91Toyota

What type of welder best suits my needs? I am in need of welding hangers on my truck. I usually need to just weld big stuff (not body parts or thin sheet metal...just thick metal (steel)) Such as welding a hitch onto my truck. I would rather weld stuff than buy metal and bolt it on.

Anyway, I have found several welders. What do you think of this one...http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/979000195.html

91Toyota

Or maybe this one...http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55195

vr6freak

dont skimp on a welder.
get a good name brand. i know from experience the ones from harbor freight are piles. even had a professional welder try to use one and he couldnt lay a nice bead.

desertcox05

i agree get a brand name. miller, lincoln, or even hobart. unless you have access to 440 volt which most don't the miller on craigslist won't work for you. and don't waste you money on a "no gas" unit either. anything over 130 amps should work for most anything on a truck.

91Toyota

Thanks guys. Recommend buying used?

91Toyota

This one?
http://www.hobartwelders.com/product...tickmate205ac/

krazykustomyota

get a miller 180, great little machine.i have one and works great and haven't had any problems with it.

4rnr

miller 175

2themax

Hobart makes a decent MIG machine for the money, I weld pipeline and wouldnt use anything other than a lincoln, That first machine you posted is a pretty big machine and with it being stick, rod can be expense and it takes alittle more gettin used to then a MIG or flux core. If you want to learn how to weld and weld alot (if you can weld you can build alot of sh**) Id spend the money on a good machine (lincoln or miller)

JamesD

Pay the extra money and get a 220v welder and own it for the rest of your life.

Miller, Hobart, Lincoln and ESAB are the ones I would recommend.

James

algranger

dont get teh harbor freight they are about as low down as they get. get a hobart, miller, or lincoln. that arc welder would be suitable if you know how to use it hehe i still wouldnt trust my stick welding to hold up a bird house.
i'm a lincoln fan. one like mine (i think youve seen it in my build thread) would be ok but i would try and go a little bigger at least try for the 220 range the 110 is ok but i have to preheat heavier metals with the torch its a pita. miller is good as well.

AP4CHE

I've got a Hobart handler 140 it's a nice welder. My dad reccomended it for me he's been a welder working industrial for a long time and I work with a lot of welders they say they're good machines.

scottapher

x2 on the hobart...get a gas setup too...

tc

Money unlimited? Miller Passport FTW
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...passport_plus/

I have a Lincoln 180HD and have never had any issues with penetration, but the welds aren't as pretty as the Miller...
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100395926

swapped89

ive always wanted a millermatic 210. My buddy let me use his to do the work on my truck. i love those things. use gas its nice

91Toyota

I know how to weld. And honestly its all pretty simply. I just don't want to spend $2k on a welder. I would, but that would take at least 5 months to save up for and buy. And I am trying to get a new dirtbike. lol. Anyway, that lincoln is pretty nice, looks like its just what I need. Thanks!