Welder Recommendations...

[snrusnak]

My buddy has a TIG and while it's a great piece of equipment, it takes a lot more to set up and run, and it can only be run from one spot in his garage. Most don't like fluxcore but it takes like 5 seconds to hit it with a grinder and looks fine. Maybe it's just because I don't care much how it looks, but I prefer fluxcore over MIG for mild steel. You get much better penetration, and it's so easy. I can literally be welding within 30 seconds from the time I open my garage door.

FYI if you get a 110volt unit, even though it can be run from any 15amp outlet you will not be able to run it on higher settings like this. You will need a good 20amp source for half power and higher. I ran a dedicated line to my garage with a 30amp breaker and a 20amp outlet.

 

[GAXB9R]

No harbor freight for me. The only thing i buy there is stuff you cant f*up like a screw driver or press. Now im leaning more toward the Hobart due to great reviews, virtually nothing negative and a great price. Still cant find a good deal on the miller, but i will keep looking on craigslist.

Is there no concern when buying a used welder? What exactly are you looking dor when picking it out?

 

[d_adams]

Turn it on, check for a burnt electrical smell? Well cared for, ie; does it look new or beat to crap? The one I sold looked brand new, the only wear on it was the cup on the torch body even though it was almost 3 years old. Cables were clean and unmarred, no kinks or anything. The only reasons I sold it was lack of use and the upgraded one does aluminum and the one I sold didn't.

Take it for a test weld, just like looking at a bike. If the owner won't let you do it, at least have them run some beads with it to prove that it works fine. Check all functions of the machine.

This is the one I sold.

 

[Spud]

I have had good results from Hobart, made by Miller with a lower price.

My experience is that I have had lincolns and a campbell-hausfeld flux core but the Hobart Handler 145 I currently have used for the past 7 yrs has gone thru about 40+ lbs of wire and 3 80# tanks of gas without a single issue. I got mine as a display model for 300 bucks at a TSC farm and fleet store when they were changing the model year display.

 

[RamAirZ]

FYI if you get a 110volt unit, even though it can be run from any 15amp outlet you will not be able to run it on higher settings like this.  You will need a good 20amp source for half power and higher.  I ran a dedicated line to my garage with a 30amp breaker and a 20amp outlet.

All the outlets in my garage are on a 20amp, it was setup that way when they built the house. I've welded 1/4 steel for about 4 hours straight and never popped a breaker or the GFI. I like Flux as well, have a 10lb roll in my Lincoln right now, welded the seat bracket back down on the bike yesterday with it (anyone else have a weld break on their bracket btw?) You'll find when you first get your welder.....your going to be looking for stuff to weld because your so excited! BTW don't forget to get a good auto darkening helmet, some nice gloves and if you have an old thick jacket you don't use anymore use that (I have an old black jean jacket, don't use anything soft and flammable) or get yourself a cheap welding jacket. And ALWAYS weld with the door open if your doing it in the garage, some metals can put off some dangerous gases. Basically....be careful. Welding is fun but dangerous if done improperly. I've got bad vision now to prove it (burned my retna's welding with an improper mask when I was young)

 

[snrusnak]

All the outlets in my garage are on a 20amp

That's really weird, they shouldn't be more than 15amp for normal electronics.

 

[RamAirZ]

It's a 20amp breaker in my box :shrug: I have 2 for the garage, one is listed as master bedroom/gar/laun at 15amp which the only thing in the garage on that one is the main light in the garage and the light in the attic. The rest of the garage including all of the outlets are on a 20amp breaker, this includes my garage door opener. All my other lights and plug-ins are ran off this circuit

 

[GAXB9R]

Nice set up D. How much did you give that away for?

 

[iman501]

It's like asking what's the best oil...

so.....what is the best oil???.....

 

[RamAirZ]

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=25

 

[d_adams]

I had it listed for $1200, gave it away for right at 1k I think. It was about $1800 new with the extra pedal.

 

[GAXB9R]

Ok so i have decided to go tig. So much more flexibility over mig from what i have read. I know there is a learning curve, but i'm willing to learn. I have been researching a few different models.

What i would like out of the welder.

1. A good quality machine that will perform for years to come.

2. Preferably a machine that can operate on both 110/230 voltage.

3. A machine where parts are readily accesible if it does need repair.

4. A good warranty never hurt anyone.

So i have found this miller maxstar 150 and wanted some feedback on it.

Miller Maxstar 150

I have also been looking at the Eastwood 200 here which comes with a few other items. I could buy the welder alone for $800 just to give price difference from the package.

Eastwood 200


I know a 2k dollar machine would be a much better option, but just getting into this i don't see it feasible to drop that kind of money just yet . I have also been all over CL, but still no luck. Im in the Atlanta area if anyone wants to help search

Thanks guys.

 

[RamAirZ]

Ive been using that Eastwood for a little bit and so far so good but if you use the 115 adapter that comes with it you might be popping breakers a few times if you have it turned up. I was welding an EGR Cooler and would get about halfway done and have to go reset the breaker until I got my 220 hooked up lol.Eastwood has been pretty good with customer service, the Plasma was having some issues so they sent me out a new one and no problems since.

 

[snrusnak]

You have a plasma Dallas? I see us being good friends in the near future

 

[d_adams]

That Miller maxstar is exactly what I had and sold. Excellent little machine and I wish I hadn't sold it. I found it for a bit less than what I paid for it later. Btw, the one you linked doesn't have the tig torch included.

If you want a do it all welder, this would be my next choice.

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-3882/Miller-Multimatic-200-/Detail

This is the one I had. It ONLY DOES STEEL.

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-2878/MILLER-MAXSTAR-150-STL/Detail

When I win the powerball tonight, I might get something like this though.

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-2779/MILLER-DYNASTY-350-TIG/Detail

 

[RamAirZ]

.....drool.......

 

[GAXB9R]

Dadams when you say only steel. Thats for all forms of steel correct? Im not sure how much aluminum i would be welding, but it would be nice to have the capability.

Im basically stuck betwren the two i mentioned above. Anyone have any other auggestions on machines. All opinions welcome

 

[matter]

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/powermts.php
Take a look at the Everlast Tigs. They are very well respected in the hobby level equipment. Amazon has some good prices on their inverter tigs and they offer some with built in plasma cutters also. Check them out on Youtube also. Not sure how great of a plasma cutter they offer that way, but it would be handy for sheet metal and for stainless.
Also check this forum for even more opinions. http://weldingweb.com/
Of course, most tradesmen don't have much use for Chinese welders so take that into consideration...

Matt

 

[d_adams]

Yes, it should do any type of steel, just not aluminum. Never tried titanium, so thats an unknown for me.

I guess its like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Cheap chinese made stuff that may or may not last, or American made and with a warranty. The syncrowave I have now is 10+ years old and is doing quite nicely. I may pick up a mig welder eventually, it will be either a Miller or Lincoln.

 

[matter]

I agree on the definition of value/cost association completely! But many people, especially those just learning to TIG, an inverter machine would certainly speed up the learning process, as just like MIG, when set up correctly they do a lot of the work for you! This Everlast looks like a decent machine and is well respected, http://www.amazon.com/Everlast-PowerTig-225LX-Welder-Inverter/dp/B0081BEU6K , is AC/DC with pulse so aluminum can be welded also. Inverters don't require hi-freq to weld AC aluminum, so no need to by pure tungsten or even 2% thoriated for steel, rather you can use TC2 or LC2 AC and DC. Also allows for a nicer aluminum weld as the tungsten doesn't require balling and will keep a sharp point like DC.
Personally, I have always had Miller, Lincoln or Lindy machines at home and currently have Miller 250 MIG, two Hypertherm Plasma's and my TIG setup is a Miller AC/DC box with a Hi-Freq box and scratch start. I get by with it but is considerably more difficult to use than an inverter machine or even a squarewave machine. I weld quite a bit at home and wouldn't be afraid of trying on of these from what I have seen. That being said, you can find a Miller inverter like the Inversion series http://store.weldersource.com/p-341...-welder.aspx?gclid=CP2igKX89LMCFUlxQgodDlsAYA for under $2k too if you shop around.
Like I said earlier, it's like asking what's the best oil...

Matt