mig welder to buy

[chubby1_8888]

This would be my first mig welder purchase and first time posting on this forum. I need help/ advice/ opinions on a pretty good mig welder to getstarted. willing to spend $600usd on one. I have only tried mig once and it was a complete fail! Seriously only once did I try welding with a mig in high school 2yrs ago. The wire was just spitting out so fast I tried adjusting it but didn't seam to get it to work. Iv only worked with the arc welder witch was easy for me to use and was pretty good at it, but now I want a mig welder to use at my house. I was looking around and found Hobart made by Miller but was a cheaper in price. Here's the link http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/. I was interested in the first 3 models. But any good recommendations of good welder would also be grea. to have plenty to choose from. I would be using the welder for almost anything I can weld from car body work, car exhaust, aluminum, scrap metal, house window bars ect. I mean itwoild be ok if I can't do all of this but just to give you the idea of what I want it for. Thanks for taking the time on looking at my post.

 

[shenion]

The handler 125 or 140 will do fine. They are good welders. I started with a Clarke 130 and that would do up to 1/8", a bit more with some joint prep (leave gap or V the joint.)

The 140 will definitely take a dedicated 20A outlet to run full power. The 125 would still probably want one.

It will do steel with no problem with either CO2 or argon/CO2 mix gas. Aluminum is a bit tricky and you will need to get pure argon gas.

Can do gasless but it is not good for bodywork.

If you have done arc, MIG will be relatively easy

Welcome to the forums

 

[chubby1_8888]

Ok cool. May I ask were did u get your Clarke at, because I can't find their web site just a couple of online stores that carry them. So a 20a would make a big difference? And thanks for the welcome

 

[shenion]

I got my Clarke from WeldingDepot.com They carry the Hobart Handler welders. They shipped a second as soon as UPS tracking said it was "damaged in shipment" rather than wait for the first to be returned. Have ordered supplies from them.

Clarke USA went chapter 11 a few years back. That is the US distributor, not the parent company. So, they have been harder to get.

My Clarke would trip a 20A breaker at times 110V MIGs need a good supply. I had to buy an expensive extension cord. The voltage drop in most cords will drop the power and cause instability in wire feed.

 

[chubby1_8888]

Ok. so what would u recommend to go with Clarke or Hobart?

 

[shenion]

Parts for the Clarke's are difficult to get. Tips and shrouds are copies of Tweco guns so you can find them anywhere. If you break something in the torch, you have to fit an aftermarket torch rather than just replace the part.

The Hobart has a lot more support. They are carried in places like Northern Tools.

I really liked the Clarke I had, too bad they lost their distributor. Used to be able to get parts almost anywhere (I had to replace the swan neck liner after overheating it.) I think a lot you see for sale are new-old-stock.

Although I have never used a Hobart, they have a long history of making good equipment. I would have no qualms buying one.

Funny Hobart is not the company they used to be. Merged, then divided up into parts, banned from selling large welders. Finally, retail welders sold to Miller. At least Miller has support near anywhere.

 

[chubby1_8888]

Funny Hobart is not the company they used to be. Merged, then divided up into parts, banned from selling large welders. Finally, retail welders sold to Miller. At least Miller has support near anywhere.

Very true. That's also what I'm thinking about replacement parts especially because its gonna be my first welder I don't want to be waiting a week between a project to get a replacement part. I rember buying a nitro RC online as my first RC and when it broke (a couple of days later) I had to wait for the part to come in and it was on back order. So I'm thinking Hobart probably had parts that are compatible with Miller. By any chance do u have any good recommendations for a welding helmet?

 

[shenion]

I have two Chinese junk auto helmets. They work surprisingly well even on low amps TIG. One is the Horror Freight one that goes on sale for $50. The other is an $0.99 ebay special.

Both work well but I find it hard to focus through them. Probably due to cheap optics. Work well enough for my use. If I was welding all day, I'd want something better.

For a good auto helmet, you'll spend near what you paid for the welder . Speedglass is supposed to be one of the best especially with the 3M optics.

Look for 1/10,000 response time (0.1ms), adjustable sensitivity. Delay settings and replaceable batteries are nice features.

Note: none of the cheap ones are rated for overhead welding. The plastic will melt. You need lots of safety gear to do that; I just stay well off the side when doing it.

 

[chubby1_8888]

I didn't know they can to go that expensive. So the one at harbor freight is dissent enough to get the job done. How about a cylinder. Sorry for asking so many questions

 

[shenion]

Find a local gas supplier. They will sell you a tank and gas. You probably don't want a "contract". That is usually the first thing they ask you. A contact would mean rental on the tanks. Less money up front, but rental can be high if you don't use a lot of gas.

I made the mistake of buying a real nice, new CO2 tank off ebay. Took it to get filled and they handed me an old beat up one. I could buy a used tank from them at a similar price. At least I did not buy a new one.

Tanks appear on Craigs list. If you see one, make sure they are not real old and need to be re-tested.

Note, my gas supplier also sells welding equipment. Was expecting obscene prices but they are reasonable. I buy parts for my big guns, gas fittings etc.

 

[chubby1_8888]

Ok ill have to go and ask local. What size of tank you recommend. And what type of gas mix would be good.

 

[shenion]

You want 75%/25% argon/CO2. it is the most common for MIG. Sometimes called C25.

I started with an 80 CF (Cubic Foot.) tank. Good for about 4 hours of use. Cost about $48 to fill. I upgraded to a 125CF later as I was using more. The upgrade from the supplier was only $14.

Last time i had the 125CF filled, it was $40. They were in a good mood and gave me a discount I also found a closer branch.

BTW, my tank is 100% argon, I mix it with CO2 about 25% using a mixer ( very expensive gadget i picked up off ebay. ) I think Ar/CO2 mix is a bit cheaper than pure argon.

Pure CO2 is cheap and you can get them filled a fire extinguisher service places. It does require a different regulator. A bit more difficult on thin metal and a bit of spatter. My small tank cost $28 to fill and has twice the gas of my big argon tank.

 

[chubby1_8888]

I thought it was gonna be pricier then that but not that bad then. One more question would putting in extra fan help the duty cycle

 

[shenion]

My Clarke 130 I have used flat out and it never cut out. The ratings on better welders are at 40C ambient (104F). They are better than the specs say.

As it already has a fan, adding another will probably not make much of a difference.

 

[chubby1_8888]

Ok so u would say I can probably use 100% at 30A without over heating?

 

[shenion]

Yes, from the manual:

 

[chubby1_8888]

Dang thanks. I went to a local gas supplier were they also sell Miller and Hobart. The Hobart 140 was $511 and the Miller 140 was $660. And the tank for 80cf $240!!!!

 

[shenion]

Northern Tools hs the Hobart Handler 140 for $499. I have seen the Miller listed for $679. So the prices are not bad.

That is high for the tank. Check craigs list and ebay for one cheaper.

 

[chubby1_8888]

Ok I'll check the prices for tanks and specific tank that it has to be?

 

[chubby1_8888]

How about welding aluminum would I have to get a spool gun