anyone with welding experience...

[daveintoledo]

what is the best type of welder to learn on, for a small shop environment, only have 110 hookups now,

mostly for deck repairs and such....arc, wire fed ... what is your opinion please.....

of couse i dont have alot to spend either..


Thanks

[madmower]

a small wire feed mig welder is all you will need and easy to learn to use i have arc (180a) and mig (195a) BUT THE ARC NEVER GETS USED NOW DAYS UNLESS IT IS THICK STEEL TO WELD

[ffemt1271]

i have both, a lincoln weld-pak 100 wire welder and a lincoln 220v crackerbox.

i use the wire welder 90% of the time, however if it needs more than 1 pass or is thick iron, i use the stick welder.

[Ironic]

a good 110 mig is all you'd need for 99% of repairs.
a setup with shielding gas is better, but I like to have a flux core wire on hand as well, for welding outdoors where it might be breezy.

[Restrorob]

Agree with the others, Mig for smaller/thinner material and stick for thicker heavier duty material. It's really easy to tie up quite a bit in welding equipment to cover any repair but I would be lost without mine.

[GravelyNut]

Agree with the others, Mig for smaller/thinner material and stick for thicker heavier duty material. It's really easy to tie up quite a bit in welding equipment to cover any repair but I would be lost without mine.

Same here. DC stick welder generator, old Sears AC buzzbox (don't laugh, it still works after 35 years ) and a Hobart/Miller 140 A MIG welder. Each has its place, but I have welded as thin as 20 ga with a stick.

[DiyDave]

For ease of welding and strength, go for a mig welder with shielding gas, welds cleaner and stronger than a buzzbox, and easier than shield core mig. Buy a higher quality unit from hobart, century or lincoln, and you won't be disappointed. Just remember not to weld in the wind, it blows the shield gas away!:usflag:

[DUSTYCEDAR]

buy a miller mig

[DiyDave]

Whoops, forgot, Miller is good, too, matter of fact, mine's a Miller, must be the crs kicking in!

[crawford_d]

Go to a pawn shop and look for a 110 or better 220v welder, wire feed is best. Sometimes you can get really good deal with less money but have to take a chance. Depends on your ability to take a chance.

[tomo]

hi
as with everyyhing buy the best u can afford
cheaper mig are not typically serviced well eg the torch and lead are not serviced seperately and can only be purchased from the maker . Cheaper migs can be throw away due to this . The wire feed mechaanics are very poor on cheap units also .
Buy a quality brand but not the base model as they are generally built to a price .
A 195--220 amp model with internal wire feed is good from a commercial grade brand name that is widely available thru the specialist welding stores

As u would expect quality units r not available at the hardware store

Second hand units [commercial ] are generally worn out

Miller
lincoln electric

tomo:waving:

[man of stihl]

i have a 110 lincoln mig and a miller bobcat 250 diesel.

i stick weld everything. i never use the mig.

a small mig would be your best bet tho. just get the machine set right and away you go. stick is a lot more involved than that.

alot of the smaller machines run innershield flux core. it penetrates better than solid wire, runs hotter, and no gas to mess with. nice and portable.

[jeffex]

I got a little wire fed lincoln welder for Christmas 2 yrs ago and it has save much time and money on small repairs to my equipment. I can upgrade to the gas kit but the bottle will set you back some for the gas. I have saved well over the $300 cost of the thing just repairing my wrought iron deck furniture! the best tool to go with it for the rookie welder is a good grinder !!!

[GravelyNut]

Whoops, forgot, Miller is good, too, matter of fact, mine's a Miller, must be the crs kicking in!
My MIG is a combo from the factory. Miller gun and Hobart unit. Doesn't matter much though as they are both the same company.:)

[KeystoneLawn&Landscaping]

Like others have said, you get what you pay for. That being said, I have a wire fed from "Harbor Junk" and it has more than paid for itself.