What type welder?

[Dale M.]

Gerdo, thanks for pointing out the difference's between the Lowes and welding shop welders. I would have thought that they would all have been the same.

Buying stuff can sure get difficult, can't it?

I find it hard to believe that a reputable company would market a different quality item to a box store than to a welding shop. If the company puts their name and a model number on a welder, it is going to be the same if you buy it from the welding shop or K-mart.

On that note, I have a Millermatic. I use flux core, but it’s a lot nicer weld with gas.

Its not different quality..... IF you look real close its a different model... Less expensive model, less control, more expensive, more control...

There is a difference in welders at about the 125 AMP (110/220 Volt also) break over point anything above 125 AMP seems to have newer better technology and controls.....

HD and Lowes machines are probably lesser expensive 120-125 AMP machines........ Above all else check model numbers... Appearance is not a defining item.. The LINCOLN 100 to 145 AMP ALL visually (casual) look the same, also same for Miller 100 to 150 AMP..

[jeepr]

Its not different quality..... IF you look real close its a different model... Less expensive model, less control, more expensive, more control...

There is a difference in welders at about the 125 AMP (110/220 Volt also) break over point anything above 125 AMP seems to have newer better technology and controls.....

HD and Lowes machines are probably lesser expensive 120-125 AMP machines........ Above all else check model numbers... Appearance is not a defining item.. The LINCOLN 100 to 145 AMP ALL visually (casual) look the same, also same for Miller 100 to 150 AMP..

Now that I can believe. Or that the welding shops order their models with upgraded parts, because they know what fails on them.

[Old Bill]

As suggested, I have been trying to compare different models of Lincoln and Hobart mig welders.

There are lots of information, most that I don't understand, on the two manufacture's web sites.

Everything was going fine until I tried to learn more about the Lincoln models carried by Lowes and Home Dupot. These models are not listed on the Lincoln web site. When I contacted the Lincoln Service Center I received this reply:

"Those models are specifically made for the retail outlets and will not be in any of our catalogs. The welding distributor will carry the brands that you see in our catalogs. There will be a price difference in the retail machines but the distributor machines are more robust better construction."

So I guess if I was going to be in the welding business, and be welding continiously, I'd be wise to buy from a distributor and pay more.

However, for my needs, one of the models from Lowes or Home Depot will no doubt work quite well!

Again, thanks to everyone for their help!

[Dan in Rhinelander]

I find it hard to believe that a reputable company would market a different quality item to a box store than to a welding shop.

The same is true when buying tires from the box store/members clubs. Just because it may say BF Goodrich TA doesn't mean it's the same as what you get from a tire retailer.

[Gerdo]

There is deffinitly a difference between the HD, Lowes and the welding supply Lincolns. Don't get me wrong, the HD and Lowes will do the same job but the WS will give you more control. I got a killer deal on a new one at the WS so price was so close it was a no brainer for me.

[jeepr]

The same is true when buying tires from the box store/members clubs. Just because it may say BF Goodrich TA doesn't mean it's the same as what you get from a tire retailer.

Don't believe it. That is just something tire retailers put out to keep you from going to Wal-Mart. If you want to know why they are cheaper there, it's because they buy 3 billion tires, instead of 10,000. It would not behoove any company to put their name on a tire and sell an inferior product because it's a box store. Now they may have a different model they sell there (like the welders), but I just don't believe they would sell an identical item of poor quality to someone that will be distributing many many more items for them than a smaller distributor.

[Podunkfla]

I've got a Daytona Mig 175 amp Mig welder I've had for about 12 years. Wonderful machine, nothing has ever failed on it and I use it a lot. I do use 75%/25% gas, because I like the clean welds. I had 125 amp smaller Mig before that worked OK for most things. I sold it to a local service station to do muffler work with. I have no regrets getting a pro type welder. It has very fine infinite controls and stitch welding capability too. Well worth the money for me. Nice thing is they hold their value well too. I could sell this one for what I paid for it 12+ years ago. I kept my old Lincoln stick welder too. There are times that nothing beats that bad boy... like welding rusty heavy metal with 70-13 rod. Another trick I learned years ago... If you use gas shielding; leave the tank inside rather than on the welder. The way mine is set up I have 35 feet of power cord on the unit. I ran a 35 foot hose, zip-tied to the power cord, for the gas. Makes the welder quite portable for most things.

[Old Bill]

Just a note to let everyone know that I bought a small wire feed welder today.

After losing sleep for several nights trying to decided whether I wanted to spent the extra money for the gas shielding feature and higher amps, I decided this morning to order a Hobert Handler 125 welder for $299.00. It doesn't come with the gas shielding feature. I don't plan on doing any heavy metal welding so 125 amps should be OK.

With the model I bought, I can order the gas conversion kit for an additional $70.00...if I decided after using the welder that I want to have gas shielding.

I understand that the gas shielding is great, and for about $150.00 more, I could have bought a 140 amp welder with the gas feature. What stopped me from doing this was the extra cost of a gas cylinder!

Perhaps I went to the wrong place, but I was quoited a price in the $300.00 range for a MIG gas cylinder! And the cylinder was about 4-feet tall!

What kind of prices did you pay for a MIG gas cylinder? And, how large is it?

Thanks for all your help,

[emiller]

I have a small gas cylinder with my Miller 130 xp and just had if filled today and cost $30.00, I don't remember what I paid for cylinder.

[emiller]

Oh my cylinder is about 2' tall by 6 1/2" dia

[bdosborn]

Perhaps I went to the wrong place, but I was quoited a price in the $300.00 range for a MIG gas cylinder! And the cylinder was about 4-feet tall!

What kind of prices did you pay for a MIG gas cylinder? And, how large is it?

I just picked up a full tank of argon/co2, that size, for that price for my new welder. It will be $45 to fill it when its empty. I was pretty surprised with the cost too. Now I gotta get a cart so I can move all this stuff around.
Bruce

[Dale M.]

Gas cylinders come is all sized for about 18 inches tall to almost 5 feet... It all has to do with the "cubic feet" of gas (under pressure) it is able to store....

Best thing to do is shop around for cost of cylinder (lease/rent vs buy) and cost of refills.... Prices can very greatly just by crossing the street....

Dale

[Dale M.]

Now I gotta get a cart so I can move all this stuff around.
Bruce

No- No- Nooooo........ You don't get a cart......

Now that you have welder, you make the cart..... Its traditional that you make cart for welder, after all that is why you got it, to make things with....

Dale

[Gerdo]

I have to MAKE a cart also.

[Dale M.]

Consider when MAKING a cart, raise welder up to about waist level so you have space on cart, under welder to put tool box to store extra rolls of wire, extra tips, welder instructions, gloves and maintenance tools .. Makes life so much better when everything is in one place.

Dale