Considering my first welder.

[ozman]

I have the Millermatic 211 with the autoset and I really like it a lot. I'm new to welding and its been very easy for me to use. I got the free alum. gun with the purchase too, but I doubt that they have that special anymore...

 

[Todd727]

I'd seriously look at the 211. One recurring theme with welders is you buy a inexpensive machine that because you never plan on doing any "heavy" stuff. Well, once you start realizing how handy having a welder is, you also realize that you need a more capable machine. So, you sell the first one (at a loss) and then you have to buy what you should've got in the first place. I started with the small Lincoln, went to a couple of intermediate size welders and now have the Miller 252.

FWIW

 

[Artisan]

If I could do this process over again I would forego the
little 110V homeowner box and jump right into a good
used 220V machine.

If you plan on ONLY welding thin sheet metal then maybe OK
but it is those projects w/ .25" and .375" thick material where
you will be wishing you went big(er)...
FWIW

 

[swick1]

If I could do this process over again I would forego the
little 110V homeowner box and jump right into a good
used 220V machine.

If you plan on ONLY welding thin sheet metal then maybe OK
but it is those projects w/ .25" and .375" thick material where
you will be wishing you went big(er)...
FWIW

My first welding project was a 1" to 1/2" thick tee joint. I used a 220v Lincoln buzz box and it worked great!