welders

joe's_yj · 04-29-2007, 04:59 PM

hey iam looking to get a welder. manily to welkd bumpers, rocker gaurds, and floorpans. Along with other little things here and there. iam just looking to sped around 250. are the welders off harbor fright anygood? iam looking to get a mig welder. Thanks

**Matt Gertsch** · 04-29-2007, 06:20 PM

Nope. The Hobart Handler 187 is about as cheap as you can go and have still have a good machine. Northern Tool has them for $650. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200328799_200328799

**rustywrangler** · 04-29-2007, 06:21 PM

Yea man, going cheap on a welder will only get you pissed off in the end.

joe's_yj · 04-29-2007, 08:44 PM

whats the diffrence between a cheap mone and expensive one? than ks

**rustywrangler** · 04-29-2007, 08:50 PM

So many differences. You are limited to the thickness of metal you can weld with cheaper ones usually. Heat range, wire speed, etc. I have been planning on getting a welder for over 6 months now. I have had a chance over the last few months to try many different ones with the class I am taking. From small cheapos that someone donated to the school to large industrial welders. Major difference in control even between low end and high end welders. I have read too many posts about people not liking the smaller welders and saying they should have gone bigger to begin with.

Here is a link to the miller welder site. http://http://www.millerwelds.com/education/library.html The info here helped me a great deal with choosing what I will be buying. In the end I am getting the Millermatic 180 mig. Hope that helps.

joe's_yj · 04-29-2007, 09:04 PM

what about something like this one? thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-SP100T-MIG-WELDER-REFURBISHED-120V-U1474-2_W0QQitemZ130104627541QQihZ003QQcategoryZ113743QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

**Matt Gertsch** · 04-29-2007, 09:35 PM

That's okay for sheet metal, but nothing else. You generally use 3/16" to 1/4" material for the stuff that you're talking about making. Even if the low end machines say they will weld that thickness, you have to look at the duty cycle. Those small machines usually have a 10% duty cycle. That means that if you're running it up really high, you can only run it for 1 minute out of every 10. You don't want anything that the number is less than 180 basically. IE, the Hobart Handler 187, a Miller Millermatic 180, a Lincoln PowerMIG 180 or an Esab MIG Master 173.

A welder is really a tool that you don't want to scrimp on. Buy big early and grow into it. Otherwise, you'll buy several machines before you get to where you want to be.

jeepsteads · 04-29-2007, 10:54 PM

i got hobart 140..... 1/4 is no problem...

jeepfunatic · 05-04-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsteads

i got hobart 140..... 1/4 is no problem...

Maybe with 2 passes and flux cored wire. With a 180 welder you can weld 1/4 no problem with gas. One thing I did consider when I bought my welder was portability. I bought a MM140 just recently I was going to go with the MM180 but If I want to I can take my MM140 with me on the trail. Didnt have the money for the MM180 and the Premier Power Welder.

Island4x4 · 05-04-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe's_yj

what about something like this one? thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-SP100T-MIG-WELDER-REFURBISHED-120V-U1474-2_W0QQitemZ130104627541QQihZ003QQcategoryZ113743QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I call those things "toy boxes"

**Bigbob** · 05-04-2007, 05:54 PM

I have the Lincoln 140 MIG and it can weld 1/4" in a single pass with flux core, but I'd trust it like a wet fart. Not much penetration on those hobby welders. If you want cheap and something that's gonna weld 1/4" iron for bumpers and the artfull appearence of the weld is not a big priority to you then get a Lincoln A/C stick welder from one of the big box stores. I know for a fact it can weld 1/4" in one pass and pass an engineering inspection pretty easy. Those hobby welders that run anywhere from $400.00 to $700.00 can't do that. The stick welders are under $300.00. A/C D/C's are under $500.00.

David K. · 05-05-2007, 12:42 PM

I have the hobart 180. It does a good job and its easy to use. I use gas and haven't used flux core yet. The only thing that I have run into is ajustability issues. You don't have the infinite control that the millermatic has. On thin stuff you are going to want ot go low and fine tune it.

Hobart 180 great. Millermatic, great'er. Don't spend $250 and then need a bigger one later. That is the best way to waste money. Wait till you can get a 220V with an extension cord and gas.

hol · 05-18-2007, 08:59 PM

I would recommend the Hobart Handler 187, it's a great welder and worth the price. Every couple of months Harbor freight has them on sale.

steveracer67 · 05-19-2007, 08:22 PM

I have a Lincoln 185 and hate it the drive system sucks all plastic, go for a Miller their drive system is all cast aluminum I'm looking at getting the Millermatic DVI for around $800.

**rustywrangler** · 05-20-2007, 09:30 AM

Another mention for the millermatic 180. This machine is sweeeeeet.

04-29-2007, 06:21 PM	#3
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yea man, going cheap on a welder will only get you pissed off in the end. __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

04-29-2007, 08:50 PM	#5
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	So many differences. You are limited to the thickness of metal you can weld with cheaper ones usually. Heat range, wire speed, etc. I have been planning on getting a welder for over 6 months now. I have had a chance over the last few months to try many different ones with the class I am taking. From small cheapos that someone donated to the school to large industrial welders. Major difference in control even between low end and high end welders. I have read too many posts about people not liking the smaller welders and saying they should have gone bigger to begin with. Here is a link to the miller welder site. http://http://www.millerwelds.com/education/library.html The info here helped me a great deal with choosing what I will be buying. In the end I am getting the Millermatic 180 mig. Hope that helps. __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

05-04-2007, 05:54 PM	#11
Bigbob Web Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 3,193 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have the Lincoln 140 MIG and it can weld 1/4" in a single pass with flux core, but I'd trust it like a wet fart. Not much penetration on those hobby welders. If you want cheap and something that's gonna weld 1/4" iron for bumpers and the artfull appearence of the weld is not a big priority to you then get a Lincoln A/C stick welder from one of the big box stores. I know for a fact it can weld 1/4" in one pass and pass an engineering inspection pretty easy. Those hobby welders that run anywhere from $400.00 to $700.00 can't do that. The stick welders are under $300.00. A/C D/C's are under $500.00. __________________ 2006 Solar Yellow Rubicon Unlimited Jeep Club Member #1340 6 Speed, Hardtop Mods done: Hurst tee handle, cheap hand throttle, Rokmen Merc front bumper, Warn 9.5 TI winch with 3/8" X 100 worth of Viking yellow rope, DPG OME Ultimate with JKS ACOS up front, Kilby Gas Tank Skid, Kilby Steering Box Skid, Jeep Medic Belly Up, Skidrow Engine Skid, Rockcrusher Diff Skid in the rear, Warn Diff cover in front, , AR Outlaw II's and MTR 12:50/15's, Homemade rear Bumper, Cheap Cobra CB, Puma OBA, Sirius Radio, Locker Defeat, Rockhard cage, Rockmen short corners, homemade tire swing/tailgate hinge affair, Airlift air bags on the rear- - - - - - and more to come!

05-18-2007, 08:59 PM	#13
hol Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Woodstock, GA, Georgia Posts: 76 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I would recommend the Hobart Handler 187, it's a great welder and worth the price. Every couple of months Harbor freight has them on sale. __________________ 2000 Sahara, 33x12.50 BFG AT's, Black American Racing steel rims, 4" BDS lift, Warn XD9000i, Custom Front bumper, Blue Ridge Offroad Rock Rails, Warn swing away tire carrier, 4to1 transfer case, many other odds and ends. www.teamoneexhibits.com

05-20-2007, 09:30 AM	#15
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Another mention for the millermatic 180. This machine is sweeeeeet. __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

05-05-2007, 12:42 PM	#12
David K. Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MA Posts: 324 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have the hobart 180. It does a good job and its easy to use. I use gas and haven't used flux core yet. The only thing that I have run into is ajustability issues. You don't have the infinite control that the millermatic has. On thin stuff you are going to want ot go low and fine tune it. Hobart 180 great. Millermatic, great'er. Don't spend $250 and then need a bigger one later. That is the best way to waste money. Wait till you can get a 220V with an extension cord and gas.