Need advice on choosing a mig welder

[Lets Roll]

I'll probably get bashed, but I have a 240v Harbor Freight Mig 170 at home. The stinger is cheap and the clamp but I have used it through many 80lb 75/25 gas cyl. for over 2yrs and can put down welds just as good as the expensive Millers I use at work.

 

[drobertson]

Long time friend of mine works at the local welding supply. He has worked in the industrial tool industry his entire life. When he speaks about mig welders I listen. His words "if money doesn't matter miller products all the way." "If you have a budget the hobarts at tractor supply can't be beat." I have "access" to the use of a miller 252 and a 165? 110 unit. No complains. I'm about to purchase my own. It will be a Hobart. His advise was to check the Build date on the box. Part do to the fact that Hobart goes from the build date for the warranty not the purchase date. If it needs any warranty work.

Another good thing to remember, is that hobart welders are manufactured by miller.

 

[Cranky]

Weeeeel....this subject comes up from time to time and imo, the better the machine, the better the welds. That said, I traded a murdercycle for a Millermatic 200 in the mid 80's and still have it. I wanted a machine that could also so heavy duty work and yet get down where sheet metal could also be welded. I have no regrets what that machine. My last Lincoln 100 110v mig sucked and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Later on I bought a Miller 250 Scynrowave DX TIG machine and that SOB gave up the ghost on the TIG side but the stick side absolutely put my Lincoln 225 cracker box to shame to the point that I sold the 225 as soon as possible. Never knew that stick welding could be so smooth and I even did sheet metal work with the 225! Not sure how the newer more modern machines do but I'm pretty happy with the Millermatic. The DX sucks in my book because of the electronic card needs replacing and them dang things ain't cheap....

 

[Bobo]

Trying to decide what mig welder to purchase for my 70 Roadrunner project. Looks like I'll be doing mostly sheet metal work. However I do need to replace part of my rear frame rails due to rust. Right now I'm leaning towards the Hobart 140 since I don't have 240 out in the garage. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[451Mopar]

My point was talk to those who deal with this every day. Back in the 1980's my Father and Uncle owned a welding supply store and gas plant. They would make deals on welding equipment to get new customers knowing they will need the consumables of gases, electrodes, wire, abrasives, protective gear, accessories, and repair / maintenance.
Also, the known brand name equipment has better resale value than the cheap no-name equipment.
many of these places also rent equipment, and sell used equipment.

 

[BobJ]

I had a HF 180 Mig and the plastic drive base broke and it was the best thing that happened for my welding. When this happened I stepped up and bought a Millermatic 215. It will stick weld and Mig plus it will DC lift Tig. I know it will not do Aluminum or stainless steal but I don't do Tig so maybe I will learn. Oh it's 38 LBS and will take two bottles one for Mig and one for Tig. Do your self a favor and buy a good machine even if you have too buy one used. Your welding will be better for it.

 

[451Mopar]

Just a heads up, Miller is having their "Build with Blue" rebates sale till Sep 30th. There is two parts to the sale.
1 - you need to buy a "select" miller product to get the initial rebate. All the welders that qualify are more expensive than you are looking at, but the "Digital Infinity" welding helmet qualifies and has a $60 rebate.
Then part 2 kicks in, where if you but additional Miller or Hobart products, you get an additional rebate upto an additional $200 rebate if buying $500 in products.
I think the Welding Supplies by IOC said, buy the helmet, and any miller or Hobart welder (the additional $500) and you get the $60+$200 rebates?

https://www.millerwelds.com/build-with-blue-rebate

The helmet from IOC is $255 ($60 rebate), sign up for their news letter and get $15 off next purchase.
The MillerMatic 141 mig welder is $799 ($200 rebate)

Not a bad deal for some nice welding equipment.

 

[6PKRTSE]

I have a Miller 135 (110V) that I bought used over 25 years ago for $75.00 that was missing the hand held trigger & bottle gages. I bought everything that it was missing & have been using it flawlessly every since. Over the years I also got a Miller 250 for free that needed work. I put about $280.00 into it & use it for the heavier jobs like frame work or on trailers etc.

 

[BobJ]

I got the rebate when I bought my welder from a local welding supply store in town. And they threw in a few items and gave me discounts on others for buying a machine from them. All said and done that was another $100 off plus the rebate. Plus they are a good choice for information and class to help with your new machine. Hey they teach you how to weld better then they can sell you more consumables.