Good Mig Welder?

Tony Conti

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Does anyone have a suggestion for a good but not too expensive mig welder? I wont have to use it all the time but I do need one.... so any suggestions?
 

teeje

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Does anyone have a suggestion for a good but not too expensive mig welder? I wont have to use it all the time but I do need one.... so any suggestions?
Depends on what you plan on welding. I weld every day so me personally I like to use a gas setup using argon. I don't like using gasless mig welders and using the flux core wire because the welds just don't look as good. You'll need to give a price range because this can affect it by a lot. You can get a decent welder that you can do stick on as well as MIG.

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Flusher

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X2 on the gas!

Also, what voltage and amperage electrical do you have available?
 

Midlife Crises

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No question the gas shielded units will produce better welds. I have more experience with stick and Tig welding and am happy with a Miller Econo Tig in my garage at home.
 

AHaze

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I bought a used Miller 130xp. It's a 110V unit so I won't be building bridges with it but it's got enough juice to do anything I'll run into in my garage. The drive system is solid and even though it's now 20 years old, replacement parts are still available.
Whatever amperage you decide you need, I suggest skipping over hobby grade stuff with a plastic drive assembly.
 

Flusher

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I think these are good entry-level machines with good versatility for home use, but will have good durability and be easy to find parts for.

https://m.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K4498-1(LincolnElectric)

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-141-mig-welder-m00486

I would buy a small bottle, based on your usage, from a welding supply that doesn't have an issue exchanging the bottle when you let it go out of expiration. Most welding shops don't refill bottles too frequently (unless they are out of your size) and just swap them out. Some will not accept bottles that are out of certification at all. Believe me that it is possible that years go by between projects and your bottles are out of certification before you know it.
 

Tony Conti

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Depends on what you plan on welding. I weld every day so me personally I like to use a gas setup using argon. I don't like using gasless mig welders and using the flux core wire because the welds just don't look as good. You'll need to give a price range because this can affect it by a lot. You can get a decent welder that you can do stick on as well as MIG.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Looking to spend between 500 to 700, I know Ill be fixing some exhaust work and I need to put some hangers on my axleback. Nothing like roll cages, I've done that but won't need to at home.

Also I fucking hate stick welding!
 

Tony Conti

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X2 on the gas!

Also, what voltage and amperage electrical do you have available?

I have a 220 outlet, other than that just regular outlets. But my best friend is a commercial electrician so whatever I need to get put in he can do.
 
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Tony Conti

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I think these are good entry-level machines with good versatility for home use, but will have good durability and be easy to find parts for.

https://m.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K4498-1(LincolnElectric)

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-141-mig-welder-m00486

I would buy a small bottle, based on your usage, from a welding supply that doesn't have an issue exchanging the bottle when you let it go out of expiration. Most welding shops don't refill bottles too frequently (unless they are out of your size) and just swap them out. Some will not accept bottles that are out of certification at all. Believe me that it is possible that years go by between projects and your bottles are out of certification before you know it.

That lincoln looks like what I'll need, I could cough up the extra 100 for that. I've primarily used lincoln welders since I started welding so I am familiar with them. I've just never owned one cause I always had access to a mig till recently.
 
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Racer47

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Listen to Flusher. He's exactly right. My high school buddy is a professional welder, certified in many specific areas like underwater. He gave me the exact same advice as Flusher said. Stick with Miller or Lincoln.

A $500 welder will be disposable. I did the exact same thing when I was 25, bought a cheap welder. It broke, couldn't get parts and I threw it away. Its more expensive than the 141, but if you can find the money for a Miller 211, you will never buy another welder for your entire life. And if you really don't want it anymore, you'll be able to sell it and get 1/2 to 3/4 of your money back.
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipme...tions-title=millermatic-211-mig-welder-907614

But if that is too expensive, get the 141. You will not be disappointed.
 

Tony Conti

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Listen to Flusher. He's exactly right. My high school buddy is a professional welder, certified in many specific areas like underwater. He gave me the exact same advice as Flusher said. Stick with Miller or Lincoln.

A $500 welder will be disposable. I did the exact same thing when I was 25, bought a cheap welder. It broke, couldn't get parts and I threw it away. Its more expensive than the 141, but if you can find the money for a Miller 211, you will never buy another welder for your entire life. And if you really don't want it anymore, you'll be able to sell it and get 1/2 to 3/4 of your money back.
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipme...tions-title=millermatic-211-mig-welder-907614

But if that is too expensive, get the 141. You will not be disappointed.

I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for so if I need to fork up some extra money I will.
 

Mike Mckay

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I have a 220v Lincoln 180 Mig Pac and love it. I use both gas and flux core mig wire. I like the flux core as I can get into tighter places with the smaller tip, that the gas nozzle allows. Gas leaves a cleaner weld. The flux core also allows you to weld in an area where you have more breeze, or air movement, which will disrupt the gas shielding. I've never had an issue with weld strength from either. Also have a Lincoln Sq Wave Tig machine which is go for fancy stuff, and occasional stick welds. I agree with the guys above, stick with Lincoln or Miller equipment.
 

Flusher

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OP,

If you want to kick it up a knotch, I would say definitely go for the 220 volt machine IF you think you will always have a 220VAC outlet where you will need it. It totally blows when you don't have power and can't use your machine.

Even with the 110VAC units, you can weld anything you would do at home, it just comes down to technique.

As Racer47 stated, you can resell it. In fact, i searched a little on OfferUp. For example, the first machine shop I worked in had a Lincoln SP100. The owner bought that for ~$600 and people are still asking about that. That was a great machine for the price. I burned on it for >8hrs per day for over two years and it still worked great ten years later.

If I was going to do just car stuff, I would seriously consider a TIG. Anything you make will be way more bitchen with a TIG. The Miller EconoTIG that Midlife Crisis has is another good (old) machine. If you do step up to a TIG, make sure that you get one with AC capability, so you can weld aluminum. You can always add a wire feed to a TIG.

Stick welding has no place on a car!

Flux core is tractor mechanic $#!+.
 

Flusher

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I have a 220v Lincoln 180 Mig Pac and love it. I use both gas and flux core mig wire. I like the flux core as I can get into tighter places with the smaller tip, that the gas nozzle allows. Gas leaves a cleaner weld. The flux core also allows you to weld in an area where you have more breeze, or air movement, which will disrupt the gas shielding. I've never had an issue with weld strength from either. Also have a Lincoln Sq Wave Tig machine which is go for fancy stuff, and occasional stick welds. I agree with the guys above, stick with Lincoln or Miller equipment.

Which Square Wave do you have?
 

tjm73

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Timely topic. I just sold my F150 this past weekend and a welder has been on my "wants" list for years. I got some extra cash and I'm looking on the local used market. Found a guy in town selling a Lincoln 180c. My barn has a 230 plug from the previous owner and in faded sharpie it says "welder" above it. It's a sign...LOL

And a friend of mine gave me his older Snap-On plasma cutter. Needs refurb, but works. Gonna buy the parts to rehab it.
 

Juice

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Looking to spend between 500 to 700, I know Ill be fixing some exhaust work and I need to put some hangers on my axleback. Nothing like roll cages, I've done that but won't need to at home.

Also I fucking hate stick welding!
I have a Lincoln 135 from Home Depot I think.
110v 20% duty cycle. Will do both gas or just shielded wire, and can do aluminum too the manual says. It was just under 500 about 10 years ago. It says NASCAR on it! lolol
 

Flusher

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I have a 220v Lincoln 180 Mig Pac and love it. I use both gas and flux core mig wire. I like the flux core as I can get into tighter places with the smaller tip, that the gas nozzle allows. Gas leaves a cleaner weld. The flux core also allows you to weld in an area where you have more breeze, or air movement, which will disrupt the gas shielding. I've never had an issue with weld strength from either. Also have a Lincoln Sq Wave Tig machine which is go for fancy stuff, and occasional stick welds. I agree with the guys above, stick with Lincoln or Miller equipment.

You had me reflecting back and laughing, when I built my Jeep in the carport. Every time I went to strike an arc, a breeze would come up, just enough to blow the argon away. Of course, every time I pick up the grinder, the air would go dead still.
 

teeje

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Looking to spend between 500 to 700, I know Ill be fixing some exhaust work and I need to put some hangers on my axleback. Nothing like roll cages, I've done that but won't need to at home.

Also I fucking hate stick welding!
Lol stick welding has its purposes. I mig and stick every day almost..tig..not so much. These other guys have recommended some good budget welders. Hell, you could do fine with a standard 120 hobart

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Norm Peterson

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OP,

If you want to kick it up a knotch, I would say definitely go for the 220 volt machine
This ^^^ . . . worth it even if you have to add a 220 line for it.

I remember it being a no-brainer to pick a 220-v Lincoln 155 over the 120-v 135 unit when I was shopping for a MIG. Course, I already had a 50A 220 outlet already in place (I'd put that in when I got a stick welder some years earlier).


Norm
 

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