[dmg1029]

Would this work for home/garage use?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=54878

 

[matt60j]

Its best to stay away from flux core welding and to use .023 wire with shielding gas if at all possible because of the weld quality. -MATT

 

[dmg1029]

matt,
thank you. do you have a suggestion for garage use??

 

[FlameOut]

I know this one is quite a bit more $ than the one you were looking at, but it's the one I have and works great, but if I were to do it over, I'd now get a 220v welder

 

[dpvoiceguy]

Ditto on Bill's reasoning. I just bought this one, also just north of $500:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler140/

I should get it later this week...can't wait for my new toy!! :hurray:

 

[BULKSS]

If it were me I woud stick with Milller,Lincoln or Hobart. As already said I agree with using the shielded gas. David you may want to call a few local welding supply houses . Most of the ones around here will let you try a few different models out. I have a Licoln 220 unit that was purchased many years ago from home depot. Only down side to the 220 is if I have to use it at a friends house.

 

[dmg1029]

Thanks. I have 220 ready to go if needed. Just looking right now.

 

[rcrchsr16]

I tried to use a Harbor Freight welder- after 2 of them returned i bought a lincoln mig and couldn't be happier! I'd stay away from those Harbor Freight welders.

 

[Lou Merrell]

When/if I ever get one it will be this:

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/

The shown price is nowhere near what a gas supply store will charge for that machine.

 

[ToocoolZ28]

David, I have a lincoln 135 that welds great, I even used it on your car. I used to have a Century flux core welder that worked great, I used it for 15 years and loved it. Any of the major brands will be good. Just make sure you can get parts for whichever brand you choose, You WILL need parts.
Ron

 

[dmg1029]

thanks Ron. How ya been? Ricky doing OK too? missed CB this year. Next year will make it. Car's doing well. Driving it a lot. It likes to be driven.

 

[rubadub]

When/if I ever get one it will be this:

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/

The shown price is nowhere near what a gas supply store will charge for that machine.

They are as good as you can get, we worked on cars and pickups for extra cash, started with a miller side kick probably twenty years ago, it never broke down, just because there a 110, don't think they aren't the real deal.

Why drag a 220 extension cord around, I mentioned a while back my neighbor had about 24 in his body shop tech class, all they trained on was the miller 110.

Rob

 

[Dave]

I got a MillerMatic 135. Awesome welder for sheetmetal. Whatever You buy, make sure it has infinite heat control.

 

[dpvoiceguy]

When/if I ever get one it will be this:

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/

The shown price is nowhere near what a gas supply store will charge for that machine.

That's the same machine as the Hobart Handler 140 I'm getting. Miller bought Hobart a few years back and it's the same machine inside. That $ looks high...if you can find anyone to help you out it ought to come in around $500 without the bottle.

 

[figbash]

I would save up for a name brand like Lincoln, Miller or Hobart. The Harbor Freight special has a tempting price but it will weld like an $89 Chinese welder and if (when) it breaks you might as well throw it away because parts and service will be unavailable. Go with a gas shielded 110V model and you won't be disappointed. It will weld anything from sheet metal to frames on a car and will be portable as well. My Lincoln 135 serves me very well.

Tom

 

[30-A rider]

I got my Lincoln 3200 Weld pack which is a 115 V mig for a mere $150 from Home Depot as a reconditioned item. Normally was over $500. Maybe check your local H Depot and Lowes etc for deals like this.

 

[66sc]

If you don't mind used, go to your local craigslist.org. On the left is a yellow search thing where you can enter welder or mig and search all for sale.

Also google mig welder to find an online store such as weldermart.com or weldingdepot.com for example. I bought mine online but don't recall where...

 

[Realdealoo8]

I also would look for something used on craigslist as said before. Dont buy any junk welder as all you will have is problems you can never fix

 

[dmg1029]

I wound up with this. What do you think?

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e7354.pdf

 

[dpvoiceguy]

Certainly a nice machine. Most here were recommending something that ran on normal house current, but if you've got 220 to power it then you've got yourself a machine that you'll probably never outgrow. Good choice!