New Welder
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Central Massachusetts
I would highly recommend the Miller 211.We have 2 of them in our body shop and they are the best mig welders I have ever used.I have used many welders in my career and can honestly say none of them match the fine tuning capabulity of the 211.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
I have the Hobart Handler 140...excellent welder. Cut and widened the frame on my bike with it last winter. Hobart and Miller are owned by the same company...ITW...My Hobart welder has a Miller mig gun on it...came that way out of the box.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From:
Im a Lincoln guy first choice and a Miller guy second choice.
Ive got an older CK MIG Ive used for years and like it real well for larger fabrication. I also have a large engine drive Lincoln Ranger 250 I bought new a few years back. It runs real smooth and if I want MIG in the field instead of stick I have an older Lincoln 195 I take and run off of the generator. I just bought a Lincoln 216 TIG welder for stainless and aluminum. I find it does a nice job on carbon steel and I can get a beautiful weld on tubing. I prefer it over the MIG for visually pleasing welds as well as strength.
As stated earlier it does take a bunch of practice. After doing aluminum the stainless and carbon steel were easy with the TIG.
For a home hobby guy Id look at the Lincoln 140C or the 180C. Nice machine and not too steep of a learning curve. MIG welding however can make a poor weld look good. Be careful of penetration or should I say lack of when learning.
Ive got an older CK MIG Ive used for years and like it real well for larger fabrication. I also have a large engine drive Lincoln Ranger 250 I bought new a few years back. It runs real smooth and if I want MIG in the field instead of stick I have an older Lincoln 195 I take and run off of the generator. I just bought a Lincoln 216 TIG welder for stainless and aluminum. I find it does a nice job on carbon steel and I can get a beautiful weld on tubing. I prefer it over the MIG for visually pleasing welds as well as strength.
As stated earlier it does take a bunch of practice. After doing aluminum the stainless and carbon steel were easy with the TIG.
For a home hobby guy Id look at the Lincoln 140C or the 180C. Nice machine and not too steep of a learning curve. MIG welding however can make a poor weld look good. Be careful of penetration or should I say lack of when learning.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
It's hard to recommend a welder without knowing what you want to do. If you're going to buy a stick welder, get DC. I prefer the "infinite" amperage adjustment of the Millers to the "click" adjustment of the Lincolns. If you want to do some gouging, you'll need a stick welder. If not, MIG is nice. All of my welding was done with 3-
phase machines, so I don't know much about the smaller ones. If you really want to get into welding, you'll probably be buying more tools and equipment than you planned on.
phase machines, so I don't know much about the smaller ones. If you really want to get into welding, you'll probably be buying more tools and equipment than you planned on.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I have a Hobart wire feed here on the ranch. I use it a lot for small jobs and touch-ups. I farm out the bigger jobs mostly because my welding skills suck. I will tell you that I have the utmost respect for a guy that knows his way around a decent weld. Just something I never got good at.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
Ditto what RK4ME said, I plan on buying a 110volt unit to do body panels on an old truck, body shop wanted 3500. With a little practice I think I should be able to do it for 1/3 that price. Welder will pay for itself.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 32
From: Williamsburg, Virginia
I got me one of the new inverter TIG welders last year and having a blast with it. This rig will weld most anything.
http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...RC--TIG/Detail
http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...RC--TIG/Detail
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