Inexpensive welder?

[DartorDemon]

A part of me is thinking of buying an inexpensive MIG. I would like it to be able to do some pipe welding and at the very least being able to tack on some brackets to have a welding shop finish up the welding.

Not sure whats good for inexpensive welders, but i guess the harbor freights have a bad rep?

[critter]

I love my Hobart 140 for light duty work like you're describing.

[wellis77]

Where are you located? I'm going to be selling my Snap-On (Hobart/Miller) 135 in a couple months when I get back.

[oestek]

Check out the HTP MIG 130 (http://www.usaweld.com/MIG-130-s/116.htm) - it's a nice 110 machine that will do everything you describe easily. And the support is awesome if you ever need anything.

[edog1]

I would buy the largest (miller , lincoln or hobart) welder you can afford. I bought a Harbor Freight mig about 15 years ago as my first welder and it was a pain to weld with it only had 4 heating settings and inconsistent arc . After I purchased my miller 180 auot set it made welding easy.
Im not sure if I understand why do you want to get a welder to only tack stuff before sending it to a welding shop. Buy a descent welder take some classes. read or have someone teach you the basics and weld stuff yourself

[DartorDemon]

well thats not the only reason, but it is part of my reasoning. Like if/when i blow my rear axle, i swap to something new and tack on the new mounts and then have them professionally welded(too important IMO for an untrained welder)

two things that i've been kicking around have been building my own caltracs & fabbing a remote turbo setup. Plus you never know when else a welder may come in handy(gotta justify it somehow)

[mike w.]

it is better to search for a good quality used welder than a cheap new one! cheapies have lousy guns and drive rolls that can cause endless frustration especially when under a car, and if you get a good one it will last years and as you get better it will reward you with better welds to the point you won't need to have it welded by anyone else, with good penetration a 1" weld will hold a ton so even a so so weld all the way round an axle tube will not break! if you got someone to show you an ideal power setting for the material thickness etc and 10 mins of practice you can put down a decent weld with a mig, and with practice comes the neatness and more understanding of the science involved in welding,

[alowerlevel]

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?72790-millermatic-welder-130

[John Wright]

If you go with the Miller or Hobart 140(same machine, BTW)....you can get tips and other consumables just about anywhere, Tractor Supply, Northern Tool, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.....just a thought.
I mentioned this because our local welding supply closes up shop by the time I get off from work, but these other stores are still open.

[d.c.]

I bought a lincoln electric 220 at home depot and couldn't be happier. Took a bit of a risk on it considering the source, but it has performed flawlessly for 4 years now. Haven't tried aluminum with it yet but that day will come.