Bout time to buy a welder..but i'm clueless

[lowthreeohz]

Been looking on sears.com and pretty much decided I need to add a small mig to the shop. The hobart 140 on the rolling stand caught my eye

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920682000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

but i honestly don't have much of a clue about the small difference between all the models.

I like the idea of a 110/120v setup so I could use it outside the shop. The main purpose for it is welding mild steel for my jet ski trailer and similar projects, nothing super heavy.

That said, what should I get? Why the price gap between hobart/miller/lincoln?

TIA

[turbos66coupe]

Thechnology...I've been looking at a miller 211 it has a multi voltage plug can be used for 115v or230v and most millers are spool gun ready for aluminum. I bought a 140 my first go round from a pawn shop cool at first but I feel like a kindergartner who can't color in the lines. Spend more the first time cause eventually you'll want the bigger welder. Check out the miller forums they have some usefull info there

[turbostang]

Those welders are fine for moderate home use, but don't fall into the idea that you'll be able to use any old extension cord to run it- it will have to be HEAVY and relatively short. Also, keep in mind, that a lot of home 110V circuits won't handle the load - especially if you run an extension cord.

[HenryJ]

I bought the millermatic 135 a couple of yrs. ago and it works great for the sheet metal repairs I've done so far, but if I had to do it over again I would get a 220V machine.

[ELVIS]

kyle, i have a little cheap 110 one you can borrow and see if it will do what you want. lemme know.

god bless.

[lowthreeohz]

Those welders are fine for moderate home use, but don't fall into the idea that you'll be able to use any old extension cord to run it- it will have to be HEAVY and relatively short. Also, keep in mind, that a lot of home 110V circuits won't handle the load - especially if you run an extension cord.

Not wanting to use an extension cord with it, as much as just have the ability to move it around to more than just 1 plug in my garage to do work, not to mention taking it elsewhere when convenient.

I don't plan on making a living or spending hours upon hours out in the shop welding; however I want something that i can spend hours in the shop using without it being a POS.

Elvis i'll let you know, but i just paid off my cc and it's burning a new hole in my wallet. LOL

[ceyko]

First, I've never welded, just read a bit and know people with them. I want one, but am po.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332691_200332691

I know two people with that one that like it and I just bought my Dad one for Christmas and he is loving it.

People also talk very good about the Harbor Freight welder - for the price, it maybe hard to beat.

I know a lot of folks will bash both of these products - but for a casual welder they may fit the bill at a lower cost.

[lowthreeohz]

Thanks for the link, i'll check it out. I do like the price, but also don't want to have to replace this thing anytime soon.

[Falcongunner]

Take a look at this one. http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-1...5a-output.html

20% duty cycle but at 135 amps vs 88 amps for the Northern Tool

$299 3 year warranty

It's the one that I use for floor pans and sheet metal. For larger metal I have a 230amp Miller.

Wayne in FW

[lowthreeohz]

So i assume a higher amp at a certain duty cycle is desirable, right?

[ceyko]

Looks like that one comes with the gas hookup and nice accessories. NT has good CS which is one reason I bought from there as well. If you can verify the same with east wood, seems like you're starting to get some options.

[Grape]

I know its not convenient for home use, but you can really hear, feel and see the difference in the way a 220 machine hits at the first pull vs a 110 machine. Unfortunately with all wire welders, the start is gonna be cold, 220 machines just seem to not be AS cold on the start

[Falcongunner]

So i assume a higher amp at a certain duty cycle is desirable, right?

Usually the higher the duty cycle at a particular amperage the better the quality. Of couse there are other parts to the welder that depend on quality parts but the way the transformer is built and the resultant duty cycle is one of the main things to consider.
If I am not mistaken all of the small welders like HF, Northern, Clarke, Century, Eastwood, lincoln, miller, and hobart are made in China and look somewhat alike.

Wayne in FW

[ceyko]

If I am not mistaken all of the small welders like HF, Northern, Clarke, Century, Eastwood, lincoln, miller, and hobart are made in China and look somewhat alike.

Wayne in FW

I think you're at least somewhat correct. Again, I've only been casually reading about these things for awhile and every damned time I read through the reviews it's basically "this is just an obsolete version of a miller/hobart...etc" I think Hobarts are old Millers or some crap like that and the NT is some version of something else. Now, the HF is just a HF I think.

Either way, it can be confusing trying to figure out what you're actually paying for in the different names and so forth.