Well guys, Im really wanting to get a welder for christmas and the rents have already cleared it.

I know theres already a welder debate...but 800 bucks for one...hmm.
There goes the rest of my presents...
lol...

I have welded before, mainly like 2-1/2 years ago in HS.
Mig and ark and have used a torch all that good stuff.

Now I know i want to get one that will at least penetrate 3/8th's, im thinking thats the biggest im going to ever weld.

Mainly this welder will be for practicing and fabbing up things like sliders and bumpers.

I dont want an ark welder, i love the simplicity of a mig : press the trigger and go.

thus being said, yous people with home machines what would you recommend ??

 

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90051+527842

This was tc's suggestion to someone a while back. Won't work on 110 though...

 

I would HIGHLY recommend getting a 220V welder. The 110V ones draw enough that you probably have to rewire anyways or you'll be blowing breakers all the time.

I have the Lincoln 180HD, and it's pretty nice. Seems to like throwing down a lot of wire though compared to the Millers I have used.

Be sure to check Craigslist and pawn shops - seems there are MIG welders on there all the time.

Oh - and 3/8's is THICK. With my 180A Lincoln, 1/4" is pushing it using non-fluxcore wire with CO2/Argon mix.

 

This is what I use at work. Works great.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...atic_350_350p/

 

Oh yeah, nice jason...

But anyway, i have heard that 220 is the way to go.
i had my numbers off on what thickness i'd be welding, but idk.
Im going to research it enough, although jasons first suggestion sounds like a nice one.
anyone running that one ?

 

I don't think they have the 175 any more - I have the 180HD.

 

I have the Lincoln handy core 110v welder and I have never had a problem with blowing a breaker. It welds nice for a flux core, but I would like to have a 220v with the gas. If you can get the money to get a 220 go for it.

 

first, i'd recommend go to your local community college take a tour of the welding shop, see what they got and talk to the instructors about pro's and con's. the one i'm going now, the smallest machine is 250Amp 1-phase 220v. not even one 110v machine. don't rush to buy a welder, learn the skills and knowhow, make sure you like it, you can buy one anytime. our instructors encourage us bring project to school to work on it and using school equipment for free, we even got extra credit for doing so.

another thing you need to consider is the power source. if currently there isn't a 220 outlet(30amp and up) available, if you are renting, forget it. if your family owns the house, you may need to get a permit for adding a 220v outlet, check with your local code enforcement first.

 

I have several welders for several tasks. If you want just one, get a 220V machine if you have the power source available. If not, nothing wrong with a 110V machine set up on its own circuit breaker.

Based on what you say you want to do, you need at least a 180 style welder hooked up to 220V.

 

I use a Lincoln Weldpak 3200HD, Which is a 135 amp 110v. Its thw hottest one Lincoln offers in 110v. It came with the gas shield kit and I got it new on ebay for $380 after shipping. It works fine on a 15 amp circuit.

I would have like to have a 220v but I like the portability of the 110v unit. My whole SAS was done using it and have never had a problem with any of the welds.

It lays down a good weld as far as I'm concerned. Unless your a professional welder I would start with somethin smaller anyway.

 

^ have the same one as above really like it and easy to use as stated above. Make sure you get one with the option to run a sheilding gas you will kick your self if you do not.

Aslo there customer service is very good.

 

Hobart makes a really nice welder that will handle 3/8":

http://www.hobartwelders.com/product...ed/handler210/

Its under $800 and ITS MADE IN THE US of A. Everyone elses is foreign assembled.

 

hmm, no 220 outlet i can see, and we are renting.
Ill see if I can cut in on a welding class here soon.
Good idea.
So no 220 outlet.
Does that mean im stuck with a 110

 

Sorry I missed the no 220 part. I dont have 220 either - if I did I would have one of those Hobarts. I have a Millermatic 135.

 

hmm, well i guess its narrowed down to a 110, and yes, the ones with the option for a gas shield are the way to go im sure

 

I may be alone on this but for most everything but really delicate stuff give me a stick welder any day.

 

don't sweat the power source stuff. Seriously, if you can do mods on an automobile that travels at highway speed with fabricated parts that you designed and built, you can install a 220 plug for a welder. Hopefully your breaker box is in the garage. open the box turn off the main breaker, knock out one of the punch outs in the bottom of the box drill a hole (shallow just through the drywall run a section of 6/2 cable up to the knock out hole, connect the black and white wires to a 50 amp breaker, and the ground to the ground post in the box. use a single gang remodel box (it has flaps that hold it tight to the drywall no need to nail to a stud. Run the wire through the single gang box wire up your 220 plug in, screw it all together and walla. If your breaker box is not in the garage, just use some more of that 6/2 and make an extension cord with male and female plugs. You can also use 6/3 wire if you need a neutral, but it isn't completely needed ground and neutral are virtually the same thing. Oh and also follow all codes, and don't do anything stupid that will kill or Mame your self. Now that everything is all done and buttoned up turn the main on again and you are ready to plug in your welder, good luck.

 

Do you have a washer/dryer I the house? What type is the dryer (gas or electric)? Electric – make an extension cord. It will not be real cheap but we did one at a house that the dryer was right inside from the garage. (Just another idea.)

 

I'm renting now and what i did was to pigtail the power cord to the A/C unit breakers which is 60A 220V single phase. but i could be sued by the home owner, and if the house caught on fire, the insurance company won't pay a dime, you know the rest. i'd not recommend anybody doing so. i only did that for once then moved my big welder to my work so i can have it plugged in safely. only used the 110 at home before i sold it.

 

hmm, dryer is gas