Welders

[Twister]

Looking into picking up a mig welder to eventually down the street fix some of the rust holes in the floor of my B2 and other things as my truck evolves. I know of the big name brands, Hobart, Lincoln and Miller. I came across the eastwood 135 in my searches for good entry level welders. I've been reviews on the internet and only came up with a couple bad reviews, and some saying you get what you pay for. It seems like it is a good deal for $340 shipped. It seems to have nearly the same specs as the comparable models of the 3 brands listed above.

Has anyone on here had any experience with one, or know of someone with one you could get insight from. Any feedback is appreciated.

Here is a link for the welder on their site.
http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

Thanks

 

[Doofy]

Appears to be a nice welder. Eastwood is a good company and the price is very reasonable. I use a Hobart Handler 140 and it cost $550. Should be about the same.

 

[Jsommers]

My neighbor has that exact welder and loves it. He hasnt had any problems with it but hes only had it about a year. Ive used it a few times and i think its a nice welder for the price.

 

[Scrambler82]

Eastwood has been around for a while and should be around for parts and stuff when and if needed.
I have purchased tools from them and have no problems.

The size of that thing should lend itself to bodywork better than a larger unit.


if you can find one near you, check it out first.

Luck

 

[OilPatch197]

I would rather buy the Hobart 140 Handler welder... I think it's what replaced the 135.

I use a Hobart 135 Handler. Obviously I needed a welder that would run on 110v at 20 amps....

To fix body panels, you will need .023" wire, and I highly recommend a argon/co2 tank. A 122 CF is a great size for the home shop.

I would also recommend you THROW OUT those crappy regulators that come with the welder, and get a Victor regulator, they can be rebuilt at your local welding shop.(where I live)

I was using the regulator that came with the welder, my Uncle borrowed my welder, and the diaphragm blew out on him while working on a combine. The local shop only rebuilt Victor regulators, would not mess with some unknown Chinese reg., and he had to fork over money for a new Victor regulator.

..and about Eastwood.... They are a "upscale" Harbor Freight. Their Welders and Plasma cutters are straight from China with pretty stickers on them.

USA welders are not that much more expensive than the China stuff. I would buy a USA welder, but I would buy a Chinese Plasma cutter, only because there is a huge $500 price gap.

 

[dirtcowboy]

I've got one, it works great. They are on sale for 300 right now.

 

[Twister]

I've got one, it works great. They are on sale for 300 right now.

Where is it on sale for $300.

 

[Surrey]

I would also recommend you THROW OUT those crappy regulators that come with the welder, and get a Victor regulator, they can be rebuilt at your local welding shop.(where I live)

I was using the regulator that came with the welder, my Uncle borrowed my welder, and the diaphragm blew out on him while working on a combine. The local shop only rebuilt Victor regulators, would not mess with some unknown Chinese reg., and he had to fork over money for a new Victor regulator.

Why throw it out? If it can't be rebuilt, then just replace it when it goes, I dont see any reason to throw it out right off the bat unless there is something wrong with the design of it or something.

 

[OilPatch197]

Why throw it out? If it can't be rebuilt, then just replace it when it goes, I dont see any reason to throw it out right off the bat unless there is something wrong with the design of it or something.

Like I said, my uncle was using it in the field and it blew, cost an entire afternoon of downtime. That's why.

A time critical process and the cheap stuff fails, sure I would use it if it was serviceable locally, but all China regulators you have to ship back to some service center, god knows where.

You can't do that when you got a job to get done.

...and yes my Uncle was qualified to use the equipment, a 30 year machinist and hobby farmer. The diaphragm just ruptured.

I learned a lesson, welding regulators, cutting torches, welding helmets, chainsaws, mower engines, hand tools, and vehicles all need local support. Things that when they *break* you can get going quickly in an emergency.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Like I said, my uncle was using it in the field and it blew, cost an entire afternoon of downtime. That's why.

A time critical process and the cheap stuff fails, sure I would use it if it was serviceable locally, but all China regulators you have to ship back to some service center, god knows where.

You can't do that when you got a job to get done.

...and yes my Uncle was qualified to use the equipment, a 30 year machinist and hobby farmer. The diaphragm just ruptured.

I learned a lesson, welding regulators, cutting torches, welding helmets, chainsaws, mower engines, hand tools, and vehicles all need local support. Things that when they *break* you can get going quickly in an emergency.

If you can run to town to get a USA one rebuilt you can run to town to get a USA regulator... or keep it on hand for a spare to ensure that the China one never fails.

I am something of a tighwad, I won't throw away a good part

 

[Twister]

If you can run to town to get a USA one rebuilt you can run to town to get a USA regulator... or keep it on hand for a spare to ensure that the China one never fails.

I am something of a tighwad, I won't throw away a good part

Well my birthday is next week, my parents said they would chip in $100 so I may go with the Hobart handler 140.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Frank The Tank]

I do body work with .30 flux core. No shielded gas. It's ok.... haha takes practice.

Invest In some heavy duty magnets to hold your patch in place and make you a copper spoon out of a piece of aluminum pipe. You will thank me for both.

 

[Twister]

Welp, picked up the hobart 140. So what gas mix do you guys run?