Welding.

[RangerRyan]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a welder. I have welded before but I've only used the welders we have at school(regular run of the mill Lincoln Electric arc welders). I was wondering what the best welder with a regular home plug was. I want to be able to weld on 1/4inch steel. I don't care if I have to make multiple passes just that it will hold and takes some stress. I have been thinking about a MIG welder. I've been doing a lot of research but I haven't got a straight answer with the regular home plug(I don't really want to switch). Also I don't really want to spend more then $300.

Edit: Did a little more research thinking about doing a generator/welder combo found a couple Lincoln Electric stick welders for about 100 dollars on craigslist if I could find a generator that could supply it power that might be the way to go. I want a portable one that I can take to college with me when I move out.

 

[RangerBoy94]

Hobart stuff blows. Go with a miller or lincoln. You can get a used one pretty cheap and they will last for a long time. And there made in the US

 

[prerunnerwannabe]

Sorry but a welder under $300 doesn't exist unless its Junk (Harbor Freight)

I would recommend getting gas because welding with flux core looks like bird poop.

Not to be a jerk, but I have to call bull on both of these. My 140 amp HF welder is great IMHO, and the welds from the stock included flux wire is far from looking like bird poop.
Of course you want to get the extended warrenty 'cause it is made in China, but I don't think you're being fair when you automatically call it junk just because it's from Harbor Freight.

Happy welding

 

[prerunnerwannabe]

Hobart stuff blows. Go with a miller

I thought Hobart is just a rebadged Miller Was I misinformed?

 

[Bennybooster]

Hobart stuff blows.

I know a lot of people who would disagree, not saying that hobart is as good as miller but still give it some credit. Also I dunno how I feel about lincoln because they are made in mexico, miller is made in like michigan.

 

[Bennybooster]

Not to be a jerk, but I have to call bull on both of these. My 140 amp HF welder is great IMHO, and the welds from the stock included flux wire is far from looking like bird poop.
Of course you want to get the extended warrenty 'cause it is made in China, but I don't think you're being fair when you automatically call it junk just because it's from Harbor Freight.

Happy welding

Actually after welding with a miller 210 then going to a HF 160(?) welder I can assure you i would never spend money on that big piece of garbage, I know that some people can get them to weld decent but I don't care, they suck to weld with

 

[prerunnerwannabe]

Actually after welding with a miller 210 then going to a HF 160(?) welder I can assure you i would never spend money on that big piece of garbage, I know that some people can get them to weld decent but I don't care, they suck to weld with

I've used Miller 210s and they are great!..... But take a look at the price tag.....

For what I use my HF welder for, it does just fine, but that is just my opinion.

 

[Str8sixfan]

wherever you're at, I recommend getting a 240 plug installed first. Then make a welder selection.

 

[88_Eddie]

i have a lincoln 125. wife and i are renting i cant go installing a 220v outlet in our garage, so i had to get something to run off a regular outlet. i paid $400 for mine and use flux core wire with it. it'll do 1/4" no problem and i've used it on thicker material (not vehicle related stuff though) it'll also take gas if i want and can do stainless and aluminum with a spool gun and the right setup.

as far as i'm concerned, the welder manufacturer preference is just like a ford, dodge or chevy vehicle argument. everyone has their own opinion and has used certain models. i got the lincoln cause it was in my budget and i got some free financing deal from lowes as long as i paid it off in 6 months. and as with most other stuff, you get what you pay for.

 

[RangerRyan]

What do you guys say about buying one of these http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K1297 with a generator? I can get an old used one for pretty cheap.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Sorry but a welder under $300 doesn't exist unless its Junk (Harbor Freight) or its used. I'd recommend a Hobart Handler 140. I have a Hobart 210MVP with the dual plug. The HH140 is I believe around $500 but its a nice setup and will weld 1/4" like you want. I would recommend getting gas because welding with flux core looks like bird poop.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200306073_200306073?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Welding-_-Wirefeed%20Welders-_-1646140&ci_sku=1646140&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

Only reason it looks like poop is the person operating the welder!

Hobart stuff blows. Go with a miller or lincoln. You can get a used one pretty cheap and they will last for a long time. And there made in the US

Hobart is made by Miller now.

I know a lot of people who would disagree, not saying that hobart is as good as miller but still give it some credit. Also I dunno how I feel about lincoln because they are made in mexico, miller is made in like michigan.

Doesn't matter where it's made. Seriously. Quality products don't just come from the USA. Next person who tells me that I'm going to punch. It's getting annoying. My community college just bought 16 new Lincoln multi-process machines and they operate great! Had them for over a year welding from 8am to 9pm and have had great luck with GMAW, FCAW and SMAW on them. Every country produces quality products of some sort and every country produces sh*tty products of some sort, yes, it is hard to believe, I know... but even the USA produces sh*tty products! (Rolls eyes)

wherever you're at, I recommend getting a 240 plug installed first. Then make a welder selection.

Agreed. Or at least get a welder that runs on 220 or 110, that way when you move to a better place or install a plug you can run 220.

What do you guys say about buying one of these http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K1297 with a generator? I can get an old used one for pretty cheap.

Just like the Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC my dad has, that Lincoln is a no frills machine, and will perform very well doing stick. Run it on 220 though.

Listen, just because your 110v says it is able to do 1/4" thick material with FCAW, doesn't mean it actually can create a decent weld with good penetration. 1/8" material is about the limit of 110v machines. Check out this welding forum, it is full of VERY VERY knowledgeable weldors with years and years of experience who will guide you in the right direction.

http://weldingweb.com/index.php

 

[RangerRyan]

I think I'm just going to go with either the Hobart one or Lincoln Electric one.

 

[kcm1582]

Hobart makes a great machine. I picked up a 140 on sale a few weeks ago and love it. I have already put 2 pounds of fluxcore through it without any issues.

Here is a good write up on small migs,

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/hobart-mig-welder.html

 

[4.0B2]

the Hobart 140 is a great machine for the money... period. i had one at my house, but it was a friends... i'm thinking i might get one.

 

[509lifted]

idk where u guys get ur welders but here at home depot they cost 300 for a lincoln