Tools & Fabrication - looking for a good 120 volt MIG welder

so for fathers day i wanted to get my dad a 120 volt MIG welder, i was looking at Lincoln Electric Pro MIG 140-Amp Welder because i have used this welder before and liked it. it wont be used for very thick steel, mostly sheet metal. if any of you have used this welder how do u like it?

Im kinda on a budget of around 550, i dont want to go any higher than that if i can, i understand that i will still need a bottle and other bits an pieces as well.

so i was wondering if there are any other options out there i can look at without going over budget?

I have a Lincoln 135 and it welds great. Been using it for years with zero issues.

also look at the hobart 140 welder.tractor supply sells them for a good price.

What redA4 said... My 135 gets used frequently, and has had no failures for about 6 yrs...

Any of the above would be fine.....but go with the gas....Flux core wire SUCKS.

yea im def going with the gas, thanks for the help guys

just out of curiosity can you use a nitrous tank for a welding tank?

i have a 15lb nitrous tank lying around and was just wondering if you can use it for welding?

^^^The valves are different on the bottles, so I doubt it. You would have to ge to a welding supply and ask them if they could make it work. +1 for the hobart I bought mine new for $480.00 and it welds like butter!

what kind of wiring, amperage and fuse box do you have in your garage?if you have circuit breakers and 40 amps ,you can wire in a 220volt out let for a bigger welder .then you can look at some thing like a hobart 187 welder.you never regret buying the biggest welder you can afford.

MIG 140 will handle all of your general purpose fabrication. I love mine!

I use my Lincoln 140c all the time without issues.

I love my Hobart 140, never had a problem with it

I love my Hobart 140, never had a problem with it

Hobart 140 was my learner welder, still have it 7 years later and use it for exhausts. It's an awesome welder! Upgraded from the hobart.

Ive got the 140, was the bigger of the two mig's that lowes had. Always worked great for me.

-Will

Did you go through with purchasing before father's day? If not and you can find a way to get 220V in your father's garage I would look at the Hobart 187. It is on sale right now for $550 at TSC.

On a side note I have had the Lincoln 100 or 125 for 7 or 8 years. I've never had a problem with it and it will work fine for what you intend to do. The 140 will do any basic fab work.

I may sell my Lincoln and pick up the Hobart before the sale ends though. I can probably sell my Lincoln with the regulator, extra tips and liner, etc and have the Hobart cost me less than about $200. It is certainly a better welder.

Hobart is better than Lincoln. I hate the budget 115v machines.. I don't want to weld on "HI" or "LOW" or "A, B, C, D". The duty cycle sucks and their welds are sub-par. Go with the hobart, or if you can swing it, the Millermatic 140, both with gas, rather than flux core. Flux-core is good to have if you ever need to weld outdoors, or in the wind, or on dirty metal (Tongue breaks off a friends trailer, etc..) so keep a small roll around if the liner supports it.