MIG Welder

#1
Im looking to buy a MIG welder but dont have too much money to spend.. Can anyone direct me to the cheapest MIG welder with still decent quality, not a garbage welder, thanks!
 
#2
You need to decide if you want to use gas or flux core wire . Flux core does not leave very nice looking welds . 110 volts is good for most projects .The Harbor Freight ones are cheap for a reason . The Hobart welders are very good for the money . I have a Miller 135 . The better welders are very easy to learn on . Set the thickness on the parts you are welding on and maybe a fine adjustment from there . It adjust the wire feed speed and heat for you . Practice makes perfect .:thumbsup:
 
#3
Yeah I have a mig welder in my shop class, its gas and flux core, we havent use gas. I like just the flux core but if its not too much more $ ill buy the gas.. Im used to a speed from 1-10 and heat from 1-4... I have used flux core with a speed of 5 and heat at 4 and i get my best results... Will the harbor freight one be good enough? Can you show me a link?
 
#5
I'd second what others have said. Get a welder that you can use gas with. Fluxcore is good for some stuff but not minibikes. Stick with Miller/Lincoln/Hobart if you want to be able to get consumables easily.
 
#6
As a welder and shop owner for the last 25 years, in my opinion, the Hobart model cannot be beat when price, durability, and function are in question. Miller owns the Hobart brand. So you get the same reliability and durability that the Miller brand is known for as much of the internals are the same but @ a 30% savings. To us pros, it's a no brainer. Ultimately its your decision though.

Keep an eye on Craigslist for a used one as a lot of guys will buy these welders, use it one or two times, for a particular project only to be never be used again. Look for a 130 or 140 amp model..

Prices will generally be in the 200 to 350 dollar range depending how its equipped

Jimmy
 
#7
As a welder and shop owner for the last 25 years, in my opinion, the Hobart model cannot be beat when price, durability, and function are in question. Miller owns the Hobart brand. So you get the same reliability and durability that the Miller brand is known for as much of the internals are the same but @ a 30% savings. To us pros, it's a no brainer. Ultimately its your decision though.

Keep an eye on Craigslist for a used one as a lot of guys will buy these welders, use it one or two times, for a particular project only to be never be used again. Look for a 130 or 140 amp model..

Prices will generally be in the 200 to 350 dollar range depending how its equipped

Jimmy
great advice.
i have a 220v harbor freight, gas/flux but don't like the flux on this machine, even with polarities reversed. i have replaced the gun once, worked on the new one at least 10 times, rigged the holder to take the 50# spool, had good welds and really bad ones. i will not get another one. it costme $200.00 9 years ago but i keep patching it back together. i will buy a quality unit next time.
 
#8
I use three welders, my Lincoln 180, my snapon 205amp heavy duty professional machine. But I use my Eastwood mig 135 gas or fluxcore welder the most., very nice and works great.
 

39LOW

New Member
#9
Tried the cheep ones like hf and finally stepped up and got a 220v miller. Should have bought one in the first place. Only problem i've had was buying chinese wire . Doesn't always work.
 

rugblaster

Active Member
#10
I would get a 220 v if you can swing it....I have a Hobart....Get on weldingtipsandtricks.com lots of good info on there......I've heard Everlast Chinese welders are a good buy for the home hobbist.......I would stay away from flux core if you have an enclosed shop. to messy.
 
#12
I bought a Clark 180EN 240 volt wire feed welder kit off of craigslist it came with a cart and a conversion kit to be able to run wire core of convert to a 75/25 inert shield gas. I like it and the price was right as it was almost like new. Only short coming is the weld lead is shorter than my old Lincoln 175 so the machine has to move around the work more.
Steve :scooter:
 
#13
I have 2 Hobart MIG welders, one is set up for gas the other is for flux core. I use the flux core for outdoor stuff and the gas for indoor stuff. They both work great even though they are older machines. We also use a Miller 252 for steel plus it has a spool gun for aluminum.
Just be aware of the duty cycle and most welders will treat you pretty good.
 
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