What's the best pick for my first welder?

[knote72]

Like the title says, I'm new to welding and gonna need to get A LOT of practice in before I do any autobody work, so I'll be looking for a welder soon. I did a little research, and got the impression that:

• MIG and TIG are the most widely used, but TIG is supposed to be more difficult
• MIG boils down to gas and gasless(flux-core wire) systems
• Gas MIG is the go-to for doing sheet metal and autobody, and flux-core just burns right thru or warps the metal
• Flux core works better in outdoors or windy environments, on jobs that don't involve thin metal

The problem with the gas systems is they're so spendy. Does anybody know of a decent gas MIG that isn't gonna cost me more than my car?

 

[Streetsboro Rick]

I myself have done numerous sheet metal repairs with a flux core machine with no issue I use 030 wire

 

[knote72]

I myself have done numerous sheet metal repairs with a flux core machine with no issue I use 030 wire

What's the difficulty of flux vs gas? Remember that I don't have any prior welding experience to draw from

 

[Streetsboro Rick]

Flux is a little dirty more clean up afterwards what ever machine you buy practice practice practice my machine is a Lincoln SP 100 I bought used and I use it for everything

 

[knote72]

Flux is a little dirty more clean up afterwards what ever machine you buy practice practice practice my machine is a Lincoln SP 100 I bought used and I use it for everything

Cleanup isn't a concern for me, I just don't wanna go a route that I ultimately can't use for my means. As far as autobody or sheet metal, I've heard more cons than pros, and wasn't sure whether that was honest reviews or just naysayers.

I did get a Harbor Freight cheapy 125a flux to try out, was hoping to see for myself since it seems like the flux machines burst onto the scene, but right out the gate the tip wont come off and the feed mechanism is a dud so it goes back tomorrow.

 

[jimjimjimmy]

go buy a name brand welder like Miller if you plan on using it for years to come you get what you pay for forget about flux core get a bottle of shielding gas like metal match and set yourself up for success there's no future in cheap flux core welders period .

 

[Plymouth 65]

My recommendation would be to buy a brand name machine regardless of type. If you're a beginner buy the best welder you can afford for your application. 65'

 

[knote72]

My recommendation would be to buy a brand name machine regardless of type. If you're a beginner buy the best welder you can afford for your application. 65'

I found this guy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFNZ74/?tag=fabo03-20 I can't see getting a full $800+ setup, a bit outta my price range yet. Plus being able to use it on a standard 110/120 outlet is priceless

 

[Tooljunkie]

Find a used one. A working used one.
Leave the flux core welder in the shelf.
The shielding gas is expensive,use it wisely. Like turning off gas when you are done. Always check the
New bottle for leaks at regulator. Will save you in gas.

 

[toolmanmike]

I found this guy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFNZ74/?tag=fabo03-20 I can't see getting a full $800+ setup, a bit outta my price range yet. Plus being able to use it on a standard 110/120 outlet is priceless

Nice little welder. Good for sheet metal only. Only 70 amps. Some 110 volt units have 140 amp output with a light duty cycle. I agree with the others. Save up and buy a quality brand name that you can get consumables and parts for. Miller, Lincoln, Hobart are all good names.

 

[toplscuda]

For a beginner the better machine you have the easier it is going to be to learn. You want something with infinite speed and voltage gcontrol so you can get it dialed in. Starting off with a machine that has only a couple of taps to select your range will make it difficult to determine if you really are that bad or if it is a machine.
Eastwood has a decent one for a affordable beginner price.
Eastwood MIG 135 110v MIG Welder - Eastwood

 

[67Dart273]

BUY A GAS setup and you can yank the liner and use flux core wire if you want. For certain get a supported brand name, one that A LOCAL WELDING SUPPLY supports

Buy one big enough you can do welding on stuff like beefing your LCA, welding perches on axles, etc. This means a 240V, 180A class machine. Many guys have bought the newer "dual voltage" 120/240V machines. I can see those would be VERY handy

My first machine was a Lincoln "weldpack" 120V machine with gas. I later bought a larger 240V 180A. Use them both. Sometimes the little one is just "handier"

You an save a lot on gas for practice and general work. I use straight CO2. It's really cheap (it's a liquid) and lasts a long time.

 

[Sublime Swinger]

ESAB Rebel EM 215ic MIG Welder 0558102436

Nice machine for a decent price and a $200 rebate

 

[pauly]

Eastwood 135

 

[gzig5]

It would be a lot easier to make a recommendation if you provide a max spend budget. Buying a gas cylinder is not free and the fill-ups cost money each time too, but gas shielded has a lot of positives. I hate flux core, it works but is dirty and lots of splatter cleanup. Definitely not as controllable as gas shielded MIG. Doesn't sound like you need TIG. I recently got a Hobart 190 MIG with the aluminum spool gun. For the car repair I'm doing, I would have been better off with the less expensive 140 model, but I had the budget and the setup I have will do about anything I can think of. Hobart is a good value, has a good warranty, and takes Miller consumables.

 

[knote72]

It would be a lot easier to make a recommendation if you provide a max spend budget. Buying a gas cylinder is not free and the fill-ups cost money each time too, but gas shielded has a lot of positives. I hate flux core, it works but is dirty and lots of splatter cleanup. Definitely not as controllable as gas shielded MIG. Doesn't sound like you need TIG. I recently got a Hobart 190 MIG with the aluminum spool gun. For the car repair I'm doing, I would have been better off with the less expensive 140 model, but I had the budget and the setup I have will do about anything I can think of. Hobart is a good value, has a good warranty, and takes Miller consumables.

I'm kinda putting the budget for the welder itself around $600, because yeah like you said tanks and fill ups cost too. Someone linked one "on sale" at over $1000, and for sure that one is off the list. Also it has to be 120V, no 240 hookups here

 

[pauly]

I paid $300 for this from Eastwood. Cart was like $50 from Harbor Freight. My bottle was about $50 plus the fill.

 

[pauly]

I paid $300 for this from Eastwood. Cart was like $50 from Harbor Freight. My bottle was about $50 plus the fill.

 

[knote72]

Liking this eastwood 135, decent price and high reviews. Only conflict I can see is someone told me to go with a "name brand" welder

 

[pauly]

Liking this eastwood 135, decent price and high reviews. Only conflict I can see is someone told me to go with a "name brand" welder

I bought mine because my cousin works for a welding company. In talking to him, I found out his company used to sell these Eastwood units. He’s a helluva welder and said for the money, they are hard to beat, price wise. I bought it mostly for sheet metal on my Duster, but have welded heavier gauge too. If it gets real crazy, my dad has a stick arc welder and I have a friend with a high amp mig/tig welder

 

[knote72]

I bought mine because my cousin works for a welding company. In talking to him, I found out his company used to sell these Eastwood units. He’s a helluva welder and said for the money, they are hard to beat, price wise. I bought it mostly for sheet metal on my Duster, but have welded heavier gauge too. If it gets real crazy, my dad has a stick arc welder and I have a friend with a high amp mig/tig welder

Yeah I know a few people with arc units, but mostly along the lines of fixing horsr trailers and fixing tractor parts (my friend has an arc welder but the house he moved into isn't wired for 240). Looking for something than can do autobody/sheet metal, and some heavier stuff too if possible

 

[sireland67]

I bought a new bottle for my mig at the local welding supply store.
It was $150 filled.

 

[knote72]

I bought a new bottle for my mig at the local welding supply store.
It was $150 filled.

Does that include a deposit on the tank? Idk how it is with welding gas but with many other things the bottle or tank costs a deposit

 

[sireland67]

Does that include a deposit on the tank? Idk how it is with welding gas but with many other things the bottle or tank costs a deposit

No deposit on the tank, I own it outright, when it needs filled they just exchange it with another bottle. Around $50.
The reason I had to get a new bottle, was the old one the certifications date ran out, and it was not one of their bottles. (Airgas)
To re-cert a bottle cost more than the $150.

 

[gzig5]

The bottle is a one time cost as long as you don't let the cert run out. Cheaper to swap a full tank that is about to expire than get it water tested or whatever they do to certify them. Always turn the tank off at the bottle when done. I have a reminder on paper that covers the on/off switch. Regulators can leak over time and you loose the tank. I forgot on my TIG and lost a freshly filled Argon tank over the winter, thus the reminder. Gas is the only way to go though, if you are want nice results and more flexibility.