Anyone own a welder?

[Uranus]

I have to do some welding on my trailer fender and reinforce the bottom side of my cage. I'm thinking of buying a small welder and doing it myself. I have some experience welding but it is very limited. I'm wondering if anyone owns a small welder and how they like it? Any good models I should be looking for over others?

[smcunningham]

LINCOLN WELDERS good company overall well est

[nmez21]

I've got a small MIG welder. Millermatic 180. Never had a problem with it yet after 2 years. I'd recommend it, although I don't have a ton of experience with any other welders yet. Might want to check on www.weldingweb.com and I'm sure you'll get a ton of responses.

[LLandscaping]

I would get a Mig welder that works off of a 120v plug. Unless you are going to put it were a 220v plug is available. I have a Lincoln that I think I paid $500 for that works good for my use.

[sildoc]

Lincoln mig less than 500 top 10 best purchases for the last 6 years. fixes just about any thing. fabs up stuff quick and easy.

[Uranus]

Lincoln mig less than 500 top 10 best purchases for the last 6 years. fixes just about any thing. fabs up stuff quick and easy.

Do you or anyone else know a model number of the licolns?

[K c m]

LINCOLN WELDERS good company overall well est

a little something about Lincoln electric. From an economics research project. These piecework factory works make upwards of 125k a year. WORKING IN A FACTORY!!!!!!!!! they are matched by none!

[LawnTamer]

I have a weld-pack 100, wish I had the 135 but on the whole I am very happy with my purchase, welding started as a need for fixing stuff and quickly became a hobby. As long as you get a wire-feed welder that can be up-graded to mig- you'll be fine.

[Grits]

I have a Lincoln Pro Mig 175. I love it. But it is 220. My friend has a Lincoln that runs off 120 and it will weld anything you need it to. We welded 1/4" plate the other day with his. I say go with the biggest one that runs on 120. I forget his model number but it was something like HD3000 or something like that. I know it had HD in it. I would also get a bottle of gas for it. It is easier for me to use gas as shielding rather than the flux core.

[adamc44]

ive got a lincoln 135 with gas, it does everything ill ever need to do.

[sildoc]

ive got a lincoln 135 with gas, it does everything ill ever need to do.

Bingo. The best 120 you can get. I think with the work we do it is more than adequate.

[General Landscaping]

Hobart handler 125 w/MIG.... one of my best purchases.

Get a good 120V model from a major manufacturer (Miller, Lincoln, etc)
Get a model with MIG capabilities and a Hood with the big lens.

It will pay for itself many times over.


For heavy work; I'll stick with my stick welder though.

[Uranus]

Hobart handler 125 w/MIG.... one of my best purchases.

Get a good 120V model from a major manufacturer (Miller, Lincoln, etc)
Get a model with MIG capabilities and a Hood with the big lens.

It will pay for itself many times over.


For heavy work; I'll stick with my stick welder though.

I just found the Hobart 125 on my other window as you responded. $390. +tax at sears. Maybe but I'll keep looking. Price is nice, its on the low side of my price range but it is in the running. thank you

[txgrassguy]

Check the Lincoln web site for factory re-mans.
Much cheaper and they do carry the same warranty.
I own a cheapie chinko 230volt 30amp wire welder that works okay for me.
The reason I don't get rid of it is because it is the perfect throw in the truck to weld a customer's fence welder. Or to loan out or to experiment with.
I have checked into either a Lincoln or a Hobart but my attorney advised me to not purchase anything else of value for my business until after my divorce is finalized.
As a side note, I can tell you that cheap welder throws a big current. I was sitting on a trailer frame welding stringers to re-inforce the floor. I put the trigger down to chip a bead and one of my workers unplugged the extension chord to the welder. I stood up to yell out of the enclosed trailer to plug the damned chord back in. I sat down, moved the chipper and idly squeezed the trigger forgeting the grounding clamp was attached to where I was sitting. Yep, got a good shot in the nads on that one.
I ain't doing that no more:hammerhead:

[LindblomRJ]

I have a Hobart Handler 135. Does both flux core and gas. Good welder. The replacement was the Handler 140

[Cooter]

The best bank for the buck is going to be the Hobart Handler 140. Very good welder, almost identical to a Miller, and cheaper. Good warrenty also. Dont even mess with flux cored wire, go with a gas shielded wire and you will be much happier. With that size welder it is best to run .023 or .024 with .030 as a max.

[RICHIE K]

We have an arc welder in our shop and use it all the time I bought it from harbor frieght tools its not the best one out there but it does what I want it to do. Sh!t it saves me a lot of money doing it myself:cool2:

[General Landscaping]

Check these guys out... cyberweld.com/ (http://www.cyberweld.com/)
You can get the Hobart 140 for $500 and no shipping or tax.
For $380, you can get a 125, but the cost of the MIG kit will bring you up closer to the price for the 140.


If you plan on doing multipass welds or if you want things to look nice, go MIG.

Don't forget, you still need a bottle of gas before you start.

[JRS Landscaping]

Millermatic 180 best purchase i made fixes everything

[hollywoodjoe]

Got a century 80,probably the cheapest home depot model available.Wire feed gasless 120v weighs 10 lbs max and it takes care of my needs as a gardener.Great for welding small gates and fences and small repairs.Got it for 50 bucks off a guy who used 2x.

[firecapt13]

lincoln pro mig 135. I will be getting gas soon. The best thing that has helped me weld etter is an auto darkening shield from northern tool for 49.95. I rebuilt a 16' trailer and built basket and weedeater racks.