Another looking for a flux core MIG welder suggestion thread

[IXLR8]

I have a TIG welder, but I am not very good with it yet. I have an OA setup that I do okay with. I'm looking for a flux core MIG machine. Most of my welding is done outside and the nearest supplier for gasses is 1.3 hrs, one way, and $30 in tolls away. Hence looking for something that doesn't require gas. Most of my welding is 3/16" thick or smaller mild steel. On a rare occasion I'll do something 1/4", but never anything thicker. I would like a 110/220 machine for versatility. It might get used 4 times a year so I don't want to spend the big bucks. But I want something that will lay down a good bead, once I get some experience with it. Having to do a little clean up of the slag is okay with me. I'm thinking I'd like to keep the price below $1000 for the setup, $1200 max. What would you folks recommend for machine and wire? Thank you

 

[workinonit]

You must live on a barrier island and have to take a ferry.

 

[WranglerX]

Think you need to really consider dual purpose machine (GMAW/FCAW) as both have their uses in different ways..... And cost wise, not that much difference.... I been welding with GMAW for about 8 years now and I still have about half of the demo roll of FCAW wire in drawer... If you do get dual application machine it does not mean you have to get solid wire and shield gas immediately but just having the capabilities is a step up....

Hobart makes a really nice dual voltage machine, the HANDLER 210MVP for about $1,150 (SRP) ... Shopping prices vary...

Handler® 210 MVP™ MIG Welder | HobartWelders

A portable MIG welder that has 210 amps of power. Welds up to 3/8", offers dual-input voltage Multi-Voltage Plug (MVP) operating on 115v or 230V and up to 210A output power. Let's start a project together.

www.hobartwelders.com

 

[WinterDeere]

I have an older Hobert Handler 175, which I bought maybe 20 years ago. Like you, most of my welding is outside, where shielding gas can be problematic. But flux core ain't no picnic either, so smokey that you're left basically welding by braille. It also smokes over your helmet viewing glass, it's a real mess.

If I were you, I'd buy a proper MIG, not just a wire welder. This gives you the option to run flux core when you need to weld on a breezy day, but regular wire and gas when conditions allow. You will need to change the drive wheel inside the machine to go back and forth, but that's a 60-second job... no problem.

As to brands and models, I've always been partial to Lincoln on stick welders and Hobert on MIG, but with no real reason other than populartiy and availability of emergency supplies on any given Saturday. Look at what your local TSC or hardware store stock, and consider where you're going to get tips, cones, and other parts when you need them in the middle of a project.

 

[Tinhack]

Get some slag spray. It helps a lot. The beads will pop off with a putty knife or scraper. But READ the label/description. Some cheap spays are NOT for steel--They're for aluminum or brass (nozzles) only.

 

[IXLR8]

Think you need to really consider dual purpose machine (GMAW/FCAW) as both have their uses in different ways..... And cost wise, not that much difference.... I been welding with GMAW for about 8 years now and I still have about half of the demo roll of FCAW wire in drawer... If you do get dual application machine it does not mean you have to get solid wire and shield gas immediately but just having the capabilities is a step up....

Hobart makes a really nice dual voltage machine, the HANDLER 210MVP for about $1,150 (SRP) ... Shopping prices vary...

Handler® 210 MVP™ MIG Welder | HobartWelders

A portable MIG welder that has 210 amps of power. Welds up to 3/8", offers dual-input voltage Multi-Voltage Plug (MVP) operating on 115v or 230V and up to 210A output power. Let's start a project together.

www.hobartwelders.com

Now I need to look up GMAW and FCAW to know what they are. I don't do 3/4 letter acronyms very well. DDG to the rescue.

 

[IXLR8]

HANDLER 210 is on sale at Tractor Supply, that is only 25 minutes from me.... will go check it out.

 

[5030]

I own a pair of older Hobart Handler 210's. Excellent welders however, the older ones are transformer based, the newer ones are IGBT based. The older ones have excellent wetout and are easily controlled. Not sure about the newer ones but I'd buy one of the Harbor Freight Titanium flux core / solid machines instead. Much less expensive and just as good performance wise as the Hobart IGBT machines plus if it fails for any reason you can return it to HF and get your money back (standard 1 year guarantee, 3 additional years as added cost).

I like both my older Hobart's but if I was to buy new, it would be a HF titanium.

The only issue with the HF MIG's is you cannot do spray arc with them, not enough power. The Hobart's are just marginal and no more and I do a lot of spray arc welding, actually my preferred method. To spray arc, I have to run the 210's flat out.

Also, keep in mid that the newer Hobart welders are no longer made here. They are Chinese. My older ones were made in Troy, Ohio. That is long gone now.

Even the Lincoln MIG's are Chinese.

 

[5030]

Another thing to keep in mind when buying ANY welder and that is... If you have issues with it (one never knows), the HF welders are easy to return (so long as you purchase the extended warranty which guarantees them against everything for up to 4 years, whereas if you by a Lincoln or a Miller or an ESAB of even an Everlast, you have to take it to an authorized service center and then wait for it to be repaired. With the HF units. There is usually an HF store nearby so you take it back and they either refund your money or they give you a new one.

I know it works like that as I own a pair of HF plasma cutters and one pooped out so I returned it to the local store and they gave me a new one, no questions asked.

I sold my Lincoln TIG machine as well as my Hyper Therm plasma cutter and replaced both. A 205 Pro-Tig and the pair of plasma cutters. The 205 Pro-Tig is a fine machine btw. My good friend is a nuclear certified welder and he's used it in the past and was amazed at how well it welds (of course TIG welding takes skill) and the Titanium plasma cutters, the consumables are 1/4 the price of the Hyper Therm consumables, why I sold it as I use the larger one on my CNC plasma table so I burn through a lot of consumables. Other nice thing about the Titanium Plasma cutter is, HF sells it with the CNC interface already installed so it's basically plug and play CNC. Had to wire the HT to run on the table.

Only thing I added to the 205 was the Everlast water cooler and a CK Worldwide Series 20 flex head TIG torch. The 205 comes with everything including the foot pedal but the torch is air cooled and an air cooled torch don't work well with aluminum at higher amperage, consequently, the water cooled torch. I don't like getting toasted fingers.

I will say that Hobart does sell a nice series of auto dark hoods, just bought one to replace my ancient Hobart auto dark hood.

 

[5030]

Now I need to look up GMAW and FCAW to know what they are. I don't do 3/4 letter acronyms very well. DDG to the rescue.

GMAW is Gas Metal Arc Welding as in shielding gas and solid wire MIG. FCAW is Flux Core MIG. SMAW is Stick Metal Arc Welding.

I do them all. I own a nice Lincoln engine drive ac/dc welder as well. it's over 25 years old and bought it new. Even has the HF start on it for TIG welding.