Help me pick a mig welder

[Renze]

I went from a 35% duty cycle 180 amp mig, to a 60% duty cycle 350amp MIG.
When welding 6mm or more, it makes all the difference. With the 350A i can make a fully penetrating weld on I beams without V notching it first. I dont have to make the material as clean (rust, paint, zinc) because the more powerful welder burns the trash away before it gets embedded in the weld. It welds dirty material as good as a stick welder. Because it is a 3 phase machine, i get a much more stable DC arc. (MIGs convert AC to DC, with more phases feeding it, there is less fluctuation in the combined current to straighten, resulting in a much more stable arc)

You already have a welder, so i assume the amount of welding you do, justifies to invest in another. In that case i wouldnt go lower than 300A 35% duty cycle, or 210A 60% duty cycle, if you buy a 180A and then step up to a 350A like i did, you'll realise these extra amps were what you were missing all the time...

 

[joes_427_vette]

Lincoln or Miller 250 amp machine. Cost about 1800. Last machine you will need to buy. When your done with it a hundred people will want to buy it. Great quality, service, operating machine. Don't buy the inferior junk for the low price. They are on the computer everyday for resale. Owners don't admit their junk... just want to upgrade to larger machine.... like I believe that line.

 

[Jim in ICT]

Cord, depending on who you deal with on the cylinder purchase, you may be able to buy the tank and avoid the testing expenses. If you're just exchanging the cylinder, you should get a tested cylinder in exchange. If you exchange the cylinder often enough, it should also be in test at that time. Good questions to ask when you're shopping.
You'll like the Esab; good equipment, just not as well known as the red and blue guys. Sometimes, it's a regional thing. What part of the country do you live in?

 

[Cord]

I'm SE Wisconsin. Heart of Blue country.

 

[Cord]

I just read that ESAB is now sponsoring Orange County Choppers and they will be building a bike for ESAB. Anybody recall who used to sponsor OCC?

 

[mjncad]

I just read that ESAB is now sponsoring Orange County Choppers and they will be building a bike for ESAB. Anybody recall who used to sponsor OCC?

Miller because they built a Miller bike and trailer for 'Blue.' Don't let the people in Appleton see you went to the dark side.

 

[Wooddust]

One answer MIller. You cannot go wrong, they stand behind them, they work when you need them to. Save up till you can afford a Miller.

 

[Jim in ICT]

Cord, OCC used Miller welders and had Airgas cylinders in their shop.

 

[bx24]

HTP welders

Company Information - Welding Equipment - Welding Supplies – HTP America, Inc.

As mentioned, Miller and Lincoln make great products (they are the Snap-On and Mac tools of the welding world).

When I went to formal classes for welding, most of the machines were one of the two. I did not read the whole post, but I am sure someone mentioned that Miller actually owns (or did own) Hobart

I was fortunate to always be able to use someone else's equipment. When it came time that I needed to buy a unit for myself, someone gave me a reference for HTP welders. I had never heard from them so I asked around a bit. Like me, a lot of people in the biz had never heard of them, but the ones who did only had good things to say about them.

I just looked on their website and I cannot find any prices, but as I recall they are about 20% less than similar Lincoln or Miller units. From their literature (and I would agree based on what I have seen with mine), their units are beefier for drive controls and some other parts.

I believe the units are made in Italy, but their operation is in IL outside of Chicago. They have been a pleasure to deal with for consumables (tips, wire etc) and have always delivered things quickly. If I had to do it again, I would go the same route (I purchased their 2400 mig unit as well as their 625 plasma cutter)

I used to live near their office so when I was in town for the holidays a couple of years ago, I stopped in to talk to them. They had a nice operation (complete with dog running around the office) and they took the time to talk with me about my needs. Give them a call, their folks have a lot of good information to at least give you some things to think about.

Good luck