I am looking at buying a Mig welder... i prefer Lincoln but nuthin other then that or Miller. My question is what kind might i need for welding.... at most... roll cages and motor mounts.. all the usual.

What kind have you guys bought or used that you know will do the job and a price and modle number would be awsome man. My range will prolly be $1500 at the most ... maybe some one is selling one... i live in the Visiala/Fresno area so if one of you guys got one goin near here... within 200 miles away... please let me know.

Thank you for the help.
Red

do a search welders are a popular topic here. Lincoln and Miller seem to be the most popular.

It depends on what kind of features u want.... u can get a digital or u can get the kind of turn dial ones.... my perference is turn dial cause u never know when something digital is gonna mess up...at school we have 2 miller turn dial roll arounds and 1 lincoln digital roll around i think the millers cost around 700 and the licoln was about 1300 i think not for sure on the cost but theyre in that range. i like the millers better.. and another thing if u are gonna welding up roll cages i would say TIG it cause i have had some MIG welds that wasnt to sturdy but i dont thnk i had my heat set high enuff for a good penitration.... the price is all about what u want... u pay for what u get... ;) :D

I would suggest that you visit a local dealer. That's what I did and got a lot of info and comparison between different brands and models. I went with the Miller 135. It has everything that I need for this little hobby of ours. It was priced at $540 plus the tank and cart. Also, you would need to consider the voltage. With the Miller 135, it is 110V. Anything bigger than that you will need a 220v outlet. Good luck

I have been to a few dealers and a couple body shops... but you guys have done exactly what i am goin to be doin so i was jus wantin to see what you used ya know... ima highskool kid and aint got all the moeny yall do.. but thanks for the help... many guys i have talked to are goin with a 110 plug...tho i was told by a few that i need a 220 at least... yea right... but TIG is stainless steel and aluminum welding... the welding i will be doin is all normaly steel no stainless or aluminum.

Thank you for all the help.. you narrowed down my price by about $500.

i wanted the most basic welder and im happy with my $200 wire feed welder that uses flux core wire that i got from ebay.. im also a high school student and i have limited funds.. a real mig would be nice but this works well enougth for me..

Rad, you have to move on up to a "real" MIG, it would blow your mind how much better it is.

Red, we have in our shop about five Millermatic 135's and they really do a great job. We had some problems with the gas regulator that come with the last couple we bought. I was having problems and someone on a forum suggested the regs, sure enough that's what it was. I am SURE they have it fixed by now but I thought I should mention it.

We weld just about everthing with them. But I have to say, I have a Century 205 220volt at home, it is a MUCH better welder. If you have 220 in your shop/garage I would "move on up" to a larger 220 volt welder.

I shopped a long time for mine, couldnt decide or afford it smile.gif but when it was time to purchase I got the low end of the good end stuff. It's the Lincoln SP135 series It was like $389-ish I Love it, enough power and juice for everything Ive done, little stuff and big stuff. Welded in new floors, little tabs here and there, I made my go-kart frame for kicks (no engine yet :D )

I have 2 miller welders. A Millermatic 250X and a Millermatic 135. I love them both. The 250X is a digital, Very nice. It is also 220V. The 135 is nice also but I like the 250 better. I do a lot of fabing and stuff so it is more handier. :rolleyes: The 135 is nice for sheet medal.

Go check out millers site at

www.millerwelds.com (http://www.millerwelds.com)

They have all the specs there for what they can do. Also If you decide to go the miller rought, you could get a hobart. They are made by miller and cost a little less.

www.hobartwelds.com (http://www.hobartwelds.com)

I got my 135 on sale. It was like 479 and I got the cart for free. There was an air show near by and everything was on sale. You might watch for a show of some sort in your area and then check out some of the dealers.

After researching the welders i foudn the Power MIG 255 by Lincoln is about $1500 and the best to go with when it comes to bigger projects... has no problem with anything dealing with a car... i use one daily in my skool... then the sp-175 plus i used a bit more today.. we have a few and i found i can get a very good weld on 1/4in steel(thats cranked all the way up) with that.. i work at home depot and i found we have whats called a Lincoln 2500HD, i think it is, and it can do up to 5/16(but i havnt used it personaly yet) then i am at its peak cuty cycle but i wont be doin much with that kinda metal on a car..

Your insight was very helpful.. thank you... I'll be sure to ask ya'll my next major question.