Best welder for all around?

[jwilliams3]

I am looking to get a welder that will do all around stuff: ie traction bars, . 75" steel etc, weight bracket's, you get the picture!

Which one and which kind should I get?

I am not a welder as of yet, but want to learn.

 

[Philip]

Look at a wire welder or mig as it is called. With you wanting to go up to . 75 steel then that moves you up to at least a 250 amp rig. This is not a size you will find in a discount house. So your looking at a Miller,Lincon,Hobart,Century. These are the most common brands. All 4 will give good results.



The main thing to look at beside price is the accessories package that is included. Some brands give very little. Other mfg's give good accessories packages. The prices most likely will be close on the overall package. But the assecories package came make one brand better than the other.



Now for the welder itself. Look at the duty cycle. If it is low on weld time. IE only 25 percent or so. This will restrict you on doing fab work. Welding 2 minutes out of 10 gets tiring. So look for higher duty cycles in the price range your looking at.

 

[EBottema]

Stick with a Miller 135 110 volt Mig Welder, runs about 550 for the unit or maybe a miller 185 which is a 220 volt that runs about 1000 bucks. Miller is the best IMO

 

[Paychk]

The best possible thing you could do is get into a welding class; most 2-year colleges have good welding programs at modest cost. For the work you're describing, a MIG might not be the best choice in light of your experience and most likely lack of 3-phase power. A stick welder that runs on 220V would be the most cost-effective way to make the welds you've described. Also you'll want to stick with one of the big 3 Miller, Lincoln, Hobart or even Esab, these companies have been in business over the long haul and will be there when you need repairs / support for the welding machine you purchase.

 

[Tcolesanti]

For heavy duty welding like you describe, I would definately give the nod to an AC/DC stick machine, much less initial cost and the capability of penetrating thicker steel.

 

[EBottema]

Oh i missed the 3/4 inch steel plates. forget the mig, get a 220 stick machine... . get some 7018 rod (structural steel rod) and it will be bulletproof

 

[Un-Hemi]

Here's one that does it all: Tig, Mig & stick.



http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e757.pdf



Miller probably makes a similar piece.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

There seems to be a fad-type movement to the MIG/TIG type welders, and they ARE nice for finer, specialized work on sheetmetal and relatively thinner stuff.



BUT, for utility work on a BROAD range of the normal stuff MOST of us work on, a good 230 amp AC/DC stick welder will do 99% of the stuff you will normally be faced with. And you can buy a good stick welder used for well under $100 - in fact, I *gave* one away prior to our recent move to eastern Oregon...



Hey, they sure didn't build battleships and nuclear subs with MIG welders!

 

[jtisdale]

my $.02

Best all around? Mig with a spool gun. Best for what you want to do? Arc welder. Avoid 110v machines. just my opinion though...

You can weld some relatively heavy stuff with . 045 flux core in a mig, but initial cost is higher, and more expensive to operate (wire and gas) providing you dont own your tanks Get a good 4" or 5" hand grinder and plenty of wheels. Metal prep is key.

BTW, before you weld anything on your truck dont forget to unhook both batterys!

 

[DValentine]

Gary, wire feed welders are used to build ships, subs and a lot of other things. Migs get a bad rap from the little home jobbies that people buy at wal mart and the like. They will, under the right conditions, turn out better welds at a MUCH quicker rate than any human stick welder. They just are not as immune to rusty material, wind and grease as stick rod. As Jtisdale said, an . 045 fux or solid core wire machine is the one to buy. The mig is easier to learn. If looking for penetration, then pre heat the metal, and run "up hill" not down hill. The stick maching is the way to go for all around welding. Miller sells a nice welder than can run on both 110/220. On 220V it will run 1/8 rod at up to 150 amps. It weighs 14 pounds and has TIG capabilites. Its called the Maxstar 150s. I can't remember the price, under 1000 bucks.



Welding supply.com



Dave