Chosing an Entry Level Welder....

[Cherokeekid88]

Well I really want a welder. I almost know nothing about them, but really want to learn. I have the design knowledge just not the fabrication knowledge to build bumpers, skid plates, whatever. So my question is, what is a good entry level welder at a good price for welding up exhaust systems, and fabricating bumpers, bodywork...
Thanks
(Hope this is the right forum)

[PBR]

how much you looking at spending? If your going to be doing body work you want a mig welder for sure!!

[Jerry Bransford]

I started with a 135 amp Hobart Handler MIG welder and that's a great quality unit that is suitable for nearly anything up to about 3/16". You may find references to units of that size welding 1/4" but that's not really realistic. Hobart replaced the 135 with a 140 amp unit which you can find pretty cheap on eBay used for maybe $3-400 and new for around $500+.

But IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, a 175 or 180 amp MIG welder is more versatile with the two drawbacks being that it requires a 220v outlet and it costs more. I just upgraded my Hobart 135 to a Miller 180 ($750) and wow, what a difference.

[Cherokeekid88]

Yeah i wont be doing anything serious at first and probably not for a while. Will probably do a couple exhaust systems, maybe build some skid plates, maybe add some frame stiffeners. So hobart is what i have been hearing lately. I could probably find a nice used MIG on a local 4x4 forum for a good price. But thanks for the info!

[red96jeep]

would a 135w welder be good for working on things such as cage tubes and frame stiffners etc?

[BuzzCJ]

I had tossed this idea around for about a year - how to get into a welder cheap. I came to the conclusion that it can not be done. You either want to weld or you dont and as soon as you start getting comfortable then your machine is too small. My decision for an entry level welder was a Miller 252 which will have a place in my shop for a long time before I grow out of it.

[silvrjeepr]

The first welder is like trying to decide how much lift or what type shocks. I know of a fellow who bought a 350P as his first welder. I also know of a guy who bought a little 140. Guess who bought another welder. I've NEVER heard anyone say that they bought too much of a welder.


Bottom Line:
Buy new, get the biggest one you have funds for, and grow old with it.

P.S.
My first welder was a Miller Bobcat...

[silvrjeepr]

Originally Posted by red96jeep

would a 135w welder be good for working on things such as cage tubes and frame stiffners etc?

If you're asking that question, you probably don't have enough experience to be doing critical things like that yet. I'm not trying to put you down at all, it's just that a bad weld on a cage or frame could mean someone's life. Don't risk it. Start welding coupons and less critical stuff first. Then, you'll know what YOU can weld with 135 amps. To answer your question directly though, I know of people who use 135-140 amp machines to weld cages.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by silvrjeepr

If you're asking that question, you probably don't have enough experience to be doing critical things like that yet. I'm not trying to put you down at all, it's just that a bad weld on a cage or frame could mean someone's life. Don't risk it. Start welding coupons and less critical stuff first. Then, you'll know what YOU can weld with 135 amps. To answer your question directly though, I know of people who use 135-140 amp machines to weld cages.

Good answer. Yep a MIG of that size should be fine for welding a cage, it's really more of a question of if the guy running the welder is up to welding something as important as a cage.

[LaCeS OuT]

I bought a Hobart Handler 140 for about $480 shipped from Northern Tool. I love it! So far its working out great. I am modifying a go kart and it does what I throw at it. I am new myself to welding but practice is the key to getting better. I was lurking around the Hobart forums and many suggest picking up a book called Welding Essentials. Pretty good book and explains everything about welding pretty good.

According to Hobart, the HH140 is capable of welding up to 1/4" with multiple passes. Another good thing about the HH140 is its 110v. No need for a 220 outlet making it portable .

[black2door]

I got my Hobart Handler 140 from Northern tool for like $459. Great welder, I run it with gas, and I honestly think I could weld 1/4 if I took my time and went slow. But its great for 3/16 and body work. I also love the portability of it being a 110 volt, I can take it to my freinds house if I need to or whatever.

[j0nesy]

Originally Posted by silvrjeepr

The first welder is like trying to decide how much lift or what type shocks. I know of a fellow who bought a 350P as his first welder. I also know of a guy who bought a little 140. Guess who bought another welder. I've NEVER heard anyone say that they bought too much of a welder.


Bottom Line:
Buy new, get the biggest one you have funds for, and grow old with it.

P.S.
My first welder was a Miller Bobcat...

x 1000000

"if you get more than you think you need, usually its not enough" ...

i wouldnt necessarily go with a 252 (though my first personal welder was a sync 200 TIG) ... but a 210 is a very good compromise ... it will weld anything you would need to weld for a jeep, they arent ridiculously expensive, and it will grow with you.

small stuff is great for just that ... small stuff. but if you want to tinker with 1/4" (which is pretty small anyway) then you want to step up to at least a 180 ...

i recommend 210 because it will likely be the last welder any hobbyist every buys.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by j0nesy

i recommend 210 because it will likely be the last welder any hobbyist every buys.

My wife assures me my recent upgrade to a new Miller Auto-Set 180 wil be the last welder I will ever buy.

[silvrjeepr]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

My wife assures me my recent upgrade to a new Miller Auto-Set 180 wil be the last welder I will ever buy.

LOL You've been issued a challenge. In the name of all men everywhere, you are now required to prove her wrong at all cost.



and let us know how that works out.

[Bigbob]

Originally Posted by silvrjeepr

LOL You've been issued a challenge. In the name of all men everywhere, you are now required to prove her wrong at all cost.



and let us know how that works out.

Ditto I bought a 140 amp mig 3-4 years ago and found it to be not sufficient for my needs. The wife wanted me to buy a Miller 210! LOL I got a Hobart stick. I'm the cheap one in this house. BTW, I wanted to sell the 110 volt 140 amp welder and she'd have none of that.

She, 31 years ago, demanded I buy the cute little yellow CJ-5, she bought me my first Harley, she sold her Harley to buy the cute little yellow Rubicon LJ. I'll keep her.