Help with Welder

[Shran]

A couple suggestions:

HF wire feed welders are trash. And they're AC only. Flux core wire is also one of my least favorite things - I have run a LOT of it over the years, think of it like an endless stick electrode...because that's essentially what it is, it requires even more cleanup than stick welding does.

A good "cheap" MIG welder could be a Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, HTP, or Clarke. I have had several Clarkes and was very happy with them, much more so than the HF crap. No longer made but they were fairly well made and HTP sells parts for them.

I currently have a Miller 211 that I picked up like new from a pawn shop for $400. Can't imagine going back to a cheap machine, the quality of my work is just so much better.

Ideally if you can find something used that will allow you to run gas at some point and run on either 110 or 220, that would be ideal... I know what narrows down the options a lot, but seriously, do you want a $100 tool that will frustrate you from day one, or a slightly more expensive tool that does exactly what you want?

Speaking from many years experience and semi-professional welding jobs I have done.

 

[55trucker]

Perhaps a bit late to the show but......

as stated upstream....try to stay away from the so-called *bargain machines*. Set your sights on a reputable brand item.

My personal choices would be either a small Lincoln or a Hobart mig unit.
I personally own a Lincoln 140HD, it's a 110v machine that is capable of either gasless (71T) wire or any of the gassed wires (E70-S solid wire) or stainless (308L/309L). In gas trim at max output it will weld up to 1/4" plate & in gassless trim do 5/16" at 30% duty cycle, a 71T wire has more penetration than the E70 wire. I've used them all with it and after 7 years of on-and-off use it has never let me down.

There is a Hobart Handler 210 MVP machine in the family as well, my nephew owns it & I am teaching him how to weld with it. The Hobart is a little more stout than the Lincoln but then it IS a dual voltage machine.
This machine in 230v will easily weld 1/2 plate.

Both machines will hold a 10lb. spool of wire,


Perhaps you can find either of these for sale as used welders.

In the states I would expect them both to be less expensive than what they sell for here in Canada.

If you purchase a smaller welder .....somewhere down the road you may find yourself kicking 'yer ass for not getting that bigger unit.