Help me choose a new welder!

[ovrszd]

We had a Miller 251 that got burned in a garage fire, then found a 250 to replace it. They were both great units. The only trouble I had, is sometimes the self feeding wheel gets hung up.

I had a Miller 180 that burned up in shop fire. I thought it was a great welder for medium duty work. I replaced it with a Miller 250 I bought used off Craigslist. What a difference. The little 180 was sufficient for work 1/4" or under. I used it for thicker work but it never melted the metal together to suit me. The 250 is a different beast. No question about getting the metal to dissolve together with that welder. I tried to weld some barn tin the other day and couldn't pull that off though. Always a tradeoff.

I have no complaints with Miller MIG welders. I've also owned a Lincoln AC/DC stick welder for severals years and have no complaints with it either.

 

[ovrszd]

Ok. I LIKE that route. Miller 211 or equivalent Hobart mig and older transformer AC/DC stick-tig. Oxy-acet rig and you're good to go! Have fun!

Terry

Whoops, you forgot a Plasma Cutter!!!! It's an endless road....

I use my torch to light the shop fire and rosebud tip heat stuff, otherwise it sits.

 

[Big Barn]

Whoops, you forgot a Plasma Cutter!!!! It's an endless road.... I use my torch to light the shop fire and rosebud tip heat stuff, otherwise it sits.

Same for me, but you're a little more willing to help the OP spend his money. . Endless road it is.....

Terry

 

[roadhunter]

I know I have really been impressed with my research on the i-mig 200 from Everlast. 200 amp mig output, 160 on stick if I remember correctly, and the option to add a spoolgun for aluminum welding and it runs on 110v and 220v I've seen them on sale for less than $700. If I was going to buy 1 machine I think it offers alot of bang for the buck and versatility.

 

[T Connolly]

Look at HTP. Great welders. I have their Invertig 200. I taught myself to TIG weld and I love it. No mess, very strong welds and total control. This welder will weld most anything including aluminum and titanium. (titanium is a bit tricky). Service can't be beat. They really stand behind their products. I have one of their plasma cutters as well and have never had an issue with it. I do mostly repair work and occasionally fabrication of trailers and wood splitters.

 

[Big Barn]

Look at HTP. Great welders. I have their Invertig 200. I taught myself to TIG weld and I love it. No mess, very strong welds and total control. This welder will weld most anything including aluminum and titanium. (titanium is a bit tricky). Service can't be beat. They really stand behind their products. I have one of their plasma cutters as well and have never had an issue with it. I do mostly repair work and occasionally fabrication of trailers and wood splitters.

I don't have any of their machines but I have dealt with them many times for consumables and accessories. I totally agree that their customer service can't be beat from after purchase follow up to Jeff answering email questions on Sunday's.

Terry

 

[Scrambler82]

I run the Older Miller 210, MIG Welder, great machine, welds 3/8" steel., even though most of my welding is in the 1/4 and 5/16 range.
It has an extra port for a spool gun, alum, s/s, small plate welding.
If I purchased again it would be a Miller.

My Plasma Cutter is a HyperTherm 900, also and older model but it is great for the 1/4" to 3/8" steel I use.
I never thought a Plasma Cutter was something I would like but it's,a must have item from now on.

Just to mention Gas Welding with OX-Acet is good for small parts welding, take a certain touch to get it right but it works better than glue, and then is brazing.

You can go wrong with a Miller Welder.

 

[mrmetalweld57]

Just so you know, the same company that owns Miller,owns Hobart. To the best of my knowledge, all millers and hobarts are made and assembled in Appleton, WI. Hobart is considered the lower priced miller, good to buy or sell when money is the main consideration, as in a bid situation. Same mig gun, and an awful lot of parts are the same. Miller is still the better machine. Service people in wisconsin are extraordinary.
Lincoln does have good machines, but the company itself sucks, particularly warranty wise.
I've found the ThermalArc/tweco machines to be pretty darn good also.
I offer you these opinions because I've owned three welding supply stores in Missouri for 38 years.

 

[yomax4]

Go your LWS and ask to read the label on a miller welder box. Anything from a 140 - bobcat. It will say Assembled in USA. Been that way for nearly 2 years. Sadly No-one manufactures welders in the US anymore.

Just so you know, the same company that owns Miller,owns Hobart. To the best of my knowledge, all millers and hobarts are made and assembled in Appleton, WI. Hobart is considered the lower priced miller, good to buy or sell when money is the main consideration, as in a bid situation. Same mig gun, and an awful lot of parts are the same. Miller is still the better machine. Service people in wisconsin are extraordinary.
Lincoln does have good machines, but the company itself sucks, particularly warranty wise.
I've found the ThermalArc/tweco machines to be pretty darn good also.
I offer you these opinions because I've owned three welding supply stores in Missouri for 38 years.

 

[Colonel Monk]

Guys, thanks for all the wisdom. Remember, way back when before these forums existed, where we went thru life being relatively clueless on certain subjects? Nice to be able to rely on a community of like-minded folks to make important choices.

I WILL have plasma cutter by summertime. You guys are right about that too. Brings up an interesting question, if I had a plasma cutter, does that remove the need for a metal chop saw? I've used a plasma torch to cut out some shapes in plate but never on tubing. I'd imagine it's doable but tough to maintain the perfect angles you can do with chop saw.

Mr Metal, thanks for that info. I had read that also in this thread somewheres in the middle, that Hobart and Miller are built in the same plant. I think I'm interested in the infinite heat control, it's not that I don't trust a Hobart to be a good welder, but in the past on the MIGs I've used with the 4 or 5 distinct voltage settings, that I've had a tough time finding the perfect setting for some materials. I'd rather pay a little extra for that control, and then I don't have to be disappointed later.

Lincoln is out of the running for now. I would not hesitate at all to buy an old Lincoln arc machine when it's time, if I have the need, but I've heard the complaints and want to deal with a company who 100% stands by their product. Nervous about the Tweco/ThermalArc systems for now, though their reputation for a solid welder is there, I don't really see where they surpass the Miller Migs.

Thanks for all the info gents, I think I'll be getting a Miller 211 for Christmas. Need to get down to our "wood shop" and add me a 220V receptacle to the panel and get some extension cord. Seems that at 220V you can do about 50 feet with standard extension cord but I'll be getting something heavier probably 10 ga so that it will work also at 120V.