Which affordable welder to get?

[71maroesteban]

Hey I'm looking for a gas less welder to start learning with and to use to weld in my dse tubs and sub frame connectors I know harbor freight has a 90 amp for 100 but would like to see what others recommend? Thanks

[bmbrzmn101]

It's not cheap, but I would not want anything else for the welding I do. I have a Miller 211MVP. Even with little welding experience it will have you in the ballpark quickly with the settings on the label. But you get what you pay for. Not trying to judge or sound like a tool whore, but I have earned a living from time to time with my tools and I only want to have to buy something once and get more than I paid for. I feel I did that with the Miller. Just my .02, YMMV.

Chris

[Nothingface5384]

if your working with frames, Id atleast get a 135amp minimum..preferably 190amp and up
check out hobert,
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/

I have a lincoln 135amp does aight..

[Build-It-Break-It]

I second the miller 211 mvp. You should never outgrow it for home use and the money you save in doing Fabrication and repairs yourself will pay for the welder in no time. Most shops charge $2500 to install the mini tubs. That's more then the price of the welder with a gas bottle. But if you've never welded before doing those tubs might be a little intimidating and hard for you. Always buy at the top of what you can afford so you only spend money once. Harbor freight isn't the place to get the welder tho. Any welder will do gas less welding but its not ideal . I'd try Eastwood, Hobart, thermal arc, etc if your shopping in the lower end of the price range.

[71maroesteban]

I second the miller 211 mvp. You should never outgrow it for home use and the money you save in doing Fabrication and repairs yourself will pay for the welder in no time. Most shops charge $2500 to install the mini tubs. That's more then the price of the welder with a gas bottle. But if you've never welded before doing those tubs might be a little intimidating and hard for you. Always buy at the top of what you can afford so you only spend money once. Harbor freight isn't the place to get the welder tho. Any welder will do gas less welding but its not ideal . I'd try Eastwood, Hobart, thermal arc, etc if your shopping in the lower end of the price range. I'm looking to cheap out or anything I'll looking to spend up to 450ish for for a nice good welder to learn on and install the tubs I don't want to pay anyone to do anything to car as I would like to learn

[T_Raven]

I've always been partial to Lincolns. I have 3 Lincoln welders and a plasma cutter. The 140c is a great 110v mig and can be bought for a little over $500. Check craigslist before buying new. I bought my tig with accessories, total it would've cost me $2500 new, got it for $1000 slightly used. Got the $1600 plasma from the same guy for $300. He was an older guy that had a pace maker put in and couldn't use any of his barely used welding equipment. In hind sight even though I already had a smaller mig I should've bought his mig too and sold one of them. I bought my 255 mig from a guy on cl as well, I paid just a little over 1/2 what they cost new and he'd only used it to build a chopper.

[T_Raven]

Also if you buy a machine set up for flux core wire, don't forget to switch the polarity when welding with gas. Welded a whole floor patch in wondering why it was welding so funny before I figured that out lol

[mitch_04]

Watch Craigslist/Ebay and buy a quality brand used. I have the 211 with MVP as well, LOVE IT!!!

[OG_Racing]

I've always been partial to Lincolns. I have 3 Lincoln welders and a plasma cutter. The 140c is a great 110v mig and can be bought for a little over $500. Check craigslist before buying new. I bought my tig with accessories, total it would've cost me $2500 new, got it for $1000 slightly used. Got the $1600 plasma from the same guy for $300. He was an older guy that had a pace maker put in and couldn't use any of his barely used welding equipment. In hind sight even though I already had a smaller mig I should've bought his mig too and sold one of them. I bought my 255 mig from a guy on cl as well, I paid just a little over 1/2 what they cost new and he'd only used it to build a chopper.

i have the lincoln 140c. good little welder for automotive stuff. i've had it for 3 years and it hasn't given me any problems.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Check out my recent thread >>HERE<< (https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/108064-Plasma-cutters-and-MIG-TIG-welders).
I ended up buying a Hobart Handler 140. I haven't gotten a gas tank yet, and so far have used up the sample roll of fluxcore wire (that's the wire you use when you're not using gas) that came with the unit.

[GTOtzel]

Check out this Eastwood Mig. Great starter welder and will do a much better job, cleaner welds, using gas.http://www.cjponyparts.com/eastwood-mig-welder-110vac-135a-output/p/EWMIG110/

[Mo's1969]

I have a Harbor Freight 90 amp. Great Paper Weight. Crummy welder

I bought a Lincoln 140 amp that runs on 110 volt. I love this machine. Works very well. I took my time and welded a cage for my 1969 Mach 1 with it. You can use gas or no gas but gas makes prettier welds.

I found mine like new on Craigslist for 300.00

[71maroesteban]

Check out this Eastwood Mig. Great starter welder and will do a much better job, cleaner welds, using gas.http://www.cjponyparts.com/eastwood-mig-welder-110vac-135a-output/p/EWMIG110/ I'm really liking that one and the price is great would you recommend that one to Install tubs and sub frame connectors? Also what does everyone think about the craftsman welders?

[65convertSSl79]

I second Mo's comment! I have a harbor freight paper weight, it had 2 settings "blow thru" and "slag"! Now I have the Lincoln 140HD, and it works great.

[71maroesteban]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/tls/4571014250.html any thoughts on this one? I got offered him 200 and he said yes would this be able to get the job done? It retails for like 500 I believe

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

That Craftsman is the exact same as I've been using. Not terrible, it will get basic sheetmetal work done. I've had to replace the gun once, and the new one the end of the gun is starting to rotate in the handle some, probably something I can jimmy up to be solid again. It's done well on sheetmetal most of the time. It seems temperamental sometimes, but 95% of the time it's been good. Next car I sell I'm planning to step up to a good Lincoln or Miller, not going to be afraid to spend ~$800 this time around since I seem to weld more and more with each project.

[71maroesteban]

So I told my gf if she wanted to go with me to pick up the welder, she rolled her eyes and told me to give her the 200 and she'll be right back. 30 minutes later she came home with a brand new 140 Lincoln!!! And she bought me the 3 year warranty I want to weld everything now lol!!!!

[Bob in St. Louis]

Marry that one.
Quickly.

[67Soto]

Congratulations! I recently picked up a mm211 and love it. I was in the same boat as you but ended up waiting and saving for about a year to get the miller. I really like it but I learned to weld on my cousins Lincoln 120 and it was equally as good considering 95% of what we weld is thin sheet metal. Enjoy the journey and make sure you get a bottle of gas to make life easier.

[71maroesteban]

Marry that one.
Quickly. lol right I'll weld her a ring! Haha

[71maroesteban]

Congratulations! I recently picked up a mm211 and love it. I was in the same boat as you but ended up waiting and saving for about a year to get the miller. I really like it but I learned to weld on my cousins Lincoln 120 and it was equally as good considering 95% of what we weld is thin sheet metal. Enjoy the journey and make sure you get a bottle of gas to make life easier. yea a bottle is the next thing on my list. I've always wanted to learn how to weld so this was a dream come true for me!