i want to get a welder soon but i am limited on money. i have about $200 to spend on the welder and extra stuff for it. i am looking for a 110 volt so i dont have to have 220 wired in my house. and i need it to be able to weld up to 1/4" stock. so any suggestions would be great! thanks.

I would start saving your money before you go out and look man. your not going to find one at that price that could weld 1/4. and you might want to look at the 220v. you will have a lot more use out of it in the long run... try searching as well

I guess you better check your local thrifty mags and pawn shops for a used 110v Lincoln, Hobart, Miller mig welder.

Regarding the purchase of a welder which can regularly weld 1/4" steel and all of the required accessories helmet, gloves, fluxcore wire or solid (add gas) for $200 doesn't seem realistic.:confused:

:edit: I could have swore that a Miller 135 and related 110s were "rated" for 1/4". Instead, Miller says a 135 suited for welding 3/16" stock.

IMO, you should save up some more money...maybe $400 and then you should be able to purchase a good 110v mig welder and all the accessories for it.

Of course, you could look into a 110v stick welder...:shaking:

If you have a laundry dryer...then your have yourself a source for 220v. I welded for years with the dryer halfway blocking the hallway and a black cable snaking its way throughout my living room and kitchen.

ive beensearching the web for cheap welders and have found several from migs to stick welders for under $150. i just dont like to trust those off brand tools very much. and all of the 110 stick welders and migs have been rated up to 1/4" which is about the biggest i would need for anything. and it is just going to be used occasionally. and about the 220v dryer plug i would but i would have to get one hell of a long cord since it is in the basement then run it up stairs and across the house to the garage. if i wanted to do that i would use my old 220 stick welder.

Be patient and find a deal on a name brand welder used.

I could have swore that a Miller 135 and related 110s were "rated" for 1/4". Instead, Miller says a 135 suited for welding 3/16" stock.




the Lincoln 135, Hobart 140 and miller 135 are rated up to 3/16" SINGLE PASS and 1/4" MULTI PASS.

Even then, On the highest heat setting you are at 20% duty cycle or less. (Weld, wait... weld, Wait...)

If you get lucky you can find one of the above around $200; i got my used Lincoln 135 for ~$250-ish.

If you MUST weld 1/4" I see A/C 220 stick machines used for Around $150.

Be patient and find a deal on a name brand welder used.
X2. Although it doesn't take much more to get a good new one. I bought my Lincoln SP175 Mig brand new on Ebay for $495 shipped. There's nothing on my rig I can't weld with it. I've done sheet metal body work and welded the Inner C's of my Dana 60 with this machine and it's been flawless. I bought my gas cylinder but you can rent them just as easily. 220v is the way to go.

Save up a little more and get a Hobart, they are millers with a few plastic pieces. The Hobart 140 will do 3/16 with gas and 1/4 with flux core. I weld a lot of 1/4 with gas but I just make two passes.

Also check craigslist, lately I have seen a ton of hobarts/lincolns for sale. Its seems that people buy them for a project and then dump them.

If your house has a dryer, you've got 220. Like everyone says, save up and get something nice, Miller 175 would be a good choice. Youll be waaay happier.

X2. Although it doesn't take much more to get a good new one. I bought my Lincoln SP175 Mig brand new on Ebay for $495 shipped. There's nothing on my rig I can't weld with it. I've done sheet metal body work and welded the Inner C's of my Dana 60 with this machine and it's been flawless. I bought my gas cylinder but you can rent them just as easily. 220v is the way to go.

Exactly right. In fact I saw a Lincoln 175 go for $250 in our local adds a couple weeks ago along with a Lincoln Tig for a very low price as well.

I got my Hobart 175 for $500 with everything:
Full 10 lb Spool of .035
Helmet
Gloves
Full Bottle with reg.
Welding Shirt
Slag Hammer
20' Dryer to welder extension cord

If I had to buy all of the accessories along with a new welder, I'm sure it would have been at least another $250 or more.

I just picked up a Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 for doing sheet Metal projects for $150. Not a super killer deal, but a decent deal.

I bought a CGA-580 "T" for my C25 Bottle, and so both Welders can run separate regulators.

Now I just need to find the time to build a new cart that will hold both Welders and my Plasma and I'll be styling :smokin:

Keep saving money, and keep your eyes open! Used tools are a great way for the Home hobbiest to build up a great shop.

thanks for the ideas on used tools

If your house has a dryer, you've got 220. Like everyone says, save up and get something nice, Miller 175 would be a good choice. Youll be waaay happier.


Unless you have a gas dryer.

..If you have a laundry dryer...then your have yourself a source for 220v. I welded for years with the dryer halfway blocking the hallway and a black cable snaking its way throughout my living room and kitchen.

Atta boy!......Bet the OL was thrilled with that action.

/\ Ya, she loves it when I sneek downstairs and unplug her dryer on a saturday while she trying to get caught up. She really love it when I forget to plug the damn thing back in!

If your house has a dryer, you've got 220. Like everyone says, save up and get something nice, Miller 175 would be a good choice. Youll be waaay happier.

If your house has electricity, you've got 220.

If your house has electricity, you've got 220.


:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

That's funny right there!!

about how much would it cost to get 220 hooked up in my garage?

about how much would it cost to get 220 hooked up in my garage?

Too many variables for a web-estimate. :laughing:

Choose a welder, download the owner's manual in PDF, and work from the specs they give you.

"Firm" costs are going to be the circuit breaker and receptacle. Wire, fasteners (perhaps conduit?) are going to vary depending on the distance and the environment is passes through.

The labour to run the cable/conduit, install the outlet, and fight another two free spaces out of your full panel - sky's the limit. :evil: