I searched but didn't find a definite answer. I'm asking for a welder for christmas and saw this lincoln at home depot http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093231
I'm looking for something to learn on and get good enough to do some of my own work on my jeep. Looking to weld sheet metal, bumpers, spring hangers, maybe a cage. Will the 135 be alright? If I just work slower and make multiple passes could this welder produce a decent weld for what I want? Just can't afford anything over 500. Thanks.

the 135 is pretty limited to what it can do. you could do bumpers and sheet metal with it, but it will not produce the penetration needed for suspension parts, cage work, ect.
I used to borrow a 135 to tack alot of stuff together untill i got to the shop to weld it for real. thats about all i trusted it for.

I saw the homedepot/ lowes welders. they are not that great. i looked into the 180 from there and it seemed like a good deal. if you do some reading you will see the model number is listed as a department store model. i ended up getting a pretty good deal from the welding supply shop on the real version of the 180. have been happy with it so far, and the continous voltage settings has come in handy when welding thinner metals.

I've got a 220v dryer outlet about 10 or 15 feet from where I will be working. Do the 220's come with a power cord long enough for that? If so would I be better off getting the lincoln 175 off of ebay for about 500?

Found this http://cgi.ebay.com/Lincoln-Mig-Welder-Promig-Pro-mig-175-Amps_W0QQitemZ290191919766QQihZ019QQcategoryZ11374 3QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
What do you think?

I've got a 220v dryer outlet about 10 or 15 feet from where I will be working. Do the 220's come with a power cord long enough for that? If so would I be better off getting the lincoln 175 off of ebay for about 500?

You can make or buy a power cord and it will run you about $80 for 25'. Most welders only have 6 to 8' coming out of them.

So definitely worth getting the 220v and just getting the extension cord. What do you think of that particular lincoln?

So definitely worth getting the 220v and just getting the extension cord. What do you think of that particular lincoln?

I'd buy a refurb Hobart Handler 187 from Toolking for 519.00 delivered. They're out of stock now, but they'll get more in. HH 187 has better top end power than the Lincoln and is an excellent welder.

http://www.toolking.com/hobartwelders_500525a.aspx

Thanks for all the input.

Why not just buy a buzz box for around 250. I keep seeing everyone using mig and tig for everything when a buzz box will do everything you mentioned and more. They still build ships and bridges with those. The welds can also look pretty with a buzz box.

I learned to weld on one. even though I have a hobart 175 mig, I still use my lincoln arc for all structure type welding.

Plus with a 500 dollar budget you can buy a hell of a lot of welding rods to practice with.

FWIW

thanks

X2 on the buzz box. You can pick up the lincoln ac 225 for $269 at lowes.

Could you explain the buzz box? Just a stick welder?

Can you weld sheet metal and do body work with a stick?

Can you weld sheet metal and do body work with a stick?

I guess you could, but you will not like the results. Mig welder would be alot easier and cleaner than using a stick welder.

I'd buy a refurb Hobart Handler 187 from Toolking for 519.00 delivered. They're out of stock now, but they'll get more in. HH 187 has better top end power than the Lincoln and is an excellent welder.

http://www.toolking.com/hobartwelders_500525a.aspx

I've had the HD3200 Lincoln and the Hobart 187 both. The Lincoln is a nice welder for a 120 at $350 (and I'm pretty sure you won't pay as little as that for retail- I lucked out and got a returned unit), but you have to have a 20 amp circuit to make it work well, and it does have it's limitations, principally heavier gauge material with gas. That said, 4runrRick (on the Toyota board) uses one, I think, on most of his fab, and gets some really nice results.

The 187 is really nice for the money. If you're thinking about doing much heavier fab (3/16 and up) you'll be glad to have the extra oomph. And building the cord is simple, if you don't want to just go ahead and buy one.

Can you weld sheet metal and do body work with a stick?

Yes you can with enough practice. Also If you did body work with a mig, you would still grind off the bead, as you would with stick.

I love my stick welder, harder to master but with practice you will be zipping along. Yes you can weld sheet metal, but with a lot of practice.

I just spent about $80 for a number 6 25 ft cord... and by the way, don't half ass with the dryer cord crap, do it right... running 220 out of your box is no big deal, just make sure you do your homework and know exaclty what you are doing.

This site is helpful... http://www.weldingweb.com/archive/index.php/f-35.html

If you're shopping at Home Depot or Lowes keep in mind there are 20% coupons (http://search.ebay.com/home-depot-coupon) available on eBay. I'm sure this is a repost but it's worth it.

The Lincoln Weld Pak 175D (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100395926) would then come under your $500 limit before taxes of course. Since its setup for running both MIG and flux core you could start with the flux core that comes with it and lease/purchase a bottle when you have some spare $$.

If you're shopping at Home Depot or Lowes keep in mind there are 20% coupons (http://search.ebay.com/home-depot-coupon) available on eBay. I'm sure this is a repost but it's worth it.

The Lincoln Weld Pak 175D (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100395926) would then come under your $500 limit before taxes of course. Since its setup for running both MIG and flux core you could start with the flux core that comes with it and lease/purchase a bottle when you have some spare $$.

I think the HH187 is a better welder than comparable Lincoln when it comes to total output and arc quality. Hobart is also known to have better customer service than Lincoln.

If I did not have a welder and was looking for an economical first welder, I'd buy the HH187 refurb from www.toolking.com for $519.00 delivered.

135 amps is only really good for exsuast and sheet metal. I build my spring hanger with my 135 and it was a pain in the ass!!!!!! Go with somthing bigger I wish I had!!!!!

You can make or buy a power cord and it will run you about $80 for 25'. Most welders only have 6 to 8' coming out of them.

Go a few isles over and get some 10/3 SOOW, I just replaced the power cord on my welder with a 20' one.

135 amps is only really good for exsuast and sheet metal. I build my spring hanger with my 135 and it was a pain in the ass!!!!!! Go with somthing bigger I wish I had!!!!!

Really. Is that so?

You can make or buy a power cord and it will run you about $80 for 25'. Most welders only have 6 to 8' coming out of them.

Most welders have 8 or 10 gauge primary cable (cable with plug coming out of the welder). Only the larger 250+ amp machine will have 6 gauge primary cable.

I would not waste my time making a 25 ft. 8 gauge extension cable. I would buy one of these 25 foot, 8 gauge with molded plugs for $65.00 delivered.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HEAVY-DUTY-50-AMP-8-3-MIG-TIG-WELDER-EXTENSION-CORD-25_W0QQitemZ120200142517QQihZ002QQcategoryZ67042QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/WELDERS-EXTENSION-CORD-8-3-25-GREEN-HD-MIG-TIG_W0QQitemZ280185234772QQihZ018QQcategoryZ11774Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

50 footer for $111.99 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.com/WELDER-EXTENSION-CORD-8-3-50-HEAVY-DUTY-MIG-TIG_W0QQitemZ280185234790QQihZ018QQcategoryZ11774Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Most welders have 8 or 10 gauge primary cable


I *think* my MM210 originally came with 12GA. At the very least 10GA is adequate for a welder that size.

I *think* my MM210 originally came with 12GA. At the very least 10GA is adequate for a welder that size.

#10 is rated for 30 amps continuous at 230volts. I don't think you'll ever be welding on tap #7 all the time with the MM210. I'm sure #12 is fine because you will not be using the welder at max amperage at 100% duty cycle.

I don't think the primary cable is that big of a deal. Look at the wires that are connected to the contactor. It is not big at all. I'm using a 20ft. #8 SOOJ primary cord for my MM200 and it is fine. It had a 20 ft. #10 SOOJ cord (from previous owner) when I got it. I didn't notice any issues with the #10 cord.

I think the HH187 is a better welder than comparable Lincoln when it comes to total output and arc quality. Hobart is also known to have better customer service than Lincoln.

If I did not have a welder and was looking for an economical first welder, I'd buy the HH187 refurb from www.toolking.com for $519.00 delivered.

I don't disagree but for what Gilmo is looking for its not a bad option. $599 - 20% + (insert your tax rate) = ~$520 and you can have it now.

The HH180 "B" grade at Tool King isn't a bad deal either at $510.

I've seen some nice stout stuff built using a 135/140A MIG unit. It's all about the operator and the prep work.

I don't disagree but for what Gilmo is looking for its not a bad option. $599 - 20% + (insert your tax rate) = ~$520 and you can have it now.

The HH180 "B" grade at Tool King isn't a bad deal either at $510.

I've seen some nice stout stuff built using a 135/140A MIG unit. It's all about the operator and the prep work.

HH180 is not a good welder when compared to a HH187. Only 4 tap settings and arc quality is nowhere as good as the HH187.. HH187 has 7 voltage taps.

Here is a discussion about the HH187.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=21959&highlight=HH187

If you want a Lincoln, look at the Power Migs which are available at the welding stores. Pro migs sold at Lowes and HD is not the same welder as the Power Migs. They will look very similair, but will not have same power or features.

I've seen some nice stout stuff built using a 135/140A MIG unit. It's all about the operator and the prep work.

While this may be true with lots of beveling, there is a limit where you really should not use a 110v welder. IMHO, anything thicker than 3/16" should be left for 230v welders. 110v welders tend to have very low duty cycles. 90 amps at 20% duty cycle is not much.

I can't recommend that anyone buy a 110v unit when you could spend a little more and get so much more welder with a 230v unit. 110v units are good for sheet metal and up to 1/8" steel. In a perfect world, you should have a large 230v welder and a small 110v welder...

You are correct, no argument there. All I was eluding to was once you have skills a small machine can still work fairly well.

Ditto on your second point. I agree there, precisely why for my first machine I went for a Spoolmate 200 w/ a wire feeder (same power source as MM200). If/when I feel I need a machine for sheet metal it will be easy to find on ebay or at the local pawn shop on the cheap.