[1-18-68]

Whatever you do, avoid the Chinese built options. I bought a Lincoln MiG some 35 years ago and can still get any parts if I need them. It never fails me and the higher cost over the Chinese junk has long been forgotten. Buy quality. Hobart; Lincoln and Miller will last a lifetime.

 

[restodude]

Regardless of what others have and love the fact is for a single restoration and even more an inexpensive welder such as the Eastwood 135 (dirt cheap on sale) has variable amperage settings and the duty cycle is more than adequate for home use. Do not use a flux core mig. The lincoln and hobart and miller welders should hold up better with heavy use but for a home built weekend project the new cheaper welders will work just fine.

Rick

 

[mustang68408]

This is probably one of the most informative welder threads I've seen, even though I didn't initiate I appreciate everybody's contribution.

I know everybody prefers the 220v would the Miller still be your choice if the 220v wasn't an option? (since it's a dual voltage and you can change it, or would there be another model or brand to be looking at)

 

[cougnut68]

Look around on craigslist and ebay I bought my lincoln 140c welder off ebay and my cart from harbor freight. I have 300.00 invested so far the tank and regulator is my friends

 

[Harleydave]

I went with the Lincoln 140. It was my first mig-welder so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it has zero issues. Works great. The Harbor Freight cart is truly a POS.

 

[redmastercraft]

I have the Miller 211 as well. Autoset feature works great for the beginner. Might be a bit pricey for a starter welder but would save you the hassle of upgrade in the future.

 

[degins]

You aren't paying for just 10A, I'm sure there is a duty cycle difference. That being said, I have run my business with a 120V MIG and I can count on one hand how many times I had even the smallest of issues with duty cycle.

+1, duty cycle is the critical factor.

 

[OCHOHILL]

I also suggest you consider what upgrades have to be made to weld aluminum with a spool gun. Some older models have expensive spool gun attachments or none at all. Some of the newer models have affordable spool gun attachments that makes welding aluminum much easier. You may not plan on it now, but at some point, you will wish you had the capability.

I have an older miller 175. It hasn't faulted once. Typically, the better, costlier units have better, more durable electronics. ie: motherboard.

 

[Huskinhano]

This is what I have at home. Great welder, you can set on & off times to stitch weld sheet metal, set just on time to plug weld. Polarity is reverse polarity as well. Transformer is wound with copper, not aluminum. A real quality welder! MIG 140 Welding Package, Welding Gun Accessories, Metal Working, Welder Supplies | USAWeld.com

I have a Lincoln 140 amp on my truck set up for flux core which works well too. With 120 volt welders just make sure you have a good branch circuit at home. With 120 volts, voltage drop is four times greater then the same welder on a 240 volt circuit. I run mine on a #10 wire. Voltage drop should be no more then 3%, measure voltage by welder while running and not at the outlet on the wall.

 

[cruising68]

I also suggest you consider what upgrades have to be made to weld aluminum with a spool gun. Some older models have expensive spool gun attachments or none at all. Some of the newer models have affordable spool gun attachments that makes welding aluminum much easier. You may not plan on it now, but at some point, you will wish you had the capability.

I have an older miller 175. It hasn't faulted once. Typically, the better, costlier units have better, more durable electronics. ie: motherboard.

+1 One of the reasons I chose the Autoset 211. It came with an aluminum spool gun attachment. I haven't done any aluminum but my business partner has. He could do it after a reasonably short learning curve but his aluminum welds are still pretty ugly looking.