Mig Welder - What To Buy

sagent · July 12, 2007

I have been contemplating purchasing a welder and it sounds like for the first time user a MIG steup is the easiest to learn. Would appreciate any advice / info on what to look for as far as 120 volt vs. 240 volt units, brands etc. Would I be better off with a stick welder?

Thanks in advance

mark111 · July 12, 2007

Mig is very easy to learn. Size selection is simple. generally, the bigger the better, but you need to be practible to your application. If you only intend to weld sheet metal, and it won't be getting heavy usage, a 110 is fine. For shop duty or heavy welding, you will need a 240. When you go out looking at welders, look at the ratings that are posted with each model. each will tell you the duty cycle of the machine as well as the thickness you can weld. That should provide you with enough info to make an informed purchase.

Schmids5.3l · July 12, 2007

Hobart and Miller make good units.

ATMINF · July 12, 2007

I like the Lincon electric "lunch box" style ones also. The ones at Lowes and Home depot are okay, but if you can get the better systems with the better ranges of control vs the once that have just 5 or 6 set control setting. Also if you can get a system that is 220 it will be able to do more for you. My best advice to go to some welding shops or exhaust places and ask around to see what they have, and if they get good service from one compony or another. They maybe will to help you out, and show you what they are capable of doing. Good luck.

carneyman · July 12, 2007

Hobart and Miller make good units.

I agree with the Miller. Just be sure, whatever you do, be prepared to clean out the nozzle every now and then. Splatter likes to jump up and clog it. They make a grease you can dip the tip into to help keep it from happening, which helps, but it will happen.

You could always buy two and let me try one, and tell you how it works.

C & A s Dad · July 12, 2007

We (CARQUEST) sell Hobart and have sold thousands of their 125 and 140 models. Both are 115 volt. The 125 is 125 Amp output and will weld from 24 gauge to 3/16" steel. The 140 is 25 to 140 Amp output and can weld 24 gauge to 1/4" steel. It is ready to weld with solid wire or flux coated while the 125 needs a $89.00 upgrade kit to use solid wire with gas.

We typically run the 125 in the area of $419 and the 140 is around $599. They are excellent quality.

c4cruiser · July 12, 2007

Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are all good machines and they have a variety of modes to suit your needs.

Your welding needs and uses will determine in part whether or not you want a 120v or 22v model. The metal thicknesses you will be welding will determine if you need to add a gas cylinder. Thinner steel will pretty much require gas like a 75% argon and 25% CO2 mix and you will have to purchase or rent a tank.

Voltage selection hinges on the theickness of the material you will be welding, how portable you want a unit to be and how your shop or garage is configured. The 120v units need a 20 amp circuit and you can run up to a 50' extension cord if you use 12-ga wire. The 220v models will need a 3-wire dedicated circuit at 30A to maybe 50A. You can also use an extensin cord with these units although you will most likely have to make one with 10-ga wire and suitable plugs and receptacles (dryer type)

I bought a Lincoln ProMig 140 at Lowe's a couple months ago and it is fine for my needs. Got it on sale for $453 and it came with a spool of flux-core wire (no gas needed) and a spool of solid-core wire (needs C-25). The kit came with a dual-guage regulator, hand-held mask, and instructinal DVD.

Get a decent mask. I bought an auto-darkening shield at the Local Harbor Freight for about $50 and works fine.

There is a good welding forum here: http://www.weldingweb.com/ Lots of very knowledgable folks there including many professional welders.