Good Beginning Welder?

Hobart 140!

 

No The old Hobart`s used Aluminum now plastic to help hold the costs down.

After so many years They all start to look alike

 

Just picked up the Miller Multimatic 215 as they had a $200 rebate through end of January plus a free helmet. It's amazing for the size and weight (38#). I got it over the Millermatic 211 because I want to get rid of my heavy Lincoln Tombstone stick welder (for sale shortly) and not lose the ability to stick weld (gates, exterior repairs, etc). It's hardly much more money than the 211. I must say after welding on many transformer machines over the years, the inverter technology is nice for a home welder as I can stick the thing on a shelf and not break my back on it. It welds at least as well as many larger welders I've used (Miller 212 and 252). I'm no pro but I've used enough different machines to know what feels right. If you are learnging, the easy setup options on both Millers are nice, though not essential.
My buddy has one of the Hobart's (can't remember the model) and it's very nice too, but it's basically Miller's older transformer model. Many of which are still going strong after 30 years. I think you would be happy with either but if you need compactness, portability, and easy setup you may feel like spending more for the Miller.

 

You should consider a TIG machine, or a MIG that has DC TIG capabilities at least. I've been MIG welding for a few years, but got tired of the spatter and wanted something a little more versatile so I grabbed an Eastwood TIG 200. With an hour or so of practice you can start laying down cleaner looking welds than most experienced MIG welders can do. It's nice not having to grab a flap disc and grind the spatter or welds down too. Plus if you ever get anything with some ugly welds, or want to hide some of your old work, just break out the torch and clean them up!

I've only got a couple months of TIG under my belt but the only time I break the MIG welder out now is if it's an overhead weld. It's a little slower going and not quite as simple as a MIG, but it's much more satisfying.

The Lincoln POWER MIG® 210 MP Multi-Process Welder looks like a pretty good all-in-one that can do MIG, Flux-Cored, DC Stick, DC TIG for only $1,300.

 

I have owned a Hobart 190, I have used a miller 211 and 140

GO BUY A VULCAN from Harbor Freight, I got one just to test it out for fun with full intentions of returning it. I sold my Hobart on craigslist a week later. Its an awesome machine for the hobbiest welder at an excellent price.

 

These Harbor Freight welders are a game changer. The build quality it's very encouraging. They are nothing like the crap-tastic Chicago electric units they sell.

 

You might want to get multiprocess welder. Does mig-tig-stick. My buddy got a hobart 110/220 mig welder about a month ago to learn on and kicking himself for not spending the extra 200 bucks for a multiprocess. You'll find out real fast how much fun it is to mig weld and you'll wanna learn tig and stick.
A good saw would also be highly recommended. Cutting everything with a grinder and sawzall got old quick.

 

Ya Def. Something that does mig and stick. I learned too weld 6010 when I started. If you cleanly weld 6010 you can weld anything imo.

 

ditto on the multi process

 

I would borrow a TIG unit first to see if it was worth it to have your own. TIG lays down some great welds, but it's definitely for welding on the bench. It's not easy TIG welding upside down under your truck.

I've never been a fan of multi purpose welding units. Once a person gets good at MIG welding, most won't bother with TIG or stick welding again.

I'm no different than any guy, we all love our gadgets and options. When it comes to welding, I would rather keep it simple.

If you plan to weld as a career, then you will be exposed to all these different types of welding during your training and the above doesn't apply.

 

I got the Millermatic, the smaller one don't know the model. Wire feed with gas bottle, first weld looked like a pro job! Can use without gas but leaves slag, but still nice and easy and it's 110v too, take it anywhere and run off a generator. Welds up to 3/16" steel. Also does stainless with the gas which is pricey.....word of advice, remove the wire roll when not using for long periods, wire rusts and screws up the gun lead......

 

I'm signed up for a half day MIG welding class at the end of April. Lookin forward to it! Already planning a swing out rear bumper... This seems like an expensive hobby already

 

We took the YouTube class haaaaa. No seriously Jodie at weldingtipsandtricks.com His videos are great.

 

Wish I could weld like Jody. His videos are really helpful!

 

I have the Millermatic 211 and it will do thin sheet metal to thicker materials. It is smaller and portable, takes a smaller spool so you're not spending a ton on wire if you change materials. I think I picked it up for $1000 new with a MIR.

 

I'll check those out for sure

 

I hate those buzzboxes, 7018 AC doesn't weld worth a crap compared to DC, and I don't like that you can't adjust the amps as fine as with other machines.

 

If looking at multiprocess the esab rebel215 is the way to go. Overall a better machine higher amp etc and includes the tig torch where as with the lincoln 210mp/multimatic215 it is an added upgrade (500$)+/-. With the current rebate its also cheaper than either lincoln/miller multiprocess unit.

 

Anything regarding welding, welding classes are the best investment you can make. My 2c, figure out what you're looking to get into and buy a "good machine" that you can grow with. For fab or anything to do with making parts on here, mig is the way to go 99% of the time.

 

And my vote would be anything Miller or Hobart . And nothing wrong with used. Mainly because if you end up getting out of it they hold their value a bit. And you have customer service, people that know them well, and most non professionals won't outgrow the abilities of normal priced welders