I am looking for a welder for my garage. I need it for bodywork and light steel “1/4 inch”. Does anyone have suggestions on the small 150-170 AMP units that Sears sells (115 or 240 Volt Craftsman and Century) or the Lincoln mig pacs that Eastwood sells? My experience has been with the larger millermatics and such, but I have been out of the industry for about 10 years and now want a welder for the garage. Any experience or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Loren


[This message has been edited by LBuechler (edited 12-23-2000).]

I like the small Lincoln. I have the weld pack 100 which can be used as a flux core or mig machine. I always advise people to get a name brand(Licoln, Miller, Hobart) because of parts availability. Some of the off brand welders don't have a good stable wire feed and voltage control.
The weld pack 100 is selling for around $320 at Lowes in my area and the mig conversion kit for it is less than $100. You will also have to buy/lease a gas cylinder for the mig setup.
I have used my Lincoln as a flux core wire welder for several years now and it works great. Less experienced welders will like the mig set up best.
I have welded sheet metal and also welded a car trailer with mine so it is as versatile as your skills will allow.
Just my humble opinion.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
another shot of Ol Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint2.jpg)

I have the Millermatic 130 and I love it. About $700. If your used to using the larger ones you will really appreciate the quality on the 130. I run an argon C02 mix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LBuechler:
I am looking for a welder for my garage. I need it for bodywork and light steel “1/4 inch”. Does anyone have suggestions on the small 150-170 AMP units that Sears sells (115 or 240 Volt Craftsman and Century) or the Lincoln mig pacs that Eastwood sells? My experience has been with the larger millermatics and such, but I have been out of the industry for about 10 years and now want a welder for the garage. Any experience or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Loren


[This message has been edited by LBuechler (edited 12-23-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Im getting the Hobart.its 130 amp,110v,and about $479,comes with gas setup or you can use flux core.anybody have this one?

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70 chevelle,400cid turbo400.blue with silver stripes.http://members.spree.com/entertainment/ochrisl/

I have the Horbart 135, very nice unit. Check http://www.brwelder.com for some great prices.



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Adam Buckingham 13 yrs old
Jim Buckingham
72 Chevelle in Pieces

I have the Hobart 135. They are now made by Miller. Best buy for the quality you get.

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

Wow, thanks for the responses.
Here is what I have found on the web.
Lincoln weldpac 155 $488 - Home Depot
Hobart handler 175 $499 -free ship Cyberweld.com, w/gas regulator
Millermatic Challenger 172 $599 Free shipping cyberweld.com, /without gas regulator this is additional $65
I am a little leery of the 115 volt units, for fear of not getting penetration welding the thicker stuff, but love the idea of plugging in anywhere. I have always had good luck with the larger Millers, and Airco for bodywork. At this point still unsure but leaning toward the miller from past experience.

Merry Christmas to all, http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Loren

PS-Merry Christmas to me... when I get the welder http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The biggest of the 115 volt units will do anything needed on a car.

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

I have a Lincoln Weldpac 100 for about 4 years nd it has done a remarable job I use gas with it and I am very pleased.

Loren, I bought the Hobart here (http://www.welders-direct.com/). It was actually shipped direct from the factory. Harbor Freight has them on sale for $419 every once in a while but you'll wind up paying extra for shipping or tax.

I like both of these:
http://www.daytonamig.com/
http://www.htpweld.com/
I have a Daytona pocket Mig and love it.
Try their (Daytona)refurbished area for bargains.

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Make it the way you like it, forget what the other guys say!
http://homepages.studentcenter.org/64elcamino/HOME.html

And while your looking, pick up a welding instruction book. It'll help a bunch and make your work smoother and stronger. RandyB

You know you keep hearing Lincoln and Miller, but I am telling you HTP makes a better unit. I looked at all and their stuff is great. I have an HTP 140 and would not trade it for a fleet of Lincolns. Just one man's humble opinion.

This is great advice. I have gone to everyone of the above links and found good stuff. I have a muff guy that has a tig for sale at a good price. What is the difference between mig and tig. I can gas weld pretty good and have had limited arc experience. I tested a wire welder once and did ok so I think I can pick up wire welding with practice.

For most work you will be better off with the wire welder. Tig welding is different in that you hold a non consumable electrode in one hand and filler metal in the other, similar to gas welding, but instead of a torch you have the electrode. You have to learn how to manipulate both the rod and the electrode, a wire welder on the other hand is just pulling the trigger and welding. Tig does have advantages for welding some alloys however.

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BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!!


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
another shot of Ol Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint2.jpg)

I have owned a Century 110v MIG welder for about 5 or 6 years now. It is of very good quality and comes with a Tweco torch. This unit is rated @ 105 amps and will weld up to 1/8" safely...but no more. They now offer a 130 amp model in addition to many other sizes.

I bought this welder after finding out that Century made several welders for Snap-On. I bought mine at a local Tractor Supply for about $500 including gas kit.

I recently purchased a Lincoln Squarewave 175 Pro TIG welder which is of excellent quality also. TIG is going to take much, much longer to master than MIG welding. Most people can pick up MIG welding in just a few minutes of practicing....not much to it really other than figuring out where to set your wire speed and amperage settings.

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
11.16@125.8mph
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net

[This message has been edited by Todd Geisler (edited 12-30-2000).]