welder help

[Todds69]

I'm looking to buy a mig welder and need a little help. I was originally going to get the Lincoln 175 plus but not sure if I need that much welder...cost mainly. Questions I have: Is the tap heat setting sufficient or is the infinate one the way to fly. Next is: Miller or Lincoln, kind of like Ford/Chevy (but we all know Chevy). Finally is 110 or 220. This is mainly for Auto use nothing more than 1/8"-3/16" mostly sheet metal.

[68protouring454]

go with the 175 ,220 volt machine, once you got one you will come across thicker stuff you need to weld, a 175 is good to 3/8 or so when you know what your doing. i have lincolns in my shop but only because i got killer deals on them, i got a 175 and a 255, and have no problems , however i have heard good things about miller, and there service if something happens, alhtough the machines are damn near trouble free if you take any type care of them, i would buy lincoln again, but millers are killer too
jake

[homerneedspeed]

i have a miller 175 that i have used about 2 hours a week for 2 years and have never had problems with. i would recommend it to anyone

[Matt@RFR]

I tested the Hobart 180 before it was released. Hobarts roll off the exact same assembly line as the Miller's do, for less money. The drive mechanism is slightly less desirable, but still better than the little Lincoln's. The Hobart's arc is alittle mushy compared to the Miller, but most hobby users will never know the difference. I did destructive and non destructive testing with the 180 up to 5/16", and I would be comfortable using it on 1/4" plate, but no thicker. All in all a very good machine.

[68protouring454]

your one to talk about little lincolns!!

[Flight396]

I have a Millermatic 175 (220v) I bought off Ebay brand new about 8 months ago. It's awesome. I'm restoring my 68' Camaro with it. I weld frame pieces and other things that need fab work done. I had a Craftsman 90amp (120v), sold it because I didn't like the way it welded. I was taking a welding class at the time, and I just couldn't go back to using it because I liked the way the 220v welder's worked (I might have been a little spoiled using the more powerful machines at class ). Matt brought up Hobarts and when I was looking for a new welder I looked hard at them because I believe they were about $150 cheaper then the Millermatic and you may get a little more top end amps, but I kept going back to the infinate voltage the miller had and with the various projects I had, I knew I would need that, and I did. I say go with the Miller, Goodluck!

[CamaroAJ]

I have the Millermatic DVI, runs off 110 or 220, its by far the best welder i have ever used! i'm not saying its the best but for the 1300 i paid for it that thing is tits. does 22G sheet metal up to 7/16 plate if i remember right.

[Todds69]

Thanks guys, I will probably get the 175 Lincoln. Found a pretty good deal online. Its just all the other stuff it gets real expensive. Thanks