wire welder suggestions?

[Dale1995]

I am looking to buy a Wire Welder, any suggestions on brands, specific models, or what to stay away from. I now have a lincoln stick welder, and am in the market to aquire a wire feed. There are so many brands out there. I want to be able to use it to fabricate items for my tractor, Please let me know what your suggestions are, and good places to buy this from.....Its cold here in Caribou, Maine. It was -50 below yesterday morning

 

[BASSIN20]

I have a 115 volt (power supply) lincoln wire feed I purchased two years ago from home depot. I paid around $300 for it. I started to buy the 230 volt model because thought, at the time, the more power supply the better the weld. But then I realized I would be portability limited as 230 volt outlets are not standard outlets. I wanted to be able to take the thing any where and use it. But I had reservations about the weld capabilities of the lower voltage model. So I went on and bought the 115 volt model, figured if it didn't do what I wanted I would either take it back and swap it for the 230 or just sell it out right. In two years of ownership, I have welded everything with the wire feed and have had no welds fail yet. I have a front end loader on my tractor that picks up 5000 lbs. I welded some chain hooks to the outer corners on the top of the bucket and have since picked up some 4500 lbs. of 24" steel pipe I had gotten to use as culvert, hooks held. I have used it working off a number 10 wire extension cord (home depot) and I have also used it off my 5000 watt generator fixing some steel fence I have around my place. The lincoln stick welder I have has not been used since I got the wire feed. It's just to dad gum easy to grab the wire feed plug in and weld. with my stick welder you have to bring everything to it. and some time the leads aren't long enough. With the wire feed just grab the welder and move it. my next purchase is going to be a CO-2 gas kit for it that allows welding aluminum.

 

[WantedWolf]

I had a lincoln handy weld (115v) wire feed for over a year paid $400. I never added gas to that one but was never really satisfied with the machine.
I sold it first chance I got, and when Princess Auto had a sale I bought there
115v mig (95amp max I think) for 189.00 and am very happy with it. I use it alot outside so I have yet to hook the gas up on this either but it welds great and is always the first welder I go for. I do buy the fancy Lincoln innershield flux cored wire for it because Ive welded alluminum to alluminum and aluminum to a piece of galvanized elec. box (not a structural piece but still holding after almost a year.) I have recomended this welder to a friend and he bought the PA 220v version but quickly traded it for the 115v for mobility like yourself. but he is also happy with it.
and you cant beat the price heck for mobility buy 2, PA had a 3 year warrenty when I bought it but now its a single year. When I needed it repaired the gave we the feeder clamp and a few springs for free of there floor model, got me going quick.
Good luck with whatever you buy, youll love a wire feed.

 

[chrisjbell]

I like the Miller welders. If you can afford it, get one with gas sheilding - it will work better than the wires with flux. 220V will give better performance than 110V if you are set up for it. You'll really appreciate a wire feed welder over a stick welder - much easier to use.

 

[digger2]

I have a Lincoln 115 volt mig that i bought back in the early 90's.
Its called a SP100.I'm pretty sure they dont make that model anymore but they do make models that look the same.Its been used hard over the years and i've had only one small problem with it,the wire guides plugged up with some rust,had to clean them,then it worked fine.I think all the major brands are good.They have to be or they would lose business eventually.
Truthfully,if i had to do over,i would buy a bigger 220v higher amp model,cause you can always turn it down.A smaller machine can only be turned up so far and thats it.Of course if you know you will never weld anything heavy with it,than a 110v would prob. do fine.
If you do get a smaller 110v machine,get one with the solenoid in it for the gas,that way you can do MIG or Fluxcore welding.My suggestion as far as brand to get-try to stay with a name brand like Lincoln,Miller,etc.
That way parts arent a problem in the future..............Digger2

 

[WantedWolf]

I do agree I good quality 220v will out perform a good quality 120v welder. but the OP mentioned mobility and I use mine at the hay shed(120 wired) and at friends places (120) wired and depending on your generator maybe it supplys 220 as well but we ran the PA ones on a 6500watt diesel gen. and the 220 did the same quality work as the 120 but with higher expectations.

If you have another sure shot welder stick or mig, save your self some money and try a cheep one. I dont know about HF but PA will return almost anything in almost any condition so take one for a test drive.

 

[2manyrocks]

Hobart Handler 187 at Tractor Supply Company for about $599 on sale.

If you have the bucks, then a Miller 210 or 212.

 

[SEMI-RETIRED]

Good info guys, i am thinking about buying a
wire welder myself and this thread has really helped..

Bob..

 

[wushaw]

This is a good online source. Indiana Oxygen Company

Miller, Hobart, Lincoln & ESAB

Miller; MM180, MM211, MM212, MM252, all 220v machines that will do good.

Hobart; HH187, HH210, 220v also and will do what ya want.

I don't have idea on lincoln.

ESAB has good machines also but are not as available as the American machines. If you have a local source I wouldn't hesitate with a ESAB unit.

 

[RedMahindra]

I had a 110v FarmHand 85 (Campbell Hausfeld) wire feed welder for 6 or 7 years. I just recently purchased a 220v Hobart Handler 187 at TSC. Before setting it up I also purchased a shielding gas cylinder to go with it. After welding with the new Hobart welder I thought to myself I should have purchased one of these years ago!!! It is like the difference in night and day.