What welders do you all use?
Well, I'm thinking about picking up a welder, and was wondering what you all use.
Iv been looking at the good ol' Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 "Tombstone" stick welder. From what I've read you really cant get a better welder for the price of one of these, and they are incredibly durable/reliable, as well as being really good to learn on.
So, what do you use?
Re: What welders do you all use?
110V licoln 135ST.
It can weld up to 1/4" steel with flux core wire.
Wish I could have gotten a 220V welder but we don't have a 220 anywhere in the house.
Stick welding is great but can make trying to tack weld something while holding it in position or whatever a PITA.
Re: What welders do you all use?
I've got a 220 miller mig. The cheapest one.
Migs are easier to learn to weld, as striking an arc isn't the easiest thing to do on a stick welder. They do make some nice beads though.
Re: What welders do you all use?
I've got a Lincoln 135ST as well. It works pretty well, I mean I am not going to be welding any rollcages anytime soon, but its good for just about anything I really need. As Scuba said it can do up to 1/4" with flux core, and mine has all the fittings for a gas hookup, I just dont have a tank.
Re: What welders do you all use?
I've got the cheap 110v, 80 amp flux core unit from Harbor Freight. I don't have the skill, time or need for hardcore stuff so that's why I have it. It's paid for itself a couple times and is still going strong. Next welder will be another 110V mig with gas. I don't have 240 in the garage but also don't have the need or space for a large welder.
Re: What welders do you all use?
You know, I'd almost recommend going with a 110v welder because it's much more portable in that you can use it anywhere. If a friend needs to fix a fence then all you need is a normal extension cord and a 110v outlet. The same can't be said for a 220V.
If you're going to be doing important things like suspension components, bumpers (recovery points), etc, then go for the 220V.
Re: What welders do you all use?
i have a 220V craftsman mig 180 or something like that. it's either a hobart or lincoln, not sure.
its served me very well. my next will be a miller, a really good one (use one at school, the difference is worth the money, thats all i have to say.
for portability, dad has a 10kW generator that powers the welder nicely...
Re: What welders do you all use?
Cant beat a hobart, Ive used the famed handler 187 more than a few times and been mighty happy-but if you dont have 220v its kinda tough.
If you want portability with a higher voltage welder you need a generator or somelike like Seans talking about.
Re: What welders do you all use?
I am a beginner welder, and I bought a Hobart Handler 140 last year. It was super easy to learn to use, and I am very happy with it. I have been using flux-core wire, and have welded up to 1/4" thick steel. I have built bumpers and armor with it so far. It is a very nice unit, and not too expensive either.
Good luck!
Re: What welders do you all use?
I'm a Miller guy (Lincoln convert). I have a MM210 MIG (220v), 180SD TIG (220v) and 140 MIG (110v).