New Welder Help!!!

admin

I am new to welding and am about to go out a purchase a welder I have two I am looking at. the hobart 140 and the northern tool mig/stick 140. I know go witht the hobart it is name brand. But the northen tool has both mig and stick capabilities. I would not weld metal over 1/4" and would like to try aluminum some day wich they both do. They both have great reviews on them so maybe someone here can help shed some light on the issue.Thanks in advance
Reply:My vote is for hobart.  But, the dual purpose thing is China.  While it may be good to learn on, it may have limited life.   Check Ebay for good used name brand units.  You might just be suprised what you can pick up for little $$$.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:watch e-bay & craigslist!  you can find some good deals there.  I found a practly brand new Miller High Frequency box for 450 on Craigslist Here is what I have so Far:Miller:Shop Master 300 A A/C D/CS 22a Wire FeederRFC-14 Tig PedalHF-251D High Freq. UnitProfax 250 A Mig GunVictor RegulatorsHarris:63-2 torch Cutting Attachment 49-3making home built tig cooler
Reply:What are you plan on using this for? Are you planning on hooking up a bottle to this? You say your planning on trying aluminum in the future, welding aluminum on a mig with out a spoolgun is a huge pain in the a$$. I am not sure about the northern tool mig, but if the hobart is like the miller (which most likely is) then they have spool guns that mate up. Also for only $5 more i would rather pic a proven name. There are 186 reviews on the hobart that say 4.9 to the only 3 for the northern tool.
Reply:Learn with the Hobart, save some money for a few years, and then step up to the next machine you will be ready for to weld aluminum, whether it be mig or tig.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.