Need new welder

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Mopar Tim

Mopar Tim

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Have any advice? around 1100.00 is what I have to spend. More if needed to get something of quality...Thanks...
 
Mopar Tim said:
Have any advice? around 1100.00 is what I have to spend. More if needed to get something of quality...Thanks...
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Somewhat depends on what you are going to be doing with it.
Just sheet metal patches.?
Sheet metal one day and 1/4" plate all day the next?
Or do you just need a stick welder to fix a farmer's manure spreader?
If you are welding aluminum then you need a TIG or a spool gun.
115volt ? 220volt? 115/ 220 combo ?

We are on the Lincoln deal at work.
I use a 180 Dual most every day. I could be welding sheet metal one minute and 1/8" or 1/4" plate the next. Seems to work well.
I have a Miller 175 at home.
Some of the "pros" on the interweb seem to use Everlast. I have never used one so l can not say.
Best l can say is do some homework and / or visit your local welding supply store. ( not Tractor Supply or Home Depot) - - ok to purchase there but you will not get any technical knowledge there.

Saying you need a new welder is like saying you need a new car.
Are you happy with a Pinto. Or would you like a Hellcat?
 
I really like my Miller 211 if you're looking for a good MIG welder. Dual voltage, easy to move around, very easy to use. Easy to find for around 1300 bucks, some shopping may get it for less.
 
I can do most anything I need to with a 175 amp unit.

Over the last 50 years I've owned Miller, Hobart, ESAB and Lincoln. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Right now I have a Lincoln 175 and a Hobart...I like them both.

Stay away from those Tig/mig/stick combos and the Chi-com stuff and you'll be fine.
 
I got a brand new Eastwood 135 with all the accessories except the gun with the wire spool for right at 750 shipped.
Everything but the gas bottle.
The workings look exactly like the Lincoln I had, and I don't have one complaint about it to do what I got it for. (body and steel up to 1/4 inch.)
 
I got a Vulcan 215 from harbour freight... yeah yeah... it had GREAT reviews and saved me a lot of money.. I weld 1/4" all the time, and am currently using it for patching 20 gauge. hasn't wronged me yet!
 
I own a welding shop here in Connecticut last 24 years. $1100.00 can buy you a pretty good machine with inverter technology or a good used machine with copper coil transformer. Stay away from Box Stores and go to a real welding supply store. Box stores cannot answer questions, sell you parts or help you upgrade when the time is right.

But like said above you need to let us know what you want it for.
Small MIG sheet metal welding up to 1/4" all steel.
Small stick for again farm rusty work.
Big stick for steel beams out in the job site.
Big MIG for production steel or aluminum.
TIG for pipe welding or unique metals.

Be more specific as there are plenty of people on this board eager to help you.
Joe
 
Don't laugh...I bought one of these for work since we were in a pinch on a project requiring small stuff. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I6O8ANU/?tag=joeychgo-20 This thing kicks ***. My hardcore welders love it and they have only used big red and big blue for 30 years. It's not an inverter..it has an AC power supply/transfomer and it's heavy...so not very portable and requires 220 1ph. I got one for my home shop and I even have a Ltec 250. I use it almost exclusively now. Wheels around my 3 car shop and reaches every corner with a #10 SJO cord! I can't do that with my 250amp!! No joke.
 
To answer questions, I do all kinds of welding, fabricate Gates, light poles, and yes, sheet metal work. I use a lincoln weld pak 155. Leaves some slag behind. Was just thinking if I went to a new machine it needs to be gas shielding.
 
If i could have purchased everlast here i would have. I wanted a multi-process inverter type mainly due to the size.
I had 2 migs and an arc welder, took up lots of space.

Esab is now made in china too.not much for north american made anymore.
 
Mopar Tim said:
To answer questions, I do all kinds of welding, fabricate Gates, light poles, and yes, sheet metal work. I use a lincoln weld pak 155. Leaves some slag behind. Was just thinking if I went to a new machine it needs to be gas shielding.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the kind of stuff my Brother did with the Lincoln 135 I had before I bought the Eastwood unit.
This is some of his work.
Custom roof vents, gates security doors, custom truss brackets, all kinds of different stuff.

customgate.jpg


entrygates.jpg


brackets.jpg


HPIM0168.JPG


Picture 025.jpg


ventcap.jpg


residencefences.jpg
 
Millermatic 211 here as well. Its simply an awesome all around welder.
If your on a budget, the chineese are cloning the millers now and I hear they are just as good. The parts are interchangeable too.
 
I also have the Miller 211, it makes me look like I know what I am doing lol.
 
I bought an Inverter Lincoln MIG and I do not like the way it starts up. I work with a lot of sheet metal and I like to use the trigger to control my heat especially in a "fill" situation. Makes it difficult with that little delay of wire when you pull the trigger. Always loved the Lincolns with the transformer. My Home Depot says they can order any welder that the welding stores can so that box store thing may be BS. Not real sure cause I never followed through with that. All of that digital stuff takes a little getting used to if your used to dials.
 
I did buy my latest Hobart at my local farm store. But I like dealing with a real welding supply store. They have helped me with parts and service and take trades if you have a bigger, commercial unit.

I bought the last of my three Miller 35's used at a welding supply house... got it for 1/2 of a new one and got a bunch of consumables tossed in on the deal. Bought two new before that.

There's a local used machinery dealer here that also sells welders. Bought a Miller 180 from him about 15 years ago. Miller had a display at a local car show with some great prices. He sold the unit to me with the show special price and got a deal from Miller on his cost. Win-win.

Good luck with whatever you buy.
 
I like the look of those Everlast machines. They are priced reasonably, too.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I like the look of those Everlast machines. They are priced reasonably, too.
Click to expand...

I have an Everlast 250EX. Had it for 8 years now. Probably use it 2x's a year..lol. My buds borrowed it when their shop Lincoln square wave 300 broke down and said it worked great.
 
The Miller 211 had a rebate March-April.
The Miller141 had a rebate from May-June.

There is another round of rebates now on the more expensive machines.
Website doesn't list when they end, but the paper flyers do.

I'm waiting for the 211 to have the rebate again.
 
matthon said:
The Miller 211 had a rebate March-April.
The Miller141 had a rebate from May-June.

There is another round of rebates now on the more expensive machines.
Website doesn't list when they end, but the paper flyers do.

I'm waiting for the 211 to have the rebate again.
Click to expand...
Miller does frequent specials. The best are the "build with blue" specials. Many times it's a reduced price up front, a mail in rebate, and a voucher for accessories. I don't remember exactly what I paid for my 211, but I know it was around $1,100 and had a voucher for $400 in Miller paraphernalia. I have saved thousands on each of my Miller Trailblazers during "build with blue" events.

Also I have found Miller's customer service to be excellent. In the VERY rare instance I need anything, a quick phone call will usually have it in my shop in 24-48hrs... usually for free...and without any nonsense. Yes I own about $80k worth of Miller equipment, but I have never had to pull that card. For all they know on the phone I'm a guy with one Trailblazer that has to get a job done. They are a company that I'm proud to have on my trucks, and don't mind spending a little more to support American workers.
 
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