Ready to blow my cash on a MIG welder, off to Craigslist I go. Found two possibilities in my $500ish price range.
miller 130xp. Looks lightly used, 130amp 110v. Good reviews online.$400
Lincoln 180HD 220v, new in box. Looks to be a Home Depot exclusive, not part of the regular Lincoln product line. $550.
I do have 220 in the garage, but 110 is nice for portability.
Thoughts?
I have this and love it: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631881_200631881
What kind of work are you primarily looking to do?
If you plan to weld anything more than sheet metal, go with the Lincoln. The Miller is over taxed at 12 gauge- I know- I owned one. Nice welder, just small.
ultraclyde wrote: What kind of work are you primarily looking to do?
This. If you're doing mostly body work, go with the 110V. That's the conventional wisdom at least.
I've got a 110 Lincoln - one of the lowes models. No mig attachments, just set up as basic flux core wire welder. It's been great for what I do, which is mostly brackets, general household repairs, and lightweight fabrication. I've used it on mild steel up to 3/16 or so and it's been fine, but you really have to take your time. With just the wire setup it's great for spattery, ugly welds but you can still make stuff strong. If you'r planning on any chassis work or frame building I'd get the 220v.
BTW, portability was one of the things I thought about. I've used it outside my shop exactly never.
+1 on the Lincoln.
I have several welders and the 110V Lincoln is my go to for sheet metal and simple welding projects.
100% behind the Lincoln. You won't find any automotive welding that can't be done with it.
I've brought my 110V Italian MIG out of the shop plenty. Very handy to just plug into 110V somewhere and stick something together. However, if it was my only welder, I'd go with the 220V one.
What they said. I have an older 110 Miller. Great welder. Does most of what I need. Once in a while, though, I wish I had a 220v model. Go for the bigger model.
Did you budget for the bottle and gas outside of your initial purchase? You're looking at another $150 to $200 for that. I bought a 110 Eastwood MIG and I've been quite happy with it.
I have a 110v Lincoln 140 with gas. I was very happy with it until I used the 220v Miller at the challenge...
get the bigger welder
If you are going mig go 220. If you are looking at lighter duty flux core go with the highest amperage lincoln 110 volt you can find.
I have a Lincoln 140 and it does everything I need it to do. I have welded 1/4 inch plate but pre heating is needed to give me a weld with penetration I was happy with. It welds 1/8 inch with out a problem. Another thing I have noticed is with flux core getting the settings correct will greatly reduce splatter. The sound of sizzling beacon is your friend. And will make you crave a BLT 
Basil Exposition wrote: Did you budget for the bottle and gas outside of your initial purchase? You're looking at another $150 to $200 for that. I bought a 110 Eastwood MIG and I've been quite happy with it.
I have an eastwood 110 mig that is probably 5 or 6 years old. I needed some new parts for it, including a new trigger and the line that goes to it. Went to the eastwood store here in chicago. They didn't have new parts for it (I guess it is at least one model generation old) but they hooked me up with a used one they had for $10. They looked over my machine and threw in a new ground clamp free since mine was crusty. I was exceedingly happy with the customer service.
Hands down the Lincoln. I did years of bead with a 140 Daytona MIG 110v machine w/ straight co2, then got a nice used Millermatic 185 220V w/ a big bottle of C25, and will never go back.
In reply to motomoron:
+1 on the Millermatic 185, great machine.
Just using mine tonight... on a beer break now.
ultraclyde wrote: I've got a 110 Lincoln - one of the lowes models. No mig attachments, just set up as basic flux core wire welder. It's been great for what I do, which is mostly brackets, general household repairs, and lightweight fabrication. I've used it on mild steel up to 3/16 or so and it's been fine, but you really have to take your time. With just the wire setup it's great for spattery, ugly welds but you can still make stuff strong. If you'r planning on any chassis work or frame building I'd get the 220v. BTW, portability was one of the things I thought about. I've used it outside my shop exactly never.
Here to second this, 100%.
I have a Miller 140, 110v. Set up with gas, though occasionally use flux core if I'm welding something on the edge of its penetration abilities, or if I'm outside. I actually move mine around a lot, so the portability has been worth it for me. So far, I haven't needed anything more than this, but I've been right on the edge a few times.
What about a Hobart refurb? Factory reconditioned (with warranty), and from all accounts a really nice machine.
$529 for the Handler 190 (which is what I'm eyeing up currently), or $419 for the Handler 140. Stock comes and goes, but you can add your email to be notified when more is available.
Another option might be Eastwood MIG....I think Nonack has had pretty good luck with his, and they stood behind it and replaced the machine when his first one croaked. I think their 175 is usually between $450-500 depending on what sales/discounts you catch. Even comes with a spool gun if you want to try your hand at aluminum!
In reply to Rotaryracer:
Big fan of the Hobart 140.
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