Previous Thread | Next Thread |
Print Thread
Hop To
| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
Next Up - A MIG Welder #931737211/07/14 | |
E EdM Campfire 'Bwana | |
OP EdM Campfire 'Bwana E Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 33,981 Likes: 30 | Still working on what I want in retirement. This would weld sub-frames in a car or two or ...., fence posts and whatever I decide I want to play with around the house, patio tables, etc. I welded some in college and did an exhaust system some years later with a MIG machine and all was fine. Clearly I will have a learning curve that is zero problem as I will have a similar curve to learn being retired. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-... Conduct is the best proof of character. |
My garage is set up with 220 in four locations so that is not an issue. I just don't see me needing 220 V machine. My consideration below. Thoughts?| GB1 |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder EdM#931737711/07/14 | |
RDW Campfire Outfitter | |
RDW Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 8,923 | I would not recommend a 110v machine unless most of your work will be on 3/16" or thinner steel, 220v in the range o 175-210 is a sweet machine for a home workshop warrior, plenty of capacity and still portable. If you need to weld in the field, a stick is nice to have in reserve...no need to limit yourself to one welder. Started with a Millermatic 135, bought a Stickmate AC/DC, sold the Miller and bought a Lincoln 175T. If the Lincoln craps out I would look for a 200A MIG. The Hobart 190 is an additional 150.00 and twice the machine in my opinion. I bought a 75 ft (cut to 50') 10ga extension cord and installed 220v plugs on both ends to use the dryer plug in the house at my old place. I installed 220v in my new garage but the extension cord is quite useful. Dave |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder RDW#931739311/07/14 | |
S Spotshooter Campfire Ranger | |
Spotshooter Campfire Ranger S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 16,974 Likes: 2 | Spot stuff and mobility make a 110 nice, but if you want to do heavier stuff, and use the thing for longer periods then 220 is the way to go. I have a Lincoln 180 myself (220 volt) Last edited by Spotshooter; 11/07/14. Spot shooter |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder EdM#931771111/07/14 | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 53,303 | Miller 211 Best machine in this higher price range,....and I HAVE run them all. The power and duty cycle of a 220 V machine, with the versatility of a 110,......for doing a tack at the end of a 100' extension cord, if needs be. WAY better gun and drive than any pictured, though the Hobart Handler's a pretty fine little unit, in that respect. buy your machine from a welding SUPPLIER, ...not some big box store,...downline you'll get better support. Don't get sucked in to all sortsa' fancy gas "Blends",....run straight CO2 and save a buck,but DO buy premium S6 wire. DO run a wire wiper and use lots of wire lube / cleaner. GTC Last edited by crossfireoops; 11/07/14. Member, Clan of the Border Rats |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder crossfireoops#931773711/07/14 | |
high_country_ Campfire Outfitter | |
high_country_ Campfire Outfitter Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,222 Likes: 4 | I'd second co2 just for its penetration properties. The miller is sweet and the Hobart is a bargain. Originally Posted by BrentD I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon. |
| IC B2 |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder high_country_#931774411/07/14 | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 53,303 | Were I buying anything LESS than the 211, I'd shop Craigslist or Flea Market used venues,....there are a TON of the big box store grade machines turning up CHEAP, these days. Bigger $$ up front for the power of blue,...BUT the SOB WILL hold it's value, and ALWAYS be good trading stock. GTC Member, Clan of the Border Rats |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder crossfireoops#931780111/07/14 | |
duxndogs Campfire Regular | |
duxndogs Campfire Regular Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 549 | I've owned a few and run quite a few, the Millermatic 211 is my favorite and the one that's in my shop. Can't say enough good about it. Straight C02 works fine for the vast majority of what I mess with but sometimes I want a better looking weld and the 80/20 argon-C02 provides that. Argon also has a slimmer penetration profile which can be beneficial for fillet and butt welds. C02 has deeper penetration which I like on thicker metal. I once visited a place where BBQ was a verb, Canadian whiskey was the norm and no sweet tea on the menu. Hell on earth for a Southern boy!! |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder duxndogs#931785911/07/14 | |
elwood Campfire Regular | |
elwood Campfire Regular Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,415 | I have a Hobart 140 Handler that covers most things I do. Also have a Lincoln stick for heavier stuff. I like the portability of the Hobart. These two make a good pair for my needs around the farm. |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder duxndogs#931786511/07/14 | |
Higginez Campfire Ranger | |
Higginez Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,507 Likes: 20 | Miller 135 here. It's done a hell of a lot through the years. 211 is pretty nice too Screw you! I'm voting for Trump again! Ecc 10:2 |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder duxndogs#931788011/07/14 | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna | |
crossfireoops Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 53,303 | Originally Posted by duxndogs I've owned a few and run quite a few, the Millermatic 211 is my favorite and the one that's in my shop. Can't say enough good about it. Straight C02 works fine for the vast majority of what I mess with but sometimes I want a better looking weld and the 80/20 argon-C02 provides that. Argon also has a slimmer penetration profile which can be beneficial for fillet and butt welds. C02 has deeper penetration which I like on thicker metal. No denying the arc density and cosmetics with 80-20. I run a LOT of Argon through my Dynasty DX 400, and occasionally some "Tri-Mix." Just haven't been able to justify adding it to my in house MIG processes. When doing a "parameter development" gig, it's ALWAYS fun to play with the mixes,....it's just a question of economy and local prices, I guess. All that said, I gotta' head over to the local weld supplier and dump some more hard earned back into consumables. Have a fine mornin', Ya'll ! GTC Member, Clan of the Border Rats |
| IC B3 |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder crossfireoops#931789111/07/14 | |
SandBilly Campfire Ranger | |
SandBilly Campfire Ranger Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 18,125 | Hobart 230 Ironman here, love it. Miller bought Hobart some years back. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder EdM#931796711/07/14 | |
B blynyrd Campfire Member | |
blynyrd Campfire Member B Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 169 | While the 110v machines can get you by, some even nicely, I'd recommend against it. Always buy the most machine your budget will allow. "Dang this is just too much machine", said no welder, ever. Who knows if one day you're going to want to weld up something you hadn't planned on. Miller 211 is a great machine for the hobbyist. Also if you're not constrained by time keep an eye out for auctions, sometimes good deals can be found. I snagged a Powcon 300SM with a Powerdrive 2 wire feeder and cart for $550.00 a few years ago. That's a very high quality brand that even many pros have never heard of so prices aren't crazy. But I digress. Key point to all this, get the most you can afford in a proven brand. -Brian- |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder crossfireoops#931797211/07/14 | |
2 284LUVR Campfire Ranger | |
284LUVR Campfire Ranger 2 Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 16,917 Likes: 1 | The 211 was heavy on my list a while back till my neighbor bought a http:/ He's been gracious enough to let me use it when needed which saved me $$$$$. FWIW I like running 75/25 for most applications but each shop is different. Darn nice guy. Stay away from the 110 volt toys from the big box stores and buy from a dealer for knowledgeable service and to help the independent businessman. Originally Posted by crossfireoops Miller 211 Best machine in this higher price range,....and I HAVE run them all. The power and duty cycle of a 220 V machine, with the versatility of a 110,......for doing a tack at the end of a 100' extension cord, if needs be. WAY better gun and drive than any pictured, though the Hobart Handler's a pretty fine little unit, in that respect. buy your machine from a welding SUPPLIER, ...not some big box store,...downline you'll get better support. Don't get sucked in to all sortsa' fancy gas "Blends",....run straight CO2 and save a buck,but DO buy premium S6 wire. DO run a wire wiper and use lots of wire lube / cleaner. GTC |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder EdM#931797711/07/14 | |
Klikitarik Campfire Ranger | |
Klikitarik Campfire Ranger Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 17,491 | I've had a Lincoln SP 130T for about 20 years which looks to be similar to the 140 HD, the later seeming more versatile from a power source standpoint. (The 130 is a 220 volt source machine.) I've also used their 120 volt SP 125 and it isn't even close to the 220 volt 130T. Keep in mind that you can run flux core wire in any of the machines mentioned and get more penetration than what plain wire and gas gives you. The 120 volt machines - like the 140 - will run up to .035" wire, while 220 volt machines can also run .045" self-shielded wire (flux core). You can weld 5/16" to 3/8" when you get into wire that heavy. The 140 won't run it however. And, while I have never run the 140, I know .035" self-shielded wire is quite capable of covering the lighter welding one might find on many small projects. None of that is to say there aren't better machines out there. Some Home Depots may rent welders which might be a way to find out if that 140 is worth owning. Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'. |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder blynyrd#931798711/07/14 | |
T tndrbstr Campfire Outfitter | |
tndrbstr Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 8,333 Likes: 11 | Originally Posted by blynyrd Miller 211 is a great machine for the hobbyist. ^^^^^ |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder crossfireoops#931805611/07/14 | |
458 Lott Campfire Ranger | |
458 Lott Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 21,317 | Originally Posted by crossfireoops Miller 211 Best machine in this higher price range,....and I HAVE run them all. The power and duty cycle of a 220 V machine, with the versatility of a 110,......for doing a tack at the end of a 100' extension cord, if needs be. WAY better gun and drive than any pictured, though the Hobart Handler's a pretty fine little unit, in that respect. buy your machine from a welding SUPPLIER, ...not some big box store,...downline you'll get better support. Don't get sucked in to all sortsa' fancy gas "Blends",....run straight CO2 and save a buck,but DO buy premium S6 wire. DO run a wire wiper and use lots of wire lube / cleaner. GTC Listen to Cross! I've had a millermatic 130 for over 20 years, awesome machine and it does a beautiful job on 1/8" and thinner steel, especially running 0.020 wire and 75/25 gas. That said, you'd be surprised how often you want to weld 1/4" steel, or maybe aluminum. And that's where the 110 VAC units just don't have the juice to do the job properly. Only thing worse than not having a welder is having an undersized welder. |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder 458 Lott#931809011/07/14 | |
L Lorin Campfire Regular | |
Lorin Campfire Regular L Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 578 | I dont pretend to be much more than a "hobbyist" welder at all. That said, I picked up a Lincoln 140 from the welding store. Was about $100 more than Home depot, but had metal gears, not plastic. I more than came out ahead, as he gave me a small bottle, a free pair of ANY welding gloves in the store ($35 if I recall), and a handful of extra tips for the gun. They continue to get my business to this day (4-5 years later). THAT doesnt come with, at the HD store. My positive sample of one. |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder Lorin#931880311/07/14 | |
ironbender Campfire Oracle | |
 ironbender Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 86,485 Likes: 48 | Watching this thread. Thinking a "metal hot glue gun" would be handy. If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. American by birth; Alaskan by choice. |
Re: Next Up - A MIG Welder ironbender#931889111/07/14 | |
458 Lott Campfire Ranger | |
458 Lott Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 21,317 | Careful, ironbender sounds much better than ironstickertogetherer. Unless you got your name the same way your kid did driving a truck |
| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
Moderated by RickBin
Link Copied to Clipboard
| AX24 |
| 586 members (10gaugemag, 222ND, 1Longbow, 219DW, 1936M71, 160user, 61 invisible),13,868guests, and 926robots. |
Key:Admin,Global Mod,Mod |
| June | ||||||
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | ||||||
| Forum Statistics |
Forums81 Topics1,197,486 Posts18,589,658 Members74,119 |
Most Online21,066 |
