Small welder advice needed

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Hi all,  New were and to welding (I do have some limited experiance with a stick welder)I'm rebuilding & repairing my truck and am looking at doing some body work,which will involve some welding (box & fenders). Beings as I have a fair amount of money going in to the truck, my budget is around 300$ (when I can afford it I'll be looking at a Hobat 187 or similar)I'm looking at a 110v lincoln @ Home depot http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...=10053#reviews ,it says it will weld 24ga to 1/8", which would be fine for my current need(s), I have access to gas (and 220v) so no problem there.  I also have a coupon for 25$ off at HD.I was thinking about a Clarke off of ebay, but would rather stay with a brand name (for parts reasons).  Are there any other welders in my price range that would be about the same size and be gas ready?I have looked at Craigslist & ebay and havent found anything,  FWIW.Thanks
Reply:hmmmmmmm.those little lincolns usually have two knobs..oneto control wire feed speed and one to control heat..what sup with that model??
Reply:i see that one has 4 voltage settings..they make a model with continuous setttings that may do better for you..
Reply:I will mention that in this forum in another section there has been a topic about the eastwood welders.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=41965the company replies to questions, & seems concerned. & even was offering to help if something happened if out of warranty, & warranty was for 3 years.read..... make your own judgement...  I myself would probably grab the 220 model if money wasnt so tight right now. maybe in a month or so I will.... for price, its looking mighty good to me...Later,Randy
Reply:Do we really need to start a new post with every thought that pops into one's head?No wonder some people have 1700 posts.To the OPYou'll be better served saving your money until you can get a 220v machine (such as the HH187 you mentioned).  This will "expand your horizons" beyond just doing "body panels".Also, keep in mind, many of the "low end" units are flux core only.  For those body panels, you're going to definitely want/need the capability to use solid wire and C25.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:I just got the Fleet farm add and they have this wilder on sale for 350$ [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500550-Welding-Welder-Regulator/dp/B002VECKTM/ref=pd_cp_hi_0"]http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500550-Welding-Welder-Regulator/dp/B002VECKTM/ref=pd_cp_hi_0[/ame]  My Dad is heading that way sunday, and could check it out in person. The only thing is I dont see it on either Millers or Hobarts website.Also, keep in mind, many of the "low end" units are flux core only. For those body panels, you're going to definitely want/need the capability to use solid wire and C25.
Reply:Plinker,The HD Spec is wrong"Amps : 70 AAssembled Depth (in.) : 18 inAssembled Height (in.) : 16.75 inAssembled Width (in.) : 10.310 inEnergy Star Compliant : NoHousing Material : SteelItem Weight : 49 lbOpen Circuit Voltage : 29Voltage Rating : 208/230 V.Welding Capacities : 1/8Width : 8.8 in"The Handy Mig is a 120v Machinehttp://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.aspx?p=7114I know $ is always a concern but this is one of those times where it is really a Huge benefit to save up some more cash and get a HH187.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:Somethings wrong with that last link. Either the pict is wrong or that machines not a Hobart. Hobarts are grey not blue. My guess is that it's a no name import from the pict and they screwed up on the name. The wire in the pict might be Hobart wire and maybe thats where they pulled the "hobart" from. I've seen plenty of "ads" put together by people who had zero idea what it was they were posting. They just looked at the box or item and went from there.I'll add another vote for a 220v machine. I can understand the money crunch however. Just don't expect to get much back on selling a used 110v mig. They are just too limiting. You'll be lucky if you can get 1/2 your money back on a name brand unit. There's just no real market for them. A lot of guys think they can turn around and sell stuff like that for almost what they paid. Aint going to happpen. The name brand ones used have to compete with the cheap knockoffs from HF new in price. If you buy a cheap name one, it's almost worthless used. You'd be lucky to get 1/4 the original price. In the long run it's way cheaper to save and buy the 220v unit now rather than buy 2 machines. Been there, done that, learned the hard way..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:DSW-I think it is a Hobart/Auto Arc/MillerEd 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:Here is a link to the Auto Arc 130 manual.It was found on the Miller website, not Hobart.  Hobart does not list an Auto Arc in their manual section.Link:  http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o243712a_aut.pdfI've never heard of this welder before.I would save for a more commonly sold welder like the HH187 you mentioned or a similarly speced welder such as the Lincoln or Miller (Millermatic). (Just my opinion).
Reply:Found this on the Auto archttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=41282http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...t=auto+arc+130
Reply:Originally Posted by plinkerHi all,  New were and to welding (I do have some limited experiance with a stick welder)I'm rebuilding & repairing my truck and am looking at doing some body work,which will involve some welding (box & fenders). Beings as I have a fair amount of money going in to the truck, my budget is around 300$ (when I can afford it I'll be looking at a Hobat 187 or similar)I'm looking at a 110v lincoln @ Home depot http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...=10053#reviews ,it says it will weld 24ga to 1/8", which would be fine for my current need(s), I have access to gas (and 220v) so no problem there.  I also have a coupon for 25$ off at HD.I was thinking about a Clarke off of ebay, but would rather stay with a brand name (for parts reasons).  Are there any other welders in my price range that would be about the same size and be gas ready?I have looked at Craigslist & ebay and havent found anything,  FWIW.Thanks
Reply:i might be on a chit list after this, but oh well. i would say that if your funds allow you to only buy the lincoln hd, then do it. i was the same way, i thought they were a pos. but a buddy of mine fell into hard times and i got the 100hd which is only fluxcore, but i got it for one hell of a price brand new still in box thinking i would just sell it, but i ran into a problem one night with my millermatic, and pulled out the hd. i fell in love with it, and i hate fluxcore. but that welder saved my butt on more than one occasion and have to give it props. they do sell a mig kit for it but i have the miller. its nice to be able to take it where ever you need to go and it will do most of the repairs that come up. i keep it in the truck when i go on a call and use it off the gen\welder 90% of the time. now for doing body work i would say to get one with a mig kit and run gas. gas will let you weld thinner material. not 100% on this, but i heard someplace that you cant paint over fluxcore because of the acids in the flux, will just flake off after a while. never had it happen to me, but then again, i'm a welder, not a painter.....lol.....besides if you get this and find your not going to do any welding your not out that much, or you can get it to use now, get the 220 when funds are in your favor, and have your main, and one for back up. its all up to you
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammerwelder i heard someplace that you cant paint over fluxcore because of the acids in the flux, will just flake off after a while. never had it happen to me, but then again, i'm a welder, not a painter.....
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966Remove the flux layer after welding (wire cup, brush, etc.) and you can paint over it like any other weld (MIG, TIG, Stick, Braze, etc.)
Reply:I have used fluxcore for many outdoor projects that were painted after completion.  I've never noticed paint flaking.  I make sure to thoroughly clean all welds and any oils/rust/etc before painting for the best results.  I usually use a metal primer and then a top coat.  Some of these projects are up to 10 years old (kept in the garage out of the elements) and the paint still looks decent (not new but decent).  The only real paint issues I have is when I run into the "item" with something else, which causes a scratch or chip in the paint.Anyone else have any paint issues on fluxcore?
Reply:Well, I ended up getting a Hobart 187 instead of one of the 110v welders.Played with it this morning and actully made some decent looking welds ( to me ) with the .030" flux core wire it came with. Much easier than stick welding for sure.  Now I need to get some more wire & stuff and then I'll be set to go.