First/Last Welder?

So I am thinking about getting into welding. I have zero experience. I plan on getting a welder, a bunch of scrap, some gas and going to town. The thing about having zero experience is I have no idea what to buy. I can get access to 220v if needed. The most I can imagine ever doing with a welder is a locost type project, maybe some trailer rehab. Stuff like that. I would also like to so some sheet metal on a classic mustang. Is there such a thing as a do all welder? Can something that will last a lifetime be had for a grand or so?

Lincoln or Miller 220 volt with gas shield will do everything you want pretty much forever.

Don't discount the 110 volt since it becomes much easier to go on the road.

Your budget will cover this.Buy a good helmet.

I have the Lincoln 185.

Sounds like you want an entry level MIG setup.

Either Lincoln or Miller will be fine.

Unless you're looking to weld thick metal, you may not need a 220v setup, though it's always nice to have it as an option.

This guy wouldn't be a terrible option:

http://www.amazon.com/Miller-Electric-907335-Millermatic-Auto-Set/dp/B001VXWHKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412207734&sr=8-1&keywords=millermatic+140

But bear in mind that doesn't include the cost of a tank (or gas), which can be pretty spendy

I ended up with a Lincoln 220v stick welder, but I started off welding a heavy duty fence.

Check out the 3M speedglas line of helmets, they have auto darkening lids reasonably priced.

I would consider a lincoln or miller 120v MIG. They work everywhere- 220v can be a pain unless you are permanently situated.

Go to your local welding supply shop, buy from them, build a rapport with them, if you're getting a new machine from them they should cut you a deal on a bottle too. For an individual hobby welder, I can't imagine renting bottles, I'd buy the bottle outright.

Miller (Hobart), or Lincoln will suit you just fine. Stay away from the Lowest-Depot and similar box store welders.

If you're dead set to purchase online check with cyberweld.com.

I own a Miller 211, it's their biggest "portable" model, has the multi voltage plug (MVP) and capable of running on 120 or 240 volts. I must say that the auto set feature has absolutely spoiled me, and very much worth it in my opinion.

If you don't need portability, have 240 volt access, and you want it to be the last welder you buy, take a long hard look at the Miller 252.

Don't forget to budget for accessories, gas bottle as mentioned earlier, gloves, clamps, magnets, etc. Most importantly in my opinion, get a good hood, doesn't have to be auto to have good glass, and offer excellent protection, but a good auto hood is worth it's weight, I've got a Digital Elite and love it.

One last thought, whatever size bottle you think you need, get one a size or two bigger. It blows being in the middle of a project and running out of shielding gas on a Sunday when everyone's closed.

• Lee

I've had a Miller 185 for 15 years and it's been great. There are other good welding machines out there, but I've found it's much easier to get parts for Millers or Lincolns over anything else. A tank is worth every dime you spend on it, so don't be afraid to go big.

I've have both MIG and TIG. I just gave away my 20 year old 140 Amp 110V MIG to my nephew and bought a Lincoln Dual voltage MIG welder. It can run on either 110V or 220V with 220V having a higher amperage and duty cycle rating. It can also weld with gas or without. I bought it at the EAA convention back in July for about $950 delivered to my house. Lincoln offered a $100 rebate so my net cost is $850. Not sure if the rebate is still available.

If you're serious, you've got 220v and never want to buy another welder, buy a nice dual voltage Miller or Lincoln. It'll last you forever and be serviceable.

I went the other way. I bought the 110v Eastwood 140 MIG. On sale for $299 with free shipping. I don't have 220v in my garage, and putting it in wasn't an option. Because of that, I didn't want to spend big money and then still need to upgrade later on. I'll likely buy a nice 220v machine after moving in a couple years. My other option was to buy a used Hobart Handler 140 or similar, but I never had any luck finding one.

The Eastwood 140 is a decent machine. Its worked great for the dozen or so projects I've done so far. But I suspect it won't last me forever.

In addition to an auto-darkening helmet, your argon cylinder, do yourself a favor and pickup a CO2 tank. I got a 5lb cylinder on ebay. There's a bit of splatter when welding with Co2 instead of argon, but I can get CO2 filled at 8pm on a Sunday 10 mins down the road at a paintball shop. Works fine with the argon regulator, just need an adapter.

Miller 252, that simple.

Though I like the 110v 180 machine as well.

The Hobart 190 with an aluminum spool welder goes on sale every couple of months from Northern Tools for $800 including shipping. Add a HF cart and buy a full-size spool of wire and you will still have enough left of your grand to pick up a nice automatic helmet. Tough to beat that for versatility and value.

I bought a used Lincoln 135 on craigslist a few years back. If it was used more then twice before I bought it I would be astonished. I think I paid around $275.00.

I actually bought a used 60 Inch Helium tank a few months later and traded it to the local welding shop for a 48 Inch tank of Stargon. Apparently the tanks are the same, but for some reason the helium tank was substantially cheaper then a comparable welding setup.

Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i

+1 on millermatic. once you enter the info it's like setup and feed for dummies, love it

Bought a Millermatic 185 on model closeout over 10 years ago. Ran well over 100 lbs of wire through it w/ no problems, just the usual consumables. Good to have the warranty if you need it tho. 220V, 3/8" single pass, 60% duty cycle, 75/25 gas. Can turn it down to weld auto body or thinner, I've mostly used it for 1/8"-1/4" tho. Quality machine, glad I bought it. I could be tempted w/ an Autoset but this does everything I need, I'll prolly keep it for the duration. To do it over I'd stick w/ Miller or Lincoln, just good quality stuff there, buy it once and be done.

A good auto darkening helmet is a must. Many new welders are turned off by poor welds because they just can't see properly. I like the Miller Digital Elite but there's plenty of others recommended here for a lot less money.

Bring machine home. Practice, practice, practice. There's plenty of tutorials online to walk you through getting started. Miller has a good site as well as YouTube videos. Adult Vo-Tech is an option but not really necessary if you dedicate yourself practice in your shop. The learning curve is worth it.

Good luck.

I will recommend the Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i. I bought one last winter on the recommendation of my welding instructors at the local college. They have had several students buy them and all of us are impressed with the machine. It is now labeled as a TWECO but is the same machine. Mine works very well.

http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miwew1.html Dude, get this!

It looks awesome AND you get a free auto darkening helmet with it right now.

Just buy the OPTIONAL Tig torch and this will do pretty much everything. I wish I had known about these when I bought my Miller.

Rob R.

To feed off this thread, what are some budget welder options? Just cruise craigslist for a decent used lincoln or miller?

Im personally waiting for the lincoln electric Power Mig 210 MP. Can do just about any kind of welding and the msrp is 999$

wvumtnbkr wrote: http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miwew1.html Dude, get this! It looks awesome AND you get a free auto darkening helmet with it right now. Just buy the OPTIONAL Tig torch and this will do pretty much everything. I wish I had known about these when I bought my Miller. Rob R.

That is a cool machine.

wvumtnbkr wrote: http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miwew1.html Dude, get this! It looks awesome AND you get a free auto darkening helmet with it right now. Just buy the OPTIONAL Tig torch and this will do pretty much everything. I wish I had known about these when I bought my Miller. Rob R.

This is an intriguing option. I wonder how well it actually works as a TIG machine.

I would love to get into welding stuffs. I may go for an Eastwood machine since the buy-in is a good bit lower.

Petrolburner wrote:

wvumtnbkr wrote: http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miwew1.html Dude, get this! It looks awesome AND you get a free auto darkening helmet with it right now. Just buy the OPTIONAL Tig torch and this will do pretty much everything. I wish I had known about these when I bought my Miller. Rob R.

This is an intriguing option. I wonder how well it actually works as a TIG machine.

Any arc welder can operate as a scratch start tig. You just don't get the foot pedal....

wvumtnbkr wrote: http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miwew1.html Dude, get this! It looks awesome AND you get a free auto darkening helmet with it right now. Just buy the OPTIONAL Tig torch and this will do pretty much everything. I wish I had known about these when I bought my Miller. Rob R.

It's DC only, no Aluminum welding, and lift start TIG welding would add an extra level of difficulty to the learning curve.

I'd pick a dedicated MIG, or a AC/DC TIG buy which ever you think you need first, and continue to save for the second later down the road instead of an "all-in-one," Jack of all trades, master of none machine.

• Lee

I'm extremely happy with my Miller 211 (which is/was my first welder). Run it on 220v if you have the capability; even on thinner stuff it just works so much better on the higher voltage. Like others have said, the auto-set feature is awesome.

I have a TA185tsw for "real" work but happy with the Baby Eastwood for quickies. If you want to "mig all" definitely go to a 220/110 unit that is at least 180a.