Welder advice

Hi Guys,


I see tons of people asking for advice on chainsaws. Thought I'd ask about welders.


I am a backyard hack, and so far just weld to fix things. Self taught along with You Tube. I have a cheap Horrible Freight 90 amp wire feed flux core that works OK, not pretty but nothing has come apart. So since I use this seldomly I might as well get a lot better one. Looking to keep the welder under $1500, and would like it to do anything I might ever encounter.


Following parameters:

240 volt with option of 110

Mig capable

Capable of stick although I have never done any stick

Tig not important

Portable not real important, I'll probably keep the cheap HF if I had to take one somewhere

Capable of handling heavier metals.


Looking real seriously at Miller 211 but leaning to the Miller 215.

Good deal on Lincoln 210MP right now with rebate but a lot more like Miller from what I am reading. The welding shops both say the Miller is much more bulletproof due to boards on the Lincoln have had problems if used in a portable environment.

 

Miller 215 for sure over the Lincoln. Another good wire welder if you can find a good used is an old Hobart. We ran 1000's of hours on those back in the 80's & they just worked.

 

metalcuttr and WeldrDave would likely be able to give you some help

 

I've been there twice, same place I bought my Oxy/acetylene set up. Airgas around the corner has better prices.

 

I have a Miller 251. 230 only but no problems in 10?ish years.
I think you should think about trying stick. A nice ability to have in your bag-o-tricks.

 

Funny thing I have heard the same thing about the Millers! Depends on who you talk to I guess. Kinda like Ford or Chevy people always trashing each other. I worked for years on the field end of welding and used both brands and both are capable and both have their pros and cons. I have had a Lincoln 210 for about 3 years now and it has been a great machine for my work. I got a screaming deal on it or I might have gone with the Miller 211. The Miller 215 had just come out and had more features but cost more money. If I was buying now I would go with the M215 over the L210 but then this year Lincoln will probably come out with a Lincoln 220 that is a bit better than the Miller 215. You can't win! The truth is that the L210 or the M211 or 215 are all good machines and all are way more machine that you need now and will all provide you lots of room to grow. For me it would come down to price. Within a few months the 2020 machines will hit the market and there will be some good sales so don't be in a hurry to snap one up this minute! I have a friend who has a HF 90 and it's biggest fault is that it does not weigh enough to be an effective boat anchor. Sell it for what ever you can get! Best wishes on your purchase what ever you buy.

 

All I have is an old stick welder. I can make stuff stay together real good, but I got used to ugly real quick... LOL I only weld a few times a year when something breaks... I have to do a lot of grinding after cutting stuff with the torch too, but I get it done...

In other words. Don't listen to me about welding... LOL

 

That's how I first learned.
Maybe you and bandit should hold hands.....

 

I own a Lincoln MP210 and it’s been a fantastic welder. Very easy to use and I like the computer screen readout. You can change the settings very easily and it’s easy to go from 120 to 240. Can’t go wrong with either brand.

 

Best advice I can give is to not wait for something to break. Scrap and beads....yard art.

 

I've got a Miller 215.... And love it. The thing is smooth like frying bacon (when I remember to turn off the breakers for the well pump, heat pump, and refrigerator) and it is forgiving enough to let a hack like me make some serviceable welds..

But,

If you want a machine that handles everything it is not what you want. If you want a machine that will weld whatever you want you'd probably do better getting a machine that will stick/TIG, AC/DC, electrode +/-. Then on a nice sunny day, take a box of rod and a milk crate full of mild steel scraps and burn rods all afternoon til you get the hang of it.

 

WeldrDave I learned stick welding from crusty old instructors like Eric VW 's Uncle and kept my Unlimited Stick Certs current even a few years into retirement (its hard to let go)! Stick has a lot to offer even if it doesn't appear as sexy as Mig. Takes a lot more skill also! You're right that Hobart makes solid machines. Many rental fleets use Hobart machines, large and small, with excellent results. They also make excellent rod. That is a nice combo unit you have. Wish I had one like it!

 

I am a Miller person too. I have a Miller mig and a Tig. Both reliable and make good welds. If you want to weld thick steel then go with the higher amperage.

 

I really need to learn how to weld. It's just so damm easy to let my friend that is a highly skilled metal worker do it for me. Especially when he only works for dinner

 

My opinion... with a M aybe I t's G ood welder I've seen more cold welds than I can remember that look reallynice. With a stick if a person can keep it lit and goes reasonably slow the part is probably welded ok ish .

 

I have the same one. I’m just an amateur, but it has done everything I have asked of it and will hopefully pay for itself over the years.

 

As for color I will say I'm all blue and I'm quite satisfied and something is welded every day. But the dealer who has been helpful, friendly, willing to walk me through step by step is blue. If he was red, yellow or ?? I'd be to. Tell them what you want to do and how you want to do it and they will make you happy. If not grab the brochures.