Buying a welder

Dave Box

Gentlemen, (and Lady welders) I am looking for a little advice here. For some time I have been considering learning how to weld. My experience was a buddy letting me play with his professional equipment where I discovered that the finest TIG welder is merely a paperweight in the hands of the untalented. Undaunted by my lack of ability and bolstered by Santa saying that I could have one I found this from the Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Now remembering that this will not be used for a business or for building military equipment, what do you think? Pros, Cons? worth the money? There is not an unlimited budget here but if your experience was to suggest that another $100 would buy a much better welder then I am listening.

Thanks
Dave

BGW

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TheNewGuy

Check out this thread.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/garag...5-welders.html

Ron


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bauschracing

The welder that is shown looks like a century that is part of lincoln. List price looks to be about 380.00. home depot has a lincoln 120 for about 40.00 more and will handle more projects and would be worth the extra money. Tractor supply also carries a good line of hobart welders that is one of Millers companies.
Get the most welder that you can afford and justify. I have both a Lincoln weldpak 100 and a Lincoln 180 (220) set up for argon mix. The 100 is 15 years old now and the 180 I got last christmas. Best advise is get a welder that you can convert to true mig instead of flux wire. Learn with the flux core then step-up. This machine should last you a lifetime so get the most that you can afford.
Mike

oddpowers

I'm not sure if thats what you are implying, but, that is not a TIG welder. Anyway that probly ok for very small stuff, but you will end up wishing you had spent more on a nice one. That one is only flux core (no Gas) which is a very ugly/dirty looking weld. You should look for one that will accept shielding gas. It would cost more than $100 more but you will be happier in the long run. You can get a nice Lincoln PowerMig 140C for around $600 (welding supply store) and a Lincoln PowerMig 140T for around $500 (lowes/ Home depot)

scottyb

Lincoln came out with a 185 model soon after I bought my latest 175. THe 185 will takew a spool gun so you can mig weld with it and use a bottle .... That gives a lot more options for what you can weld.... like aluminum.

madoc1

dave i have an earlier version of that. i really wished i had added the gas kit.
it welds fine, but not as clean. bought mine cause i was out of shop room and flux core works better in the wind

scottyb

Gas is the Best Get the option

ez go go

I'm with Scotty here. I recently purchased my first welder, the Lincoln 180 power mig. It will work with or without shielding gas and will accept an aluminum spool gun. Welds up to half inch with multiple pass. Hands down, it was the best thing I did when I decided on a welder for around the home use and small projects. The flux core just cannot make the nice welds a shielding gas will produce.

littlebob

Dave,

What will you be welding? The welders thread suggested has a lot of good info but, if you don't have unlimited funds, narrowing down your needs will help you make the best choice. I mostly weld thicker steel and have a Lincoln 225 for that($50 used 30yrs ago), I have a little Campbell Hausefield 80 Wire feed MIG that someone gave me I use on thinner steel. For the aluminum stuff, I'm still calling in favors.

Dave Box

Thanks for all the replies,
My take on this is that 110 volt welders are not particularly good and that using inert gas is better than flux wire. 220 volt is better but I cannot just plug into the tumble drier socket as it is not rated at 50 amps. In addition I don't want to spent more than $400 - $500 and that includes a mask and accessories. Oh Lordy everything is now as clear as mud.
I think what I might do is not buy new but instead scour Craigslist for a used one. That way I won't lose too much if I sell it and move up in spec. So a used 110 volt and flux, that way I can blame my crappy welds on the equipment.
Once again many thanks for your thoughts,
Dave