first welder?

Depending on the area, i searched everyday forabout a month and never found a decent deal, most people wanted almost new prices for old equipment.

Not much can go wrong with a gas one that can't go wrong with flux, unless you let the bottle drop on its neck as long as you strap it down its fine.

this

Some yes, mine is gas and runs off of 110v.

From what i hear most guys are happy with the Lowes/ home depot 180 Lincolns. Also the millermatic series. I found a few of the 180 s on craigslist, most were almost new price. but i went with thermal arc 211i. But with your budget and needs iwould suggest one if the Lowes our hd units.

 

well, that opens my options up a bit.... who needs a dryer lol

 

whats a good used price for a lincoln, im sure i can find a good deal in the local classifieds if im patient enough..

 

which Lincoln?

alsodepends on your location. Around here for the 180 i was seeing $500 or so.

 

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=27520915&cat=&lpid=&search=Welder&ad_cid=

So what about something like this ^^^

 

That looks like the one you can get new at Home Depot for $269. Not a good deal.

 

Buying a decent MIG welder should be considered an investment. They aren't inexpensive, so you might as well get a good one. Here's what I'd suggest: Infinite wire speed, Infinite voltage, Definately a gas regulator. A good 5 years ago I bought a Lincoln 135 plus mainly for a classic car restoration project and it does almost everything that I've needed to do. It runs on 115V but in the manual states to use a 25amp fuse if welding a full power. I did try to weld on a 15amp breaker but it would pop if welding thick material. So, I've run a dedicated plug off of a sub panel on 10 gage wire for the welder and used a screw in fuse so that I don't cause the breaker contacts to arc shut (It ain't fun when that happens and you're trying to disconnect the breaker). If I were to do it again, I'd seriously consider the 220V 180amp version. Of couse, if you don't have 220V near where your going to weld then that won't work. Also, look at duty cycle and cool down time. Cheap ones have a really short "weld" window. Finally get an automatic darkening helmet, good long cuff welding gloves and a welding jacket. I built a bumper for my last truck a few summers ago and didn't completely cover my arms as it was hot and ended up with a really bad sunburn from the UV.

 

good info, thanks for the comment man!

 

Read this thread as well if you have not already. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/garage-workshop/113957-anything-welding.html

I read through the whole thing, and before reading I was going to go with a cheaper HF or Hobart/Lincoln, but with all of the really experienced guys that fab for a living on there having had those and knowing what they do now, the Miller 180 came highly recommended. I will be picking one up in the next few months (having never welded before) with the goal of learning how to use it and then building a rear and then front bumper for my runner.

 

Has anyone had any experience with this little welder??
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=27959806&cat=&lpid=5&search=Welder&ad_cid=8

 

That looks like a stick welder, not wire feed.

 

oh ya i think your right.. haha im leaning towards this one now it has good reviews and the price seems good.

Hobart 500549 Auto Arc 130 Wire Feed MIG Welder

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500549...ie=UTF8&qid=1387379552&sr=8-3&keywords=welder

 

I am not 100% sure but I believe you might end up kicking yourself for only getting a 130 amp if you decide on that one. maybe some others can chime in but I would think that low of amperage output would greatly limit your capabilities. again I am not an expert in any kind of way, in fact 95% of all my welding is done with stick at a rock quarry, but I would think you might need a bit more umph from your welder.

 

$790 Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500559...ie=UTF8&qid=1387379552&sr=8-4&keywords=welder

then maybe something like this?? ^^

 

Working on the same general thread discussion here, I already have a welder that I got years ago. It is a 110V model, and is a 135A unit. Question is, would that be sufficient to weld together the plate bumper kit. I'm not concerned about speed of welding, or single pass. I just am curious if it will get the job done. I'd love to get a new welder, but why spend the money at all if I don't have to, ya know?

 

I guess it can be done but do you really want to spend all that money on a nice bumper kit Just to bugger it up with cold welds. I would step up to a 180A unit to weld a bumper kit. You and even rent welders if you really have to.

 

Miller is not the best welder, their wire feed is absolute shit and their 210 millermatics are prone to over heat even when indoors on .030 wire. Then again I am a Lincoln guy through and through so I am a bit biased, even though I have used both, professionally.

As a learner I would buy a Lincoln 140c as you have both wire speed and heat control. You can find most on the list for cheap and all parts are replaceable. I would steer clear of the cheap shit as you get what you pay for.

 

x2 i feel the same way if i can get by with a 130a welder just to do the extremely basic stuff i plan to do with it anyways, would it work?
if i were you id just take it to a welding shop and have them throw it together for you youll still come out cheaper then buying one pre built, for me i guess i wouldnt want to ruin my new bumper but thats just me and im not a very good welder haha

 

Yes, a quality 110 welder will have no issue doing quarter inch plate with a single pass weld.

 

It's not a matter of "ruining" a bumper. It is a personal challenge. I have welded many times before, but it has been either arc for heavy work, or light MIG for light work. Nothing bigger than basic sheet metal. So this will be the thickest I will have welded in MIG. If I make a mistake, I can simply spend the hours grinding it down and fixing it! And hours, and hours, and hours....

I appreciate the input. Thanks.