under $200 mig and flux wire welders

2813josh said:

Hmmm, wish I could help. I'm actually kicking around the same idea. I would think the Northern would be a little better just because of the higher amp rating but I really don't know much about welding. Tractor Supply has one on their website for 130 bucks. Jobsmart. Don't know how good the quality is though. My dad got one of the Hobart welders from there for a few hundred I think and It seems to work pretty well and it can also be set up for gas.. I dunno that probably doesn't help much I'm just thinking with ya, ha edit: here's a link http://www.tractorsupply.com/welding-metalworking/welders/mig-welding/mig-welders/jobsmart-reg-125-amp-mig-fluxcore-welder-1128762

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1986fordranger said:

hey all i am looking to buy a flux wire or mig welder some time soon , so i have been reading and watching some videos and i have came to the conclusion that to fit my budget $200 or less i have two choices 1 is a harbor freight 90 amp flux wire welder www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flux-wire-98871.html , or 2 a northen tool 125 amp flux wire welder www.northentool.com/shop/tools/product_200403263_200403263 , what my future plans are to weld some sheet metal probably 18 gauge and some plate steel nothing really thick , really i am just looking for something to lern with and have some fun fooling around , any comments and any other options would be great , thanks

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Iron Ranger said:

Don't get either. In the field of welding supply, you really do get what you pay for. You'll be fighting these piles from day 1.

Yeah, a Hobart may cost $300-$400, but they are fantastic machines. Which means for beginners like yourself, it'll be much easier to operate.

I'm serious when I say don't buy either of those 2, though. You'll be throwing money away.

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1986fordranger said:

is the hobart handler 125 flux wire welder any good http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/handler125ez.html , from what i have read it seems its a fairly good quality and easey to use machine , i first looked at the hobart handler 140 but i only really need a 125 amp welder

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Iron Ranger said:

I had a Hobart 140 for 6 years and used it well. I can say that it's been the best welder for home projects I've ever used. It's pretty lightweight, small, and most importantly, runs very smooth.

If you do get a 125, don't get an E-Z model. Get the regular one so that you can MIG or flux-core weld(plus, you can fine tune the machine much better).

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aspevacek said:

Spend the extra and get the 140 it is a great little welder. I picked one up and love the little thing. It is nice to have the choice to use flux core fore thicker stuff or go to a sheild gas for nicer looking welds.

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scotts90ranger said:

check craigslist for used welders, you'll find a better deal, you have to be on it as the good ones at good prices go FAST like everything else on there...

I've seen some nice fabrication done with Harbor Freight's higher end mig welder... there's coupons all the time for $175ish

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1986fordranger said:

yeah i was questioning if i wanted a machine that i can't fine tune , how hard is it to lern to mig welding?, i have herd its pretty easey , but i have never done any welding , just never had time

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