Garage Welder Question

[Joholio]

TTT....looking for a garage welder. FYI: I can not weld....but I want to. Looking at the Lincoln Easy 180 or Miller 180....or in this range.....tips? Sales in Red Deer?

Mig or stick? 110V or 220v? I have a 220V Hobart AC/DC 225A stick welder from Peavey Mart($550?) that I am very happy with. Can burn 1/8 7018 all day long on heavy stock. Friends that are B Pressure welders have used it for difficult position welds for me and comment how good it works. A nice big Miller mig is next for our shop some day... Cheers DaveB

 

[DaveB]

I have 220 out in the garage...so going to go that route. Want a mig with the option to run a spool gun for aluminum (so I can make a REAL mess, LOL).

Miller seemed the most popular on this thread a few years ago. Looks like KMS Tools sells these.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

I have 220 out in the garage...so going to go that route. Want a mig with the option to run a spool gun for aluminum (so I can make a REAL mess, LOL).

Miller seemed the most popular on this thread a few years ago. Looks like KMS Tools sells these.

I have a miller 350p with spool gun.
Stupid overkill for a hobby guy... But hey ! I've always said if it ain't blue it's not a welder!
If ya want to come try it your welcome to.

 

[neilsleder]

Go to peavy mart and get a Hobart they are the same thing as miller. You got 220 power so don't get a 110 welder the 220 ones weld so much nicer. I got the Hobart handler 210 and it welds great, got an aluminum spool gun for it and that works real good. As for gas for welding get argon co2 blend don't get strait co2. And run smaller wire in the welder like .030 it will help the small welders weld smoother. And peavy mart is open later at nights and weekends so you can get parts easier. Any more question give me a pm I can answer any welding question


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[Old Boy]

Good Morn I have a 350p also love it dose what ever is needed for me. From 1/2 alum to what ever in steel. Also got a old trailblazer 250 and spool gun with it. Also bigger is better with welders.

 

[Joholio]

Good ol Peavey...!

 

[Bnorth]

I've got a Miller 180 autoset it's a nice machine and works well for hobby work. Bit small for heavier jobs though. My next purchase for it will be a spool gun for small aluminum fab and sled deck repairs. I really want to try my hand at building a mini (10') jet boat.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

That miller 180 you can get at KMS which is open late and Saturday. I think welco and air liquid is too not sure as I've never had to buy parts for my miller. Anyway Hobart I'm sure is good too, I've never owed one. I would think if miller and Hobart where the same miller would crank them out of the same factory. They just target different markets. Regardless You will be able to sell that 180 in a heartbeat in 2 years when you decide you want bigger. Like above posts bigger is better .... One day.

 

[the_real_wild1]

The bigger welders will make you a better welder too. if your welder is under powered your skills will make or break the weld.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

The bigger welders will make you a better welder too. if your welder is under powered your skills will make or break the weld.

I think I need a truck size mig!

 

[the_real_wild1]

Lol. I like that

 

[DaveB]

Well...I have NO welding skills. But I also don't want to spend 2 3 to 4 grand on a welder. So I am hoping that a 220v, 180 size mig from Lincoln or Miller or Hobart will get the job done.

 

[Bnorth]

Well...I have NO welding skills. But I also don't want to spend 2 3 to 4 grand on a welder. So I am hoping that a 220v, 180 size mig from Lincoln or Miller or Hobart will get the job done.

Miller's autoset line is idiot proof. No fiddling with wire speed or amperage just set your material thickness and wire size on the dials and burn away.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Even their 230 v welders have the chart on them to follow with settings. Pretty easy stuff

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Even their 230 v welders have the chart on them to follow with settings. Pretty easy stuff

Or use the miller app!

 

[neilsleder]

Or just listen to your welder! It should sound nice and crisp. The auto set is nice but has to limitations! Bye what you think you need and that's that! If you ask 20 different welders the same question you will get 30 different answers


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[tex78]

Well...I have NO welding skills. But I also don't want to spend 2 3 to 4 grand on a welder. So I am hoping that a 220v, 180 size mig from Lincoln or Miller or Hobart will get the job done.

I got a mig pac 15 ( 175 amp I think) that's 240... Works awsome , has steel gears for the feeder, newer ones are plastic gears.

I have yet to duty cycle it, and have 4 rolls through it .... The spool is cheaper for it too than the newer ones

Will weld 1/2 with fluxcore wire and has gas, I have been using fluxcore wire and does a real good job

Also dave get a plasma cutter, man I wished I had years ago..



sent while I should be drinking tea's

 

[woody_tobius_jr]

Well...I have NO welding skills. But I also don't want to spend 2 3 to 4 grand on a welder. So I am hoping that a 220v, 180 size mig from Lincoln or Miller or Hobart will get the job done.

I started out with a Lincoln 140, was really disappointed with it, pulled the trigger on a miller 252... Night and day difference. If you're planning on doing quite a bit of welding then I would consider getting something good and learning on a good welder then you won't have to upgrade when your new skills surpass the welders capabilities. I've heard mixed reviews on the 211 auto sets, something about the amps changing in the middle of a weld, and buggering up the bead/ penetration. I didn't see that happen personally just going by what I was told by some welding buddies. I was looking at that one originally, but decided against it. My .02


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[RGM]

Got a Hobart ironman 230 last year. Pretty happy with it. Paid for it self the first job I did which was to make up some steel columns to support some heavy gluelams. 3/4"base plate welded on to 3/8" 5X5 tube. Comes with a spool gun too! Bought from Northern tools in the states

 

[DaveB]

Got a Hobart ironman 230 last year. Pretty happy with it. Paid for it self the first job I did which was to make up some steel columns to support some heavy gluelams. 3/4"base plate welded on to 3/8" 5X5 tube. Comes with a spool gun too! Bought from Northern tools in the states

Northern Tool has some good prices...can get the 190 welder with a spool gun, cheaper than the welder alone in Canada(even after shipping)....the spool gun is another 250 bucks. My concern is the UPS shipping....an I gonna get raped on the phony brokerage?