Which Welder? Opinions and Input Needed

[britj]

Hey everyone, I am in the process of getting everything I need for my build. I have a 275 gallon tank and as soon as my tax return check comes in I'm going to proceed with buying my welder and supplies as well as my trailer and materials. My questions is, what type welder does everyone recommend? I have experience welding, i took a few classes in high school, and one of my jobs I did alot of welding. I havent had to make decisions on which welder I needed to use for those jobs, so i really dont know which is the best for this type of welding. Anyone have any opinion? I have exp in stick welding and MIG 

O, sorry if this thread is in the wrong area. I am still kinda new here and getting use to how this place is setup.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

BritJ

 

[boykjo]

I have the Hobart handler 187 MiG which is a 220v. I recommend you get a 220v over a 110.. 110v units don't have enough power to weld 1/4 plate with good penetration. Looking at the Hobart welders they now have a 210 multi volt that looks good with 110 and 220 capability. Hobart is made by miller so the parts are interchangeable.....You will get many recommendations on brands like Lincoln, esab, miller and Hobart and they all perform about the same. Its a matter of preference..... I have always been a Miller fan

Joe

joes pics 550.JPG

• boykjo
• Jan 26, 2013

 

[michael ark]

Love the old ranger. Clasics are disapering cause the high price of scrap. It's a shame.

 

[themule69]

i have a lincoln 175 it works great for me. the hobart is a little cheaper and works well. just don't buy a harbor freight for any reason. don't even think about it. oh did i mention don't buy a harbor freight. it is a little pricey but miller makes a 110 stick that is only 18# it welds great.

 any name brand will do well. it's just heat and metal.

post pics when you get one. also post pics of the build.

happy smoken.

david

 

[nekramp]

I've welded with many welders over the past years, Miller, Snap-On, Esab, Hobart, Lincoln. I actually own all of them but my go to welders are definatly Lincoln, I have a Power Mig 350MP, (which is my favorite, but most expensive at 5K) a power mig 225, a Lincoln Precision TIG 225, a Ranger 8, and a Ranger 10.  If you are going to purchase a welder make sure you get a one that has a gas kit with it so you don't have to run flux-core wire.  Makes a better weld and you can eleminate the process of cleaning your welds.  And make sure the duty cycle is going to be able to handle what you are welding and how much welding.  On alot of smokers alot of the steel is going to be 1/4" or more and you're going to want to put a little more heat into it to get good pentration.  (In a welder, the maximum duty cycle is defined as the percentage of time in a 10 minute period that it can be operated continuously before overheating so a 60% duty cycle is going to allow you to weld for 6 out of 10 mins on its rated max amperage duty cycle.)  Hope this gives you some help and Good Luck.

Also, buy local, you'll have a better experience!!!

Welders / We build America!!

 

[britj]

thanks to everyone for your replies and input. I have been doing a lot of searching and looking in stores. I'm honestly still not sure which I should go with. There are so many options. I have talked to the lady, and she said she really doesn't want me spending more then $500 or close to it. i've already purchase a welding helmet, that its self was $179, but shhhh, she thinks it was $50. so, after all the about recommendations, for around $500, which of these is the best bang for the buck? I did look at tractor supply company, they have a Hobart handler 140 mig welder for $499.99, http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-handler-reg-140-mig-welder-3812040  . Its not 220v but it says it can handle 1/4".

I had found miller 140 MP at a local dealer, but its $810 the ol ball n chain said "o h*** no, you can pick up one of those cheap a** ones at walmart" haha

 

[britj]

ok, well since my last post... I called Hobart. They said the Hobart Handler 140 will handle 1/4" with no problems. They said they normally under rate how much their welders can take. I told them I just needed something cheap, dependable, but able to do what I need and they said the 140 is perfect. As stated in my previous post, I found it at a local Tractor Supply Co, for $499. I hurried over and picked up there last one. I came straight home and set it up, I grabbed a piece of 1/4 sheet metal I had laying around, and welded a piece of 2" rigid square tubing to it. WORKED PERFECTLY. Had perfect penetration. I cannot wait to start my build! Thanks to EVERYONE for there input and I seriously cannot wait to get this build underway. I WILL be posting pics up as soon as I can. Tomorrow I will even take a picture of my test weld and post it up. Thanks EVERYONE!!!!!

 

[rasimmo]

The 140 will work, but might just take more time. The machine will kick out on the thermal overlaod when you are trying to make longer welds. On 1/4" you should be running it close to max and the duty cycle is shorter that on the bigger units. That's the reason most folks don't want the 110v units. Just be aware that if you are welding along fine and it just quits, that's what is happening. It will work again after the machine cools down a few minutes.

 

[themule69]

ok, well since my last post... I called Hobart. They said the Hobart Handler 140 will handle 1/4" with no problems. They said they normally under rate how much their welders can take. I told them I just needed something cheap, dependable, but able to do what I need and they said the 140 is perfect. As stated in my previous post, I found it at a local Tractor Supply Co, for $499. I hurried over and picked up there last one. I came straight home and set it up, I grabbed a piece of 1/4 sheet metal I had laying around, and welded a piece of 2" rigid square tubing to it. WORKED PERFECTLY. Had perfect penetration. I cannot wait to start my build! Thanks to EVERYONE for there input and I seriously cannot wait to get this build underway. I WILL be posting pics up as soon as I can. Tomorrow I will even take a picture of my test weld and post it up. Thanks EVERYONE!!!!!

i think you will be happy with your new hobart. it is a good machine. if you want to weld thicker steel just make more passes. i find that welding wire is cheaper on ebay.

happy smoken.

david

 

[daveomak]

Brit, morning... Glad you got a welder and are happy with it......  As a side note, when you want to weld some thicker metal, use a propane weed burner and preheat the metal....  that works.....  and it helps keep the metal from getting hairline cracks...  Dave

 

[boykjo]

Only time will tell............................

 

[britj]

not to bad of a practice weld. i still need to work on getting them even

images.jpg

• britj
• Feb 20, 2013

 

[daveomak]

Brit, looks nice.... don't worry about nice.... It's penetration you want....   The weld "almost" looks a little cold.... pictures can be deceiving though...  especially all the way from Deleware...  Please take a moment and add that to your profile so folks don't have to see where you are from....   thanks much.....   Dave    PS, I originally thought you were from Britain.... sorry..... that was not nice....  

Dave

 

[tito]

I know the price will probably vary, but how much does the gas cost for welders?  I am in the same situation as the op and looking for welders. 

 

[daveomak]

I know the price will probably vary, but how much does the gas cost for welders?  I am in the same situation as the op and looking for welders. 

tito, evening....  Probably different at each welding supply store...  They sell it in cu. ft. tank size...  I bought my tanks and regulators so it is just an exchange each time I need gas....   depends on bottle size also....   Dave

 

[tito]

tito, evening....  Probably different at each welding supply store...  They sell it in cu. ft. tank size...  I bought my tanks and regulators so it is just an exchange each time I need gas....   depends on bottle size also....   Dave

I know it changes due to all the factors, I am just lookign at ballpark figures, so I don't get sticker shock, and or create my budget.

 

[shoneyboy]

 

[daveomak]

They don't list prices on the web.....  You'll have to phone a local shop...   Dave