Welder Recommendations

[zpsull01]

Well I think the 90 amp gasless mig that we have here at the house bit the dust today while doing the mini tub job. So what do you all recommend for a decent welder. I'm looking at a couple in the 175 and 185 amp range. I'm willing to spend between 500-1000 and definately looking for a gas welder. I have quite a bit of welding coming up that includes alot of sheet metal. So what are your suggestions?

[MyCreation68]

I bought the Lincoln Electric Weld Pac 3200 HD from Home Depot Works really well.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093231

[mopowers]

I just bought a brand new Lincoln 175 amp MIG on ebay for 385 to my door.  Of course you would need a cylinder of gas as well.  I'd also look on cyberweld.com for Hobart welders.

[illfish]

Miller 185.  Right in the price range.  Works well.

[DustBuster]

Miller 140.  110 ac and priced around $500

[FastmOp]

My little mig is a craftsman, it works great and makes a nice clean weld with the gas and non flux core wire.

[zpsull01]

We were looking at Hobarts at a local Tractor Supply store but they were way over priced. Plus I have heard a few bad things about them. Has anyone else? I would like to keep it 110ac also. And do you think that a small voltage such as a 120-140 would do or should I be more interested in the 170-190 amp range? Right now I'm leaning more towards the larger welder.

[b569rr]

http://store.cyberweld.com/millermatic175.html

I've recommended this one to about 4 friends. The link says 175 but last year this welder was upgraded to 180 amp

[oldkimmer]

Looks great Tom, as I too am looking to buy a mig even though I am not much of a welder with a stick, never used a mig, but hopefully its not to hard to teach an old dog  to learn new tricks..............kim...

[jacks62440]

I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 15 which is the same specs as a Lincoln 175 . It's just the way they market it in Canada , Go Figure . Good machine , Just make sure you get gas with it . Only problem with the 220 Volt is you will have to have special wiring and a Good Extension cord . I think If I was To do it again I "Might" look at the 115Volt just for the Versatility .  You would seldom need the higher Amperage for most car work . But the Lincoln 175 is a Very Nice Unit .   

[tcihla79]

millermatic 135 (now 140)  all the way.  you will be happy.  you could use flux core but argon is the best.  just make sure the voltage and wire speed are variable, not pre set 1-5

[Joe-Dokes]

Although wiring for 220 is a pain, I believe it is well worth the trouble.  The 110 volt welders are great if all you plan to do is weld sheet metal.  But if you plan to weld in sub-frame connectors or a roll cage the 220 welders will do it without a problem while the 110 might be at the limits of its capability. 

I agree with tom the Miller 180 is a small welder that is capable of a 3/16 inch weld in a single pass with gas, and up to 1/2 with multiple passes and a flux core wire. 

Most new houses are wired for an electric clothes dryer.  You can plug the welder in there.  (Just remember to plug in the dryer, or face your wife's wrath.)  (Old joe, do you know why brides wear white? Because all major household appliances come in white.)

Joe Dokes

[jamesdart]

i recomend the hobart 187, great bang for the buck. made in usa.  you can often find a coupon or discount or free shipping from northern and tsc. some guys had bad experiences with ups but they made good on getting a replacemnt machine. when i get my ass working in the garage again, im picking up a 187.

[Adam]

We have an old Miller Cricket XL or something....it's about 15 years old and ran my dad $600 Canadian at the time if I recall? Works well, never needed any repairs and we've done quite a few cars with it and some other stuff..for your basic automotive needs it's good because it has no problem with 1/8 or 3/16 or so thick steel...plenty for body sheet metal and frame rails, but it runs on 110 volts and is small. Ours came gasless but there was a gas conversion available which we now have. I'll never use a flux core welder again.

Adam