What welder to get

[GJC]

I can weld ok, I took an ROP course for 5 weeks. I am hoping to buy a good mig set up by december. I used my buddies Miller 135 to weld in my hangers
for 63" springs this weekend. It did great, People say it will weld up to 3/16's.
Now a toy chassis is only 1/8 thick. So if I weld a 1/4" spring hanger, it should be ok :confused: Any welding Gurus info would be great. :D

[camo]

i am far from a welding guru however i am probally more of your average amature hack. i have owneed many welders over the years from big lincolns and millers to smaller 110 units. i recently sold my big miller 250 and now use the miller 175. i think that for your typical fab hobbiest a small 220 volt machine will be plenty. there is nothing required to fab up a typical 4x4 that my miller 175 can't handle. the main reason i switched to the smaller 220 volt machine is portability so i can haul it in my trailer and run it off a generator.

i have a lincoln 110 and never use it any more cause it just does not have the juice to weld .120 wall tube very well

[GJC]

Thanks camo, That is exactly what I would get, Miller 175. I really don't weld on anything but My truck. :D

[Mcstiff]

I am very happy with my MM210. I have never used a 175 but did not want to have to upgrade.

[Foxfab]

Buy the biggest MIG you can afford. Stick with the big 3 and you'll be ok (Miller, Lincoln, ESAB)

[Brandon]

I got a hobart 135 and honestly it will do anything I want... but... damn I wish it was bigger :(

You really have to have SUPER clean metal for a good weld, as to where you could just burn through stuff otherwise. I have built a few rigs and welded everything you can think of pretty much and actually my buddy's have borrowed my welder (they have 220 units) because it does so well with the thin stuff.

The hobart is basically a miller (all the components even say miller including the gun) and for the price it is a great welder (it was $399 to my door) but I wish I could get a larger 220 Miller. I suppose portability of a 110 is nice but I have only moved it a few times..

[Gwamp]

I have done slot of welding with a LN175 in the 220 flavor. It is a great little welder that would be perfect for home shop use. There isn't really any reson to go larger than it unless you plan on doing large jobs or plan on welding on thick material. I have a LN255 at home, but I do work for other folk and sometimes it is on thicker material and I need the added capacity of the larger welder.

[GJC]

Hmm, so maybe step up to a miller 210. Good info.

[BillaVista]

Another vote for MM175

This will reign fire and damnation upon me - but as I see it, the poorer a welder you are - the more machine you need. As in - any hack can stick anything together with a 250 machine - (or so it will appear) you need some diligence / skill to use a smaller. Meaning - to a point - i believe in not going too big - this forces you to do decent setup and prep and technique, rather than just cranking it up and possibly producing a good looking, but not necesarily sound weld.

I prob weld worse than Camo even, though.

[Brandon]

Another vote for MM175

This will reign fire and damnation upon me - but as I see it, the poorer a welder you are - the more machine you need. As in - any hack can stick anything together with a 250 machine - (or so it will appear) you need some diligence / skill to use a smaller. Meaning - to a point - i believe in not going too big - this forces you to do decent setup and prep and technique, rather than just cranking it up and possibly producing a good looking, but not necesarily sound weld.

I prob weld worse than Camo even, though.

dang, I must be a good welder LOL

[preach]

I got a hobart 135 and honestly it will do anything I want... but... damn I wish it was bigger :(

You really have to have SUPER clean metal for a good weld, as to where you could just burn through stuff otherwise. I have built a few rigs and welded everything you can think of pretty much and actually my buddy's have borrowed my welder (they have 220 units) because it does so well with the thin stuff.

The hobart is basically a miller (all the components even say miller including the gun) and for the price it is a great welder (it was $399 to my door) but I wish I could get a larger 220 Miller. I suppose portability of a 110 is nice but I have only moved it a few times..

My hobart 175 came in yesterday. $529 to my door close out special (they discontinued the 175 for the 180).

I went 175 because of my needs and because I am just a hobbiest, not doing major fab work for anyone but myself and the 2 guys I let use my shop.

Just need to wire it up and I will be done trying to get my junk welded by someone else if it could not be done with my 110v.

[Brandon]

their support kicks ass, if you have any issues go to their BBS and let them know, they next day'd me a new gun when mine had a bad connection (Miller gun), also sent some other parts and two of each..

If I get another it will no doubt be a miller

[camo]

Hmm, so maybe step up to a miller 210. Good info.


indeed a great machine but from the sounds of it a 175 or the new 180 will probally be all you ever really need.

[BAV]

My hobart 175 came in yesterday. $529 to my door close out special (they discontinued the 175 for the 180).

I went 175 because of my needs and because I am just a hobbiest, not doing major fab work for anyone but myself and the 2 guys I let use my shop.

Just need to wire it up and I will be done trying to get my junk welded by someone else if it could not be done with my 110v.

Hey Preach -

Where did you get the 175 from?

Thanks

[GJC]

indeed a great machine but from the sounds of it a 175 or the new 180 will probally be all you ever really need.

Yea I think I will go this route. I got a Lincoln 225 ac I could hold onto for the thick stuff.

[preach]

Hey Preach -

Where did you get the 175 from?

Thanks

The other night I spent about an hour searching for the best price.

Best I found was at Amazon.com actually. It was $579 but they are/were having a Fathers Day discount of $50. I went for the longer time but free delivery. It was still here in a week.

Many of the other links I found were dead due to the disco.

[Brandon]

did you check out welders-direct.com?

That is where I got my 135 for $399 delivered

EDIT: it is $662 shipped

[Tuffjarhed]

Another vote for the MillerMatic 175. I love mine. :grinpimp:

[BAV]

cool, thanks!

[chumly2071]

I've welded with a miller 175, and own a 210. no comparison on the quality of the arc, but, you have to judge your real needs and your budget. I was considering trading up to a 251, but my buddy at the welding supply house keeps telling me the 210 has a sweeter arc than the 251, and to stay with what I have until I needed more of a production machine. He thinks Lincolns have a smoother arc, but Miller hands down has the best support.
can't go wrong with miller or lincoln in my opinion.

[broncofreak2000]

Yep, Millermatic 175 for me. Great machine

[71RCKCRZR RYAN]

hobart 175

great machine

ive put it thru hell....and it hasnt let me down yet...

[frankenfab]

At home, I have a Hobart Handler 175. At work, we have a Lincoln SP125 and a Miller 251. I hate the little Lincoln (we only use it with flux core, for small jobs where we need something portable). I really like the Miller 251. It is outstanding, but big $$$$$$$$. I have no complaints with the Hobart.

[rockmup]

MM 175 here too. Running 0.023 wire I can weld 3/8 and still sleep at night. And I can weld as thin as 18 or 20G. I don't think you can do that thin with a 210. At least I couldn't.
Plus the 175 has a smaller gun, great for tight spots

[tsm1mt]

My local farm store, Murdochs (http://www.murdochs.com) (formerly BigR) has the Hobart 175 on sale for Father's Day.

$500.

Even an Ebay deal is just a hair under $500 after freight for a B-grade unit.

Too bad I just convinced myself I don't really NEED it just yet. I have a Hobart 120 MIG and a Century 230 stick that seem to do fine most of the time.

[lwg]

So what is an instance where somebody would want to weld something more than 1/4" steel? Just curious as I can't really think of any for my uses.

[MOOSEKNUCKLE]

So what is an instance where somebody would want to weld something more than 1/4" steel? Just curious as I can't really think of any for my uses.

D-RINGS/STEERING ARMS/KNUCKLES/STEERING AND SUSP. LINKS

BUT ALL THAT IS DEBATABLE. DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF BRACKET/GUSSET WORK YOU WANT TO DO!

I'VE GOT A M210- HAVE USED THE 175
THE 210 JUST HAS A SWEETER BURN!
PLUS THE DUTY CYCLE IS A FACTOR- THE HIGHER YOU HAVE TO CRANK IT THE HARDER ON THE MACHINE AND SHORTER ON THE SWEET SPOT OF THE CYCLE! :smokin:

[Scott@Rockstomper]

Got a MM185 a year or two before it was discontinued/rebadged/whatever in favor of the 210. Very happy with it.
Chances are, considering that I rarely get it above setting 4 (of 6), the 175 would be plenty for 95% of the work I do.
C's onto axlehousings would be one more example of over-1/4" welding.
I have found, however, in the summer, the duty cycle shortens down a fair bit, and the welds start getting inconsistent (heat goes down, speed is unaffected) before the actual thermal shutoff kicks in. You can feel it in the gun and see it in the welds--if you watch, it'll tell you when it needs a break. I almost never have that happen in the winter--only in the summer.

[rokdog03]

i love my miller 210. we were considering the 175 but i dont want to have to upgrade later and i liked that it has its own cart and the gun holder

if a 175 is all you need then go with it. i have not personally tried a 175

biggest mistake i ever made was buying one of those shitty machines from home depot i thought i was a bad welder but it turns out the cambell hausfeld welders are just garbage

[RustyNailJustin]

I have owned many and used even more. As many above have talked about the MM175 I would say its a great machine, pretty light and compact which make it even more attractive. However I too like the theory buy bigger than you think you will need. Many of the smaller welders will get it done but you are always working at the top end of their capability. Its like using a 1/2 ton truck for a 1ton diesel job. It will get it done but the 1 ton diesel is better for the job. After using a Lincoln PM 255 I fell in love and bought one myself. Very awesome welder,digital wire speed and voltage screens. Just a great welder. And really not that expencive... you can get a brand new one on ebay with free shipping for 1,500. They are pretty big (about 200 pounds) I can load it in the back of my dodge by myself though. Just my 02.

[masonmachines]

I am very happy with my licoln power mig 200 amp welder. I agree with the biggest welder possible idea. If 175 or 200 sounds big enough get it, just don't go to small.

[masonmachines]

oh yeah, i really like my extension cord - it makes moving around very easy.

[DiegoYJ]

I just finished the install on a Premier Power welder on my rig today. I have to say it's a pretty sweet set up. I have been a Union Ironworker for almost 14 years and I have used welders of every size and shape and the Premier will lay down a bead with the best of em'! I ran a few test passes on some 1/2" plate with 3/32" 6011 and 1/8" 7018 and came out with some really nice beads.
Add an LN25 to it and you can run MIG(just not on your own rig, straight polarity would fry your electrical.)

I have an old Lincoln 225 in my garage but I don't think I really need it anymore.

[jeeplord]

I love my MM175, handles all my fab needs just fine.

[rusted]

If I had to buy full retail, I would get a HH175. That would fully do everything I'd need. Basically, any of the smallest 220v machines from the big 3.

But, I had an opportunity to buy a MM200, 250amp machine, so I got that. I have 3 times the machine for twice the price.

Now I will get a 135-140 class machine for 120v portability. Those work very well, but like was said prep work is crucial.

So yeah, I would get the 175, but don't pass up a good deal!

The MM210 is going to have serious portability issues compared to the 175 class. The 175s are the same size as the 120s and 135s. So you can just set it on top of your cage and weld there. Really hard to do that with a 210 or my MM200 which is even bigger and heavier.

Oh yeah, we want pics and details of your purchase.

[MAD MAC]

I have the ESAB Migmaster 250 and I freakin love it its 10 times better than any miller or lincoln of the same size mainly because it has way better amperage selections nice gun and seams to weld hotter on lower settings. It has 24 heat settings 3 corse and 8 fine

http://media.whydevelop.com/o/store.oxarc.com/media/31867.jpg

[GJC]

Finally got one :shaking: :eek: Took long enough. Miller 175. Thought I would bring this thread back up to finish :eek: :smokin: