Looking for New MiG Welder

[mitchash]

I have a Clark 130EN 110v MiG welder, that works ok but I am thinking of upgrading. We have a Miller 211, multi voltage machine at work that's great! I was thinking something like that or a Multiprocess machine for home. Any suggestions? Anyone have any experience with the new Harbor Freight Vulcan welders? Thanks, Ash

 

[frugalangler]

I have a Clark 130EN 110v MiG welder, that works ok but I am thinking of upgrading. We have a Miller 211, multi voltage machine at work that's great! I was thinking something like that or a Multiprocess machine for home. Any suggestions? Anyone have any experience with the new Harbor Freight Vulcan welders? Thanks, Ash

Following as I'm in same situation, I've currently a Harbor Freight (Chicago electric) 75A 110V that works great just duty cycle is low and max current also low, so I'm shopping. I recently purchased an import plasma cutter that is kick butt, so shopping the same market - I don't earn a living using mine just use it maybe 2 or 3 times a year, so the expense of a Miller or similar is out of the question.

 

[mitchash]

Yeah I only weld a few times a year and don't have the budget to buy the more expensive welders.

 

[mitchash]

What plasma cutter did you get? I have a small torch set but don't have tanks. Thinking a plasma cutter would be nice too.

 

[KubotainNH]

I upgraded from the HF 90amp 110v flux core unit to an Everlast iMig 140. Nice machine but takes some getting used to, getting the settings correct and all. I have a 60cf tank and if welding a bunch it doesn't last all that long. At $50 a filling it can get expensive if you only get 2 weeks out of the tank. Makes some nice welds though. As for HF Vulcan, I would wait that one out but they do look nice. Kicker is the Everlast is cheaper with a 3 year warranty.

As for Plasma cutter, I got this one a couple years ago but don't use it a ton. Have yet to use it on 220v because of no plug to do it. Really small portable unit.
Plasma Cutter 5AMP New CUT5D Inverter Dual Voltage 12 Month Warranty 217 Mode | eBay

This unit is pretty darn cheap and comes with the 220 plug which is cool. Only 2 reviews so far.
4 Amp Dual Voltage Air Plasma Cutter DC Inverter Cutting Machine - - Amazon.com

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have some Everlast product (not a mig though) and love it. consumer to prosumer level of gear and has a good track record of being reliable and having a good price point.

I agree with Kubotain that the Vulcan is too new and while probably very solid would not risk my money for another 3 or 4 years on the brand.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I bought a Lincoln MIG 180 a few years ago for a Jeep build I did with my son. It's been a great machine and well worth the money!

And when you own a tractor they can pay for themselves pretty quickly...





The new HF Vulcan MIGMax looks nice, but for a little more you can purchase a name brand machine.

 

[frugalangler]

I upgraded from the HF 90amp 110v flux core unit to an Everlast iMig 140. Nice machine but takes some getting used to, getting the settings correct and all. I have a 60cf tank and if welding a bunch it doesn't last all that long. At $50 a filling it can get expensive if you only get 2 weeks out of the tank. Makes some nice welds though. As for HF Vulcan, I would wait that one out but they do look nice. Kicker is the Everlast is cheaper with a 3 year warranty.

As for Plasma cutter, I got this one a couple years ago but don't use it a ton. Have yet to use it on 220v because of no plug to do it. Really small portable unit.
Plasma Cutter 5AMP New CUT5D Inverter Dual Voltage 12 Month Warranty 217 Mode | eBay

This unit is pretty darn cheap and comes with the 220 plug which is cool. Only 2 reviews so far.
4 Amp Dual Voltage Air Plasma Cutter DC Inverter Cutting Machine - - Amazon.com

I only paid $180US for my Cut50-pilot machine. I just ran a 20A 220V circuit to where I weld and that thing kicks butt on 220, worked great on 110V but could only go to about 45A but on 220V it's a butter knife at 50A

 

[Shield Arc]

This is one of the nicest Mig welders I've ever used. Lincoln V350-Pro.
Lots of power!

 

[mitchash]

Anyone have any experience with the Everlast iMig 200? It's dual voltage, is MIG and stick and is spool gun ready. It's price isn't too bad and has a good warranty.

 

[mitchash]

I would like a dual voltage welder, multiprocess would be nice (Mig/stick, mig/stick/tig, plasma cutter/mig/stick). my budget is under $1000. I'm just a novice welder doing my own projects, vintage dirt bikes and farm equipment. Any suggestions?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Everlast. Guys sells them here and most of us who have them like them. Very reliable, well priced, good warranty.

PM Mark (he runs the everlast tab) and he will knock a bit more off the price as you are TBN Member.

 

[mxpapa]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200680685_200680685 they have a 3 year warranty, if you have a store near you, they have the previous model 220v only tho, for $499. I had one of their plasma cutters for 4 years and it was excellent and trouble free.

 

[Stomper]

I have a Millermatic 210 mig welder, a Lincon Tig 200 square wave tig/stick welder and a Termal Dynamic cutmaster 32 plasma cutter. I love all of them.These are the only ones I have ever owned but I have used some others that are not as expensive or as good of quality. From my experiences, if you want to learn how to weld and do a good job, the quality of the machine is everything. I would suggest to get the best machine that you can afford. Brands like Miller and Lincon are more expensive for a reason. When it comes to welding, quality equipment can make the experience a lot more enjoyable and easier.
My buddy has a cheaper multi process welder, (can't remember the brand) and it is not very nice to weld with but maybe with a bit more time and it would come around.

 

[Todd727]

I have several large machines that just aren't portable (Millermatic 252, Syncrowave 210 and an IdealArc 250).

After doing some research I went with the Lincoln PowerMig 210. By all accounts this is an outstanding welder. I haven't had a chance to set it up, but not much more money than an Everlast.

 

[sd455dan]

Since you are looking for a Mig and already have an earlier Clarke ( who also built the Chicago electric HF power mig 150 i have)

you could try the new HF mig max 215, since you did ask about the new Vulcans.

shovelon a (regular contributor) over on Welding Web tested it for about a year and seemed like out of the new Vulcans, it was pretty good with the statement - It Just Works.
it does seem to be built better than the Old clarke's and has synergic modes , variable voltage instead of taps, a cast Aluminum, drive system with a larger drive motor than the Clarke units to.

Use it for year- and if you don't like it FOR ANY REASON return it for a Full refund.
So Nothing to lose and for $599 a 120 or 240 volt capable 215 amp mig, What is there to lose but your time testing it?