welder recommendations

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HankRearden

HankRearden

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My mig welder quit working. It was an igbt 250 amp model from longevity back in 2009.
I weld everything from sheet metal to thick C's on Dana 44's and 3/16 aluminum with a spool gun.
A miller or lincoln is not in the budget. Can anyone recommend something like a Harbor Freight or amazon brand
 
I bought an Eastwood MIG about 3 years ago.

Does both 110/220.

I forgot what model it is but the price was good compared to the features it has.

I’ll see if I can figure out what I bought without walking out to the shop.


Edit: here is what I bought.

Eastwood 250 Amp MIG Welder
 
My buddy has a Vulcan from HF and he loves it. Me personally, I'd check the used market for a Miller or Lincoln. I've also heard great things about the Hobart units.
 

I've got a Hobart 190 Mig that came with the aluminum spool gun option. It's 220V only but welds great. The smaller 140 amp unit will run on 120V if needed but I don't think it will run the spool gun. Hobart is owned by Miller and they share consumables as far as I know. I recently ran a Miller 180-something that has an autoset feature and my Hobart beat it hands down for consistancy.
 
HankRearden said:
My mig welder quit working. It was an igbt 250 amp model from longevity back in 2009.
I weld everything from sheet metal to thick C's on Dana 44's and 3/16 aluminum with a spool gun.
A miller or lincoln is not in the budget. Can anyone recommend something like a Harbor Freight or amazon brand
Click to expand...
What’s the budget?
 
gzig5 said:
I've got a Hobart 190 Mig that came with the aluminum spool gun option. It's 220V only but welds great. The smaller 140 amp unit will run on 120V if needed but I don't think it will run the spool gun. Hobart is owned by Miller and they share consumables as far as I know. I recently ran a Miller 180-something that has an autoset feature and my Hobart beat it hands down for consistancy.
Click to expand...


How often do use the spool gun for aluminum? I’ve never used one. I used to TIG aluminum but I’m done doing that.

If I need to weld an intake manifold or cylinder head I’ll use the spool gun. Just not sure I’m going to like the results.
 
Newbomb Turk said:
How often do use the spool gun for aluminum? I’ve never used one. I used to TIG aluminum but I’m done doing that.

If I need to weld an intake manifold or cylinder head I’ll use the spool gun. Just not sure I’m going to like the results.
Click to expand...
Tell the truth, I haven't had the spool gun out of the case yet. All my aluminum welding has been handled by my Primeweld 225 AC/DC TIG. There was a sale several years ago on the Hobart package such that the spoolgun was free, so I figured "why not". I used a spool gun when I was in college working at the USPS bulk mail center. It's fine for adding material or welding thicker plate as long as you can get access with the gun.
 
I have a Hobart Handler 210 dual voltage that I’ve had for many years. It’s a great welder. A buddy of mine recently bought a Yes welder. I’ve gotta say,,, for what he paid for it, it is an amazing machine, it welds at least least as good as my Hobart if not better.. Very impressed with it.

Stay Cool Weld Hot
 
HankRearden said:
My mig welder quit working. It was an igbt 250 amp model from longevity back in 2009.
I weld everything from sheet metal to thick C's on Dana 44's and 3/16 aluminum with a spool gun.
A miller or lincoln is not in the budget. Can anyone recommend something like a Harbor Freight or amazon brand
Click to expand...

I would look into buying one from Everlast. MIG Welders For Sale - MIG Welding Machines - GWAM Welding - Everlast

When I bought a 185 AC/DC TIG from them it was no sales tax, free shipping, and the industry best 5-year warranty.

I've never had any issues with it, and a lot of times you can also get 6-months same as cash.

I love the Miller units I have, but for the money I'll be buying another Everlast should I ever need another welder.

Tom
 
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PROSTOCKTOM said:
I would look into buying one from Everlast. MIG Welders For Sale - MIG Welding Machines - GWAM Welding - Everlast

When I bought a 185 AC?DC TIG from them it was no sales tax, free shipping, and the industry best 5-year warranty.

I've never had any issues with it, and a lot of times you can also get 6-months same as cash.

I love the Miller units I have, but for the money I'll be buying another Everlast should I ever need another welder.

Tom
Click to expand...

we got my daughter this one.. took ity to a friends so he could show us around it. its a nice machine..

Lightning MTS 225 with TIG Package | Everlast Generators

When first MTS with AC/DC TIG series splashed on the market back in late 2016, it sent our competitors scrambling to come up with something to compete. Now as the MIG,AC/DC TIG, and Stick product from Everlast is in it's third generation, many upgrades to performance and programming have been...
www.everlastgenerators.com www.everlastgenerators.com

everlast has some great reviews these days.. i've seen life long miller guys talk about how much faster they can get their everlast machine fixed compared to their millers. i believe if you have a problem and it needs to go for repairs shipping both ways is free too..

i was watching some videos that cj race cars ( CJ Race Cars | Titanium, Aluminum, and Carbon Race Car Parts ) have on you tube and all you see them using is everlast welders.. i asked about that and they replied that they love the everlast welders..

this woman uses everlast and lays down some sweet tig welds with them.. Elizaveta Watson | TIG Welder, Fabricator, Teacher (@i_am_girlwelder) • Instagram photos and videos



.
 
I'm leaning towards Everlast or primeweld.
Mine started working again but I'll have it replaced before I have another big fab proect.
 
abodyjoe said:
we got my daughter this one.. took ity to a friends so he could show us around it. its a nice machine..

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everlast has some great reviews these days.. i've seen life long miller guys talk about how much faster they can get their everlast machine fixed compared to their millers. i believe if you have a problem and it needs to go for repairs shipping both ways is free too..

i was watching some videos that cj race cars ( CJ Race Cars | Titanium, Aluminum, and Carbon Race Car Parts ) have on you tube and all you see them using is everlast welders.. i asked about that and they replied that they love the everlast welders..

this woman uses everlast and lays down some sweet tig welds with them.. Elizaveta Watson | TIG Welder, Fabricator, Teacher (@i_am_girlwelder) • Instagram photos and videos



.
Click to expand...


You can buy a new Everlast for less than Miller wants to repair a unit a lot of the times.

The Miller machines of the old days are definitely not the Miller machines of today.

Tom
 
HankRearden said:
I'm leaning towards Everlast or primeweld.
Mine started working again but I'll have it replaced before I have another big fab project.
Click to expand...

I would buy the Everlast over the Primeweld for the 5-year warranty and all the perks that come from a product that has no sales tax, plus free shipping.

Primeweld only gives you a 3-year warranty.

Tom
 
PROSTOCKTOM said:
I would buy the Everlast over the Primeweld for the 5-year warranty and all the perks that come from a product that has no sales tax, plus free shipping.

Primeweld only gives you a 3-year warranty.

Tom
Click to expand...
I have the Primeweld 225 and like it. But I think the Everlast have a little bit more convenient controls and maybe a little bit more fine-tuning ability than the prime weld. But it’s been a while since I was looking at the specifications.
 
I have a millermatic 185 mig that I bought new in 1997. That's after burning out an astro MIG and a decent sized century mig ( made by Lincoln I believe) both 110 units. The 110 units have gotten better since the 2 that I had.
But at the time with my experience with the first 2 I decided that if I was gonna buy another it was going to be 220 powered or nothing. The machine has been great, no problem in all these years with it. I got the one I did because it was the only one in their lineup at the time that was both 220 powered and advertised spoolgun capabilities. Didn't know that if ever use one but it was nice to know that I could. I still haven't but I finally just got a spoolgun last December when the local rural king closed down and I got it for like 60% off. I've tried to tig twice in my life, and I couldn't keep the tungsten out of the puddle. I can actually weld with a oxyfuel setup pretty decently and have been told that if you can oxyfuel weld you can tig weld. So far nope.
Shortly after I got the 185 they changed the model designation to a "210" and had a promo that included a spoolgun with purchase. I was pissed at people that bought a welder "then" got more for their money than I did but then again I have yet to use one. (Spoolgun). I may have my first opportunity to so coming up later this summer though.
Last week I just sold my Lincoln tombstone welder, since I've had the mig I find myself using that one less and less so it was just taking up space. After selling it I saw many on marketplace with 2.5-3x asking price vs what I wanted for mine. And most were ac only not the AC/DC version like mine was. That tombstone was my 18th birthday present which was 39 years ago.
 
If I had to buy another it would definitely be another miller or a Hobart. Being the same company makes both
 

Cyclone 212i | Everlast Generators

The ruggedly built Cyclone 212i performs like a bigger welder than it really is thanks to the powerful, yet space-saving design that is provided by the modern digital IGBT inverter construction. As both a MIG welder and a Stick welder, the Cyclone 212i takes advantage of every inch of it's new...
www.everlastgenerators.com www.everlastgenerators.com

the thing that bothers me about the ever last Ive been researching is no knobs.

both prime wels Ive been looking at have knobs

primeweld.com

MIG285 285-Amp MIG Welder

The powerful and versatile 285-Amp MIG285 welding machine is capable of MIG, FCAW, Lift TIG, and Stick welding in one portable unit. The MIG285 is well-suited for applications ranging from aluminum and stainless steel fabrication to light industrial use.
primeweld.com primeweld.com

primeweld.com

MIG180 180-Amp MIG Welder With Spool Gun

The MIG180 mig welder includes upgraded Tweco 100 Style torch and American style connection. Order online today from PrimeWeld to get free shipping.
primeweld.com primeweld.com
 
I've been kinda (not real seriously) for a 110v miller or Hobart mig for bodywork, my millermatic 185 is a slight overkill for that kind of work. I gotta see if I can get a drive roll for it that will run 0.023 wire. I have 2 spools of it, I have either 0.030 or 0.035 on it now... Think it's 0.035". 0.023 contact tips are easy
Had a nice looking snap on with spot and stitch features go by on marketplace in the past couple of days, seems like a too good to believe price. I've inquired and have gotten crickets in return. I'm guessing it's not there no more.
I see units in the 140 (model designation) range and everyone wants new price for them.
So I'll just have to take it slow and use my big mig.
 
i have a 110 v matco but the feed cable is getting worn-out had it for 35+ years could but weld sheet metal back in the day welds 023 great
want to get a tig ...my helper and kid want to learn/use
 
Just found a set of drive rolls in feebay for 0.023 for my machine. Have them coming
 
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