Welder Recommendations

[ArlyA]

Just like you, I had always taken my welding work to someone else. Now retired I wanted to tackle bigger jobs (I designed and built my own rotary cutter). I talked to the weld engineers and manufacturing guys I used to work with. They all said to get a 220V MIG wire welder. Every one of these guys own a Miller 211. I didnt shop around... just went to Airgas and got one. Lots of good welding videos on YT. Getting better. Some days the welds look great... some days, wth?

I have no idea how folks get by with a 110volt welder!

 

[caver]

At the power plant they had these big ole Miller units, 3 phase, 480V all on a 6" wheel shop built cart. They took lots of abuse. They looked like this picture grabbed off ebay.

 

[dadohead]

Regarding dual voltage welders:

My B-I-L's friend visited him and we chatted over beers. He owns and runs a 2nd generation welder repair shop. I mentioned I had a Miller 211. "Great welder!" He went on to say though, that he often repairs dual voltage welders when they get run on 110V and then the amperage is turned up on the welder. They are  suppose to protect themselves but often the circuitry gets fried. He told me to keep in on a 220V/high amp circuit and I'll never have a problem.

 

[Oaktree]

I have no idea how folks get by with a 110volt welder!

Well, for one thing I don't have 220 in my garage/shop. Would be kind of a PITA to run it.
The 110 I have does everything I'm likely to need to do.

 

[JeepHead]

Well, for one thing I don't have 220 in my garage/shop. Would be kind of a PITA to run it.
The 110 I have does everything I'm likely to need to do.

I have welded 1/4" with my Hobart 140. It's a great little welder.


On the cheap, these both get good reviews. ArcCaptain YesWelder

 

[mike0000]

I started with a century 110 mig, then a Lincoln 110 mig, and a few years ago bought a Hobart 210 MVP, it will weld 110v MiG or 220v mig, it’s a bit of an investment, but it works really well for me. It has a plug adapter for the cord to switch from 110-220. If you don’t have 220 in your shop or garage, that could be an added expense.

 

[Tractorable]

My dual voltage Miller has done everything I’ve ever asked of it. Took a welding class at the local community college, but the auto-set feature makes it so easy even a big dummy can make decent welds.

 

[Torvy]

My welder is my neighbor. That's his primary business and he used to teach it at a trade school. I thought about learning how, but its an expensive hobby when there's an expert so close.

 

[Runner]

Another recommendation for the Miller 211. Have had one for years and have bee very satisfied. The "Autoset" feature really does make welding easier in my opinion.

 

[ArlyA]

I've used both 110 and 210 volt MIG welders. I got a 210 version and have operated it at its max. Having extra capacity is not a bad thing.