Advise for a first time Welder

jerry shannon · Jan 20, 2014

A possible first time welder here. I am tired of sending out my welding to be done and am thinking of getting into a unit and start learning how to do basic welding. I was thinking of a Hobart Handler 190 mig welder as my all around unit. Opinions of this brand and model please.

Also is in fact a Mig welder my best overall first choice for a welder. I was told it would do everything I would need for most all farm and home applications.

Look forward to your ideas and thank you. By the way, I do most all of my own repairs and maintenance and consider myself to very handy.

Shield Arc · Jan 20, 2014

I've always heard good things about Hobart's IronMan 230.
Hobart Welders - Products - Wire Feed Welders - IronMan 230

jerry shannon · Jan 20, 2014

Shield Arc said:
I've always heard good things about Hobart's IronMan 230.
Hobart Welders - Products - Wire Feed Welders - IronMan 230

Thank you for weighing in.

Industrial Toys · Jan 20, 2014

You can't weld in even mildly windy conditions with a Mig.

Repairs on old weathered stuff isn't easy either. Not that I know what I am doing, but I ripped a safety chain off of a trailer last week and tried to weld it back on with my Mig. It was just put on with some snot as a steel boat builder I once knew called it. I managed but it wasn't a pretty job.

Migs are best for putting together shiny new stuff! So if you are planning on building stuff, Mig is the way to go. If you are doing a lot of farm repairs, a DC welder is probably better. Lots of rods to chose from.

Shield Arc · Jan 20, 2014

Remember when Mig welding, you want to run as hot as you can handle it. Cold lap is the number one killer of Mig welds. In other words, buy the biggest Mig machine you can afford!

Turbys_1700 · Jan 20, 2014

If you are starting out, I would suggest buying an old tombstone on the cheap and learn how to stick weld...
Mig is great but stick has some advantages...
Typically higher welding capacity for the same dollar...
Dirty windy conditions lend itself to stick also...
Harder to operate but not that difficult...
You may have a local community college to help in the training...
That is a good option for lots of folks...

brin · Jan 20, 2014

I'm new myself but don't forget with a mig welder you can use Flux Core wire and you don't need gas...it melts metal better and is not affected by wind...You pros correct me if I'm wrong ..but it has worked for me...I just have to knock and brush of the slag and pull the puddle instead of push...I.m happy with mine.

rsallen · Jan 20, 2014

Strictly non-pro here. If I have anything that actually 'counts', I have a pro handle it for me.

That being said, The hardest thing it seems for most beginners I've run into is they don't see or understand or how to look for and watch and control the pool of molten metal that's being pushed or maybe rather blended together. That being with torches, mig or stick.
If only that were just beginners that'd be okay I guess but I run into the same thing from people that have doing it forever.

For beginners I always suggest starting with a set of gas torches. Learn how to control that welding process and it's limitations. Then arc welding becomes much easier in terms of whats happening as well as gauging the worth of the finished product.
Shrug, or maybe that's just because that's the way I started. lol

jerry shannon · Jan 20, 2014

Industrial Toys said:
You can't weld in even mildly windy conditions with a Mig.

Repairs on old weathered stuff isn't easy either. Not that I know what I am doing, but I ripped a safety chain off of a trailer last week and tried to weld it back on with my Mig. It was just put on with some snot as a steel boat builder I once knew called it. I managed but it wasn't a pretty job.

Migs are best for putting together shiny new stuff! So if you are planning on building stuff, Mig is the way to go. If you are doing a lot of farm repairs, a DC welder is probably better. Lots of rods to chose from.

I do not know how big of material I will ultimately be working on but to start light stuff mostly. I have some Oliver flat top fenders that I cut old steel out of and will be wanting to weld new still back in. Ground off all the material around the parts to weld and they are all nice and shiney but I hear what you are saying about the repairs. I think I will be doing 80% new stuff and 20% old repair. MIg still the safest bet you think?

jerry shannon · Jan 20, 2014

rsallen said:
Strictly non-pro here. If I have anything that actually 'counts', I have a pro handle it for me.

That being said, The hardest thing it seems for most beginners I've run into is they don't see or understand or how to look for and watch and control the pool of molten metal that's being pushed or maybe rather blended together. That being with torches, mig or stick.
If only that were just beginners that'd be okay I guess but I run into the same thing from people that have doing it forever.

For beginners I always suggest starting with a set of gas torches. Learn how to control that welding process and it's limitations. Then arc welding becomes much easier in terms of whats happening as well as gauging the worth of the finished product.
Shrug, or maybe that's just because that's the way I started. lol

Good advise. I am going to take some night courses at the local Community College to get some instruction and then just go for it. Right now still trying to decide how much to spend on a unit and what unit to get that will be a good starter and best overall multi purpose or multi surface welder.