Looking for Welder...suggestions/comments!

[TheWolf]

First, I am no welder!



But, I want to be able do some little things around the house. Some little projects, auto work etc...



I do not have 220. Only can use 115 power source. Can not afford expensive 220 models anyhow.







So with that in mind I was looking in some local stores and have found Hobart handler 140 for $419, Lincoln 135plus, on ebay sites for $550 -600 area, and a Clarke Hot shot spool 135 on clearance locally for $398 here is the clarke http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/WE6441.html?id=jV8uqqvq





I know either of the "brand" ones mentioned are probably fine for what I will be doing to learn with, but what about the clarke spool gun??? What about parts/warranty if it would have problems? Any one have any thoughts on the clarke, (people seem to say you need the spool gun if you want to try aluminum). I could get the hobart or clark for about $150 less than the lincoln or miller135



Thanks

 

[MFalkinham]

Just looking at the ad for the Clarke spool gun, I think having that large spool assembly by the nozzle would be awkward to handle and would get in the way when trying to weld steel in tight spots. Of course, if you are welding aluminum you can't push that wire through a standard wire feed so a spool gun is required. For welding mainly steel I think having a smaller nozzle is more practical. However, I've never tried a spool gun so I could be wrong.

I have a Lincoln SP135 at home. I've owned it for about 8 years and have never had a problem with it. I use the flux cored wire so there is no gas required. I only weld steel and I don't weld often, but when I do it's usually something big and the machine gets used hard. Even when I exceed the recommended duty cycle on 1/4" steel the little Lincoln can keep up with the work.

 

[TheWolf]

thanks for the info on your sp135

 

[Hoefler]

I also have the Lincoln 135. I have used on Co2 and Co2/Argon mix, flux core ( gas less ). It has welded anything I have put in front of it. Very versatile. Check your welding supply stores for the best price. I called 6 different suppliers in 3 different cities and found the prices vary as much as $150 on the very same machine. When I bought mine, I had the Lincoln buzz box, and been using one at work and knew what I wanted. I bought the machine, large bottle with the Argon mix, 1 10lb spool of flux core, 2 10lb spools of steel wire, extra tips, wire lube kit, gloves, and spatter gel for less than $750. Lincoln also is a copper wound machine with a 3 year warranty.

 

[MRector]

ive got a lincoln promig 135 and love it, going on five years and no problems.

 

[keimmmo]

I have two Lincoln WeldPac 100 welders. The older one has had over 20 ten pound spools of flux core wire put through it without a problem. I do a LOT of welding and love the machines!



Steve Keim

 

[Nate]

What kind of material are you planning on welding? The 135 is ok for thinner stuff, I would say up to 3/16" single pass.



Personally I wouldn't buy a 120v welder, but if you have no choice, it's better than nothing huh. You don't have a dryer plug or something to plug into? I just run about 75ft of cord to my garage from the house... plug it into the dryer outlet.

 

[keimmmo]

I too do not have 220 and can not get it here in Mexico. I like my WeldPac 100 because I can weld thin things like body panels without a problem... yet I can weld 1/4 inch plate if I need to... I have welded 1/2 inch a few times. I made the front hitch on the 01. 5 and welded it with the little Lincoln, and it pushes my 10k pound travel trailer without a problem. So, you CAN do some fairly heavy welding with it.



If you are welding fairly heavy material with a small welder, pre heat the metal with a torch. Use the slowest wire speed that still gives a nice weld. And, you may have to make multiple passes. But, it IS possible to get a good weld on heavy material!!!



Steve Keim

 

[DLausche]

I am not a welder either. I ended up picking up a display model Hobart Handler 135 about 3 years ago. Have run many spools of wire through it now and have had zero problems with it. I am very happy with it. Would prefer to have a 220 welder but have no 220 power source either.



Also, you should plan on spending a bit to get a nice auto-darkening helmet. This makes it a LOT easier if you are a beginner at welding like I am. I went with the entry level Speedglass model and am very happy with it.



-Deon

 

[Nate]

Yes that's true, if you preheat the metal you can weld thicker stuff. When you said you welded 1/2" i was like before I read you preheated it.



So Mexico doesn't have 240v coming into houses? What do you use for a cook stove and dryer? 120v versions?

I too do not have 220 and can not get it here in Mexico. I like my WeldPac 100 because I can weld thin things like body panels without a problem... yet I can weld 1/4 inch plate if I need to... I have welded 1/2 inch a few times. I made the front hitch on the 01. 5 and welded it with the little Lincoln, and it pushes my 10k pound travel trailer without a problem. So, you CAN do some fairly heavy welding with it.



If you are welding fairly heavy material with a small welder, pre heat the metal with a torch. Use the slowest wire speed that still gives a nice weld. And, you may have to make multiple passes. But, it IS possible to get a good weld on heavy material!!!



Steve Keim

 

[keimmmo]

Cook stove is LP gas. Water heater is LP gas. Clothes dryer is a long piece of wire that I hang the clothes over. Climate here is nice enough that I do not have a heating system or air conditioning system to worry about in the house. Life is pretty simple here!



Steve Keim

 

[SMorneau]

I have a lincoln SP135 and I like it but I am not expert. I bought it to weld up a deck railing and it has worked well for everything I have asked it to do. It feeds wire nicely. But then you already know that. What I wanted you to know was that some store like Home Depot sell name brands that look just like the real deal but are severely cheapened on the inside so buy your welder from a dealer not a mass merchant. At least check for serial number clues like "hd" on the end which doesn't mean heavy duty.



Scott

 

[Bandit1]

I really like the Lincoln pro 140 i just got, For right now I couldnt hook up a 220, so this 110 hookup was really handy. I am not a pro welder but i have fixed and built a lot of stuff around the house and it has handled everything from welding exhaust pipe to fixing a broken disc harrow we jsut got.

 

[y-knot]

many years ago (10) I had a small Lincoln Weld Pac 100. it was a great welder for what it was. It ran on a 125V, 20A outlet, and was super portable. I used it for about 3 years on various projects, and it never once let me down, just bare in mind that this is a great SMALL MIG welder. It is not large enough to weld class IV or V hitches, or any other project that require penetration on larger steel, over 3/16". It is however very good on small square tubing, body metal, ornamental type work and small brackets. The amount you can spend on a small system varies between 3-400 and 7-800. The differences being options like the welding cart, where you get your gas bottle, size of machine (they have several small machines in that general size range, SP-135,Weld Pak-100, MIG Pak 15 I do believe)

I can say that the Lincoln brand of welders and similar equipment is #1 in my mind, I went on to buy several larger welding machines like my SP-255 that is a sheer joy to use, The best all around welder there is. I am saving for the Precision TIG 275, package complete with water cooled torch. After our new shop is completed then maybe?? I also have several MILLER pieces, like the Miller Bobcat 10,000 engine driven welder and their 50A plasma cutter . Still the Lincoln products are the best. They offer great service and put on many welding seminars and expos around the country, not to mention the many welding classes they offer at their headquarters in Cleavland, OH. . Good luck and remember you get what you payed for.

 

[BradyWilliams]

I own Miller welders and they have been very good. The 120v model has been very versatile and portable with the 4 wheeled dolly they sell. Thanks

 

[TheWolf]

I really like the Lincoln pro 140 i just got, For right now I couldnt hook up a 220, so this 110 hookup was really handy. I am not a pro welder but i have fixed and built a lot of stuff around the house and it has handled everything from welding exhaust pipe to fixing a broken disc harrow we jsut got.

Thanks for the comments so far everybody!.



Bandit do you know what the diff is between say the sp 135 and your promig140? I just came across the promig140 today at lowes while I was looking for other things.



So the welders at lowes and Tractor supply are not the same as you would buy from a welding shop???? Tractor supply has the Hobart140 for $419 and just seen today Lowes has Promig140 for around$450