What cheap welder?

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Hi, New here... Im looking for a cheap 220 mig welder with gas not flux core and would also like dials for volts/feed speed my budget is around $3-400 not looking for miller or lincoln or anything like that just wondering if anyone knew of a welder that price that can be used with gas that is not flux core?
Reply:Yeah  buy what you want not what you can afford...I forgot how to change this.
Reply:i agree with Lawson on this. i don't think you could even get a cheap harbor freight  for 3-400 hundred bucks.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCYeah  buy what you want not what you can afford...
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99I don't need a Superb welder at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmWould you buy a plane that kinda flies?  Or a boat that kinda floats? Now, how bout a welder that kinda welds, but the price was right...
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99That is a terrible analogy, Concerning the questions I have asked. You should have saved the time and not posted at all with your negative attitude... If you do not know the answer to someone's question, You should probably not say anything at all I have seen alot of poster's like you on forums and it is really getting annoying. I am directing the question on this thread to someone who has owned or knows someone who has owned a machine like the one I am talking about. I do not intend on spending $2000 on a home welder it would make no sense too me, I can pull still pull great welds on a china machine I guarantee it.Hobart handler 187 is looking decent BTW.
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerhe does know what hes talking about...  and yes the hobart handler 187 is a good choice, not in your suggested budget though...  if i were you i would save some more money and purchase the hobart handler 187....     sure you probably can run a bead with a chinese welder, but for how long and what kind of warranty will it have?
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99 I have seen alot of poster's like you on forums and it is really getting annoying.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmWe have seen our fair share of posters like you as well.....
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99Congrats on your +1 Had to get the last word Huh?
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmWould you buy a plane that kinda flies?  Or a boat that kinda floats? Now, how bout a welder that kinda welds, but the price was right...
Reply:Oh, let me guess, you want to build a trailer hitch, & some other odds & ends for the car, right?..Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Cheap to most here means cr@ppy import machines like those from HF. And yes they break quite often. Look at all the "fix" and mod threads in the HF section. The poor QC on those also means things like erratic feeding and limited voltage control makes laying a good bead with many difficult at best.If by "Cheap" you just mean inexpensive, then a nice used machine from CL is your best bet. What you find will be determined by where you live and who's getting rid of what in your area. Some places seem to be better for some things than others. I'd suggest a CL aggregator like Searchtempest or crazedlist to see what's out there within say a 2 hr drive of you. I've seen some very nice $2000+ migs offered for less than $800. ( Type of machines I've been looking for) Keep in mind deals go fast. I've missed out on one or two XMT304's under $900 because I didn't get a hold of the seller fast enough, or had enough free cash on hand when they were posted. $300-400 though probably won't get you much. $600-800 would be a more likely minimum for a good 220v name brand machine used. Keep in mind that often when shops close, large older powersources and wire feeders are harder to dispose of than smaller all in one migs, and therefore often go for next to nothing. You need to do some research and make sure they aren't 3 phase however..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:Let's say you are buying a new car.  If you can only afford a Yugo, a Yugo is what you get. If you are expecting the quality of a Honda Accord at the price of a Yugo, you are probably going to be disappointed.  In order to even know the difference between a Honda Accord and a Yugo, you must have had some experience driving both.  This is what the previous posters are trying to tell you.You might stumble upon a decent 220V used welder for the price you mentioned, but those kind of deals are few and far between. If you are shopping for new welders at Yugo prices, you will get what you pay for.....Sometimes less.Last edited by joedirt1966; 08-13-2011 at 08:14 AM.
Reply:I take it from your post that you are considering the purchase of a new machine?Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:buy a quality used machine.  I have seen machines in you budget used on Craigslist quite often.   the reason you get the negative attitude is noobs get on this forum and ask the same questions several times a week then bitch and moan when they don't get the answers they want.... why ask for advice if you are not ready to accept the truth.   search the other manufacturers forum on Chicom brand welders like everlast, longevity, lotos, giant tech and the dozen other chinese pos welder companiesLast edited by soutthpaw; 08-13-2011 at 09:37 AM.Tiger 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 bkivi99Hi, New here... Im looking for a cheap 220 mig welder with gas not flux core and would also like dials for volts/feed speed my budget is around $3-400 not looking for miller or lincoln or anything like that just wondering if anyone knew of a welder that price that can be used with gas that is not flux core?
Reply:Originally Posted by nadogailAnd I have a dollar for a guaranteed winning lottery ticket, our chances are aproximately equal of getting what we are looking for.
Reply:Hey bkivi99,As you can see, many members frown on the Chinese imports & offer suggestions for finding a good used unit such as a Miller, Lincoln, or other quality unit. Generally, those get snapped up quickly if they are reasonably priced & sometimes you get lucky & find one. If you need something & don't want to search for months, I will suggest the HF151, 220vac unit. Yes, it is made in China; yes, it is quite inexpensive; yes, it will weld up to 3/16" with proper prep; & yes, it can be had with a 2yr replacement warranty for less than $200.How do I know? I needed an additional unit for my shop to do all the SS restaurant repairs I get in each week. Instead of constantly changing wire on my other units, I picked up the HF151 at my local HF. I set it up with .030/309L & C2 gas & tested it to determine limits. I have made no mods to it & it is setup right out of the box. I like the 151 as I have an older one made in Italy that has never failed me. It is on my mobile unit with f-c for the many outdoor repairs I get on smaller/thinner repairs I do.Bear in mind that this unit works best with .023 or .030 wire in either solid or f-c. You will need to get a regulator & probably C25 for CS projects/repairs. The most important factor is your knowing how to set it up, checking the connections/fittings, & testing it. Again, material thickness will be your primary concern & your willingness to engage in some serious practice to determine the unit's capabilities. If you are going to need to weld anything over 3/16", spend a few more $$$ & get the HF171 that has better output power. This unit can be had for less than $300 if you watch for sales or have a coupon.This is all I would suggest since you have a budget & need to keep costs down a bit. If you would be willing to wait a bit, you could probably find a good used Miller or Lincoln(175-180A) in the $300-400 range & sometimes they will come with a good regulator. Here's some pics of my units & a weld setup sample I did to insure all was working properly.Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:stop smoking, start eating half lunches, dont go out to eat , shut off cable tv for a month or two, change your own oil, scrounge up a mowing job, do a car wash in a bikini, whatever it takes, you want a machine or a cheap toy? Seriously there is a lincoln 175 hd for 350 on kc craigslist rite now, there is a lincoln 180 for 400 new in the box...Me i wouldnt buy either of them they wont do what i want i ran a miller 180 last year and all i wanted to do was walk it to the dumpster. I think they are a waste of money for what i want and what i do. I have found by cutting back to the max im more capable of getting something worth having. I FOR ONE WONT WASTE MY MONEY ON BUYING TWO BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE BROKE AND I HAD TO THROW IT AWAY! That imo is just plain stupid.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Even in Yorkieyaps capable hands that HF bead still looks crappy.   There is more to a welder than just how many amps it puts out.  If u never used a quality mig then you won't know the difference.Tiger 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 yorkiepapHey bkivi99,As you can see, many members frown on the Chinese imports & offer suggestions for finding a good used unit such as a Miller, Lincoln, or other quality unit. Generally, those get snapped up quickly if they are reasonably priced & sometimes you get lucky & find one. If you need something & don't want to search for months, I will suggest the HF151, 220vac unit. Yes, it is made in China; yes, it is quite inexpensive; yes, it will weld up to 3/16" with proper prep; & yes, it can be had with a 2yr replacement warranty for less than $200.How do I know? I needed an additional unit for my shop to do all the SS restaurant repairs I get in each week. Instead of constantly changing wire on my other units, I picked up the HF151 at my local HF. I set it up with .030/309L & C2 gas & tested it to determine limits. I have made no mods to it & it is setup right out of the box. I like the 151 as I have an older one made in Italy that has never failed me. It is on my mobile unit with f-c for the many outdoor repairs I get on smaller/thinner repairs I do.Bear in mind that this unit works best with .023 or .030 wire in either solid or f-c. You will need to get a regulator & probably C25 for CS projects/repairs. The most important factor is your knowing how to set it up, checking the connections/fittings, & testing it. Again, material thickness will be your primary concern & your willingness to engage in some serious practice to determine the unit's capabilities. If you are going to need to weld anything over 3/16", spend a few more $$$ & get the HF171 that has better output power. This unit can be had for less than $300 if you watch for sales or have a coupon.This is all I would suggest since you have a budget & need to keep costs down a bit. If you would be willing to wait a bit, you could probably find a good used Miller or Lincoln(175-180A) in the $300-400 range & sometimes they will come with a good regulator. Here's some pics of my units & a weld setup sample I did to insure all was working properly.Denny
Reply:Then why ask a question if you don't want a simple honest answer. Go use your work welders and go buy some piece a **** at harbor freight and quit taking up space. You asked what cheap welder. If you already have your mind made up don't ask the question, just go buy some piece a ****, might as well buy two and go ahead and get a couple a grinders while your there.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:On the up side...........You have a welder at work that costs thousands of dollars.  You will have something worthwhile to compare a $300.00 dollar welder to.  There will be a difference.Posters like the OP really make me want to spend my time "helping them".NOTSyncro 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:I guess I'm different but I will save and save until I can buy a quality product. I don't own any cheap tools for just that reason.I.B.E.W Electrician and Damn Proud of It !!!! .Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/