Is this a good welder for a beginner?

[Ol'Customcj7]

I've welded before, but am looking for light duty MIG welder for now to learn on, and then progress into a more advanced welder.
That's why I thought this might be a good beginner style welder. It's cheap.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/952982252.html

[sixty]

I used one of those many years ago and they are not very easy to use and get good results. I would look for something in about the 130a range with more adjustment. Here I see the chainstore lincoln 110v for $200 all the time. I'd wait for something like that since you will learn much better off of it.

[frontier2k1]

I've welded before, but am looking for light duty MIG welder for now to learn on, and then progress into a more advanced welder.
That's why I thought this might be a good beginner style welder. It's cheap.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/952982252.html


Don't waste your money on a crappy machine, hobbyist or not. If you get a miller/hobart 135/140 or a miller/hobart 175-180 and welding doesn't quite work out like you thought they hold their resale value very well and if it does work out they'll last forever. I own a miller 210 and it has paid for itself 100 times over.

Search craigslist for some of those models and you're sure to find one in a decent price range.

[SCTaco]

You might also consider a welder that includes the hookup parts for shielding gas. Otherwise expect to invest more $ into the machine.

[Clipity]

I just got a Miller 180 for around $770 new with free shipping, the cheapest I could find on the net. I understand with a lot of companys going under there's some realy good used machines to buy out their.

[Ol'Customcj7]

Thanks for the info guys. I know I could spend alot more and get a good welder, that I could learn with and grow with. But didn't know if I found a nice deal on a simple one for starters.

Thanks.

[Ed ke6bnl]

save your money and get 135 amp, main brand Hobart miller lincoln Ed

[ChiScouter]

Save your money for whatever welder you eventually want to end up with. If you have 220 power get a big 220 machine and don't look back. 110 machines will always be limited by duty cycle and material thickness. Go big right off the bat and grow into it.

Used shit is cheap on ebay and craigslist

[demonranger]

keep watching CL, I just picked up an old Miller 35S for $350 with a #4 gas bottle. It is an older machine equivalent to somewhere between the 180 & 210 today.

You can find the lincoln flux/gas welder kit complete with regulators on CL for 150-200 while this is double what you're looking at now still at 110 but one that will work well for you as a learning machine but as mentioned 1/4 will be the thickest you can relally weld with a 20% ish duty cycle.


Even with access to mig welders capable of 1/2" I seem to use the arc welder when I get into 3/8 territory

[carwash]

I learned on a lincoln pro 135. only ran me about $400 new. should be able to find one used for a lot less, probably half.

[actionpaintball]

Another same answer as above:

save for a Lincoln, Miller or Hobart minimum 135 or higher with gas option.

I got a Lincoln 135 with bottle +self dark helmet for $200 on CL for some small stuff/backup

keep looking

[FrkyMnky1487]

I have a hobart 125 that I would be willing to get rid of now that I am getting a 210. Let me know if you are interested.

[Wyoming9]

I am curious how does one teach yourself how to weld.:rolleyes:

I have seen people learn to make sparks and pick up bad habits. Teach yourself so that when you are done learning.

You go pass your ASME section 9 in all positions in SMAW, GTAW and GMAW.

I myself am always willing to teach welders just starting out, as long as they are willing to learn

[RockToy94]

I would spend the $400 or so more on a Miller 140 or a Lincoln of the same size. You will be much happier with one of these welders.

[spicer-44]

I had that exact clark welder in my fab shop for over ten years very happy with it but it's only good up to 1/8 inch steel I sold it to a friend who still use's it and i bought a 130 amp clark,,,,I have a four hundred amp three phase Lincoln we use for the thicker material,,, I would save up for a little bigger machine but if you don't have the money,, the little clark is a good little welder Mine still is running after many ten pound spools of wire through it.,,,Good Luck buying a welder