another welder recommendation thread

[medic0648]

I'm fairly new to welding and am looking for a machine that would hopefully meet my needs/wants for a while while keeping within a $1000 max budget within the next few weeks. I'm needing to be able to repair/fabricate with steel between 1/8" up to 3/8-1/2" on a somewhat regular basis. And up to 3/4-1" for some repairs on a loader bucket I have, but still be at least somewhat portable. Must also have a reasonable duty cycle. I would like to have the
capability, or option to add welding aluminum if possible for a reasonable price. I already have a HF 90 amp wire welder I was given and it gave up and isn't worth fixing(wasn't big enough for my needs either.) I have access to a 50a 220 1ph circuit. I'm not too picky on the process, I have stick welded a little using a neighbor's machine and also flux core wire welded. I'm not finding any good used welders locally that would meet my needs/wants and price. I've been looking at longevity and everlast welders due to price, features, and warranty. Does anyone have any reasonable recommendations on welder models or possibly other brands?

 

[George2615]

I'm no professional welder but have been welding my own projects for almost 40 years now. For the price you mentioned I don't think you could go wrong with something like a Lincoln AC/DC stick welder. I currently have a Miller Bobcat 250NT gas powered welder / generator for my welding tasks. My Miller is portable as I mounted it on a rolling frame but its not in your price range. Also have a wire feed mig welder for smaller jobs. A friend of mine just bought a Lincoln AC/DC from Home Depot for under $500. (pic attached). I used one of these for years with excellent results.

 

[Shield Arc]

Aluminum welding and reasonable price? That's not easy to do. Are you thinking Tig or spool gun?
I'd be interested in hearing more about this machine. Who ever added the information to the website must be trying to save ink! Or it is top secret. :laughing:

1 & 3 phase Mig tig stick(MTS) Welders, MTS Welder, powermig welders

 

[medic0648]

Haha, it's also $3000. As far as cost and being able to wait on it as an add on probably spool gun. I'd like tig, but price for capability I'd likely need is also up there.

 

[Shield Arc]

Where did you see the price? I use Linux Mint for an operating system, maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture! :confused3:

 

[medic0648]

If you click on the model number by the specs it pulls up the full info

 

[medic0648]

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/MTS-400-3914-pd.html

 

[Shield Arc]

If you click on the model number by the specs it pulls up the full info

Oh I see, thanks!

 

[medic0648]

Everlast's site either appears to be having some issues or they discontinued a bunch of mig welders recently. You can't view any of their 1/3phase mig welders now.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Aluminum welding and reasonable price? That's not easy to do. Are you thinking Tig or spool gun?
I'd be interested in hearing more about this machine. Who ever added the information to the website must be trying to save ink! Or it is top secret. :laughing:

1 & 3 phase Mig tig stick(MTS) Welders, MTS Welder, powermig welders

Click through...you just went to the overview page. click the name in green...for details.

The 1 and 3 phase MIGs are special order that's why. We do sell them, but we manufacture to order on those. Of course the 400MTS will fit the bill.
The 250P can be made in 1 and 3 phase, and we can go to 350 amps or so in dual phase. Transformer or Inverter. 3-4 months lead time.

It's in our industrial catalog that we provide to manufacturing industry and oil industry...(and yes we do sell them, mostly international sales right now and we direct ship)