Purchasing a MIG Welder

[UNISA JECS]

Right now im looking for a a MIG welder, I have never welded in my life, but im looking for a good all around MIG welder, mainly im probably looking to do a lil fabrication, perhaps making custom sleeve/cylinders for some Koni inserts, probably some intercooler piping, exhaust downpipe, maybe a custom turbo manifold. I'd also like to be able to weld aluminum.

Whats your opinion, or anyone have first hand eperience with this welder:

Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 3200HD Wire Feed Welder 120V (25-135 amps output)

Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 3200HD Wire Feed Welder - K2190-1 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093231&N=10000003+90401+503465)

or

Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 175HD, 208/230-volt Wire Feeder Welder (30-175 amps output)

Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 175HD, 208/230-volt Wire Feeder Welder, Comes With Everything Needed To Weld Mild Steel - K2338-1 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100395926)

[dirtdiggler666]

welders last for a long time spend the cash and get a miller

[axiomatik]

any particular reason you suggest miller? The welders I've spoken to said either Lincoln or Miller were fine.

[Signum Temporis]

get a miller, my school gets them for free because our lab is their show room. theyre nice and last a long time

get a welding book too, and a little pack that tells you what settings you should have

[UNISA JECS]

Im avoiding the Harborfreight stuff, tahts why I choose Lincoln, if I can find and equivelant Miller for the same price i'd look at that also, but I think I narrowed it down to either a lincoln or miller from what little searching I have done, seems like these two are the best choices for reliablity.

[dirtdiggler666]

i use to own a miller and it was meah not all that great

then i used a bigger miller and i just liked it so much better

but to tell you the truth im no expert welder and and i would talk to people that do this shit for a living

[whowutwut]

I have a hobart handler (equivalent to the current handler 140) that's been working fine for me... (still using flux core, I want to change to shielding gas but I have too much flux core wire left still) I believe it uses some miller parts, the gun says "miller" on the side. Check out northern tool or welding depot, northern tool usually offers free shipping and something they throw in a free welding cart. I was impatient but ended up welding together my own cart as a first welding project. Came out pretty nice.

[tt99ol]

what color do you like better
red or blue
its more of a preference than a quality issue between lincoln and miller
they will each last long and work well
i have a weld pack 100 and it works just fine
picked it up secondhand from a local shop for $200
it has been put through its paces and it's still kickin'
they last forever

[UNISA JECS]

I like blue, but my wallet like's the bang for the buck of the red at home depot, an equivelant miller is about ~$800 vs $479 Lincoln

Miller - MIG Welding - Millermatic® 140 (http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/)

[Rayne]

As long as you can set it up and it suits all of your welding needs.

When I have the funds to purchase a mig welder, I intend on getting a millermatic. Since I do not have very much welding experience outside of using a spot welding maching.

[UNISA JECS]

Yea I think im probabaly gonna go with the Lincoln 3200HD for my first welder and see how it goes, if need be later i'll save up money for a bigger more capable machine.

[LB.Motoring]

miller miller,

last years purchase

http://zilvia.net/f/premium-members/122359-new-toy-today-yay-electric-bill.html

[smelly240]

i have a astropneumatic my dad bought in th e80s - shit is dopeness (i replaced all the tensioning and stuff)

[Andrew Bohan]

luke (blu808) has the 3200HD and i have the 175HD. they are both good machines.

the only difference that i can see is the 175 is 220V and has one higher power setting.

don't forget about gas. a big cylinder will run you $150-$200 when you buy it full, then $60-$80 to refill. get CO2/argon for MIG.

the power that you plug into can have an effect on your welding too. we thought luke's welder was so-so before, but at his new shop it works great.

it used to always trip the breaker at his old house :rant2:



for aluminum, you CAN get pure argon, a different liner, and some aluminum wire...but it's still not going to work that great.

for aluminum you're gonna want a TIG welder, and that's gonna be around $2000 just to get the machine.

[dirtdiggler666]

ya my welder allways use to trip the breaker at my parents house god i use to hate that

[Def]

No experience on a 120V machine, but a 240V one will have much more headroom if you decide to do thicker stuff.

I have a Lincoln SP170-T that I got used(very lightly used), and it's been fun and useful in a few circumstances. Still using flux core because it came with a 10 lb spool, but would like to get some gas for it.

Everybody I talk to about aluminum welding says you get very spotty results with a MIG on the thickness aluminum you'd want to weld for a car. I've seen some decent results at work on thick(like over 0.25" thick each piece) stuff via MIG, but on the thin stuff they always TIG it.

[UNISA JECS]

No experience on a 120V machine, but a 240V one will have much more headroom if you decide to do thicker stuff.

I have a Lincoln SP170-T that I got used(very lightly used), and it's been fun and useful in a few circumstances. Still using flux core because it came with a 10 lb spool, but would like to get some gas for it.

Everybody I talk to about aluminum welding says you get very spotty results with a MIG on the thickness aluminum you'd want to weld for a car. I've seen some decent results at work on thick(like over 0.25" thick each piece) stuff via MIG, but on the thin stuff they always TIG it.

Thats true and I have been thinking about that, damn I may just have put out some extra cheese....I dotn have a 220v outlet, I wonder how much that'll cost to do, I dont have experience with that type stuff.

[Andrew Bohan]

you don't have a dryer?


i bought a replacement dryer power cord from home depot and swapped it into my welder so i can plug it into my dryer's outlet. works good :yum:

[Def]

Yep, I use my dryer outlet too. Made up a 20 ft extension cord.

[UNISA JECS]

I have a washer and dryer but they both use 120v

[Def]

Gas dryer? If it's electric it's GOT to be 220/240V.

[UNISA JECS]

Yea its gas.

[SinisterSntra91]

I have that lincoln 3200 HD, for a welder that runs on 120v its an excellent welder, My friend mike welds for a living he was impressed by it. He told me its a great little welder for what I am using it for. He said for what were doing I will never need another welder.

[BrianG701]

I love my Millermatic 212 it will weld just about any mild steel I need to do, my next welder is going to be a med size Tig so I can do stainless and aluminum.

[njd07]

does anyone know if my 20lb co2 tank will work with a mig welder? I bought the 20lb tank for self filling for paintball outings, but no longer use it, just collecting dust. if I get a decent mig like the 3200 hd can I use this tank?

[bl3ujay07]

I have a welder the exact same but bigger in size. my brother bought it off some garage sale. It works, but without the mask, shit is blinding!!! my brother told me to post it up on craigslist, but i never had the time. Its almost like the 175hd one but longer. My brother lives in norcal but i am in Camarillo/Ventura right now. If you are interested, i can sell it to you. He said something like $150. Its missing the mask and the gauges i think. Hit me up if you or anyone in norcal/socal is interested. I hope to go back up sometimes this month and back if you are interested and can wait. Can also get pics too.

[UNISA JECS]

I have a welder the exact same but bigger in size. my brother bought it off some garage sale. It works, but without the mask, shit is blinding!!! my brother told me to post it up on craigslist, but i never had the time. Its almost like the 175hd one but longer. My brother lives in norcal but i am in Camarillo/Ventura right now. If you are interested, i can sell it to you. He said something like $150. Its missing the mask and the gauges i think. Hit me up if you or anyone in norcal/socal is interested. I hope to go back up sometimes this month and back if you are interested and can wait. Can also get pics too.

Yea lemme see some pics and try and get the exact make model, thanks.

[Andrew Bohan]

without the mask, shit is blinding!!!

why would you even think of using it without a mask??
even with your eyes closed it will blind you

just ask luke. he was blind for a day after only a few minutes of doing tack welds like that. the doctor said he might never see again.


another guy i know did it because he was in a hurry, and he had to stay in his apartment with the shades closed for a week. he said it felt like he had sand in his eyes the whole time.

a light-powered self-darkening mask is $50 at home depot. definately worth the investment and 10000 times better than the handheld one that comes with the lincoln welders.

[njd07]

does anyone know if my 20lb co2 tank will work with a mig welder? I bought the 20lb tank for self filling for paintball outings, but no longer use it, just collecting dust. if I get a decent mig like the 3200 hd can I use this tank?

anyone know if this tank will be good?

[Sasquatch]

Like its been said before dont cheap out on a welder. Ive been working as a welder for about 3 years now. Started in highschool just as a hobby and now work as one. Ive used a bunch of different welders, everything from little portable Tig's to huge robotic sub-arc robotic welders. So Ill give you my best advice. Any welder from Home depot or lowes suck period end of story Ive fought with them for hours and wasnt able to get what Id call a decent bead(at least the machines I used I couldnt get the bead to look the way I wanted it). Dont waste your money.

If you want to do mild/stainless steel than a MIG will do you just fine. You said you want to do aluminum right? Im assuming for intercooler piping, dont us a MIG for that. It will never come out as good as it should period. MIGing aluminum on 1/8" or thicker material is just fine on sheet metal but if you trying to do some 3in diameter piping thats 14ga thick.....goodluck. It just wont work. You'd have to get a huge spoolgun which will cost you more and will be hard to weld small diameter piping.

If you really want to weld aluminum than you should buy a nice TIG machine. But that is a more costly option and isnt something for beginners.

Before I really start blabbing on, what power are you planning on using for you welder so I can give you some suggestions on certain machines? Just a regular 110 volt household outlet or are you going to have a 230 outlet installed?


-Jonathan

[Sasquatch]

anyone know if this tank will be good?

Im sure it could as long as you had the fittings to hook it up to the regulator. Im not sure what fitting is on your tank. Do you have a pic?

[1ZlowZ]

How much does it cost get get 220/230/240 whatever put on the house

[axiomatik]

......
Before I really start blabbing on, what power are you planning on using for you welder so I can give you some suggestions on certain machines? Just a regular 110 volt household outlet or are you going to have a 230 outlet installed?


-Jonathan

What would be a good, reasonably priced welder for each voltage?

How much does it cost get get 220/230/240 whatever put on the house

call an electrician and get a quote.

[BrianG701]

it cost me 300 to have a line run from one side of my 3-car garage to the other from the panel

[Jonnie Fraz]

Ok...I will toss in my :2c: Every day I weld with a Lincoln 350mp. Great machine also about $5k. Back to reality the little Lincoln is a good machine for home stuff. Do not run it on an extention cord...you will hate how it performs.
At home I have a couple Millers, and I am gonna be getting the Dynasty 200 dx in the next couple of weeks...ouch.
Both Miller and Lincoln are great machines, neither will be a bad buy. You will find that a 220v machine is not as finicky when it comes to power fluctuations or running it on the higher settings.
One reason that I use miller at home is I have a buddy that works at Airgas and he says that the Millers do not come in for service as often.
Also you might look at HTP. I hear great thing about them, and they have a great price point.

Hope this help
Jonnie

[atutt]

Well... I figure it's time I chime in.

If you intend on doing any aluminium. Don't bother with getting an aluminium set up on a mig.
I find that it's more of a pain in the ass. Harder to produce a clean looking weld. and it makes quite a bit of spatter.
Just save up a bit more and get a bloody TIG. By the sounds of it. You'll benefit from it more than you would a mig with a push pull setup.
To me, MIG welding aluminium just isn't desireable. It's only good if you don't care about how the weld turns out in appearance!

Now on to the brand.
I've used.

Canoc
Miller
Lincoln
Hobart (Which I own)
Thermalarc

and a few others.

Now. Between all of them I find Miller and Lincolns to be the best in the biz.

I suggest going with the Miller.
Here's why.

I've found it to be a far more reliable machine. And I've used MANY different Miller and Lincoln machines. Of each process.
Also Miller has a better warranty than Lincoln. From what I remember anyways.
Miller has a 3 year warranty and Lincoln has a 1 year warranty.

I've also concluded that overall, Millers are are a better built machine with better technologies.
I've NEVER, I repeat, I have NEVER had a SINGLE issue with a Miller machine.
I've had a significant amount with Lincolns.
Yes I'm biased towards Miller but this is why!

Oh, and NEVER get a welder that is 110v or whatever.
220v and up!
I'll punch you if you do otherwise. lol.

[Andrew Bohan]

i see lincoln & miller like coke and pepsi


you have die hard fans for either side, but no one is fucking with rc cola or safeway select

[UNISA JECS]

Like its been said before dont cheap out on a welder. Ive been working as a welder for about 3 years now. Started in highschool just as a hobby and now work as one. Ive used a bunch of different welders, everything from little portable Tig's to huge robotic sub-arc robotic welders. So Ill give you my best advice. Any welder from Home depot or lowes suck period end of story Ive fought with them for hours and wasnt able to get what Id call a decent bead(at least the machines I used I couldnt get the bead to look the way I wanted it). Dont waste your money.

If you want to do mild/stainless steel than a MIG will do you just fine. You said you want to do aluminum right? Im assuming for intercooler piping, dont us a MIG for that. It will never come out as good as it should period. MIGing aluminum on 1/8" or thicker material is just fine on sheet metal but if you trying to do some 3in diameter piping thats 14ga thick.....goodluck. It just wont work. You'd have to get a huge spoolgun which will cost you more and will be hard to weld small diameter piping.

If you really want to weld aluminum than you should buy a nice TIG machine. But that is a more costly option and isnt something for beginners.

Before I really start blabbing on, what power are you planning on using for you welder so I can give you some suggestions on certain machines? Just a regular 110 volt household outlet or are you going to have a 230 outlet installed?


-Jonathan

Im gonna go ahead kill the aluminum thing, so thats no longer a requirement. If I decide to do aluminum i'll buy a nice TIG welder. Im only going to run the 120v for my power source since its there and already availble, and the majority of the work I can forsee doing would only be exhaust/intercooler piping and maybe some custom KONI DIY coilovers.

[s13dan]

Lincoln or Miller, i wouldnt get any other brand period. Depends on price what i would get. Im going to buy a used one from my school when they change them out (bout 1/2 price)

[Ben G]

at my work all we have is millers and we have had them for only god knows how long never any problems with them either

[boske]

I bought a Hobart, I guess they are made by Miller but a lot cheaper. I noticed a lot of stuff says miller right on it when I opened it up, including the mig gun itself. For the price of the Hobart 187 I picked up, it has more power and features than lincolns and millers. Also has a 5 year warranty on most of the internals.

[orion::S14]

I have the Lincoln 3200HD...and love it.

Perfect for stuff like exhaust, intercooler piping, small braces, etc...

FWIW.

- Brian

[Jonnie Fraz]

Well... I figure it's time I chime in.

If you intend on doing any aluminium. Don't bother with getting an aluminium set up on a mig.
I find that it's more of a pain in the ass. Harder to produce a clean looking weld. and it makes quite a bit of spatter.
Just save up a bit more and get a bloody TIG. By the sounds of it. You'll benefit from it more than you would a mig with a push pull setup.
To me, MIG welding aluminium just isn't desireable. It's only good if you don't care about how the weld turns out in appearance!


I will agree that mig welding aluminum is harder it is possable to produce clean welds with a mig.
Example
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/Fraz-Man-One/welds.jpg

I will agree Miller FTW.

[KansaiDrifter]

I've heard from the local WA welders that the newer lincoln uses more plastic and other type of material in the guts of the machines, where as the miller still uses alot of metal pieces still, so it's harder to break, I'm saving up $2500 to get my miller tig!

that's just what I was told by a local welder before, I have some really old arc lincoln mustang model I believe, it's still rockin it. I'm using a hobart mig welder, works nice, fairly reasonable priced. yeah just my 2 cents.

[Sasquatch]

Sorry I didnt reply earlier Ive been busy.

One important thing to look for when buying a welder is the machines "Duty Cycle". Duty cycle is a welding equipment specification which defines the number of minutes, within a 10 min period during which a given welder can safely produce a particular welding current. Basically it means if the welder says it has a max of 150 amps but only has a 20% duty cycle at 90 amps that means it can only weld safely at 90 amps for 2 mins continuously. It then has to rest so it can cool down for 8 minutes. So you'll want to get a welder with the highest duty cycle possible.

MIG:

110 volt - Miller - MIG Welding - Millermatic® 140 (http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/)

This is a decent little starter MIG. One of my friends has it and it works pretty good. We used it to shave his door handles and make a few steel brackets for his s10. We've also made a huge BBQ smoker out of 2 55 gallon steel containers and a bunch of 1 in angle. But I wouldnt recommend this one for any aluminum MIG.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
220/230 Volt - Miller - MIG Welders - Millermatic® 252 (http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_252/)

This welder is perfect for pretty much anything and has a good duty cycle too. Better for roll cages, big suspension projects and so on.

220/230 volt - Browser Level Verification (http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?P=62126)

This is one of the best MIGs Ive ever used. I had these at my old job and they were run 24 hours a day. 3 shifts a day 5 days a week and still welded strong. This is the one that Im saving for now. The duty cycle is really goo for this machine too.





TIG:

110 volt - Miller - TIG Welders - Dynasty® 200 Series (http://millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/)

I get enough of this TIG. Its fucking awesome to say the least! Its perfect for stee/stainless/aluminum/titanium and pretty much anything else that can be TIG welded. My friend uses this welder for his own little sisde business making manifold for cars, exhausts, intake manifolds and other parts. It plugs into any wall outlet and has an amazing duty cycle. You can tack up your whole exhaust in you driveway bring it in your room, unplug your tv, plug in your welder and weld for hours. I cant wait to get this TIG. I highly recommend this to everyone! It perfect for any car project. Roll cage, mounts, piping, manifolds, you name it you can build it with this TIG.
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220/230 volt - MIG Welders, TIG Welding Gloves, Hobart Welders, Miller Welders, Welding Jackets (http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-1873/LINCOLN-PRECISION-TIG-225/Detail)

This is a great TIG for the price. Its comparable to the Miller Synchrowave 200 but it beats it in pretty much every area. You can do up to 1/4 in aluminum with it but not for a long time. It says it has a duty cycle of 90 amps at 100% which means it will do 180 amps at 50% and 230 amps will be around 20%. Ive always had to use around 225 amps for 1/4 in aluminum.

When it comes to welders YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Dont cheap out on anything and you'll be happy you didnt in the long run. I like a lot of different welders, Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, ESAB they are all good companies and make great products. Hope that helps any more ?'s and Ill help as much as I can.

[Slidin240Wayz]

Is this worth it...

Miller - Wire Feeders - Spoolmate™ 100 Series (http://millerwelds.com/products/wire_feeders/spoolmate_100_series/)

?

[Sasquatch]

Is this worth it...

Miller - Wire Feeders - Spoolmate™ 100 Series (http://millerwelds.com/products/wire_feeders/spoolmate_100_series/)

?

Depends on what you want to use it for. If its any type of small diameter thin wall piping than no i.e intercooler piping. If you want it for some small brackets then I guess its ok. But I wouldnt spend my money on it. If you want to MIG weld aluminum, then you would need a machine that is capable of " spray arcing ". Spray arcing is sorta hard to explain without showing you. When you're welding the wire doent even touch the metal, it melts before that and looks like a mist of aluminum is actually being sprayed onto the work metal. It sorta like using spray paint one you welding and not painting lol.