Thinking about getting myself a welder, but...

[JDgreen227]

The other day I took a draft arm clevis from my 7-Iron deck to a shop to have rewelded, they told me it took them about 20 minutes and it cost me $25 for the work. I thought that rate of $75 an hour was more than fair as I have priced welding equipment and that shop is a fair sized place with a lot of overhead.

Have long dreamed about buying a smaller MIG welder, one that can be operated on 115 volts...which would cost me about $400-450. Then I have to buy an auto-darkening helmet and leather gloves, plus the expense of a bottle of gas. In the 23 years I have lived in the country, the experience with the clevis was only the second time I needed to to have welding done, and although there are probably a few times I COULD have used a welder to fix or create something.

How many of the members here can actually justify the expense of their welding equipment, has it paid for itself yet? Or is it basically something you just wanted because you needed it once in a while, never mind the cost? Thanks for your input.

 

[20 20]

I quess I'll be 1st. I started as a teen with an old crappy 110V arc welder, very frustrating. Then latter on in life I went to a fairly nice mig hobart cost 600{allmost30yrs ago} I did a lot of work with that machine and it lasted many years well worth the money. When the mig finally died, I went back to an arc welder{my preference} have had that for some time now and it paid for itself more then a few times. I have even done a few odd jobs on the side.

You may be surprised at what you'll end up repairing or just plain building.

 

[Shield Arc]

Over my life time I've made really good money with welding equipment, (mine and the companies I worked for) haven't made a dime with mine since retiring. I have never taken anything to a welding shop for repair.


Far as the purchase of a 120-volt wire feed, don't do it! Buy a 220-volt stick machine.

 

[hodge]

For the home hobbyist, if you go out and buy new equipment with all the bells and whistles, it will probably never pay off. Then again, there are lots of things that we buy that don't pay off- like a nice television. That thing doesn't make a dime. So, what you have to ask is this- if I can't financially justify it, do I want one for the fun and experience? To me, again for the hobbyist, that is where the real question is- what can you do with it? Once you have one, and get better at welding, you will find that there are lots of things that you can do. It expands your horizons. In that sense, it's a lot easier to justify than a tv...
Now, if you shop and find you a used welder, you can see a return on your money, depending on how much you use it. If you don't use it, you can probably sell it for the same that you paid for it.
There are many things in life that, if you break it down to dollars and cents and don't look at other values, you won't take the step. A family vacation, that photo at the end of an amusement park ride, a really nice camera, etc.- some things can't be fully evaluated by the cost. I started with a Lincoln 135SP mig welder, that was worn out but I got real cheap. I eventually moved up to a new Hobart, which I now use for a side business. It hasn't paid for itself yet, but it will soon and be around, making me money, for a long time after that. If I hadn't gotten that cheap Lincoln, and realized the opportunites that came with some welding skills, then I would have missed out on a fulfilling activity. I now love to weld and fabricate.
Only you can answer whether it is a good investment or not- my advice is to not only look at the cost side of it.

 

[JDgreen227]

Given the limited use I would expect for a welder, a 220 volt makes little sense because my planned welding shop is in a detached garage 150 feet from the house, and wiring that up to 220 would be an expensive undertaking.

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm a pretty good weldor, not as good as I use to be, and I've only run one 120-volt wire feed in my life. And I couldn't get away from it fast enough, but you will never catch me repairing equipment with one.

 

[Army grunt]

I had picked up a buzz box several years ago for $100.00. It was ok,The VA had a program for 100% diss. vets. I applied an got it(only 2 guys per state get it)
They replaced ALL my woodworking tools, an asked if I could use anything else, I said I would like a Mig welder.I got that an a steal cutting band saw. an everything to go with the new welder, first project was a trailer for a new boat I built, then next big project was a saw mill, also several small projects an lastly a dump trailer,I am always on the lookout for used steal for projects. I use it alot.It makes building stuff fun.
Army Grunt

 

[JimRB]

I have a Hobart Handler 140 which is a 120 volt unit. I use solid wire with CO2Argon mix. I have used a tall tank of gas and most of a roll of .030 wire fixing things and making things. Note that you can't fix real thick stuff but 1/4" or less it works fine. That is all I am working with. If I need to do bigger stuff I go to the welding shop. So I have patched and fixed my brush cutter and finish mower, made metal stall doors, and fixed other stuff. At the shop using bigger equipment I have made a pulverizer and a front loader hay spear frame. Those bigger projects required bigger saws. Not likely I could rationalize a 230v welder for play but other folks certainly can. Well I guess I could have but really for me having an iron worker to chop 200 spikes for the pulverizer, or a big band saw to cut two pieces of 8" pipe or whatever big cutting I need. With a big welder you need creative cutting maybe? With a little welder, my grinders and 6 inch metal bandsaw are all I need. You can rationalize almost anything if you try hard enough. Of course if you buy a welder then you better have a list of things you want/need to do.

 

[Sublifer]

I would at least consider a 110/220 stick machine. 110 won't get you very far... I've got a 110 FC mig welder and I can't weld anything thicker than 1/8" with it. YMMV but I'd try to listen to Shield Arc. He is humble but is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful people you could find on here.

 

[yomax4]

It's nice to have welding equipment if you are into building and fixing. If you only require a fix here and there maybe it's not a good deal. I have built several trailers, dozens of deer stands, decorative posts and hooks for the gardens, Repaired many small implements for myself and others, Boats, ATV's etc. You have to into that kind of stuff to justify buying welding equipment. Currently if I add up all my equipment it's worth more than a new car. The problem is that I use it all. I have owned several brand named 115v wire feed units and they work ok but they are 85 amps at 19 volts at best. I would say buy a 115 / 220v inverter stick welder for your needs. There are some 115v stick units out there that are very capable and some put out an honest 100 amps. That gives you a fair amout of power for your money. Good luck on your choice.