Buying a Welder

[two_bit_score]

You are correct. Same parent company ITW Inc. Which owns about 160 divisions or companies.

Ever get the impression that some few big tool kingpins are enjoying making us dance in a charade for so-called competition between tool brands?

 

[CBW1999]

This has really given me some great information and ideas. Last week, I narrowly missed a craigs listed "buzz box" for $75.00 (lincoln)- which would have been a good start.

At this point, I will be going with 220v MIG and am strongly considering Hobart. My wife is looking at me funny again because I've also been looking at Plasma Cutters as well.

Hobart has a nice Plasma Cutter, but I am intrigued by the Harbor Freight model. It claims to be able to cut up to 0.47 inch material. Being a tool that would not be used frequently, I am wondering if spending less on the Plasma Cutter (649.00 current plus can use 20% off coupon), and perhaps more on the MIG might be an idea.

Has anyone seen/used/own one of the Harbor Freight Plasma Cutters?

 

[Sully2]

Hobart 187 or 210 model. Both require 220...but thats no big deal

 

[Sully2]

This has really given me some great information and ideas. Last week, I narrowly missed a craigs listed "buzz box" for $75.00 (lincoln)- which would have been a good start.

At this point, I will be going with 220v MIG and am strongly considering Hobart. My wife is looking at me funny again because I've also been looking at Plasma Cutters as well.

Hobart has a nice Plasma Cutter, but I am intrigued by the Harbor Freight model. It claims to be able to cut up to 0.47 inch material. Being a tool that would not be used frequently, I am wondering if spending less on the Plasma Cutter (649.00 current plus can use 20% off coupon), and perhaps more on the MIG might be an idea.

Has anyone seen/used/own one of the Harbor Freight Plasma Cutters?

Save your $$ on a cheap plasma cutter. They are a waste.

 

[4shorts]

The Trailblazer is an awesome welder and it will also be used as my standby generator when the power goes out, so it will be serving multiple functions. I also need the gas powered welder as all the fencing around my place is steel pipe and with horses, well you know how it goes.
So, my two cents is O/A first, you'll learn to weld well...then buzz box and finally MIG.

Man your going to love the Trailblazer. I know I do. I'm a blue man as well. We got all blue from the Miller 875 plasma, Millermatic 350P / 30 amp spool gun, Millermatic 252 and Dynasty 200 DX and had three or four other Miller products before this stuff and I can't say a bad word about any of them.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I bought a craigslist Lincoln Tombstong AC DC 220 that kills. Old and used lovingly the thing still welds great. Stick is great for farming, Someday I will buy a 120V mig so I can do lighter work better. Tried it once with a stick and burned a hole in nothing flat.

 

[dcyrilc]

Man your going to love the Trailblazer. I know I do. I'm a blue man as well. We got all blue from the Miller 875 plasma, Millermatic 350P / 30 amp spool gun, Millermatic 252 and Dynasty 200 DX and had three or four other Miller products before this stuff and I can't say a bad word about any of them.

Love your trailer. Did you buy that and customize it, or build it?

 

[4shorts]

Love your trailer. Did you buy that and customize it, or build it?

Thanks Cyril. I built it from scratch. It includes all LED lighting, shocks and specialty fabricated storage compartments along with custom built roll bars that can also carry material. . Here's a few vids of it.

YouTube - welding trailer

YouTube - Miller 302 Trailblazer

YouTube - Trailblazer lights

 

[kevinj]

Love your trailer. Did you buy that and customize it, or build it?

He is quite the artist:thumbsup:

 

[Jerry/MT]

I am sort of a hobby farmer that is considering the purchase of welding equipment. The equipment will serve 2 general purposes. Repairing what I break and, some light to medium fabrication work.

It is not something that will be used daily. When it is used, it won't be for hours at a time. I do not expect to have to weld anything thicker than 3/8 inch

I have between little and moderate experience with both stick and MIG. Although I do not like the "buzz box" and sticks, I am better with that than MIG, although with practice I would get better......

I have the ability to run appropriate power supply for whatever I get, so that is not really a big concern, although I am curious if there is a 110v model that fits these needs.

So, what have you got that you like? Pro's and Con's? Any suggestions on specific brands to avoid all together? Although $$ is a consideration, whatever I get I will save up for. So, no need to go bargain brand, but I do not want to sell my left Kidney either:laughing:

Thanks for the input!

You've recieved some good advice regarding welding equipment but I would recommend you consider taking a welding course at a voc-tech in your area to learn how to use whatever you get. The best welding unit is not much good if you don't know how to use it. I took a course in the late '80's and got pretty good with a stick welder. Then I didn't use it again for a while and lost a lot of my skills. I can still fab stuff but my welds aren't as nice as they used to be, but they hold together. I'd like to take another welding course as a refresher but the voc-techs fill up pretty fast when I have some time away from ranch chores so it's difficult for me to finds a compatible time.