What Welder for a Beginner?

[thecriscokid]

It's well over due that I get my own welding equipment, but WHAT?
If I can keep it under $500, that would make it happen sooner than later.

I have seen some Lincolns for well under 500, but I obviously don't know much about them.

Any insight is welcome.

Also I'm in Colorado. Just in case someone is looking to get rid of some equipment.

Thanks

 

[dustboy]

The first one I bought was a Lincoln 140 HD (the HD stands for Home Depot), and for the price I thought it was a fantastic machine. I think it ran a little more than $500 though. I wouldn't get one of the cheaper Lincolns because they just don't have enough power for the thicker metals in off-road fabrications.

When that got stolen, I got a good deal on a 140 Miller which I bought from a welding shop, it cost a little more but was a slight upgrade due to the "Auto-Set" feature where you set the wire and the metal gauge and zap away. Nifty, and probably a bad idea for a beginner because you would never learn how to set the heat and wire speed.

Between the Miller and the Lincoln, I was actually a little disappointed with the Miller since everybody says they're better. It seemed like the build quality wasn't quite as good as the Lincoln, the handle on the gun has a fair amount of play, and some of the parts seem a little cheaper. Also, when the Lincoln was turned on, the fan made a smooth quiet whir, while the fan on the Miller is a good deal louder. However, I do feel I get better welds with the Miller, which is the point, right?

While we're on the topic, spend a few more bucks and get a self-darkening mask. The old timers will say you don't need it, but it saved me a lot of frustration.

 

[ntsqd]

Can not really go wrong with any of the brand names, go with the brand that you like the features of. Buy a 230 volt machine. Even the largest of the 110 volt machines will come up a little short. They can be made to work, but with needless expended effort. You'll not likely out grow a 230 volt machine any time soon.

Those brand names sold at Home Depot et.al. generally have a lower duty cycle than those same brands sold by welding shops. I didn't realize this until too late. Unless your use is rare, duty cycle will become important to getting the job done in a short time frame.

 

[dustboy]

Can not really go wrong with any of the brand names, go with the brand that you like the features of. Buy a 230 volt machine. Even the largest of the 110 volt machines will come up a little short. They can be made to work, but with needless expended effort. You'll not likely out grow a 230 volt machine any time soon.

Good point, although I was just about to drop the coin on a bigger 220v machine, then realized you can plug a 110 machine in just about anywhere. Never know when that will be useful.

 

[RHINO]

my problem with 110 v welders is that so much of our (4x4 community) projects are in 1/8th" (.120) and 1/4" (.250) material. despite what advertising leads you to believe with true but unrealistic claims of 3/8th" capacity, 1/8th" is about the limit for such a machine to weld comfortably and predictably. 1/4" is doable with solid welds if you know what your doing and knowing when to multi pass ect. but the duty cycle at 20% or less gets old fast.

if you can expand your budget a bit to a 180-200 amp 220v mig machine you will buy once and never need another welder.

in addition to miller and lincoln, Hobart makes a quality product geared and priced more toward the hobby and garage guy.

 

[Antichrist]

Can't go wrong with one of these. Make sure it's the AC/DC version, and not the straight AC.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

the problem with that machine is its stick. Nothing wrong with that but it takes a different skill set and generally only works well for thicker metals. I use and would strongly recommend a MIG machine if possible, or a small cheaper MIG and then the stick for thicker materials. For a good MIG, I would unfortunately budget closer to $700-$800 out the door for the smallest 210 machine. You can find used machines and they are fine. Millers are the most expensive and I love mine but it was about $1400 out the door. I also had a Lincoln that I liked considerably.

cheers,
Andre

 

[ntsqd]

Good point, although I was just about to drop the coin on a bigger 220v machine, then realized you can plug a 110 machine in just about anywhere. Never know when that will be useful.

That was the reasoning behind my buying my 100VAC Lincoln. In retrospect I should have bought the 220VAC machine and done some house wiring. For the heavy stuff I find myself tacking with the MIG and either finishing with the SynchroWave 250 or hauling the project over to a friend's 220VAC machine. That is how I came to drive my FJ60 w/o any front shocks.....

 

[Antichrist]

the problem with that machine is its stick.

I see that as an advantage rather than a problem.
With stick it's easier to learn to get good welds. Not just welds that look good.
A stick machine will weld 95% of what's on a truck or trailer that you'd be welding.
When you need to weld really thin stuff, for $100 you can set it up to do TIG. Though a stick welder will weld pretty thin material.

 

[thecriscokid]

O.K. So it would be wise to start with a 220v, upwards of 200 watt. All very good input. I agree with not worrying with brand names.
Is there much to look out for if I buy used equipment?

 

[spencyg]

You can find a used Lincoln 175A 220V MIG for under 500. I used to run a Lincoln Weld-Pak 100, 100A 120V and it was a surprisingly versitle machine. Do NOT underestimate the utility of being able to bring the welder to a friends' house and plug it right in. With 220V, there needs to be special electrical accomodations. Yes, my 175A Lincoln does thicker metal, but I got to the point where I could get a good weld in 1/4" steel with the Weld Pack 100 and rarely bounced off the duty cycle. For a first welder, I'd be inclined to suggest a quality 110V machine. Once you get accustomed to it and improve you skills, sell the welder for nearly what you paid for it, and buy something bigger.

Just my $0.02.

Spence

 

[ntsqd]

If you're looking to buy used I would suggest bribing an experienced welder friend to try it out. Run it at both extremes of it's working range and a couple spots in the middle.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I say start with a TIG like I did.

No really, it depends what you want to do, and who you are... MIG is undoubtably easier to do, but I agree with Thom that it's ease results in many cases of absolutely atrocious work being put into service. If you are a perfectionist, and will really dedicate yourself to learning how to weld properly, I think a MIG will serve you well. If you're a hack, and don't do your "best work" until you've had at least 6 beers, I say... don't get a welder.

Stick is going to be cheaper to get set up, but it's harder to learn, and I think most "hacks" can never produce anything usable with it so that probably follow's Thom's line of thinking.

And a bit X2 on the auto-darkening helmet.

 

[spencyg]

X3 on the helmet. TIG is super fun, but certainly not a skill to be acquired by somebody who has never welded before. Don't get a stick welder...they are crap unless you spend your time welding I-Beams together 75 feet in the air....

 

[logos]

I see that as an advantage rather than a problem.
With stick it's easier to learn to get good welds. Not just welds that look good.
A stick machine will weld 95% of what's on a truck or trailer that you'd be welding.
When you need to weld really thin stuff, for $100 you can set it up to do TIG. Though a stick welder will weld pretty thin material.

I agree. A lot of peole are just putting filler between two pieces of metal. Stick welding forces the welder to actually become good before welding. Plus, they're cheaper.

Also, look for a local community college that offers classes. I just enrolled for the fall semester.