Going to build a buggy looking for a good welder.

[lucas_carter]

All you buggy builders out there what are you guys using as welders?

Thanks

Lucas

[ironworker378]

miller 210 is all you need but if you got extra$ go for the 251

[beaker]

I'm biased cause its what I own, but I like my MM210... :D

-mike

[threadkiller]

mapp gas and silver solder

[VerticalTRX]

If you don't want to spend the big bucks, a quality 175-180amp MIG machine will be more than sufficient for anything you will encounter on an average tube chassis.

[rock mafia]

miller 210 is all you need but if you got extra$ go for the 251


I have a miler 210, but you could get by fine with a 175-180. My advice is buy the biggest you can afford. I have heard plenty of people wanting a bigger welder, but I don't recall anybody wanting a smaller one.

[Jeepermat]

Search, this is covered every week.
My vote is the biggest machine you can buy, my fav brand is miller

[jmhinescj]

mapp gas and silver solder

:laughing: :laughing:

Iv'e got a miller 210...but you could get by with a 180 class machine just as well...as far as which brand its really just a matter of preference

[B-rock]

Picked up my 251 with spool gun and never looked back.

[Tech Tim]

We use a Miller 251 for most shop duties, but you can def get by with a 175-180 welder, even smaller if you know how to weld good.

[nsscout]

i personally like my mmDVI. very versatile.

[fj40charles]

Get a Hobart Handler 187 if you're worried about price.

MM210 or 251 would be a good choice if you want to spend more money.

Comparison of HH187 vs. MM180

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/showthread.php?t=24135&highlight=hh187

Just make sure you get a 230v unit.

[MCgiver4x4]

[QUOTE=rock mafia;6704173]I have a miler 172,

it kept up for what i do , but also my recomendation is buy the biggest you can afford. I

with a big machine you could always turn the power down
but with a smaller you couldnt turn up looking for more power
QUOTE]

[andyr354]

I have used my HH175 alot over the past 4 years with only a liner and drive wheel change.

Welds great. For working with 1/4" and under thicknesses you really don't need anymore. The thick stuff can be done with multiple passes.

[Wicked_S10]

What does it matter what the rest of us use? Use whatever process you know, and whatever brand machine you can afford that has the capability to do teh thickness required.

Shit, they used to gas weld aircraft frames. If the most you can afford is oxy/acetylene, and you know how to use it. Go with it.

[andyr354]

I did finally ran into a limitation of my HH175 last night.

Making some brackets for a blade to put on the farm tractor loader. Welding on highest setting and needed to make around 30' of weld. Had to wait about 10 minutes ever 10 minutes or so of welding due to the welder shutting down to cool off. First time I have ran into the duty cycle shutoff.

Made it so it took me 2 hours to get the welding done. Still can't complain for all the good use I have gotten out of the machine and this being a rare occasion.

[pnut333]

I just got a Hobart 185. It works well, BUT I wish I had something bigger.

I used the Miller (210 or 225) at work, and the advantage with a bigger welder is that you can make a better welds easier, and more consistently, and with less spatter. Short answer is a better weld with a bigger machine all things being equal (IMO).

[89hawk]

Miller Thunderbolt XL 225 arc welder. Learn to arc weld.

[chumly2071]

Another vote for the Miller 210, but if I ever replace it, it will be with a Miller 251.

[Al Kaholick]

I am using a lincoln SP-175 and it does everything I need it to do. Most chassis work is .120 wall, so even a 135 would be sufficient for most of it, only place I can think of off hand where you might need more power would be the links. I used to work in a chassis shop and all of the mild steel chassis were welded with a 110 volt machine and these were some quick cars and passed NHRA tech.

[ZJSAMPLE]

Why not a lincoln stick?

[Tommy_M]

Keep an eye out on EBAY I got an ESAB Migmaster 250 for a thousand dollars. This welder has been great for me.

[Al Kaholick]

Why not a lincoln stick?

It is harder to learn, chances are someone asking this question is just getting into it. Also stick is not as well suited to the thinner materials, and might be tough to get into a few spots. I'm sure it would work, but I would expect it to be alot more difficult.

[JR650]

my ESAB migmaster 173 has been awesome, its higher duty cycle than the little portable 175 amp range migs, comes with a nice whip and gun too, its all the welder i need 99% of the time, if i need more, i stick it.

[jasonmt]

my ESAB migmaster 173 has been awesome, its higher duty cycle than the little portable 175 amp range migs, comes with a nice whip and gun too, its all the welder i need 99% of the time, if i need more, i stick it.


With the Miller 175, Lincoln 175 and 180 and Hobart 175, 180 and 187 machines having a duty cycle of 130A@30% and the Miller 180 hitting 135A@30% the Esab 173 having a duty cycle of 139A@30% is a specious argument at best for its purchase.

The Hobart 187 having a extra 15A on the top end compared to the Easb 173 or the Lincoln 180 having a sub $200 spool gun available are more compelling comparative points in my mind.

[rketr]

MM251 gets my vote too :smokin:

'nother thing to consider is whether you have the power to run it (i.e. do you have a breaker strong enuf). If it is at your shop it shouldn't be that big a deal, but if you want to run it at home, the 251 won't run on your dryer or stove connection like others might. I had to install a new 50A 220V breaker to run mine...

That said, it was well worth it... :grinpimp:

[fj40charles]

Keep an eye out on EBAY I got an ESAB Migmaster 250 for a thousand dollars. This welder has been great for me.

You got a great welder at a great price....