Good Beginning Welder?

You would have to pay me double the cost to take a Easb.

Don`t know why getting parts takes forever months for a fan motor.

 

I guess just like anything some have had bad experiences with product another person may have not.
I hvnt had my esab long but it was a very easy welder to get into and get going.(semi-beginner standpoint) my lincoln was serviced multiple times before the 3 yr warranty was up. So id go esab or miller. Dont know much about hobart but hvnt herd anything bad.

 

I like my little Lincoln 140 for quick projects. Used to use a huge Miller 250 but it was cumbersome and didn't always seem to work right, probably just old. Anyway I'd get a new 225 to 255 unit if I ever need to weld 1/4 regularly. But I like to use stick for 1/4 and larger. Little 140 was affordable and lays a mean bead for a 115v ac unit.

 

FYI I work for the Northeast United States Miller Regional Repair Center!!

Hobart Warranties and Repairs

We kind of need to do Easb Warranties and Repairs to keep the Distributors happy

Hypertherm Warranties and Repairs

Lincoln Warranties and Repairs

Thermal Dynamics and Thermal Arc but since being bought by Esab Parts take longer and longer to receive.

 

Anyone have input on this craigslist find? https://rockies.craigslist.org/tls/d/lincoln-sp135-plus-welder/6510162790.html

 

I just bought an Eastwood 115v MIG welder for $300 shipped direct from Eastwood. I needed a small MIG at the house since I dont have 240V here to run my big Lincoln MIG. Basic entry level welder that is affordable, and so far so good. I built all the turbo piping for my project car with it, as well as some DOM tube bumper stuff and some sheetmetal. It'll handle up to around 1/4" mild steel. I used to have a Miller 115 MIG and this Eastwood welds just the same, so I'd recommend it for anyone looking for an entry level MIG.

https://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder...MIz-e6y9zP2QIVgbrACh1eMwdsEAQYASABEgKaVPD_BwE

 

the Weld.com Youtube channel has good videos too, especially the last year or so when they quit making videos with "Mr. Tig." Bob Moffatt blows him away.

 

I finally took a MIG class this afternoon. Already hooked, holy shit is welding cool. We spent close to 3 hours using a machine

First attempt (the "beads" on the plate):

Got going pretty quick and tried my hand at some 3/16ths:

Tried a few vertical beads as well, since I'll have to do some when I weld on my frame plates.

Now to find a decent deal on a machine. I think I'm gonna try to find something used.

 

Dude!... thats a nice weld!....i would bet that school has good quality 220 migs which makes a bit easier but still good job!
Dont expect a used 110 mig to be that easy on the thick stuff but it can be done with preheating.

 

Thanks! It was at a local welding supply shop, I used a real nice Miller. I expect to have to put in some work with a smaller unit, have a bunch of small projects I want to work on for practice before I tackle the truck's frame.