What welder to get

[GJC]

I can weld ok, I took an ROP course for 5 weeks. I am hoping to buy a good mig set up by december. I used my buddies Miller 135 to weld in my hangers
for 63" springs this weekend. It did great, People say it will weld up to 3/16's.
Now a toy chassis is only 1/8 thick. So if I weld a 1/4" spring hanger, it should be ok Any welding Gurus info would be great.

[camo]

i am far from a welding guru however i am probally more of your average amature hack. i have owneed many welders over the years from big lincolns and millers to smaller 110 units. i recently sold my big miller 250 and now use the miller 175. i think that for your typical fab hobbiest a small 220 volt machine will be plenty. there is nothing required to fab up a typical 4x4 that my miller 175 can't handle. the main reason i switched to the smaller 220 volt machine is portability so i can haul it in my trailer and run it off a generator.

i have a lincoln 110 and never use it any more cause it just does not have the juice to weld .120 wall tube very well

[GJC]

Thanks camo, That is exactly what I would get, Miller 175. I really don't weld on anything but My truck.

[Mcstiff]

I am very happy with my MM210. I have never used a 175 but did not want to have to upgrade.

[Foxfab]

Buy the biggest MIG you can afford. Stick with the big 3 and you'll be ok (Miller, Lincoln, ESAB)

[Brandon]

I got a hobart 135 and honestly it will do anything I want... but... damn I wish it was bigger

You really have to have SUPER clean metal for a good weld, as to where you could just burn through stuff otherwise. I have built a few rigs and welded everything you can think of pretty much and actually my buddy's have borrowed my welder (they have 220 units) because it does so well with the thin stuff.

The hobart is basically a miller (all the components even say miller including the gun) and for the price it is a great welder (it was $399 to my door) but I wish I could get a larger 220 Miller. I suppose portability of a 110 is nice but I have only moved it a few times..

[Gwamp]

I have done slot of welding with a LN175 in the 220 flavor. It is a great little welder that would be perfect for home shop use. There isn't really any reson to go larger than it unless you plan on doing large jobs or plan on welding on thick material. I have a LN255 at home, but I do work for other folk and sometimes it is on thicker material and I need the added capacity of the larger welder.

[GJC]

Hmm, so maybe step up to a miller 210. Good info.

[BillaVista]

Another vote for MM175

This will reign fire and damnation upon me - but as I see it, the poorer a welder you are - the more machine you need. As in - any hack can stick anything together with a 250 machine - (or so it will appear) you need some diligence / skill to use a smaller. Meaning - to a point - i believe in not going too big - this forces you to do decent setup and prep and technique, rather than just cranking it up and possibly producing a good looking, but not necesarily sound weld.

I prob weld worse than Camo even, though.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by BillaVista

Another vote for MM175

This will reign fire and damnation upon me - but as I see it, the poorer a welder you are - the more machine you need. As in - any hack can stick anything together with a 250 machine - (or so it will appear) you need some diligence / skill to use a smaller. Meaning - to a point - i believe in not going too big - this forces you to do decent setup and prep and technique, rather than just cranking it up and possibly producing a good looking, but not necesarily sound weld.

I prob weld worse than Camo even, though.

dang, I must be a good welder LOL

[preach]

Originally Posted by Brandon

I got a hobart 135 and honestly it will do anything I want... but... damn I wish it was bigger

You really have to have SUPER clean metal for a good weld, as to where you could just burn through stuff otherwise. I have built a few rigs and welded everything you can think of pretty much and actually my buddy's have borrowed my welder (they have 220 units) because it does so well with the thin stuff.

The hobart is basically a miller (all the components even say miller including the gun) and for the price it is a great welder (it was $399 to my door) but I wish I could get a larger 220 Miller. I suppose portability of a 110 is nice but I have only moved it a few times..

My hobart 175 came in yesterday. $529 to my door close out special (they discontinued the 175 for the 180).

I went 175 because of my needs and because I am just a hobbiest, not doing major fab work for anyone but myself and the 2 guys I let use my shop.

Just need to wire it up and I will be done trying to get my junk welded by someone else if it could not be done with my 110v.

[Brandon]

their support kicks ass, if you have any issues go to their BBS and let them know, they next day'd me a new gun when mine had a bad connection (Miller gun), also sent some other parts and two of each..

If I get another it will no doubt be a miller

[camo]

Originally Posted by GJC

Hmm, so maybe step up to a miller 210. Good info.

indeed a great machine but from the sounds of it a 175 or the new 180 will probally be all you ever really need.

[BAV]

Originally Posted by preach

My hobart 175 came in yesterday. $529 to my door close out special (they discontinued the 175 for the 180).

I went 175 because of my needs and because I am just a hobbiest, not doing major fab work for anyone but myself and the 2 guys I let use my shop.

Just need to wire it up and I will be done trying to get my junk welded by someone else if it could not be done with my 110v.

Hey Preach -

Where did you get the 175 from?

Thanks

[GJC]

Originally Posted by camo

indeed a great machine but from the sounds of it a 175 or the new 180 will probally be all you ever really need.

Yea I think I will go this route. I got a Lincoln 225 ac I could hold onto for the thick stuff.

[preach]

Originally Posted by BAV

Hey Preach -

Where did you get the 175 from?

Thanks

The other night I spent about an hour searching for the best price.

Best I found was at Amazon.com actually. It was $579 but they are/were having a Fathers Day discount of $50. I went for the longer time but free delivery. It was still here in a week.

Many of the other links I found were dead due to the disco.

[Brandon]

did you check out welders-direct.com?

That is where I got my 135 for $399 delivered

EDIT: it is $662 shipped

[Tuffjarhed]

Another vote for the MillerMatic 175. I love mine.

[BAV]

cool, thanks!

[chumly2071]

I've welded with a miller 175, and own a 210. no comparison on the quality of the arc, but, you have to judge your real needs and your budget. I was considering trading up to a 251, but my buddy at the welding supply house keeps telling me the 210 has a sweeter arc than the 251, and to stay with what I have until I needed more of a production machine. He thinks Lincolns have a smoother arc, but Miller hands down has the best support.
can't go wrong with miller or lincoln in my opinion.

[broncofreak2000]

Yep, Millermatic 175 for me. Great machine

[71RCKCRZR RYAN]

hobart 175

great machine

ive put it thru hell....and it hasnt let me down yet...

[frankenfab]

At home, I have a Hobart Handler 175. At work, we have a Lincoln SP125 and a Miller 251. I hate the little Lincoln (we only use it with flux core, for small jobs where we need something portable). I really like the Miller 251. It is outstanding, but big $$$$$$$$. I have no complaints with the Hobart.

[rockmup]

MM 175 here too. Running 0.023 wire I can weld 3/8 and still sleep at night. And I can weld as thin as 18 or 20G. I don't think you can do that thin with a 210. At least I couldn't.
Plus the 175 has a smaller gun, great for tight spots

[tsm1mt]

My local farm store, Murdochs (formerly BigR) has the Hobart 175 on sale for Father's Day.

$500.

Even an Ebay deal is just a hair under $500 after freight for a B-grade unit.

Too bad I just convinced myself I don't really NEED it just yet. I have a Hobart 120 MIG and a Century 230 stick that seem to do fine most of the time.