What type welder would you recommend?

gator · Nov 24, 2001

Did a search on all forums and found no specific results to my question. I am getting a welder to do repairs (cracks) on my tractor FEL and backhoe (looks like 3/16" steel), and also want to build some 3pt attachments I have seen other TBN users build.

What I would like to know based on others experiences that own welders is what would be the best general purpose occasional use welder to own with with what output? Probably would not weld thicker than 1/4" metal.
Leaning toward 120v input flux core MIG (don't have to add any new outlets). Would it meet my needs? Any help will be greatly appreciated as I finally got the wife's permission /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif and don't want to end up saying I should of bought a different welder /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif.

Wally JD 750 "GATOR"

radman · Nov 24, 2001

Gator:
I have a Century 155 mig wire feed welder with gas feed(CO2/argon). It runs on 20amp 120 volt curcuit. This is probably about as large as you can get for 120 volt current. IMO, 1/4" is as thick as I can weld with this welder. I am not sure I would trust any weld on thicker steel and in critical situations I would recommend a larger welder for 1/4" material. Often on thicker steel, I will spot weld with my small welder to hold it together and then use my brother's much larger Miller welder (220 volt) or take it somewhere and have it welded. Miller probably makes one of the best welders available. If you are planning to build some 3pt attachments and the steel needed is thicker than 1/4", then you will need a 220 volt welder.

therrien · Nov 25, 2001

I'm not the greatest welder but I have not broke anything I welded yet. At work I have 3 welders, AC/DC stick, Miller 250 mig and a small portable miller mig 120 volt.

Stick welders
cheaper (home grade)
rods have be kept good and dry
220 volt
will weld thicker material
hard to weld sheet metal

Mig welder (large)
$$$$$$
welds wide range of material
Much nicer looking weld (I do better with the mig)

Mig welder (small) RECOMMENDED FOR HOME SHOP
120 volt
can weld thicker with multiple passes
portable
use gas inside with no wind ( can get medium sized refillable tank) much nicer looking weld
use flux core outside with wind

Buy an Auto Darkening Helmet, even cheaper ones make it easier to weld, I find.

Doug T B1700 TLB

cowboydoc · Nov 25, 2001

Gator,
What's your price range as Doug kind of pointed out? I've got the large MIG SnapOn welder and it makes me look like I know what I'm doing. You can weld anything with one of these with ease be it aluminum or steel. New mine was $2800 but I got it very slightly used from my friend at the Ford garage. One of the mechanics there bought it and needed to get out from it. I picked it up for $1400 and it probably hadn't been welded with 10 times and it had a very nice auto darkening helmet with it. It's kind of like Scruffy said on another thread you don't know what you're missing until you use it. I made my way with cheaper ones and didn't know any better until I used this one and wow what a difference. Like I said it takes a poor welder, myself, and makes you look pretty good.

gator · Nov 25, 2001

Thanks for the replies.
Richard, thats way out of my price range, would like to stay $500.00 and under if at all possible, and it looks like an AC stick welder would be the cheapest. Back about 25 years ago when I took a welding course on saturdays, I got real good at sticking the rods to my projects, never got the hang of stick welding. Mig sounds like the way to go so I'll see what I can find around my price range.
Once again all, thanks for the replies. Who knows, if I can keep the wife happy maybe I can convince her bigger is better.

Wally JD 750 "GATOR"

radman · Nov 25, 2001

Gator:
Bought my Century 155 mig welder for $360 new at a Country General store that was moving to a new location. Usually sell for about $500+ range. The gas bottle cost $90 but can be returned if I desire for nearly full refund. Country General stores are now going out of business (I believe all stores west of the Mississippi river). Might try to find a deal.

gator · Nov 25, 2001

Thanks for the info Radman,
I live in eastern N.C. and have never seen one of those stores, we have Lowes, Big Blue Store, Home Depot, and Tractor Supply around here.
After spending 4 hours on my tractor today clearing more land for more grass (the wife loves to mow with the riding mower), I told her what you all recommended, so she said to get what I need (read WANT/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif 220V MIG) if I can find a good price.

Wally JD 750 "GATOR"Edited by gator on 11/25/01 02:45 PM (server time).

rf33 · Nov 25, 2001

gator, I think that Tractor Supply has the Hobart Handler 175 MIG setup on sale for about $650 with an auto darkening helmet. This seems to be a real competitive price. Should be able to weld up to about 1/4 inch steel with this unit. Also comes with the wire feeder and the gas assembly (no tank, but the regulator, hoses, etc. Sounds like a pretty good deal, maybe Santa will bring me one this year. The downside is that it does take 220V input. Here is a product link Hobart Handler 175

rf33

/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

TonyC · Nov 26, 2001

Gator...as I am only a novice welder I won't argue with the advice you've been given. It's all good. However, I thought I'd stick my 2 cents in on Oxy-Acetylene (gas) welding. I have Oxy and stick (ARC) welders. For starters, Oxy-Ac is probably the cheapest way to get in and do still some serious welding. If you buy a kit with 2 small tanks you can get in for $150 and up. An oxy set-up will weld thicker steel without having to worry if you bought enough amps or not. It is also completely portable so you can do your welding wherever you need to and not have to worry about 220V outlets either. Another advantage is bending...I can't tell you how many times I used it to heat tractor implements appendages to bend them back into shape. I know of no other affordable welding method that does that. You will also have a cutting torch which is another bonus. I have read that you can actually cut with an ARC welder but it is second place to using a torch. Yes, you do have to keep the tanks full but with only occasional welding, it's not a big deal for me. I think gas welding has a lot of benefits and if I only was allowed one welder, that's what I'd have!

Knight9 · Nov 26, 2001

Hmm...interesting. I just completed a welding course where we did just about all the types of welding and cutting out there. I don't mind admitting that I really stink with the Oxy/Acetylene welding. I was much better with arc or mig. The instructor pretty much indicated that's how most folks are at least initially.

Is this not accurate for you other folks?

Kevin