Time for my very own Mig Welder!

[Sneke_Eyez]

Gonna turn some money I made selling parts into a Mig welder, finally, after wanting one for so long.
It'll finally give me an opportunity to do my own welding work, including, primarily, practicing to get better before I finish the Dart and turn to the Coronet.

Only real requirements I have:
I want a 110, 115, or 120 powered Mig unit. This will be for body repairs to the Coronet and Dart, and I used my buddy's 110 powered Lincoln to do the QP on the Dart and it worked spectacularly. Buying one of these will mean it'll work easily in any one of the 3 shops I have available to me in which to work without having to add a 220 line to each of them.

I want one that will weld Flux Core or with gas.

I've currently got $300 in my pocket from the sale of parts. It isn't that I couldn't spend more, but I'd buy used and in good shape if it meant spending around $300 or so.

Definitely looking for a quality welder that will last, I don't want junk.
I know the Harbor Freight welders must fall into this category, but I can't decide if the Eastwood ones do too.

What say ye, oh wise welders of FABO? What do you have and like?

 

[snakeyes]

I`d stay away from HF welders,if you can maybe wait till you could have a little more money ,check out summit , and some of the others ,check around for used ones, also it might be worth a little longer wait.

 

[Sneke_Eyez]

Oh yeah, no HF welders for me, like I said, I classify those in the "junk" category.

 

[YY1]

Look on craigs list (or searchtempest) every day. Maybe even twice a day.

I looked for almost two months, and all the good ones for good prices were gone in less than 3 days.

I did end up getting a smokin deal on a Hobart 140 with bottle and most of a spool, and the gages for the bottle were still in the box unused.

I paid $260, and couldn't be happier.

Act fast, though I called about a hour after the guy listed it and went to get it the same day.

My brother got a Farm Hand (Campbell Hausfeld) 110 at a pawn shop for $200, and he's happy with it.

 

[hunt2elk]

I would stay away from the Harbor Freight models also. I really like my Millermatic 140, but the Lincoln and Hobart 140's get very good rewiews to.

 

[Sneke_Eyez]

Look on craigs list (or searchtempest) every day. Maybe even twice a day.

I looked for almost two months, and all the good ones for good prices were gone in less than 3 days.

I did end up getting a smokin deal on a Hobart 140 with bottle and most of a spool, and the gages for the bottle were still in the box unused.

I paid $260, and couldn't be happier.

Act fast, though I called about a hour after the guy listed it and went to get it the same day.

My brother got a Farm Hand (Campbell Hausfeld) 110 at a pawn shop for $200, and he's happy with it.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just decided it was time to buy one today, so I've only just started cruising CL, but I will be doing so until I find something I am happy with.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations/opinions/options!

Does anyone have any experience with the Eastwood MIG 135?

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

Just curious as a friend suggested it to me and said he has heard good things.
Its also very affordable, which is always a plus...

 

[QTR MILE]

I would cut to the chase a buy a real name brand, quality and with a huge reputation for doing a great job and lasting. Save a couple buck's more and purchase a Miller Mig Welder 140 110 V. The Best IMO. Good Luck, Joe

 

[wannadrag]

Pretty sure those Eastwood welders as well as the Century,Snapon,Craftsman are made by Lincoln.Hobart 140 is a good welder,real similar to the Miller 140 and made by Miller.

 

[99ss]

Thanks for the suggestion. I just decided it was time to buy one today, so I've only just started cruising CL, but I will be doing so until I find something I am happy with.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations/opinions/options!

Does anyone have any experience with the Eastwood MIG 135?

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

Just curious as a friend suggested it to me and said he has heard good things.
Its also very affordable, which is always a plus...

I have one.. havent used it yet, getting ready to this week.
I dont see a need to drop 1000 to weld sheet metal... you dont lay a constant bead due to heat anyway so I dont see a real need for an expensive welder

 

[Donny]

Get name-brand stuff, I have a 240v Lincoln Power Mig 200, I've had it 10 yrs, paid $1,100.00 for it brand new, and it's given me NO problems.

 

[Sneke_Eyez]

Considering the Northern Tool Mig135 currently:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332691_200332691

Theres another forum to which I belong where they're very big tool guys and several of them are just raving about it. Its designed exactly like a Lincoln 225 and seems to have treated many of them very well. Its also extremely affordable.

I'm still looking around on CL to see what I can find for used prices. If I were to find a good deal on a good condition Lincoln/Miller/Hobart I'd jump.

 

[roadrunnerman]

i'm looking at a hobart 140 myself and will get it when i get home. the price i am paying for mine is a little over $500 with the tax.Comes with the lines,guages,and a spool of flex-core wire,which i'll have to get the solid core wire.good luck on getting the one you want.

 

[Propwash]

IMO.....Never...Ever....Ever......go cheapo with a welder. It's one of those things that you truely get what you pay for. Like mentioned, Miller, Hobart, Lincoln or even a Esab would be the way to go. I have yet to see a northern tool, harbor freight, Eastwood or other off brand/chinese welder in any welding/fab shop, body shop, mill, plant, shipyard, pipeline, windtowers or out in the field and for very good reason. Do yourself a favor and stick with what these guys are saying, spend a few extra bucks and stick with a name brand.

 

[pturner]

Mig Welder

I have been welding for 45 years, and agree with the others. if you only have $300, then spend it somewhere else not on a $300 welder, you will never be satisfied. Also no use for flux cored wire. it might be ok on a farm for quickie repairs, but no where else.
Go for a name brand, Miller, Hobart, Esab and you will never go wrong. i have a Miller 180 mig (220 volt) that is about 15 years old, and a Miller Dial-Arc HF (high frequency, tig, and stick) 25 years old. No major trouble with either welder.
If you plan on continuing with welding work spend the money.
Look around as i see a lot of used equipment that is showing up due to many companies out of business.
Maybe this is not what you want to hear, but hope this helps.
PT in tennessee
one owner, numbers correct, 68 Roadrunner

 

[NHCharger]

I'll join the chorus, don't go cheap, you'll be sorry, I was. My current welder is a Hobart 140, love it. I bought it on line from Sears, $582.00 delivered to my door.

 

[wannadrag]

Check Northern Tool.Hobart 140 to your door for around $500.

 

[Cranky]

What's bad about the off brand made in China junk is when it (and it will) breaks down and you need a part to fix it. I've seen it happen more times than I care to think about. May as well throw it away and start again. I've also been welding since 69 (not saying I'm good at it) and there's no way I'll ever buy the cheap ****. I've had my MillerMatic 200 since 85 and it was used when I got it and it's still kicking just fine and I can weld damn near anything I want from body work to heavy duty trailers. I have since bought a Miller 250 TIG Runner and rarely use the MIG anymore and sold the old Lincoln 225 cracker box that I've had since 71.

 

[Sneke_Eyez]

I appreciate the insights. I have some more money coming in from a few other things and I think I'll wait until then to make a purchase so that I can buy something better. Until then, I'll keep the suggestions you guys have made in mind.

 

[99ss]

Just used the Eastwood mig 135 120v welder.. works flawless... the person doing the welding sucked but the welder works great for what it was intended for. How much welding are you actually going to do? Ar yo going into business as a welder? Are you a certified welder? The argument about it being made in China and breaking and finding parts is bunk.. Its a popular item produced but an American company and you don't thin parts are available for it? They are as common as a cat or a dog and cheap.

I looked at Miller welders... probably the best on the market but how much welding am I going to do and what caliber of metal? There was no way to justify the cost for welding sheet metal on a car that once its done the welder isn't needed.

pro welders who use their equipment all the time need the best. Someone restoring a car for a hobby in their garage does no need the same .. simple as that.

Don't waste your money on a tool your going to use for a couple times and then let sit for ever. Buy what it takes to do the job and don't go for overkill or your just wasting money. If I was going to weld for a living I would but a 220v Miller.. but thats not the case and so the Eastwood mig 135 is plenty enough welder for me and 90% of the hobbyists .... people with more work load need more welder

 

[64Belvedere]

I understood that the Eastwood welder was made by Miller. The Hobart 140 is the same as my Miller 145.