Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey Gang,

First time poster here. Just really for some advice on a good model through a reputable brand of welder.

Based off of my research I'm looking for these options.

-120v but 240v switchable
-DC output
-Dual MIG (Gas and Flux Core)
-Good duty cycle (Not max as I'll only be doing shorter beads. That I know of)
-Able to weld 3/8" flat stock to a 3/4" Round stock (first project- )
-Wire feed adjustment with dedicated power supply as not to allow voltage droop and slowness of the feed motor

Seems like Miller, Lincoln and Hobart are the better quality machines... I have around $400 to spend for the machine itself. I will find gloves, rack and helmet at Harbor Freight.

Thanks a bunch folks!

Andrew C.

Mastiffman wrote:Hey Gang,

First time poster here. Just really for some advice on a good model through a reputable brand of welder.

Based off of my research I'm looking for these options.

-120v but 240v switchable
-DC output
-Dual MIG (Gas and Flux Core)
-Good duty cycle (Not max as I'll only be doing shorter beads. That I know of)
-Able to weld 3/8" flat stock to a 3/4" Round stock (first project- )
-Wire feed adjustment with dedicated power supply as not to allow voltage droop and slowness of the feed motor

Seems like Miller, Lincoln and Hobart are the better quality machines... I have around $400 to spend for the machine itself. I will find gloves, rack and helmet at Harbor Freight.

Thanks a bunch folks!

Andrew C.

ahh $400 kinda limits you in the Miller, Hobart and Lincoln range,,

$400 will get you
A hobart will get you a handler 130.. only good for upto 3/16 flat stock
AT Miller it wont get you anything new as the Handler 130 Equvlant will be around $550 IIRC nicer machine but still the same power output

im going to guess Lincoln will be the same price vs machine abilities

$400 would get you a Power I-MIG 140E machine with decent duty cycles as well

if you had about 600 to spend on a new machine you could get Hobart Handler 140..

now with that said you could probaly get something decent going threw craigslist or ebay.. but new $400 limits you really to a Handler 130 or Everlast Power I-MIG 140E

Thanks for chiming in!

Does the Handler 130 and Power I both have all of the options including the 120v/240v capabilities AND DC output?

Mastiffman wrote:Thanks for chiming in!

Does the Handler 130 and Power I both have all of the options including the 120v/240v capabilities AND DC output?

i think both are 120V only machines but they both are DC.. as AC on wire feed leaves a verry shitty weld.. especially with flux core..

to get into dual voltage you will have to get a bigger machine that will cost more..

i would check out Miller, hobart, and Everlasts web sights..

Yeah,

It sounds like 180 amps would be about the right output for what you're talking about, and 110v units just don't do that.

This one is 180 amps, dual-voltage, priced close to your target, has some nice features, like burn-back adjustment and a cast aluminum wire drive. It's from the Jasic/Razorweld brand of welders, which are regarded well. This Amazon seller is a member on another prominent welder froum, so you'd probably have a smooth purchase and after-care experience too.

https://www.amazon.com/ViperMig-180amp- ... =Viper+MIG

C. Livingstone wrote:Yeah,

It sounds like 180 amps would be about the right output for what you're talking about, and 110v units just don't do that.

This one is 180 amps, dual-voltage, priced close to your target, has some nice features, like burn-back adjustment and a cast aluminum wire drive. It's from the Jasic/Razorweld brand of welders, which are regarded well. This Amazon seller is a member on another prominent welder froum, so you'd probably have a smooth purchase and after-care experience too.

https://www.amazon.com/ViperMig-180amp- ... =Viper+MIG

Viper180.jpg

i might add to that saying about the only way i could see you getting close to that kinda power off 110V is threw stick welding on a Inverter machine on a 30A braker.. as my AHP will put out 120A on 120V

C. Livingstone wrote:Yeah,

It sounds like 180 amps would be about the right output for what you're talking about, and 110v units just don't do that.

This one is 180 amps, dual-voltage, priced close to your target, has some nice features, like burn-back adjustment and a cast aluminum wire drive. It's from the Jasic/Razorweld brand of welders, which are regarded well. This Amazon seller is a member on another prominent welder froum, so you'd probably have a smooth purchase and after-care experience too.

https://www.amazon.com/ViperMig-180amp- ... =Viper+MIG

Viper180.jpg

Nice! THANKS!

Is there any other recommended brands at this level? This I could do above...

Well,

If you'd consider stepping down a bit in percieved quality, price, and output, this eBay-offered 160 amp, 220v unit might do the trick adequately enough, at $339, with free shipping and no State extortion paid in most cases. Surprisingly, it has a cast aluminum wire feed/drive.

Mastiffman wrote:

C. Livingstone wrote:
Nice! THANKS!

Is there any other recommended brands at this level? This I could do above...

Thanks!

But the rest of it is fair good quality... Is this one that you've used or known someone to have used?

How about this Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 180?

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Electric ... _2b_a_o-20

Yeah,

That Lincoln 180 looks like it's got only about 5 tapped output settings, which is relatively crude compared to ones with infinite settings on the dial.

And it's a transformer unit, weighing about 66 pounds. Some guys still like the transformer units for their simplicity and durability, even though they're energy hogs.

I'd pass on that one and ones like it, unless you really want a transformer unit, then the dual-voltage Hobart Handler 210MVP might be a good choice, at around $850. But at that price, the more full-featured, inverter-based Everlast stuff becomes more sensible to me.

No, I haven't used the Jasic or the no-name ones above. I actually haven't MIG'd anything in a long time, and now just TIG, for the most part. But I do keep a watch on MIG units though, as I'll sometimes think I may have use for MIG again.

Input Current is 20a.

How much of a necessity is the infinite dial?

Well,

The infinite setting ability is not a necessity or an imperative requirement, just a big improvement over only 5 tapped heat settings.

And, are you saying that your only input is a 110/120 volt, 20 amp circuit breaker?

If so, the inverter-based MIG welder is a far better choice. But, still, having a dual-voltage will be a smart choice if you ever want to use the machine at the higher output range, as you could probably use a 220 volt extention cord to a dryer or stove outlet around most any home.

If you're running a dual-voltage inverter MIG on a 20 amp, 110 volt breaker, you'll probably only get about 100 amp output before the breaker trips.

Mastiffman wrote:Input Current is 20a.

How much of a necessity is the infinite dial?

No the current draw on this 230v 180a DC Mig welder is 20a. I have a 240v 40amp breaker that ill be using.

Oh,

I see.

That is surprisingly low sounding. Often there is also an unpublished "inrush" current, which is briefly higher than the operating current, but with your 40 amp circuit that will certainily be no problem.

Good luck!

Mastiffman wrote:No the current draw on this 230v 180a DC Mig welder is 20a. I have a 240v 40amp breaker that ill be using.

It may have changed, but the models that had the 5 tapped voltage settings were indicated with a T, as in Sp-175 T, versus the SP-175. It doesn't make a huge difference. I have a tapped machine that I got when I worked at a LWS for really cheap, but have welded on everything from a 135 to a Dynasty 600. I've never realized any significant differences in very small incremental changes in voltage.

240V @ 40 amps should be fine. That is the same circuit I have my machine on and it has never tripped.

This is just from my own personnel experience but if you buy a Hobart machine from a big box store and have need of service while under warranty you can get the work done at a Miller service center rather then boxing it up and sending it back. Any machine is prone to some kind of problem since they are mechanical, even ones made by a company over seas that employs slaves and their government heavily subsidizes them. I bought a Hobart 210 MVP last Dec from a Fleet Farm store in the area on sale and used one of their credit cards for an extra 10% off and it was 675 pre tax. It is quite impressive on 110 20 amp and I intend to wire my garage for 220.