Novice wants a MIG, advise ?

[WranglerX]

Ive never owned a lighter newer inverter type welder just the heavy transformer type welders my smaller Hobarts and Lincolns are heavy, you may want to invest or build a cart for them for ease of movement, Imo. The HF cart is pretty inexpensive and a back saver, the front swivel casters are very cheap may want to upgrade or get metal bushings for them. Still under $50 total including worthwhile upgrades you have to do yourself. Also just my unfounded opinion but some of these off brand foreign welders in order to fall in a price point and still market good penetration power, good duty cycles, and include so many accessories probably aren't using higher end components where they need them.

Was always under impression the first project with new welder was to make a cart..... And the larger the wheels and casters the easier it rolls over the little crap on floor....

 

[jjeff]

Or buy a HF one and make it work like it's supposed to.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Replacement parts for the Titanium could be an issue but the liner in the whip is "tweeco style" I believe and HFT carries them on the shelf so does every welding store... if it helps here's a link to the coupon. Doesn't look like it comes with any wire (must have been the Unlimited 200 I got that came with that...) but has everything else... I didn't get mine new, found it without a box for stupid cheap hence the willingness to abuse it with questionable power sources and not ideal conditions... then again there's times I completely ignore normal settings for some things, for thin stuff I'll crank down the voltage and up the wire speed to add more metal and avoid burning through so bad, mainly used for welding up rusty exhaust systems and mower decks...

 

[WranglerX]

Or buy a HF one and make it work like it's supposed to.

Only investment in mine was wheels and casters, rest of material for cart was from "inventory" (scrap pile).... Why buy something that is inferior and have to spend more money to make it less than mediocre....

 

[California]

My HF MIG-180 lives on a HF $10 wood furniture dolly. I added a handle on the dolly like a kid's wagon. Sufficient, not elegant!

But before the MIG-180, here's a welding cart I made up for a heavy transformer welder I had several years ago. Its an elder walker from Goodwill with rails added to hold the welder. Cheap, simple, adequate.

This Century 110v MIG welder, even using flux core, was a day/night improvement over the previous HF 90A - AC flux welder that had been a continual frustration. DC in this welder in place of AC was an obvious major improvement but equally important, this Century, made for auto body work, had variable voltage - the difference between pro and the HF-90's near-useless specs.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some of the newer inverter welders are so lightweight that they may not need a cart unless you're running a tank in which case a cart is very useful.

 

[WranglerX]

Some of the newer inverter welders are so lightweight that they may not need a cart unless you're running a tank in which case a cart is very useful.

Sure just drag it around by the whip... Cart serves more than the purpose of moving welder, it can also hold tank, a place to hang helmet, box or drawer to hold spare wire or MIG pliers and extra contact tips and any tools you may need to service welder or can of anti spatter spray, welding gloves, also hooks on side to coil up leads....Its like a shop doesn't "need" a welding table, but it sure comes in handy at times....

 

[Spike56]

Buy welder through local welding supply that also stocks supplies and parts .... For Example there are three local "hardware" stores that handle FORNEY in my area.... And local Tractor Supply (25 miles away) has HOBART, rural living you know....Closest local true welding and gas supplier(s) is actually 37 miles away.... Usually stock up on some spare consumables when going to "big city" when making shopping runs for household and need gas and wire and contact tips....

My gut tells me you are right here about buying local. I have been watching UTUBE reviews and reading until my eyeballs are exhausted. Seems EVERY machine (Everlast, Yes welders, Titanium, Vulcan, just to name a few) are capable, and it is difficult to "really" find any bad reviews. I do not have any issue ordering minor parts such as contact tips, especially if they are "standard" (i.e., tweco), which some of the "cheaper" class machines may use, some not.
As a NEWBIE, I appreciate all the suggestions for sure. But, looking at all the different machines and capabilities is quite mind-boggling. To this day, I remain confused about the differing drive mechanisms and guns and quality. My Miller Stick (Thunderbolt) was easy to add extra lead wires, that is straight forward. For MIG, now there is gas/wire involved and what connectors are used on what machine remains a mystery if you want an extension?
If I stay with a local welding supply, I have one choice - AirGas. They of course offer Miller, Lincoln and Hobart. I would be dealing with them for gas anyway. After much consideration of welding amps for my applications, and since I have a stick, I think the MIG can be a lesser machine.
So, I have concluded all things considered, and not needing the more advanced and pricier machines (from Lincoln / Miller) that offer auto-set and continuously adjustable feed and voltage, I will go with a Hobart thru AirGas. Have always read good reviews and parts / consumables local thru AirGas or Tractor Supply (which our local store is really pitiful about stocking welding supplies, yes some, but slots on the shelves may be empty when you look for something)
Hobart 125 ($545 airgas) - 120v only, maybe too many limitations for me - NO
Hobart 190 ($939 airgas) - 240v only (25/190A), but about $200 more:
Hobart 210 ($1149 airgas) - 115v / 230v (90A 20% / 150A 30%),
Infinite wire speed. Says 15A input at 115V (normal outlet, MultiVoltagePlug), safety features. on and on => YES

This gives me the room ($$) to buy a bottle (somewhere) and a cart. Local AirGas cannot get bottles right now for purchase. I do not want to rent. But I will begin with FluxCore for practice and my less "pretty" projects. All in all, for better or worse, I am married to this machine.
As mentioned, this is a part-time hobby. I am not in the shop fabricating every day. So, whatever limitations the Hobart 210 might have, will just learn to live with them.

MANY MANY thanks to EVERYONE who has commented and helped!!!!!!

 

[2manyrocks]

My plan starting out was to use my Hobart 187 with shielding gas for a wider range of thinner materials and to use my stick welder for anything much thicker. In reality, I really haven't needed my stick welder very much anymore.

 

[2manyrocks]

Sure just drag it around by the whip... Cart serves more than the purpose of moving welder, it can also hold tank, a place to hang helmet, box or drawer to hold spare wire or MIG pliers and extra contact tips and any tools you may need to service welder or can of anti spatter spray, welding gloves, also hooks on side to coil up leads....Its like a shop doesn't "need" a welding table, but it sure comes in handy at times....

Also doubles as a walker I am told.