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Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:31 pm

Im in the market for a mig welder. Somewhere in the sub $1000 range. But if I can find a better welder for $1200 I dont think I would hesitate. I mainly want a welder to do pan replacements and body work. Maybe take on a roll cage later on. Also the miscilaneous project(racing bar stools).Ive used a miller 251 and loved it, But its kinda out of my pricerange. Anyone have good experiance with other brands? Any and all suggestions and opinions welcomed.
Thanks
Andy Rattley

Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:57 pm

Well im new to welding but i bought a gas mig welder craftsman brand for under 400 and i love it am useing it to do body panels on my bus and to build a bus tow bar seems to work great thats my 2 cents good luck...chris

Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:14 pm

I am using a buddy's Lincoln Mig Pak with the gas kit. It is for sale at home depot. I really like it. A buddy just ordered the Millermatic 135 which he says has metal feed rollers instead of plastic. I haven't seen the Miller yet.

Hobart also makes a nice small MIG. Harbor Freight sells it for a reasonable price.

Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:38 pm

Lincoln Mig all the way, Hobart if you got the cash, the rest are junk

Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:42 pm

Lincoln w/ gas shielding, does the job just fine for WELL under $1000.

Mon Jun 30, 2003 5:13 am

I am also thinking of buying a MIG welder and did some research.
Here's my criteria:
- run on 110V household current (didn't want the hassle of 220V)
- infinite heat settings for total control (very useful for sheet metal work)
- durable metal moving parts for longer life
- both Gas Shielded and Flux cored welding
- be small and portable enough to carry around
- have a good warranty on the product (I wanted atleast 3 years)
- and, most importantly, should be a reputed brand product for about $500

And I found two that met all that:
- Millermatic 135 MIG Welder
- Linclon SP135-PLUS MIG Welder

I also looked at the Hobart Handler 135, but it was a cheaper version of the Millermatic 135 (it seems there are made by the same manufacturer) with only four heat settings, plastic rollers and stuff. The warranty is just as good though. And it is about $150 cheaper than the Miller, you can get the Hobart for about $400.

So, I am still undecided between the Lincoln and Miller. Both have excellent welding characteristics. Visit the websites, download the specs and compare for yourself. I am tending towards the Lincoln because it is newer model.... but I still haven't managed to convince the wife that I need a welder.

Here are two good sources where you can buy them at a reasonable cost:
http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=20436331
http://www.weldingmart.com/

You might want to check with a local dealer first before buying online. Most likely they will match the online price. You will have the comfort of dealing with someone local and you are also set up for supplies and free advice. From what I have read and found out - it is absolutely necessary to get a good quality welding apron, gloves, helmet (you can get a auto-dimming helmet from Harbor Freight for about $90), and some quality welding tools (wire brush, weld chisel etc).

Usually, the accessories that come with the welder are cheap quality and you might want to invest in some quality stuff if you are gonna do a lot of work with it. But hey, you have a $1000 budget.... I wish I had that :(

Mon Jun 30, 2003 1:08 pm

My craftsman has 3 year warranty and metal parts and is 110 works great..

Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:16 pm

Hey Casper, I bought my Lincoln 135 plus from the same guy on ebay. Quick response and shipment. Shipped directly from the factory. I recommend using him if you decide to go that way. Not only that but with free shipping and no tax, beat the nearest local supplier by over $100.

Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:48 pm

That guy on eBay has some refurbished Lincoln SP100T's for ~$350.

Any comments or experience with that particular model?

Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:48 pm

I'm extremely happy with my Hobart Handler 135 (with argon25 gas bottle) for sheet metal (see http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/handler135.html for specs).

While it only has four power settings, you can adjust the wire feed rate and select a wire size appropriate to the work, so "infinite" settings other machines offer don't seem to be necessary. My step-daughter the journeyman sheet metal worker says the shops she's worked for prefer the Hobart for their field work.

Most machines don't offer settings low enough for thin sheet metal. With .024" wire and the lowest power setting on the Handler 135, though, you'd have to fall asleep to burn through a car panel. I've been successful (with very little experience) on 22 gauge Triumph Spitfire fenders using mine.

Mon Jun 30, 2003 8:57 pm

I think I am going to go with the Lincoln 135 at Home depot. seems like my best bet. THat way I still have some funds left to qork with for all the little bits and pieces I will need. Thank you all for your input.
Andy Rattley

Mon Jun 30, 2003 10:08 pm

We just had a sale at work (Airgas, Portland Oregon) and had the Hobart Handler 135 for $399. The nice thing about the Hobart's is that they have voltage tracking on the wire speed. That means that the wire speed isn't just a 1-10 setting, it actually tracks where you have the voltage set and adjusts the speed accordingly. Pretty cool feature.

I just picked up a rebuilt Lincoln SP 100 for $300, bottle was on top of that. It works just great. If I were buying new though, I would buy a Hobart.

Whatever you do, get a bottle. Way better than the flux core.

Ryan

Tue Jul 01, 2003 8:24 am

Just checked with the boss, we can still offer the price of $399 on the Hobart Handler 135. We can ship via UPS ground. E-mail me if you are interested - ryan@rdunbar.com

Ryan

Tue Jul 01, 2003 5:11 pm

I am in portland, Well actually Grecham. Im waiting on a sale of a car first. But it should be by the end of this week
Andy

Tue Jul 01, 2003 8:18 pm

we have a lincoln and a miller at work... both are really good, the miller is better, and it's newer-- good luck

Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:20 am

I have had a Miller Cricket XL which is an earlier Model of the Millermatic 110V rig for about 12 or 13 years now... Absolutely nothing but tips an wire needed in all that time and it has seen alot of use on pans and body work and other larger projects up to 1/4 inch thick. I like Miller but Lincon and others are good too, just don't buy the " bottom of the line"

Easterratt for the 1,000 you have you can get a sweet rig with a big bottle of argon regulator and all...Sounds like Ryan can hook you up!

Wed Jul 02, 2003 10:06 am

I suggest using a mig welder of 220 voltage for welding metal on a roll cage or bar! 110 welders are wonderful for replacing spot welds and making fine welds on sheet metal, but I don't trust them past that...

Wed Jul 02, 2003 12:35 pm

I believe the Lincoln 135 is rated up to 3/8 steel in a single pass with the larger wire. Lincoln has been in the business for "a while" and it would seem to me that if the machine was not capable of generating sufficient current to achieve proper penetration at 3/8, it wouldn't be rated as such. I think with a 220 MIG welder, you can weld these heavier metals FASTER with bigger wire, but that's it. Can a forum participant with industry experience on heavy stock tell us with authority where the difference lies?

These are companies with potentially enormous product liability exposures and can't afford to exaggerate the capabilities of their product. Nothing personal at all, but I would really like to hear product recommendations based on something stronger than a feeling of "trust".

Chris

Sat Jul 05, 2003 2:03 am

Bigger is not better with doing cars...get a small 110 Lincoln....best investment you will make....its about $400 for gas mig lincoln. Go to a welding shop see what they use...80% will be Lincolns...I have one and except cleaning and tips have not had to replace a thing on it in 10 years of body shop use.

Mon Jul 07, 2003 8:03 pm

I was using a Century 135 (110 volt welder) and my friends Miller 135. I thought they were great until I used a Miller 185 (now the 210). I was able to weld 22 gauge far better with the big welder than the small welder, I am not sure why but I was blown away by the difference. The power was much smoother and more consistent, I welded up a bunch of holes and rust for free just to be able to use the welder it was so nice to use.
I just upgraded to the Miller 210 new on e-bay shipped dirrect from Miller with a free Miller auto dark helmet for $1187 total to my door. Not only better on light metal but can weld bigger project no problems, you can also upgrade to a spool gun with no external control device like you would need for the 135 or 175 (230 volt smaller welder). I chose Miller simply because most pros I see use them, I am sure Lincoln is just as good. If you can afford it buy one you will not want to upgrade again.