Confused on which welder to purchase

[halfdome, Danny]

I'm in the market for a welder since it took 3 months and two tries for the professional trailer chassis mfr. to make my first one. I've never welded in my life so this is all new to me. A good friend said to stay away from Harbor Freight welders and since my son is having trouble with one from there it seems like sound advice. I'm looking at the Lincoln brand exclusively so that narrows it down pretty much. They have a stick welder at Home Depot for $269 and MIG/Flux Core for $599. I plan on at least one more TD and one utility trailer that I would build myself. To me the stick welder would be a good choice (more in my budget) but my friend says the wire feed would be better for some gas business he was blabbing about. The trailer tutorial says to use a 220 volt welder and these two are that. Confused Danny

[toypusher]

Try this:http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=9401&highlight=welders

This: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6927&highlight=welders

This: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6104&highlight=welders

This: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6028&highlight=welders

Just some light reading to pass the time. Hope it helps!!

[Endo]

Danny

Both welders will do the job. I have used both types. I currently have a Licoln weld-pak 155 (220 volt). I really like the wire feed welder!
I find it easier to weld with the MIG. The wire feed is more $$$$ but I don't think you will be disappointed with it.

[Dale M.]

MIG is absolutely easier to weld with also easiest to learn on... So easy a blond can learn to do it...

IF you can get 175 amp (220 volt) unit its to your advantage ..If that is to much get a 135amp (110 or 220volt ) unit... Lincoln and Miller are both excellent brands. Check both Lincoln and Miller manufactures web sites for some excellent information.

Also consider shield gas unit, it welds clean with absolutely no splatter, flux core will require some cleanup. Most MIG welder prefer shield gas units. Most people around my part of country prefer Miller.

Also look at controls. Both amperage and wire feed should be infinite adjust controls. Stepped controls ( Hobart and Harbor Freight) will usually be to hot or to cold for anything you are trying to weld...

IF you can't master it in a few hours, try local night school or junior college that has technical courses on welding....

Also harbor Freight units are cheaply constructed and getting replacement parts may be a problem.

Check prices on e-bay, some ebay sellers have some really good prices and FREE shipping to lower 48 states.

Dale

[halfdome, Danny]

MIG is absolutely easier to weld with also easiest to learn on... So easy a blond can learn to do it...

IF you can get 175 amp (220 volt) unit its to your advantage ..If that is to much get a 135amp (110 or 220volt ) unit... Lincoln and Miller are both excellent brands. Check both Lincoln and Miller manufactures web sites for some excellent information.

Also consider shield gas unit, it welds clean with absolutely no splatter, flux core will require some cleanup. Most MIG welder prefer shield gas units. Most people around my part of country prefer Miller.

Also look at controls. Both amperage and wire feed should be infinite adjust controls. Stepped controls ( Hobart and Harbor Freight) will usually be to hot or to cold for anything you are trying to weld...

IF you can't master it in a few hours, try local night school or junior college that has technical courses on welding....

Also harbor Freight units are cheaply constructed and getting replacement parts may be a problem.

Check prices on e-bay, some ebay sellers have some really good prices and FREE shipping to lower 48 states.

Dale

Thanks Dale, I decided not to go with 220 volt after reading all those threads and PM's from Doug. I'm now leaning towards either the Lincoln Weld Pak 100 HD or the Lincoln 3200 HD which I understand is Home Depots version of the 135. I also just joined a MIG forum and I have a boring MIG DVD to watch again. I did buy welding gloves , an apron & 11" swivel Pad Lock - grip Set today at Harbor Freight. Danny

[dahoon]

Danny,

Be careful when purchasing a MIG welder. They have one serious drawback, penetration especially on 1/4" material. They have a poroblem getting the material hot enough to get good weld penetration.

Since you metioned that you are going with a 220v unit, double check with them that it will weld up to 3/8" material.

Also, check the duty cycle. Some machines have a 10% duty cycle, which means in one hour you can weld for 6 minutes. 20%=12mins., etc.

A stick welder maybe more difficult to learn, but with a little practice you will learn the knack real quick. If you want to practice or see a demo come up to Mt Vernon and I can help you.

I would rather see you buy your welder from a welding supply store than from Home Depot. The professional help you will get and if you need help with a warranty problem will be well worth the extra if there is an extra cost.
If you buy from HD be sure that it is a NEW unit not a warranty/ reconditioned unit. I got a shipment once of those recon. units in one time, but the supplier didn't tell that until I went to reorder and the price jumped over 30%.
If you decide to go with a MIG welder get the gas attachment. The welds will be cleaner and you will have no flux to clean up. The innershield wire splatters more than the solid wire used on a gas shield machine.
I have been selling these for years and if I can give you some more help, pm me and we can talk.

Mike
p.s.: I have a Lincoln SP135 (110v W/gas shield) and a Lincoln 225 buzz box stick welder. I haven't wired the shop for the stick welder so I welded my frame with the MIG welder.

[Steve_Cox]

Danny,

When I decided to build my teardrop trailer, I knew that I wouldn't be welding too much. A few trailers, some small repair jobs for neighbors and stuff like that. I found a used Lincoln 225 for $75.00. Cleaned it up and painted it. It works great for what I need to do. No worries about gas bottles, wire feed tips, repair parts, etc, etc. I like the 220 volts power too. I welded a trailer hitch together for a neighbor the other day made of 1/2" steel. Can't do that with 110 volts. In the past, I've owned a couple of other welders, one was a Miller wire feed, it was good for body work, and aluminum, but expensive to maintain and operate. For the 220Volts, I had room in my breaker panel for an extra 50 amp breaker and the panel was in the garage, that made for a very short wire run. I'm really happy with my old Lincoln 225.

[Steve F]

I do all my fabrication with a 140amp 240V (Australia, 240v is standard power) stick welder. You get better penetration with a stick and typically if the weld looks good with a stick welder it normally is good You can get a nice looking weld with a MIG but little penetration leading to a false sense of security with your welds.

I'd say learn on a stick and spend a little time making the trailer and then when you know you can weld get a MIG if you think you'll keep welding

Cheers
Steve

[Dale M.]

The only thing I would continue to suggest is DO NOT get locked in to Home Depot... There are other vendors out there and they will discount if you handle them right.... Have you checked local industrial suppliers/welding shops?

Dale

[halfdome, Danny]

The only thing I would continue to suggest is DO NOT get locked in to Home Depot... There are other vendors out there and they will discount if you handle them right.... Have you checked local industrial suppliers/welding shops?

Dale

I went by one and they were closed. I may go back during the week, but from past experiences places like that see a guppy coming and either over sell or charge very high prices but I know how to handle that kind, just say Thanks & goodbye. I'll see if they have something used and reasonable. Also I'm in no hurry to part with my money so I'm looking around a lot. At this point ($477 to $608 ) I would need to build several trailer frames to make it cost effective since I haven't had a need for a welder during my lifetime. Wood is good :thumbsup: Danny

[Rebel]

This one is on sale at Northern Tools and a frend swears by them....but its still expensive at 649

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... allpartial

[halfdome, Danny]

This one is on sale at Northern Tools and a frend swears by them....but its still expensive at 649

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... allpartial

That is expensive . Home Depot has a 220 volt Lincoln for $599 and that's still too much. Danny

[Gaston]

Hi Danny
If you don't have a need for a welder, don't buy one.
Any time you have a frame to weld, cut and fit the parts, load it up and bring it down. I have a miller wire feed and you can weld to your hearts content for nothing but a little effort and a few hrs drive. Bring your better half and maybe we can talk my son into doing the welding (machinist and welder) while we watch and consume adult beverages

same offer to any builders in the northwest who don't mind a drive to weld their frames.
I am about 45 min west of Portland, I have a guest room for overnighters and hook ups for teardroppers.

PM me if you all need help getting the welding done. the welder just collects dust if you ain't using it.

[emiller]

Your right Gaston we with welders should help our trailer buddies. I have two Miller welders and a plasma cutter. I prefer the Miller brand and have used differnt ones. The Lincoln welder is fine for home welding.

[asianflava]

Your right Gaston we with welders should help our trailer buddies. I have two Miller welders and a plasma cutter. I prefer the Miller brand and have used differnt ones. The Lincoln welder is fine for home welding.

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