Mig Welder Selection Opinions Needed

[Satellite72]

I was hoping to get an opinion or two or some help selecting a mig welder. I'm thinking that next month I'm going to purchase a new or used mig welder to start working on patch panels for the Satellite. The only things I can see myself welding on at home would be body panels and other light weight stuff for play and repair. For a fairly beginner welder, would I be happy with a Lincoln Handy Mig 110 welder? It comes in a kit with the gas regulator and tips for mig welding. I guess I just want something practical that I'm not limited to service with. Let me know if you think it would be a good choice or should I go a little bigger. I also am keeping an eye on local classifieds since you can occasionally get a good deal.... I just BARELY missed out on a three year old Lincoln 140 w/ cart for $150 yesterday. Crap!

 

[hunt2elk]

I just finished my first panel welding job with my new Millermatic 140. I was very glad I paid a little more to get the infinate voltage and wire speed adjustment feature on this model. It worked very well. Lincoln and Hobart have comparable models also.

 

[moperformance]

Personally I wouldn't get anything smaller them a 160-180 Amp/220 volt range. You can always turn it down and go to a smaller wire size. Look at the duty cycle (amount of welding time) at the different heat settings to get feel for what the machine can do. If you buy a 220 amp machine you'll never have to upgrade cause your already there ;D

 

[moparpoor]

Personally I wouldn't get anything smaller them a 160-180 Amp/220 volt range. You can always turn it down and go to a smaller wire size. Look at the duty cycle (amount of welding time) at the different heat settings to get feel for what the machine can do. If you buy a 220 amp machine you'll never have to upgrade cause your already there ;D

I completely agree.I own a HTP welderMig160 inverter type welder.I use it on everything I mig weld.Weld razor blade ends together all the way up 1/8 single pass with no v notch with full penetration.I have used it for about 12years daily with no problems.For about $900 you will have a welder for a lifetime.Don't cut yourself short do it right the first time its cheaper.

 

[Propwash]

I run a Millermatic 140 just like hunt2elk. Great unit and will do pretty much anything you need it to do automotive. I think the auto-set feature is kind of a joke (don't use it anyway), but with infinate settings it's pretty forgiving and easy to dial in.
I also run a Miller 165 Diversion TIG welder, which is a great unit, but isn't necessary for body work...Pretty welds though, lot less clean up. I wouldn't recommend it if you're just starting to get into welding.

My old wire feed Lincoln was a good unit right up to the point I donated it to the local high school..No complaint's.

 

[MoparMikey]

Lincolns are good. The problem with that handy mig is it only does flux wire, too dirty for auto work. You need the Lincoln 140HD or the 180 HD, both use gas, which is what you want to use. The 140 is 120V whiule the 180 is 220V. Home Depot sells them for $524 and $669. There is an Ebay listing for the 140 at $519 free shipping, if it's out of state you'll also avoid sale tax

My mistake, that handy mig does do both gas and flux. I would still recommend the 140 if you have to go 120V but the 180 if 220V is not a problem

 

[Cranky]

Get the larger machine if you are anything like me. Once I saw the potential to do other projects, I was in hog welder heaven and the small machines just don't cut it for larger projects. Also, the larger machines are abused less in most cases because they don't have to be cranked up to the max to do a medium job. Had one of them little 110 volt machines and I didn't keep it long. I ended up with an ancient MillerMatic 200 and later on bought a Miller TigRunner 250.....now I want one with more bells and whistles

 

[YY1]

I'm very happy with my Hobart 140.
First I've ever owned and hadn't welded since high school.
My Brother has a farm Hand (tractor Supply) 110 or 120 and does good with it.

If you're gonna weld 1/4 a lot, maybe something bigger.

I agree- skip the flux, unless it comes in it and just to practice 2 or 3 times.
get the gas and it's easier and cleaner, plus you can see the puddle.

Around here the good deals on CL don't last a week, if even a day.
I called about mine an hour after it was posted and drove to get it that day.

I had previously missed three that went in less than 3 days each.

 

[dave5237]

Hello. I have a millermatic 220v vintage machine. Love this machine ( cuts down low to do thin metal ). It does it all. I have to agree with the guys. Spend a little more coin and do it right the first time. Hope this helps.

 

[detmatt1]

I went with a brand new Miller 140, like Propwash and I love it. Someday I might go with a bigger machine when I have a bigger place but I will likely keep the 140 for bodywork, Great machine!

 

[Bones Jackson]

I bought a Lincoln 140 from Lowes a few years back and I love it. For what I do its perfect. I dont build frames or weld anything real heavy so I didnt have a need for a bigger welder. Use gas though, flux core wire made a mess.

 

[Satellite72]

Thanks for the input fellas. Some very good points and I appreciate it. Yeah, I think I'm going to pass up the 110 and go the extra mile for a little bit bigger machine. Having the adjustable dials does seem to be the way to go from my what my brother and brother-in-law both said too (both welders by trade)

 

[Cranky]

If you're gonna weld 1/4 a lot, maybe something bigger.

I agree- skip the flux, unless it comes in it and just to practice 2 or 3 times.
get the gas and it's easier and cleaner, plus you can see the puddle

I very seldom weld 1/4" but my larger machine came in very handy when I built a trailer and several A frames. Yeah, I do some welding for others too but the larger machine are more versatile and usually do a better job even with the smaller materials and like already mentioned, have a much better duty cycle.

I went with a brand new Miller 140, like Propwash and I love it. Someday I might go with a bigger machine when I have a bigger place but I will likely keep the 140 for bodywork, Great machine!

At one time I had 4 machines. I sold my smallest one, a portable Lincoln 100 MIG after I saw how worthless it was and then my 225 cracker box went after buying a Miller TIGRunner. After getting the TIG machine, I haven't touched my Miller 200 MIG! I'm thinking about selling it now and just having one machine cause there's no reason to have more than one machine.

Thanks for the input fellas. Some very good points and I appreciate it. Yeah, I think I'm going to pass up the 110 and go the extra mile for a little bit bigger machine. Having the adjustable dials does seem to be the way to go from my what my brother and brother-in-law both said too (both welders by trade)

Good deal! I think you'll be happy with your decision. Welding machines have come a long way and have many improvements in just the last few years. Even the small machines are better than they were a few years ago but I think you'll be much better off skipping the bottom of the entry level machines all together.

 

[1moreproject]

I also have a Miller 140 although I’ve never used it for body work. I actually find the Autoset feature handy when working on projects with varying material thicknesses. I suspect the Lincoln and Hobart models would produce just as good of weld but Miller seems to be a cut above in terms of quality of construction. Whatever you do, I would keep some money in the budget for a good quality autodarkening hood. Speedglas and Miller both have decent hoods for under $200

 

[MoparBill]

Lots of good advice given here! I am a sheet metal worker by trade, and we have a bunch of portable mig welders- Hobart, Lincoln, and Miller. I have used them all quite a bit and think they all do a nice job if you set them up properly. Buy the largest output machine you can afford and the more time you spend using it the better you will get. If you need to use an extension cord, use the shortest, heaviest cord you have. Good luck!!

 

[Propwash]

Whatever you do, I would keep some money in the budget for a good quality autodarkening hood. Speedglas and Miller both have decent hoods for under $200

Very good advice.........You can have the cream of the crop welder, but if you're fighting with a subpar helmet, you might as well have bought your welder from a late night infomercial for $19.95 + S/H

 

[brandon64]

for a smaller type welder I've had good luck with lincoln. I've spent some time on a hobart handler and it sucked. I've got a big 3 phase hobart and a small lincoln. I'm very happy with both of them. I have also spent some time on a miller matic and it worked great as well.

 

['69Net]

I have a Lincoln 180..........upgraded from a CIG 130 2 years ago......best investment made in a long time.