Need info for buying my first welder

[powersrp]

Im kinda tired of paying to have small jobs welded up, and most of the work is half ***, Where would i start? mostly tractor projects, new grill guard, 3 point attatchments etc. Power is not a problem, i have 200 amps in my shop. Budget around $1,500.
Thanks in advance

 

[MF RED in MT]

I have a Miller 110V auto-set mig with bottle gas for about 10 years now, and the only drawback is doing heavier material like 3/8" up.

I can get by but is slow as the duty cycle permits, but once a few welds are performed the heat in the material helps a lot.

I almost got the 110V/220V auto-set but didn't, oh well, for the small projects I do I get by ok.

Some will swear by stick welding (and I have burned many rods certifying and welding in my lifetime) but the mig auto-set is so easy a caveman can do it...

Also the mig with gas has very little cleanup and the learning curve is faster.

my :2cents: KC

Mine is a Millermatic 140 auto-set

 

[stevewarner1957]

A multi process machine like a Lincoln MP210 or Miller 215 and ESAB units would be great candidates. MIG/Stick/TIG. You’ve got it all covered

 

[dragoneggs]

A multi process machine like a Lincoln MP210 or Miller 215 and ESAB units would be great candidates. MIG/Stick/TIG. You’ve got it all covered

Hard to argue this advice. I chose a Miller 211 MIG with 110/220v hoping it would be my first and last MIG. I don't do heavy welding and don't really enjoy stick. I figured I would someday get a separate TIG machine anyways as I am lazy about having to change over tool setups.

 

[stevewarner1957]

Another approach would be to buy a dedicated MIG machine like the 211 and watch for an old bulletproof stick transformer machine like a Lincoln Idealarc250 or Miller Dialarc 250. These can be had at a reasonable price if you take your time and look for a bargain.

 

[jthibodeau89]

Its a little heavier, but the Everlast 251si is a 250A DC MIG/Stick/TIG power source. Includes pulse capability.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Back in the day we use to also tig weld with the 110V Lincoln mig welder.

This is before the suitcase 110V tig welders were for sale.

If I can remember correctly, we'd change the polarity, jumper a wire to make the welder hot, and use a portable tig hose with a handle gas shut off.

It was much better than pulling around a Lincoln fire plug (hydrant) welder.

KC

 

[workinonit]

If you were close I have a Dialarc 250 that I replaced with a water cooled Syncrowave 200. Stick welding with the Dialarc is the best I've ever used. I don't have a wire feeder for it. I also have a Millermatic 251 and 180 that I use all the time. The new 180s are in your price range and would do everything you need if you want a dedicated wire machine. You could probably step up a size and still stay in your range.

 

[workinonit]

The 180s or like are entry power selectable. You was a 240 V machine.

 

[WranglerX]

I have a Hobart Handle 140 its a 120 Volt machine and can handle materials up to 1/4 inch thick at single pass..... It does about 95% of my welding, the other 5% I farm out if job is to big for my machine....

If I knew then when I bough the welder I would have gotten the Hobart 210 MPV or any other 200+ amp capable MIG (240V AC).... The great thing about better MIGs is it can do FCAW which is fluxcore and GMAW which is solid wire and shield gas....

Gave up stick welding years ago and went to MIG and never looked back......As for TIG its a whole other ball game and learning curve is big..... Unless you intend to do aluminum or chromoly steel tubing for race car chassis I don see need for TIG in home shop.....

Don't know much about welders and welding?...

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info...

Jody also has some great videos on you tube...

Learn a bit about what welders do best and techniques involved before you fall for the advice on shiny sales brochure...

Dale