What size MIG welder would be best for general fabricating on 4x4's? I'm looking to weld anything from thin sheet metal to 1/2" steel. Also, which brand is the most suitable (Miller, Lincoln, Hobart)?

I was looking at the Millermatic 251 and really like it, however, it is a bit spendy!

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks...Scott

get one that can run heavy wire, preferably 220v feed, read the specs carefully on all the ones your are contemplating. we have one here that will run .45 at the max but its 110v and wants 20amps, can't use it cause all the breakers are 15 amps, to boot it has a 10% duty cycle.

Were would you need to use 1/2"on a rig?:confused:

Any of those brands would be worth it. The smallest I would recommend is the Hobart Handler 135, though some people swear by little 100amp Millers with a little preheating. I'm personally going to get a Hobart Handler, either 135 110v or 175 220v.

Stay away from no-name or store brand welders unless you have already used them and know for sure they will work.

What are you guy's :smokin: ? Your not going anywere near 1/2" with anything less than 200 amps!

hell your barely going there with 200 amps.
if you really want to do everything up to 1/2" go for a 250 amp mig. miller is great, and the new line of lincoln is real nice too.

I just ordered a Millermatic 210.
That would definently suit your needs just fine. Its capable of welding 3/8" with single pass, and could do 1/2 no prob with several passes.
Check out www.welders-direct.com that is where i ordered mine and their prices are incredible:eek:, way cheeper than anyone else!!;)

Hey, I recieved a Miller 210 (W/ Free Spool Gun) For X-Mas, and I Love it, ive already welded up to 3/8 and lots of 1/4"
I hated my previous small lincoln Mig (the bigger 220 version W/ Gas) It isnt even in the same ballpark as this miller!!
I do have one question for those who have a newer 210, does your fan stay on? Ive had great luck w/ the mix gas (stargon)!!
:rasta:


BTW: I think i got a pretty good deal it was $1025????

Ahh, you suck!!:flipoff2: I was gonna get the MM 210 at chrismas time because of the free spool gun gun deal, but i didnt have the money:(
I just ordered it a couple days ago and i still got a smokin deal at $1145.:)
btw, what gas mix ratio is "Stargon", I really like using 75/25, just curious as to what mix stargon is:question:

For a long time it was said that there is no one-size-fits-all MIG machine. I think the machines have gotten better (especially on the high end stuff) but there is still truth in that.

Anything 3/16" or thicker is pretty easy to stick weld. Stick welders are cheap. With the right electrode choice they weld out of position much nicer than a mig....And they still work just fine when you run out of gas late sunday afternoon after the gas supplier is closed...and that is the only time I have ever run out of gas!

Also, even if the machine is quite versital, it is a real pain to re-thread a wire feed machine, especially if you need a different liner for the new wire size. Enough of a pain that you will be tempted to use the "wrong" size wire for the job just to avoid the hassle.

Get a small mig to handle the thin stuff, and a stick welder for the heavy stuff. It will be cheaper than getting the sort of MIG machine that will do both well, and the little mig will be a lot easier to move around.

If you are dead set on one big honkin' MIG, don't even think about a 110V machine.

Originally posted by Kevbo
If you are dead set on one big honkin' MIG, don't even think about a 110V machine.


Why?
What is wrong with the 110V migs???

Welding 1/2, nope they won't do it. Other than the big stuff they work great!!!

Originally posted by Jason M

Welding 1/2, nope they won't do it. Other than the big stuff they work great!!!
Exactly what I was trying to say. I have a Hobart-135 that does great on thinner materials, and a buzz-box for the heavier stuff. If this guy really wants a MIG that will do heavy the stuff, he has ruled out 115V power.

Originally posted by Old Scout
Were would you need to use 1/2"on a rig?:confused:

Used 3/4" for the Hydraulic Ram Mount coming off my axle..

http://big78bronco.superford.org
Click on Tech, and there is some pics of it.

Originally posted by Kevbo
For a long time it was said that there is no one-size-fits-all MIG machine. I think the machines have gotten better (especially on the high end stuff) but there is still truth in that.

Anything 3/16" or thicker is pretty easy to stick weld. Stick welders are cheap. With the right electrode choice they weld out of position much nicer than a mig....And they still work just fine when you run out of gas late sunday afternoon after the gas supplier is closed...and that is the only time I have ever run out of gas!

Also, even if the machine is quite versital, it is a real pain to re-thread a wire feed machine, especially if you need a different liner for the new wire size. Enough of a pain that you will be tempted to use the "wrong" size wire for the job just to avoid the hassle.

Get a small mig to handle the thin stuff, and a stick welder for the heavy stuff. It will be cheaper than getting the sort of MIG machine that will do both well, and the little mig will be a lot easier to move around.

If you are dead set on one big honkin' MIG, don't even think about a 110V machine.

Definitely the way to go if your not going to do production. For a $1000.00 you would be able to weld just about anything.

Thick metal is just an excuse for bad design.

Originally posted by big78bronco


Used 3/4" for the Hydraulic Ram Mount coming off my axle..

http://big78bronco.superford.org
Click on Tech, and there is some pics of it.

But you welded on both side's yes? Thus the material is smaller(in theory) you did a double pass, front and back....3/16's reference is in single pass and stay away from the 110 the duty cycle blow's:barf: and unless your on :smokin: or drinkin :beer: or catching :zzz: you will wait from time to time....