Recommendations for MIG Welder for a beginner??

[Philly-QueMaster]

Anyone have any recommendations for a decent MIG welder that would be good for a beginner to learn on, but also decent enough to make an actual smoker? I have never welded before but I would like to learn and eventually build myself a Stumps Clone. I was thinking of maybe an electric MIG welder. Anyone here have some advice for a total newb? Also I can't afford something real expensive.

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[brewman114]

Miller 212. Around 1200 bucks. I wouldn't settle for smaller.

 

[garagewear]

The little Lincoln welders are good for home use. New at Lowes and Home Depot they will still run you around $500. You can get one that only runs flux core wire or you can get one that is setup for gas (Argon/CO2). If you ever think you might use it for thin sheet metal go with the one setup for gas. Even on thicker metal it will give you a cleaner bead running gas than flux core. Also check the welding supply places where you have to by the gas anyway. Many of them have small "pocket" units like the Lincoln available at comparable prices.

Always check craigslist because there is someone else who wanted to try it and bought one that they never use. Might get it a lot cheaper. Unless it is just a deal stay away from the Harbor Freight ones. They are just junk and more trouble than they are worth.

I personally have an older Marquette 230V/50A/60% duty cycle but have used the little ones on small jobs.

 

[brewman114]

One more thing. If you haven't welded before I assume you will need more than just a welder. Saw, Plasma cutter, torch, grinder, drill press, etc.

 

[garagewear]

One more thing. If you haven't welded before I assume you will need more than just a welder. Saw, Plasma cutter, torch, grinder, drill press, etc.

Go get a good helmet as well. Keep your eyes safe!

 

[Philly-QueMaster]

Thanks for all the replies. I can't afford to pay $1,200 right now. I was thinking more of like $500 for now. I found this on craigslist is this any good? I was thinking of offering like $500.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/1698814301.html

 

[armor]

Miller 212. Around 1200 bucks. I wouldn't settle for smaller.

That is the one!

 

[bbqbull]

Patrick, might I suggest you take a welding class.
Around here if your a student you get a discount from a welding supply store.

I bought the Miller mig welder along with a regulator and a mixed gas tank.

The Lincoln wire welder I was considering has a plastic housing housing for the wire feed mechanism, Miller has an all metal housing.

Good luck.

 

[brewman114]

Lincolns are good but you should know something about lincoln. Parts are hard to get if it breaks down and that paticular model will be limited to a 3/16" single pass with a 20% duty cycle. Should be good for beginer but you will have to upgrade someday. Its meant for small repair work not building large projects.

 

[Bartstop]

DO NOT BUY A CHEAP WELDER. Go with the 120v Lincoln. If you buy a cheapie, you will regret it. Never skimp on power tools. Unless you like buying them twice. Which most of us Americans do because retailers (The Always Low Price Store for example) have us convinced we're saving money buying cheap chinese crap. In reality we're spending more money because we're back the very next year replacing the cheap chinese crap because.........it's cheap crap.

The moral of the story. Spend a little extra and get something that's going to last.

 

[brown dog]

That is a great deal, jump on it. If you are unsure take someone with that welds or ask him to demonstrate it. I have the 135, you can weld with a course and some practice. I think if you price all he has there, you will be at about $900 + tax. Go to a welding supply and check.

 

[garagewear]

Thanks for all the replies. I can't afford to pay $1,200 right now. I was thinking more of like $500 for now. I found this on craigslist is this any good? I was thinking of offering like $500.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/1698814301.html

That is too much. Check the Lowes and Sears price on that unit before you make an offer. See if they have a tank.

As mentioned part of the problems with some Lincolns (circa 2003-2005) is getting parts. The reason for this is that they purchased Century and Marquette then phased most of their products out via Lowes and Home Depot either badged as Lincolns or Century's.

Try to find one with a Tweco wand on it. Hobart, Miller and Lincoln all make good welders but you have to decide are you going for cheap right now or wanting a good welder. I think but am not sure that Craftsman welders are Lincolns (right now). Snap-On was made by Century in the late 80's through the mid 90's.

 

[Philly-QueMaster]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Now I'm wondering if it will just be cheaper to pay someone to build my smoker for me. I don't want to get a cheap-o unit that won't work or will be hard to find parts for, and I can't afford a $1,000+ right now for equipment. I'll start searching around for classes as well.

 

[brewman114]

all the bad mentioned about lincoln is true, BUT!!! As a beginner you may find out its not your cup of tea and want nothing to do with it. If you take good care of that you will know in a short period of time and still get a reasonable price out of it. Either to upgrade or just get away from it all together. 600 is a little steep for the welder alone but not a bad deal with the helmet and cart included the rest of that comes as a pkg. And those gloves are cheap. I think a decent buy but not the best you could find if you kept looking and are patient.

 

[puddle jumper]

Ive got a little Hobart 125, its 120v so I can take it anywhere and plug it in to a a wall or exstention cord, light and portable,, flux core, so you dont have to mess with a bottle.. I have welded 1/2" steel "multiple pass"
on farm tractors with no problems,, its a great little unit easy to weld with ,you do have to work around the duty cycle,,, clean the surface good,,point and pull the trigger and move slow, weave side to side,,clean the flux off for multiple passes...:thumb: you dont have to have a high dollar to do good work just take your time...
Would a 2000$ unit be nice??, yup, but this one is good for beginners and home prodjects...oh and yup , good grinder, and a set of torches, "torches a cheep bottls are not" and bunch of clamps are a must...dont foget safty gear...:becky: including hearing...

BUILDING IS HALF THE FUN...
Puddle


I building this grill with it ...
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73467

 

[Smokin Turkey]

When I started welding, I had 1K to get started and asked for some advice from a neighboring shop. I got tons of advice and ended up spending about 600 on the welder and another 200 on a nice helmet, gloves, consumables, coat, pliers, and a few spools of .025 and .030 wire.

I got the lincoln 180c which comes with flux core for beginners which I used the heck out of it. and it comes set up for gas with everything but the bottle! It's a 220v unit and I have mine on a 50a breaker. It has been going great through many lbs of wire from the flux, to solid core and even stainless! It can also be set up with the spool gun for alum welding if you want to go that route later.

I can attest to this welders great abilities. It can weld 3/16" steel in a single pass and I've welded up to 3/4" steel with it.

Whatever you decided to get, make sure you spend a little more for quality. It will pay off when you are making better welds and not fiddling with it.

I'll be coming to the forums someday in the next year for TIG advice!

 

[rle5766]

I have Lincoln 140 120 volt, got it at Home Depot less than $500, it has welded every thing I have put under it. I recommend buying the adapter for running the ten pound wire reels.

 

[Smokin Turkey]

I have Lincoln 140 120 volt, got it at Home Depot less than $500, it has welded every thing I have put under it. I recommend buying the adapter for running the ten pound wire reels.

Thanksf ro reminding me! The 180c comes with the adapter for the 10lb reals. and if you take the cover off the thing, angels sing and a rainbow comes down. If you buy anything else, someone punches a baby. :boxing:

 

[Philly-QueMaster]

How does this deal look? Its a Hobart 140.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/tls/1712109970.html

 

[Gerrit_Boys]

I built mine with a lincoln sp-100 with gas. It's 120 volt so you can plug it in pretty much anywhere. I believe it'll do 3/16" or 1/4". This welder has probably burned through 150 pounds of wire without any trouble. A bigger one is nice but you usually need 240 volts and a dedicated receptacle for them.