MIG welder questions

[shawn_s]

I'm going to start of by saying i dont know anything about welders, ive never welded before, but its something im interested in trying to do. I work at an automotive/hardware store (canadian tire for those of you in the north) and i have a chance to get a brand new lincoln mig pak 180, with gloves, wire, mask ect, a basic starter kit, for 365+ tax(it was a one week special from last year that they are trying to get rid of). regular price on just the welder is over $800, so it seems like a pretty good deal. i just wanted to get someone elses input on the welder, if you think its a good one to start with, because like i said, i know nothing about welding. here is a link to the welder: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en



any input would be great. if you need any more info let me know. I'm hoping to buy it by the end of the week depending on what you guys say.

Thanks

[keithq69]

I just bought that same welder from Crappy Tire last month. I think I paid about $600.00.
Where is the $365.00 sale?

By the way, it's s great welder.
I had the old version of that and it was stolen a few months back.
I haven't opened this one up yet.

What area do you live?

[astroracer]

For that kind of money (Canadian, right?) I would jump on it. Then take a couple of welding classes to get up to speed and start building stuff!
Mark

[19,69camaro]

I have the same welder and it works great. Can easily handle 1/4". The one thing you will have to do is make sure your shop is wired for 220v. Also make sure the outlet will be close to where you will be doing the majority of your work since extension cords wont work.
One upgrade I suggest is to throw out the shield they give you and go get yourself an auto-darkening helmet. Night and day difference...no pun intended.

[shawn_s]

the shop i have now is a temperary thing, just a 10'x17' shed, will be building a shop in the spring. I just figured with a deal like it is I might as well buy it now, even if i dont use it, i'd probably end up paying about double by the time im ready for it. and ive already been looking at auto darkening helmets, i figured the face sheild they give you wasnt very good.

and i didnt even think about taking a few welding classes, but thats a good idea lol

keith i live down near windsor, it was one of those one week special things on something they dont carry all the time, always carry the welder but this was a special pack with some accessories, im thinking i might pick it up tomorrow

[keithq69]

Grab it for that price.
The one I bought was the promo as well but I paid a couple hundred more.