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Welder advice...

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Do any of you out there have any advice on what type of welder to buy. First off, I know nothing about welding but have sort of decided that MIG is the way to go for me. I want to just be able to rig brackets to hang mufflers, etc. Am willing to have 220 run in shop but can settle for 110 if 220 is overkill. Also, seems the discount stores offer name brands but the models don't match up with the welding shop model numbers. Have a friend who will show me the basics once I am set up. I just want to make a bunch of smoke and fire and thought it would be fun. Whatyasay?

Bill
 
As a Snap-On dealer I have learned a lot about welders as I have sold them over the past 17 years. And, I am not going to recommend our stuff, as it may be over kill for what you are doing.

1) For almost any light duty welding a decent 120 volt unit is PLENTY. There simply is NO need for a 220 volt rig.
2) Flux core mig welding sucks. Buy a small mig welder that will run 75/25 mix gas. Your friend will explain that.
3) Make sure that the welder will handle at least .030 to .035 wire as it will pass more current and weld better than the .023 that the cheap welders use.
4) Don't buy a Lincoln. They have outlived their reputation. A small Miller that you can carry around is about as good as you will find and can easily be serviced. The real cheap off brand stuff is just that. Quality costs a little more but will last a LOT longer. When a cheap mig dies it's done. If a good mig dies it can be inexpensively fixed.
5) ALWAYS WEAR A WELDING HELMET and have at least a grade 11 lense in it.
6) There is nothing tough about welding. A good teacher can get you going in no time and then it's a matter of practice.

Have fun.
 
I agree with Bob with one exception, Lincoln welders are a good choice. We have 2 that are used daily at the shop. one is the "125" the other is newer, "135" For my home use I have a miller(sidekick)I just got it out of the shop(175$). It has less than 20% as much use as the lincolns which have never given a minutes trouble!!!
MD(mad dog)
 
Bill;

I've just started doing some welding on the frame of my Spitfire. I have a Hobart 135, which is a 120 V welder, and find it to be a good size welder for the work that I am doing: frame and body work.

I started out with taking a welding course before working on the car and several instructors recommended this size machine for the type of work I am planning to do.

Gas welding gives a nicer looking finished weld than flux core, but flux core welding can tolerate a bit of surface rust, which I have a bit of in the nooks and crannies of the frame that I can't get to with my wire brush.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I also agree with Snap-on Bob except for the Lincoln comment. I have had a Lincoln SP-100 for several years and had no problem with it. Its 120 volt unit but has a dedicated circuit. However, I don't think you can go wrong with either the Miller or the Hobart. I just got a better deal on the Lincoln. I have heard that the welders the big box stores sell are not the same as you buy from a welding supply house. THey better not be 'cause I paid $675 for my set up which included everything but the helemt. You can now buy them for a lot less now at Lowes or HD.
 
Hobart 135 here. Using gas, not flux core. It's great! Got the welder, gloves, wire, 20 lb bottle of gas, and tip goo for about $500.00. Bought it all a couple of months ago at Welder's Supply in Charlotte, NC
 
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