first welder?

totally agree. i have been welding professionally for years. i swear by miller. I learned on the millermatic 251, then upgraded to the 252. .035 wire with 75/25 gas. everything from mild 1/8" to 1/2" steel. never had a problem with overheating. It is truly a workhorse.

it is pricey, but you buy it once and have it forever. greater upfront cost, but as your skills and projects increase you will have the machine. Remember that it is 220v, but you need a 50 amp breaker. the 20amps just dont' cut it as they draw too much power.

I recently have been working with the miller diversion 180--TIG setup 110/ 220 and with the push of a button i can go from carbon/ stainless to aluminum. Granted it isn't as heavy duty as a bigger syncrowave. It will only weld 3/16" aluminum but for smaller project it is great. And it only weights 50#

i understand that this thread is more about MIG and learning, but wanted to add my .02

any questions send me a PM.

 

Great response man, ya another problem is I only have access to a 110 plug as I have to work at my parents house and that's all they have, hopefully when I get older and move out of my apartment into my own place ill have the garage to support that kind of equipment hopefully one day..

 

been looking and saw good stuff about the ever last 160 stick/tig high frequency welder only like 300 bucks

 

Break into the breaker box will only take 20 mins to hard wire it in. Or unplug your moms dryer lol

Shit im going to be running a plasma table in my garage

 

yea its not hard to run a dedicated circuit from the panel, just kill the main or just make sure you don't touch the shiny little neutral bar on the back

 

Don't think momma a down to be without her dryer, and there's no way the old mans letting me near that fuse box

 

I started with a cheap flux core welder..didn't relize I could weld till I got my miller welder. It's literally a night and day thing. One recommendation I will make...you can invest in a good welder...or a good grinder.

 

So you would for sure get at least a gas welder??

 

Most definetly!...but buy some flux core to learn your technique. Gas is not cheap, so get that down with flux core then go to gas...it is night and day.

 

I would rather a used miller welder over most new welders...just remember to switch the polarity if you practice with flux core then go back to gas.

 

Ya the one I'm looking at can be used with or without gas and it plugs into a regular household plug..

 

IMO flux core is nasty. it has it's place at times, but i really don't like working with it. too much splatter and smoke. after years of doing this i don't want to suck al that crap into my lungs.

All that smoke can also make it difficult to see what you are doing considering you are trying to learn.

if money is an issue (when isn't it?) a good little 110 gas machine will do the trick. you can practice technique and get a feel for welding and all the little nuances of working with metal.

BUT if you can afford something bigger and plan on doing a lot more as you get better i would get a 220 machine and grow into it.

 

Probably one of the worst stick welders ever to learn on. If you can get a machine that is DC current capable. So much easier than AC current machines.

 

110 meaning 110 volt? Sorry I'm new to all the verbage

 

Buy the biggest you can afford Lincoln from Loews or depot. Inter shield wire welds great and only a lil clean up if doing it right. If you use one of these sm 120v with gas you can only weld thin mat. 1/8" -3/16" max. Using inter shield and muti pass technique you can weld thicker mat. 1/4"-3/8 ish. Use a dedicated 20 a circuit that will make a world of difference. And most of all stay away from harbor freight welders

 

Thanks for the insight man! I think I know whats up and what im getting into, now just needa save up some coin.. Thanks a bunch for the help guys!!

 

I use a little 120 volt Lincoln and it works just fine for my uses...

 

06 tacoma owner
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Name: will
Joined: Aug 2012, #83845
Location: Madisonville, Kentucky
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2006 AC super white 4x42006 Access Cab Automatic 4.0l V6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by USArchangels
How about a Lincoln Electric K1297? $299 at Lowes
Lincoln Electric 240-Volt / 225-Amp Stick Welder

I call this one "The little red box welder"

Probably one of the worst stick welders ever to learn on. If you can get a machine that is DC current capable. So much easier than AC current machines.

 

Will - what would you suggest us green horns start with?

 

ask all the questions you need.
Yes that means 110V.

there is nothing wrong with smaller 110 machines. they work and you can make multiple passes for thicker steel.
I think what it comes down to is available money, amount you plan to weld and what your future plans might be.

You can always sell a smaller welder if you find you need something more. they are always in demand.

As for not buying Harbor Freight welders, i agree. also get yourself a good grinder. Until you learn to weld well, the grinder will be your buddy.
I like Hilti. They take a beating and are workhorses

Now get to welding