln HD3200 (135 A) 120vac and I really like it. Does it have it's limitations yes, but if used with in those limitations it works really well. as Im sure the lincoln your looking at will also. With mine I wouldn't try much more than 1/8" on FC or 12 gage on mig. But I have used it on the end of 150 feet worth of extention cord. Which would likely mean you would have to make your own extention cord or figure something else out if it was a 240vac machine. I guess it really gets down to what you going to use it for.
Reply:Originally Posted by ryan1well i have currently welded for about 4 years with this craftsman flux core only welder,it still works fine but its flux only, i have got really good with it(it was my first welder)..i have used for many turbo set-ups, pretty much welding up intercooler/exhuast pipes,ect and other car related stuff.well i want to get a mig with gas what do you guys suggest?it would be used for mostly turbo manifolds(sch 40 pipes),charge pipes,exh,ect, anything to do with cars mostly here is a link to the a welder i was thinking of getting..http://www.harrisweldingsupplies.com...ROD&ProdID=680also it would be nice to get a welder capable of making nicer looking welds.im still a noob when it comes to welder info/knowledge so any help would be nice.thanksSp180 T (Only the T model) Welding Shops/DistributersPro Mig 180- Retail Lowes180 HD Retail- Home Depotdoes anyone else know if they are build differently, or the parts are cheaper in the lowes and hd units?in a early post a member had said some were build cheaper is this true?
Reply:Originally Posted by ryan1Sp180 T (Only the T model) Welding Shops/DistributersPro Mig 180- Retail Lowes180 HD Retail- Home Depotdoes anyone else know if they are build differently, or the parts are cheaper in the lowes and hd units?in a early post a member had said some were build cheaper is this true?
Reply:Ryan,Wait seven or eight more months and there will be a new "king of the hill" mig welder introduced.From the work (headers, etc) that you've done with that fluxcore unit, I'm sure anything will be an improvement.  I'd love to see some of your "projects".Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Can you add a little more sarcasm, Broc?