Welder?

[OnorOffroad]

I'm starting to think I can't get anything AWESOME done without a welder. What is a good all around welder to use on the Jeep for tasks such as: frame stiffeners, welding on axles, welding floor pans etc? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[CaliXJ]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/product.php?model=M00245

Just used one of these bad boys today! Welded up rear axle shock tabs and OAT mount. Love that thing. :loveu:


Thanks JeeperJohn!!

 

[alex22]

I picked up an ESAB Caddy Mig c200i in the fall. The big project I used it for was welding large mufflers for an engine dyno (ended up being about 6 feet tall and about 2 feet across) out of rolled stainless 18ga IIRC. It ran about 9lbs of .030 without a problem. I've only used this for small projects around the house since then but I'm very happy with it.
Its a 220V only machine so keep that in mind if you're interested.
I haven't used a Miller 211 so I can't comment on which one is better.

~Alex

 

[POSJ]

Wrong section, post up in the tools section and you might get better responses.

 

[DougJ]

CaliXJ has the right idea. A little spendy but well worth it for the Miller 211. It's dual voltage and the auto set feature really works well.

I've really been enjoying mine since I got it about a month ago. I don't know how I got by without it! I just put in an 8.8 and I've got a few other projects on the Jeep I'm using it on, plus plenty of little projects around the property.

Of course a new welder means you've got to build a cart for it as well. I made mine out of scrap metal from the recycle bin at work.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I love my hobart HH187 I picked up last year. It's had zero problems and even welds 3/8-1/2" steel first pass

 

[CaliXJ]

CaliXJ has the right idea. A little spendy but well worth it for the Miller 211. It's dual voltage and the auto set feature really works well.

I've really been enjoying mine since I got it about a month ago. I don't know how I got by without it! I just put in an 8.8 and I've got a few other projects on the Jeep I'm using it on, plus plenty of little projects around the property.

Of course a new welder means you've got to build a cart for it as well. I made mine out of scrap metal from the recycle bin at work.

Thats a sweet lookin little cart!

 

[whitexj98]

X2 for the Miller 211 auto set, I love mine and made in the USA FTW!

 

[sdspearo]

Agreed, here's another thumbs up for the Miller 211. I came from years on a stick welder, so this was a HUGE improvement for me.

DougJ...very nicely done on the cart!

 

[machinisttx]

You can get just about anything done with a lincoln AC225 stick machine.

 

[foxwar71]

You can get just about anything done with a lincoln AC225 stick machine.

Except anything that involves welding to the thin factory sheetmetal, F that with a stick.


Like others have said the Miller 211 is badass. Its a great option if you only have access to 110 as well because once you start welding you'll want 220 cause its just awesome. I got a Miller 180 autoset when they first came out, just before the 211 was released. I've welded everything on my jeep from sheetmetal to d-ring tabs.

 

[machinisttx]

Except anything that involves welding to the thin factory sheetmetal, F that with a stick.


Like others have said the Miller 211 is badass. Its a great option if you only have access to 110 as well because once you start welding you'll want 220 cause its just awesome. I got a Miller 180 autoset when they first came out, just before the 211 was released. I've welded everything on my jeep from sheetmetal to d-ring tabs.

Sheetmetal can be welded with a stick machine. It's not easy and won't look as good as if done with a mig, but it is possible.

 

[DoWorkXJ]

I've done anything and everything I've ever wanted to do on my Jeep with my Hobart 140.

 

[Ecomike]

What if anything is one of these good for (Other than a boat anchor, LOL....note I am not a welder, and would rarely use it, except for piddling very light duty stuff). $99 is pretty atractive if it can do anything welding wise at all. Not, if I need serious welding, I always hire a pro, I am NOT a welder.....So it is not a I should spend $$$$ to get a good one, it is buy it or don't buy it, question. I am not interesting in investing more than a $100 (or there abouts just to clarify my question, but feel free to compare to better machines for other readers here!!!)

Welding made easy at Harbor Freight Tools - that was the goal given to the Chicago Electric Welding engineers when they began designing the 90 Amp flux wire welder. This easy-to-use, high quality welder features flux wire (avoiding the requirement of a shielding gas) which helps generate perfect beads and a high Open Circuit Voltage level (31OVC) to ensure clean starts and finishes. Engineered to weld mild, low alloy steel with thicknesses from 18-gauge to 3/16-inch - this home or work-suitable welder will help make a beginner look like a pro. ​

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Key features and benefits:​

<img height="20" width="20"> No gas or regulators required - completely self-contained <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Excellent for windy conditions since a shielding gas is not required <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Runs on standard 120 volt, 20 amp household, single phase power outlet <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Uses readily available 0.030 to 0.035-inch flux wire <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Excellent for low and mild alloy steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Thermal overload protection system includes high intensity warning light <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Total control of wire feed speeds ensures full weld penetration <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Rated Duty Cycle - 20 percent @ 90 AC amps <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Sturdy 6-foot welding cables for welding gun and grounding clamp <img alt="" height="20" width="20"> Everything you need to weld is in the box

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[machinisttx]

What if anything is one of these good for (Other than a boat anchor, LOL....note I am not a welder, and would rarely use it, except for piddling very light duty stuff). $99 is pretty atractive if it can do anything welding wise at all. Not, if I need serious welding, I always hire a pro, I am NOT a welder.....So it is not a I should spend $$$$ to get a good one, it is buy it or don't buy it, question. I am not interesting in investing more than a $100 (or there abouts just to clarify my question, but feel free to compare to better machines for other readers here!!!)

I haven't used that particular machine, but I've used one similar to it. They suck. Only two heat settings, neither of which are ever quite right for what you're trying to weld. 20% duty cycle means you can weld on high for 12 minutes an hour....the rest of the time it needs to sit and cool off.

Most of the homeowner type wire feed machines will have short duty cycles. 20-30% is pretty common. I'm used to machines with 100% duty cycles(or very close) and would be raging when the thermal overload kicked in on one of these light duty welders. :flamemad: I hate welding, so when I have to weld, I want to set everything up, turn the machine on and weld till I'm done. You're not going to get much of a wire machine for $100 unless you find a screaming deal on craigslist or something. Your best bet in that price range is a Lincoln AC225 stick welder or equivalent, though it'll probably be more like $125-$150.

 

[souske]

I have a similar HF 90 amp wire feed, its a decent little welder for the price. Dont know about making a rookie weld like a pro, but you can lay down a decent bead with a little practice. I bought mine used, and have run 10lbs of wire through it myself. Getting some Lincoln .030 innersheild wire really helps.

 

[Vanimal]

i have a lincoln sp100 mig and it's been a great little machine. i got it used and i've been using the piss out of it. i'm pretty mean to it too, i dont pay much attention to the duty cycle although the previous owner claimed he had it upgraded when it was in for repairs and he said it could handle it.
I'd like to sell it and get a 211 but i don't regret getting it and it has been responsible for building my entire heep.

 

[Vanimal]

dougj, awesome cart. i've been wanting to make a new one for some time, the crappy harbor freight one i got with my welder doesnt handle a 100cf bottle too well, and has been rewelded and braced too many times already.
i'd be stoked on one like yours with maybe some bigger tires to handle the gravel in my yard.

 

[DougJ]

Hey guys, thanks for the props on the cart, it was fun to build. All scrap except for the wheels, a 3/4" angle and the flat stock for the bottle retention. The filing cabinet works great for storage of expendables and my mask, gloves etc. I even made a spring loaded lock for the drawers using an e-brake return spring off the 8.8 I built up!

Vanimal, I got ya on the wheels, these are a bit of a compromise. I tacked 'em on so they'll come off easy if I can score something better.

To those looking for a cheap welder, use caution. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to deal with a tool inadequate for the job. What's so impressive to me about this Miller 211 is it's versatility, I used literally one twist of the dial to go from 18 gauge to 5/16" the other day! So nice...

 

[MOUNTAIN XJ]

I say get it and Learn to weld. My suggestion is to at least get the harbor freight one that can take argon/ C02 gas. It makes way better welds. Way less frag to clean up and easier to learn on. You can just start with flux core - and not buy the tank upfront. I started with one of those and now have the Hobart ironman 230 and save tons of $$ doing my own fab work.
Learning to weld on stick is tuff-especially if it's on thin metal. I learned on stick after I decided to cut out all the rust spots on my first cj7 when I was 20-it sucked!!