birdman2447

Where I went to school for the last 4 years I had unlimited access to both a 250amp mig and 275amp tig. I worked on many projects of my own there on the off time. I know have graduated and only have a 120v mig at my garage. I am torn on what to buy. Originally I thought I could get away with keeping the 120v mig and picking up something similar to the Lincoln Precision 225 TIG. It would weld the thicker stuff as well as the aluminum projects. And I would just keep the 120v mig for stuff like body work.

The problem I see with have a large tig and a small mig is the majority of my projects are thicker stuff such as boxing frame, etc. Which takes a while with the TIG.

What do most of you guys have in your home garages that do alot of fab work?

garygnu

bought a horbart 210 from harbor freight 9yrs ago,wired the garage with 220v.get a big tank ,you always run out of gas in the middle of a project.tractor supply sells welders for a good price.

2000PewterT/A

I have a 110 Hobart, handles 99% of the stuff I build, when I do need to weld something \bigger than the Hobart can handle I borrow my friends Miller, I don't remember which model but it is a 220v

MattSapp95_T/A

iTrader: (35)

I just bought the Hobart 210 MVP... Northern tool has it onsale for $850 with free cart and free shipping and a $50 gift card so I couldnt resist...

It can plug into 110v and welds up to 140 on it .... also plugs into 220v and welds up to 210...

i figured it is the best of both worlds since I can take it places too if I need to weld somewhere else that only has a 110 plug.... then if i need to weld something with some heat like a cage or something load bearing I can turn it up on the 220...

bobbybennett23

iTrader: (1)

http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html
this is a very nice mig to get cause it does aluminum too with the spoolmate 100 i would consider it

chino_man279

iTrader: (7)

I also have a Hobart 210MVP that I purchased from Northern Tool early this year. It is very handy to have the ability to take it with you and run it off of 110v if need be. I have used this feature many times. I have not touched my Lincoln Weld Pak since purchasing this machine. You also can run a spool gun off of this machine if the need arises. I purchased it for $800 shipped with a cart. Very hard to beat this deal for a new welder that is flexible. I throw mine on the trailer with the 5kw generator and take it with me when I need to.

I am very satisfied with this welder. There are better welders, but I don't think there is a better value for the at home occasional user....welding exhausts, panels, frames, go carts, mowers, trailers, etc... I have not had to weld more than 1/4" material with this machine, but it easily does so.

alexcoreas

iTrader: (1)

What do you think about the Miller 135 mig

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Ive been reading nothing but good things about Millers.

alexcoreas

iTrader: (1)

Me too, I'm just wondering if this machine is good for building a Turbo hotside

Unobtainium

It could be. You just have to ensure you gap the welds 1/16" or lap them for a fillet weld. Make sure to use smaller wire (.024) and it should be fine. I have both a 135 and a 175, and the difference is larger than the numbers would lead you to believe. the 135 is 120 though, so is great for tacking and dragging to customers' locations.
In 20 years in industry, I've never seen the cheap stuff hold up. Miller has been the best for me, with Lincoln a close second as long as you don't bounce around the new machines too much. The boards fail easy under vibration.
This is true of used machines also. A used Miller is a safe bet, and can get you up in the model range in your budget with a good find. When I sold my Sync 200, I got all my money back(got a killer deal through the rep when I bought), and then bought my Dynasty 350 for a killer deal too(instructors get 40% off). Had it for 5 years without a single hitch.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Congrats on your first post with great information! I will most likely buy a budget Miller TIG welder to start fabricating some turbo piping and such. Ive always wanted to learn how to and hopefully soon I will get hold of a Miller.

alexcoreas

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the post I held off on buying the welder, I'm going with a new horbat 140 mig unit. Thank you

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

I have the hobart 140 mig. Don't even waste your time with flux-core, get a bottle and solid wire. So far it has handled everything I've thrown at it - great for sheet metal work on up through 1/4" plate. Attention to joint design becomes more important the thicker you go because this particular welder doesn't exactly have the grunt to just plow through it. If I did more welding I'd consider a bigger unit but as a hobbyist I have no complaints.

Mighty Whitey

Anyone have any input on the Hobart handler 190? It's in the same case as the 140, but is 220v with a higher DC as well. Tractor supply has them for $649 right now ($469 for the 140). I've heard a little skepticism on whether the 140 has the *** to burn in deep enough on 1/4 plate. But figured the 190 should do the job? Tractor supply has the 140 for $469, and the 190 for $649.

If $180 is all that separates me from doing everything I need (1/4 and smaller) then it's well worth it IMO.

t_raven

iTrader: (12)

I've always been a fan of Lincolns. I didn't like most Millers I've used but it's probably more of a personal preference thing.

I have a Lincoln 140c mig I bought new on ebay for $700 shipped.

A Lincoln 175 tig I bought on cl for $1000 with a bottle almost brand new. They are $1800 new, plus $200 for the bottle, and a couple hundred for the thumb control that came with it. Same guy sold me a Lincoln Pro cut 25 plasma cutter for $300, also barely used, they are $1600 new.

I was going to buy a new Lincoln 215 mig for $1800 but found a used 255 mig on cl for $1750 so I picked that up. That's a $3000 mig new.

I would say any bigger Lincoln, Miller or Hobart would be a decent welder, and with all the welders for sell on cl you could probably find a good deal on one if you don't need it right away and can drive a ways if needed. I've got about $7000 worth of welding equipment that cost me less than $4000 thanks to cl.

fayettevillin

im a welder by profession and i always stick or tig and the miller maxstar 150 is more than enough for what your doing and u can usually find it about $650..i had a lincoln invertec 205 and that machine ***** all over a miller but bobcats are awesome so i guess its kinda a tie

jimbos'ss

iTrader: (6)

I have a hobart handler 210 with the spool gun works great and welds aluminum with the spool gun. I also have a 200amp invertor tig with pulse and squarewave. The Mig is fast and by far my preffered welder.

garygnu

east wood has a great sale on welders,tigs ,and plasma cutters.

Ls1.63cad

i have a miller 135 and a 15 year old miller 185 that still welds like new at home the shop has miller 252 syncrowave 250dx 251 dvi all the miller stuff is top line and built to last all have a **** load of hours on them with no faults if your looking for good home mig welder i would look at the new 185 the diversion 165 180 would make a good home tig welder

nodrok

i have a everlast powerpro 256 its a tig/stick/plasma cutter. My buddy has a pretty nice miller mig and he wanted a tig. I needed some work done so i said ill buy it if you do the work. He researched it and found guys were getting near identical results. We have used the tig and plasma cutter so far. Everything has been real smooth. Their customer service is just okay, but the machine cost me $1800 its runs on 220 and can do up to 250 amps. hope this helps.