I'm 18 years old, and have a very limited budget so I'm looking for a fairly cheap welder to do general fabrication tasks on my jeep.

I think with my next paycheck I'm going to finally splurge on a MIG that I have been wanting for a long time. I'm tired of welding with my fathers flux core.

Hobart has the bigger name and better reputation most likely, but $100 less for a slightly larger machine is awfully tempting.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93793

http://www.toolking.com/hobartwelders_500500a.aspx

Any other options are welcome.

A 110v welder isn't much good for anything but sheetmetal and exhaust. That Hobart you linked is only a 110v welder. Handy as a second welder for light duty stuff, but not as a primary fabrication welder. If you get a 110v welder, plan to upgrade it when you actually want to do bigger stuff. If I was inclined to buy a 110v, it would be a used one from Craigslist so that when I need to sell it, I can recover most (if not all or more) of what I have into it. My first welder was a Century 110v that I bought for $200 at a pawn shop with a half full bottle of C25. I still have it cause it's handy and portable, but I'm sure I could sell it for more than $200 if I wanted to.

I would not bother with the bigger one you linked. Welders should be considered a one time purchase. Buying a budget no-name welder will get you sub-par parts that will give you problems. $299 is tempting, but this should be considered a disposable welder.

If I was on a budget, I'd be looking at the Hobart 187 that can be had for around $650 if you look around.

Have you ever heard that people shopping at Wal-Mart actually spend more money in the long run by trying to save money than if they had just bought quality in the first place? This applies here too.

Buy it right and buy it once.

IMO the difference between a 140a and a 160a isn't worth worrying about. The bigger differences are one is 230v and the other is 110v, also the HF welder looks to be flux core only. The Hobart is both flux and gas shielding. I would look for a 230v welder that does both flux core and gas shielding. Buy a good name brand welder, not an imported knock off brand.

I found my 230V Lincoln 187 on Craigslist for $350, been using it great for 3 years now. If you're on a budget, stick with a good brand name used unit.

IMO the difference between a 140a and a 160a isn't worth worrying about. The bigger differences are one is 230v and the other is 110v, also the HF welder looks to be flux core only. The Hobart is both flux and gas shielding. I would look for a 230v welder that does both flux core and gas shielding. Buy a good name brand welder, not an imported knock off brand.

Look at the HF again, it says right underneath the picture it is set up for use with, or without gas.

I'm leaning towards the Hobart anyways, I haven't heard the greatest things about Chicago tools so far.

How do you guys feel about snap-on?

I'm searching through craigslist for good deals, as that seems like the way to go and I came across this-

http://hartford.craigslist.org/tls/1347718605.html

Seems like a good price, but I've read that some snap-on machines were made by Century, and are garbage.

buy a lincoln tombstone stick welder and get a mig later on. i use my tombstone for everything i do, as its my only welder other than a no-name 110v mig that i use for exhaust

buy a lincoln tombstone stick welder and get a mig later on. i use my tombstone for everything i do, as its my only welder other than a no-name 110v mig that i use for exhaust

I already have a 250a stick I have access to, I'm not interested in another.

What ever gave you the idea that Century built welders were garbage??? I would take one over this China made stuff . I have one going strong since 1989

Where you live or work do you have an outlet for 230V power . That would be the deciding factor.

As long as you understand the limits of what you buy and don`t try and exceed them . You will be happy it is only when people try and do more then they should that you get to complaining.

Just watch Craigslist for a Lincoln, Miller or Hobart.
Get a 220v for sure. You can find nice ones $500 or less but you have to be patient... so take that pay check, hide it under your mattress and don't spend it tell you find yourself a good welder :D

Yes I have an outlet for a 230V welder :shaking:

I'd probably snag that Snap On, seems like a decent value.

I wouldn't get that Hobart or that Harbor Freight unit. I don't think you'll be happy with a 115V unit either. I've been there, done that as well. Went from a Campbell-Hausfeld "105A" 115V wire feed to a Miller 252. That was like going from a Radio Flyer to a One Ton Dually as far as capabilities go. :p

I had a century 110 mig, it was nothing but trouble and when it worked it didn't weld well. I burned up 3 circuit boards under warranty under very light duty welding at home and that was enough for me. If you have 220 follow the good advice given above and hold out for a used lincolnhobartmiller.

Look at the HF again, it says right underneath the picture it is set up for use with, or without gas.

I'm leaning towards the Hobart anyways, I haven't heard the greatest things about Chicago tools so far.

Oh well so I missed it. I wouldn't buy a welder from HF anyway it is all a bunch of imported bad quality junk. On the Snap-On welder, depending on the model they are made by one of the big name mfg., (Lincoln used to make them). Buying one new they are way over priced due to the Snap-On name tag. Used they may be a good buy.

Check at home depots around you. Lincoln changed their mig's some and they cleared out the old style. I found a 175 for $300 for my dad.

I like my Hobart 140A welder, I built everything on my Jeep with it on .035 flux core. If I had an outlet for 220v in my parents' garage I would get one, but I don't want to rewire their garage when I was fixing to move out anyways. When I have my OWN house(currently in apartment) a 220v outlet and welder will be on the top of my list. I used a friends Miller 220v machine(forget what model) with gas and the difference is night and day.

I do make multiple passes on everything that really should have it, but just practice a lot and get confident in your welds. Worst case scenario you can get everything together then have somebody else w/ 220v go over it.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/flatlander757/Jeep%20stuff/1%20ton%20build/2009_0606006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/flatlander757/Jeep%20stuff/1%20ton%20build/2009_0606001.jpg

Look for username KirbyIV, he built pretty much his entire Jeep with a Hobart 135(the 140s predecessor) up until recently when he got a 220v machine.

How do you guys feel about snap-on?

I'm searching through craigslist for good deals, as that seems like the way to go and I came across this-

http://hartford.craigslist.org/tls/1347718605.html

Seems like a good price, but I've read that some snap-on machines were made by Century, and are garbage.

Our 275 amp Century burned up many a 40 lb spool with absolutely zero issues.

Get a refurb hh187 from toolking.com

yes, get yourself a 230v welder.. i just picked up a lincoln 175 plus with a bottle of gas and spool of wire off of craigslist for $200... be patient.. i can find them all day long for $450... out here in socal..

I've found some good deals on ebay for some nice lincoln 180a's and I'm going to keep my eye on craigslist for a good deal on a nice hobart/lincoln/miller.

I'm pretty sure that that YA-212 is a MM200 class machine. If it works and you pass on it for a Hobart140/187 you would be making a big mistake.

I'm pretty sure that that YA-212 is a MM200 class machine. If it works and you pass on it for a Hobart140/187 you would be making a big mistake.

Agreed. It's a 200A+ class machine, built by CK Systematics for Snap On. For $400, it's a good deal. ;)