It's time to buy a welder

[_MC6_]

My experience just echoes what everyone else is saying. I strongly believe in buying US made stuff, but can't always afford it. I went through several MIG welders (including a HF 220v MIG) and ended up finally happy with a Hobart 140. With the previous welders, there was always something not quite right that added un-needed distractions or complicated my learning process.

 

[pyroman]

why do you guys want to smash my hopes and dreams!!!!!!!!

No one is wanting to smash Your hopes and dreams.
When You buy a tool, reach for the best You can afford.
Every time You use it, You will be glad You spent a little extra,
In a few years, that Miller, or Hobart will still be welding, and the HF will be in the scrap pile.I bought a HF Anvil. It is still working.....so far. which is more than I can say for anything else I have bought there.
I do buy chip brushes, and acid brushes there. Use them once, then toss.

 

[slackjaw44]

I love my small Lincoln MIG. It's only a 120v unit, but is more than enough for the light welding I need to do, I have only basic welding skills:

I wouldn't use it to weld on a hardtail or anything, but for everything else I need to do like light sheet metal, adding tabs, brackets, and bungs, it's been great. The only thing I needed to buy to get started was an auto darkening helmet (it only comes with the handheld lens) and a gas canister. And now I wish I had bought a bigger canister!

-Aaron

569.00? no way jose

 

[poorman9]

If you're tight on cash, check craigslist. If there's nothing to be found there, I say hell yes buy Harbor Freight.

Obviously there stuff isn't the best quality, but a year ago I bought this little 90watt flux welder for $100, and it's been working just fine. I don't do a lot of fab work but it's welded Chromoly and 1/4" - 18ga steel, no problem.

You gotta start somewhere.

 

[AirsoftNY]

569.00? no way jose

Yeah I don't know where that price comes from. I bought it a while back off ebay for close to 300 new.

 

[54inches]

I have welded with a cheap ass Craftsman 110 and now I have a Hobart 187. Not saying that you need that much, but the 140 is nice as well, I just needed the 187 for some thicker stuff and the adjustability!

I would just save my money and get a 220v something, but not a HF unit.

 

[slackjaw44]

welp i bought a 90 amp, 110 volt mig..lol.

i wont tell you guys where i bought it..but lets say i got a two year protection play on it..we shall see how she plays, nice or not nice

 

[sexybluelady]

is it flux core? or MIG? gas or gas less?

 

[Keyxs]

Got this for $800 used local...
140A, 110V and 100% Duty Cycle.
Came with the DC TIG Torch and the Aluminum Spool Gun.
Its a huge beast, but I love the way the wire feed comes off the main body, so I can reach anything in my Garage...
It kicks butt, and has produced nothing but great Welds for me so far.

 

[slackjaw44]

it's flux core..did some welding lastnight on it on some scrap metal and so far i love it. Damn thing welds better than the Lincoln 110 volt MIG i was renting from Home depot. I think it's going to work great for what i need it for.

 

[sexybluelady]

happy you found something that works good for you

that snap on is nice, and the spool gun pretty much pays for the machine itself. good find.

 

[poorman9]

Good decision slackjaw, when you get old and have disposable income, you can by a damn $800 welder and rewire your garage. But now you're setup. Do work buddy!

 

[shotgunjoe]

Good decision slackjaw, when you get old and have disposable income, you can by a damn $800 welder and rewire your garage. But now you're setup. Do work buddy!

I bought mine when I was 27, not old, NO disposable income by a LOONG shot, I ate top ramen and bologna sammiches so I could afford my welder. Lincoln 180c. It is worth more to me than ALL my other tools combined. I weld 1/2" using multiple passes, and 1/4" single pass.

Sometimes you just gotta sacrifice for what you really want.