110 Volt Mig Welder... Need Info...

[TonyC]

I have been doing a lot of welding and I also belong to three different welding forums. All things considered, when it comes to a 110V welder the Hobart 135 is by far the machine of choice. I thoroughly researched as you are doing and easily decided on the Hobart. It is a very fine machine. The Miller does have a slightly better build but it is generally thought that it is not worth the extra dough. There are others that also perform well but I'm sure you will find the Hobart the first choice among those with experience. This isn't necessarily true for all sizes and types of welders, but it is for the 110V class.

A 110v Welder will weld up to 3/16" You can stretch it to 1/4" by beveling but you'll need some experience along with it.

Flux core will give you deeper penetration in all cases. Keep in mind that if you also want to weld with gas it'll cost you $140 or so for a tank. The Hobart comes with everything else.

I would have to differ on one post. The subject of different welders being made for different stores has come up many times on the welding forums. Hobart and Miller (basically the same company) vehemently and vigorously deny that allegation. They say that every welder off the line is the same no matter which retailer it's destined for. When I bought mine last year, I searched everywhere including the interent and believe it or not, Tractor Supply by far had the best price. Check around, of course.

Good luck!

 

[ronjhall]

Dave

TSC still has the Hobart 135 compete setup including a tank and auto-darkening helmet for $698 when I stopped by there last week. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hi...


Looking for your input on 110 volt Mig welders... up to 20 amp draw... (or stick welders if they come in 110 v)

)</font>

Dave,

Don't know if this would be up your alley, but Sams Club currently has a Lincoln "Genwelder" for cheap. It has an 8hp motor, 4000w generator, and I think a 25A welder in 1 compact unit. I drool every time I see it, and will get it some day. The price is steep at $995, but that's really cheap for such great quality and utility. Maybe sell your old generator and apply the money to that Lincoln unit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobertN]

You said Mig, but have you thought of an underhood stick welder? My B-in-Law has one on his Jeep. It works really well. They are popular for off road folks, who get out in the stick and might break things on the trail. It's a "Premier" unit.

As long as he can get the Jeep reasonably close, he can weld it. He can also run 110v stuff off of it.

 

[mahlers]

I've used the Hobart Handler 135 for a couple of years now, and it's a very good unit. You can get one along with a free Hobart welder cart for $499 at the online store at Sears. That's what I paid for mine, but it didn't include the cart. Hobart welder at Sears

 

[ronjhall]

Dave
I must have had a Senior Moment yesterday. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The Kit from TSC is for a 220 volt 175 amp Hobart.
Here is a link to it. Click Here

I bought my Hobart 135 off Ebay.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Thanks guys...

My research and reassessment of everything has led me to a stick/Tig welder that runs on 110 and 220v...

Miller Maxstar 150 STL... DC stic/Tig...

Not sure if having Tig capability is worh the extra $$$ versus that unit with just DC stick... ?


Dave...

 

[jimg]

The Maxstar's are really great compact units packed w/ features. I have the 200 DX. Looks like you get most everything necessary to start welding w/ the STL. Whats the price on this unit? Since both processes are CC it makes sense they'd come together on the same machine. TIG is really good for those times when you want to weld thin bits, need a high qual root weld or need a weld that looks good (no spatter etc) w/o cleanup. TIG is much like gas welding w/o the flame. I suppose it depends a great deal on what you intentd to use the unit for as to whether TIG is worth the extra cost.

 

[jimg]

BTW if you get the STL and want to TIG then you dont necessarily have to buy your tank(s). In fact its better that you dont b/c after a certain period they must be recertified (which is expensive). Unless they're recertified you wont be able to find anyone to refill them. Renting is usually most cost effective unless you're going to use *lots* of gas. I know MG rents them. I rent mine from MaineOxy for around $70/yr (2 tanks).

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


The Maxstar 150 STL DC stick/Tig package with case.. guages... torch... costs $1,100... + gas tank...
Plus... I'd take a Tig class at $300...

The Maxstar 150 S DC stick-only with case is $640... $560 w/o case...

I'm leaning towards the stick only... and if need be... get a Mig welder in the future... and upgrade thie unit to Tig...



Dave...

 

[jimg]

Does the price include a remote? Was that a mail order price?

Tank rental is a lot easier esp for an occassional user.

Maybe the 150S is really the best fit. When you get a TIG machine I think having some automation beyond basic preflow (at least auto pre/postflow, maybe current ramps (pre and post), maybe pulsing, nonscratch starting). TIG is more efficient w/ some automation and a few bells/whistles. If you plan to weld very thin material a wider current range is necessary (wider then the STL gives) as is pulsing and current ramping. Maybe getting the course work first will help you better define what youd like in a TIG welder.

Anyway...Id be interested in what you wind up w/. Keep us posted...OK??

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In fact its better that you dont b/c after a certain period they must be recertified (which is expensive). Unless they're recertified you wont be able to find anyone to refill them. Renting is usually most cost effective unless you're going to use *lots* of gas. I know MG rents them. I rent mine from MaineOxy for around $70/yr (2 tanks). )</font>

I used to rent my tanks but have found purchasing them now to be a much better option. I purchased mine full from AMI for about $140 full of gas. Each time I need to get a refill, they just swap it for another tank that is already full so I always have current certification on my purchased tanks. That was one of the selling points when I bought the tanks.

Andy

 

[jimg]

Wow, thats a good deal! MaineOxy...wouldnt do that. You either use their tanks or yours but not both. Are you using Merriam Graves? If so I might just switch. They arent as conveniently located but thats a pretty good deal.

 

[jimg]

A heads up for folks in northern NE looking for a MIG machine: Maine Oxy in Hooksett, NH has the Hobart Ironman 210 on sale for $955 thru March. Thats a *great* deal! This is an all in one machine (nothing needed exc safety equipment to start welding) and nicely built. They have one in the show room but will order if that one sells.