Okay, Im trying to decide on a welder. I've been looking at the 110v welders and have been wondering which would best serve my purpose. It would be used for light stuff, some body panels, bracket making etc... I have read many of the old threads regarding staying away from no name brands, as well as some of the lesser grade brand name companies out there, so Ive narrowed my ideas down some to the following:
Hobart Handler 135
Lincoln SP135
Lincoln Weld Pack 100
Im looking to spend only about 500.00 so Im wanting to get my monies worth. Also, Im having a 220v recepticle installed soon, and want to know which 220v ones out there that would be affordable as well.

All comments welcomed! Ive always listened to you guys in the past, and so far everything has been right on the money for me, so why stop a good thing now...

I'm no expert welder, but I'll offer this advice: Step up to a 240V welder. At least at my house, I found that I was repeatedly tripping the circuit on the smaller welders. Had to turn the thing down to the point where I was only getting "cold" welds. As far as only purchasing a name brand unit, that's probably good advice. I bought a cheapie and intend to throw it away when it dies. But, I bought it for way less than $500.

I say if you want a good welder that is repairable and that you intend to keep for many many years, save a few more pennies and get a Miller 251. I think they're around a grand and a great multi-purpose welder. You might even look for a used 250.

Check out this site: http://www.cyberweld.com/cyberweld/

If you have the 110 service to handle it the 1 Miller 135 or lincoln 135 is a hell of a little welder. I use one nearly every day at work and it will do a lot for you. Now, I also have a Century 205 220 volt welder at home and there is no comparison, the 220 volt is just a lot smoother welder and is not so effected by contaminants. If you have the bucks the larger/better welder is my choice. Like my brother says, "I have never said, damn, I wish I would have bought the cheaper tool" smile.gif

I know it's a bit on the expensive side, but I absolutely LOVE my Lincoln Square Wave 175 amp TIG welder. I wired up a 200 amp service right from the pole to run it. This thing can basically weld anything. I never seem to run out of projects that aren't even really automotive related.......

Years ago I purchased one of those crap little Mity Mite arc welder stick jobs (or whatever the hell they called it). The best I could ever get that POS to do was stick the damn rod to whatever I tried to weld.

I don't like buying the same tool twice. Plain and simple, you get what you pay for.

Crankshaft

THAT is a good phrase..."...damn, I wish I would have bought the cheaper tool" I have to remember that.

Well, Im getting a 220 circuit run for my compressor, and will be having a recepticle installed, so it would make sense to step up, but right now I dont have a grand to drop, only half. Are there any good ones out there near 500?

I recently replaced my aging Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 with Lincoln SP135+ and that was around $550. Not inc. gas bottle. The 135 does come with the gas kit. I like the more "heat" from the 135 and the duty cycle is much greater than the 100. I will say the "lil" Weld-Pak has served me well for allmost 10 years with no complaints. It never quit me I just retired it for a new one. I also have the 175T the 220v version, and I can say now it doesn't get used nearly as much as before. I realy like the versitility of the 110v. I can move it about the shop where as the 220v machine is pretty much stationary.

I bought a Hobart 175 220volt welder from my local
welding suply shop (Kirk Welding) and I love it so
far. I got the welder, couple of spools of flux core and
mig wire, welding helmet, nozzle dip, anti splatter spray,
and it comes with the gas setup minus the bottle for
575 plus tax. I also got a co2 bottle and a few
other extra's for a total of 680 bucks.(welder and everything)

Just thought of something else, I bought 30 ft of
10 gauge SO Cord from Sutherland's and the cord
ends so I can reach about anywhere around my shop
pretty easy. I also built a cart for my welder and
bottle as one of my "first projects" with this
welder.

I have 2 welders and wish I would have known more befor buying the one.
1.Mac Tools MW175 wirefeed/Tig unit Everything it does it does well. The only dislikes changing over to Tig is a pain & is only DC Tig. You can only Mig alum with it. A little on the small side.
2.Miller SD180 Syncrowave Tig/Stick unit
only dislikes wish I would have stepped up bigger unit and water cooled torch.

I have the Miller 135 110 volt. The upside to a 110 volt machine is that you can take it anywhere! (except outside on a windy day) You can almost always find a 110 volt source if you plan to venture away from your garage to do a little welding on the side. This may not always the case with a 220 powered machine.

If you don't ever plan to leave your shop or garage, then why not go with a 220 volt machine?

I got a great deal on a miller 135/110v welder 2 years ago. 6 of them were set up at a NASCAR booth for display.
We bought 3 of them for 375. each.
This is the best 110v welder I have yet to see.
We have a millersyncrowave 350 at work
A lincoln big ass stick welder.
A miller 220 mig also at work.

I use all 3 regularly fabricating steps, ladders, you name it where I work.
Theres times I bring my 135 into work because theres some repair jobs that I just can't get the others too without a bunch of hassle from dragging tanks, cords,etc....

The 135 will serve almost all your needs at home and on the car until you start doing things like frame work on your car. Sure it'll weld it. But you also need penetration to keep it together.

I thought the 135 would do it all. Yeah I won't ever get rid of it, but I will need a 220 unit to do the bigger things I get into.

Good luck Shopping, Don't forget to surf for them on the NET. theres some really good sites.

RandyB..