what mig welder to buy?

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mikeyny

Feeling the Heat
Nov 16, 2007
294
upstate ny
i have an old stick welder i use now and then to fix or fabricate stuff, mostly as a hobby, occasionally for money. I would like to pick up a mig welder, but not sure what one or which type to buy. I see the h f stuff for cheap, but I usually like to buy mid to high grade tools. I have been a construction contractor for almost 30 yrs, so I really know tools, although i do buy some harbor freight stuff now and then with mixed results. Im not sure if i want gas or not and i really dont know a lot about gas welding. I dont think I will ever be welding stainless but maybe aluminum once and a while. any thoughts or recommendations would be helpfull.
Mike
 
How much do you want to spend? I'd stay away from the HF/Chicago Electric stuff and stick to the major brands. I have a Millermatic 140 (110v) and a Millermatic 252 (480 single phase) at work. Like the 140, LOVE the 252. If you want to do aluminum you need a spool gun and gas (argon) to get 'er done right. Gasless is great outside and welding is just like running your stick welder but if you work inside you will be amazed how much nicer the welds look with gas. You don't need expensive gas either. CO2 or CO2/Argon mix is fine. No need for Tri-gas/STAR gas unless you do a lot of stainless work. (I do) Even if you don't go with Miller, their website has a lot of good info on how to pick a machine.

My friend has a Hobart Handler 140 that he runs flux-core in and uses it constantly to repair mower decks. He likes it and the price tag is pretty good too. (Hobart is Miller's economy brand)

I've used smaller Lincoln MIG machines and they run just fine too.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/onephase.php

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-handler-reg-140-mig-welder-3812040
 
i was hoping to keep it under 400 bux. the hobart 140 seems like the best option for me. thanks for the input. I know what your saying about the hf stuff, some people say its ok but never lasts long. The real joke in my business is that most of the tools in my truck are older than the guys that work for me, really thats no joke, I buy good tools that last and when they wear out I fix them, because they are fix-able.
 
I have had very good service from a Lincoln sp135T. This unit was purchased on ebay as used (they could not sell it as new because someone had struck an arc w/ it at a show/display) for $300. I think this model has been replaced w/ a 140 now. It does a very nice job. My only regret is that I did not go for the next larger size (240 volts vs 120 volts) to handle some larger stock. I have only used the unit w/ CO2/argon shielding gas so I can't speak to how it does w/ flux core wire. The welds are clean as long as you have prepped the areas to be welded properly. That is not specific to this welder, but the mig process in general. If you can stick weld, as you mentioned in your original post, then you will find that you can definately mig weld. I have used Millers, Hobarts, and some of the HF (chicago elec) units as well. The Millers and Hobarts are generally on par w/ the Lincolns. Most of the differences are in the versitility model to model. The HF units are okay for a diy/tinker at home type, but are not great by any stretch of the immagination.

All that being said, if I were about to make a first mig purchase... Either Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart are fine. Be sure to get a kit that comes with all the hookups you will need if you decided to use shielding gas. You don't want to find out after the fact that you need more gear. The same goes for the special spool gun if you will be doing any aluminum work. I'd look for a used unit on Craigslist, that way you could possibly get to strike an ark w/ the unit since you are buying from a local individual or business. And lastly, know ahead of time the max thickness of material you will work with, so you can size the machine to your needs.
 
I have a Hobart and was very much a green welder. It runs smoothly and has not failed in any manner. I have not run gas with it, but have not done any advanced or aluminum welding. I bought the model I did becuase it could run on 110v as well as 220.
 
I just picked up the lincoln handy welder for $150 used off cl. I think it will suit me just fine for exhaust and tin work, my stick welder can handle all the big stuff. Thanks again for all the input
 
Buy a quality tool and it will work well and consistently for decades. Look for a used Miller or Lincoln on Craigslist/kijiji. I bought a Lincoln 180A MIG, brand new off kijiji a couple years ago. It's the Canadian Tire kit so it's their consumer grade model but better than some unknown chinese junk and I got it at a bargain price.
 
I have a Miller 175 that I bought 6 years ago. It is like a hot glue gun for metal.
 
Read the thread, folks...OP has made his decision and bought a MIG machine...no more suggestions required. Here's the OP's post #5 from above:

mikeyny said:
I just picked up the lincoln handy welder for $150 used off cl. I think it will suit me just fine for exhaust and tin work, my stick welder can handle all the big stuff. Thanks again for all the input
 
fossil said:
Read the thread, folks...OP has made his decision and bought a MIG machine...no more suggestions required. Here's the OP's post #5 from above:

mikeyny said:
I just picked up the lincoln handy welder for $150 used off cl. I think it will suit me just fine for exhaust and tin work, my stick welder can handle all the big stuff. Thanks again for all the input
So what's your point? :cheese:
 
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