Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

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pairejohn

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I am thinking of buying a welding machine, not sure which one to get since I don't know how to weld Yet.

What brand do you sugget Miller, Hobart, Linclon, Clarke or just an off brand/store brand???

Also what size do you think I will need for just general work around the house and automotive use, is 135 amp big enough or will I wish later down the road I had gotten the 225 amp???

I am planning on getting a Mig welder by the way. I will be using the machine outside most of the time because I only have a carport not a garage.

Also any books or manuals anyone know of that might be helpful???

Any help advice or opinions are welcome.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

John, take a look at www.usaweld.com. The product line is HTP,which advertises heavily in publications catering to auto enthusiasts who are DIYers, such as "Street Rodder", "Hemmings", etc.

I bought a 200 amp mig from them and I'm VERY pleased with it,both from the aspect of price, performance, and customer service. They have all sizes available {mail order, toll free phone} and even a video to help you decide which unit to buy and how to use it!

HP books also has a very good manual covering all aspects of all types of welding.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

David
Thanks for the web site HTP deinitely looks like the brand to buy.

One question were do I find "HP" books?
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I am thinking of buying a welding machine, not sure which one to get since I don't know how to weld Yet.

What brand do you sugget Miller, Hobart, Linclon, Clarke or just an off brand/store brand???
Click to expand...

I deal with welders(people) all the time... welder brands are like car badges, different strokes for different folks. Lincoln seems to be the machine of choice for most I know(pun intended). Used machines are plentiful, just watch for auctions around where you live.

As far as learning how to weld, being self-taught is not that difficult... I picked it up without much problem and back in the day I could weld with the best of 'em(stick welder). Have you thought of a class at a local Vo-Tech center?
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

John, you might find HP books @ Amazon.com, but I can't say for sure. I bought my copy 8 or 9 yrs. ago, and I'm not sure where. I'll look at it tomorrow and see if I can find anything to help out on this, as books now have some sort of # that book stores can use to find the book.

When I bought the book, I had just bought out a boat prop shop in order to set up the side busines that is now my main business since I retired from NWA, with Amsoil as the side.

I had been told by many welders on many occassions that if I could acetylene weld I could TIG {HELIARC} weld, I just had to learn the machine settings. I had lots of experience with gas welding and stick arc welding, but none with TIG, and almost none with MIG

The shop I bought had a Lincoln TIG as part of the deal, so I bought the book, studied it, bought some scrap metal to experiment on, and went at it.The results speak for themselves every time I repair a polished stainless prop, as any voids or imperfections would glare out at you after the blend and polish!

I had almost no experience with a MIG either when I bought the HTP machine. But again I studied the book, and watched the video from HTP. Bought some scrap metal and started playing, now I can do a passable job of running a presentable bead that I am confident will hold.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of getting some scrap of the same material of about the same thickness and working with this before you tackle a job that really matters.

Sorry for the length of this post, but if you want to take on something like welding, then you deserve and need all the help you can get!
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I had thought about a used machine. Since I probally will not use it all that much, but I don't want something else I have to work on and fix, already have enough of that stuff laying around the house if you know what I mean.
As far as a class at a vo-tech school there is not one very close by where I live. I think it is about 25-30 miles away and then you have to pay for the class. I think I could learn good enough to get by, on my own with a little pratice. I have done some welding just fooling around mostly in shop class in high school and on a few construction jobs but that was stick welding and many many years ago.

Thanks for all your input...........
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

We got a Lincoln for I believe 1/2 price at Home Depot. It was still new, but had been returned by someone. Seems like it was a good deal (that's what Hubby told me - you know, we couldn't pass up something like this), although there is nothing around the house that needs welding, no matter how much my son asks.

We just got some scrap metal too, for them to practice on, and I am fairly certain the welder came with an instruction video. I don't really know much about it (ignorance is bliss), but if you want me to ask Hubby or the kid any questions, let me know and I can.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I am no professional welder, but I would strongly suggest NOT getting a gassless (flux-cored) welder. I have always used Miller, and didn't care too much for Lincolns (the welder). They're welds I have found to be much under par compared to that of a CO2 or Argon based welder. Also deicde if you are getting a 110v or a 220v. BTW I would spend the money on an Auto-Darkening helmet too. www.harborfreight.com seems to have some good welders.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

John, I agree with WackyWRZ about not getting a gasless, flux cored wire welder, and also about the auto darkening helmet, but not about Harbor Freight as a source to buy a welding machine.

Believe me, I researched long and hard about what brand and where to buy before I decided on HTP. I buy lots of tools and supplies for my business, and a good deal of them come from Harbor Freight, most of their stuff is hard to beat for the price, but feature for feature, and dollar for dollar, HTP has a better deal on welders.

Miller vs Lincoln is as old as Ford vs Chevy, and I own 2 Lincolns, 1 a stick and the other a tig, and I also own a Miller 250 Regency mig set up with a spool gun set up exclusively for aluminum.And then I own the HTP200 which I have set up for steel. They are all good machines in their own way with features good or bad depending on the intended use.

The HP Books manual I mentioned earlier is HP Books 573, titled "Welder's Handbook". There's a number above the bar code that I think most any good book store can use to order it for you. It is: ISBN D-89586-257-3. Price marked on book when I bought 8/9 yrs. ago: $14.95

If you can find this book, you won't be sorry you bought it. I still use it as a reference for the correct alloy rod or wire to use for different materials.

Sorry for the long post{s], but you are contemplating a major purchase, and you need to be fully informed in order to make an informed decision.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I meant that Harbor Freight has Hobart welders, didn't make my self clear, sorry... I agree, I would never buy an "off-brand" welder. I also have a Miller 250, and I love that welder!! I also have a Miller Bobcat 225G Genset/Welder. When the lights go out, hit the switch, and the house has power!! Ever tried welding an exhaust with a gasless?? HA!!
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I use Lincoln everyday. It works great I couldnt tell why there would be much differnt.I would suggest a MIG or ARC welder. ARC is easy as hell but MIG welding is of higher qulity.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

Welding machines. Maybe Tammy would like one for Christmas. She now wants to weld some furniture for the house.
As always, go for it hun.
Anyway, we sell industrial supplies where I work and we are distributors for Hobart and Miller. Not sure what you are trying to do, but I know those are good brands.
But don't ask me, I wouldn't know the dangerous end from the safe end.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

Scott, I think you're holding Tammy back. :) That woman's amazing.
 
RE: Advice--opinions wanted about welding machines

I just got back from vacation, so I'm sorry to catch this one late.
But here is my two cents.
My personal preference is with a Miller machine.But there is nothing wrong with Lincoln machines either.MIG welding is pretty easy if you understand the concept behind it.
As far as what size machine to go with it all depends on the thickness of the material you are welding.If you want a serious machine that you wont need to upgrade later get a 220 machine as opposed to a 110 machine.(Its better to have too much than not enough)And the the larger machine usually lays down a better weld.(better looking and better penetrating)
Ive been MIG welding for years but I wanted to be able to TIG weld as well so I took a class at the local Community college.Which by the way had both Miller and Lincoln machines.And like was said before its sort of a Ford VS. Chevy thing.

If you need any help figuring anything out feel free to Inbox me.
 
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