WTB a Welder

[Skipper51]

I need to get a welder and start learning how to weld. What would be a good welder that would do everything needed to work on the Jeep? :eyes:

I am leaning towards this one: Hobart 500559 Handler Wire Welder http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler140/

Does anyone know if this will work or is there something better for about the same money?

 

[spudly]

For most stuff it's a great welder, especially if you only have 110v available.

The only thing would be any axle work. You can tack up what you need done and take it someplace to be finished.

If you have 220v and the coin, the Miller 252 would handle anything you could throw at it and then some.

 

[AIbandit]

You'd have better luck in the tools forum.
Most people I've read regret purchasing a 110v as their first welder. you can get ones that do 110 and 220v
I have a lincoln 180c that has met all of my needs to date.

 

[Mayhew65]

The Hobart welder is a good starter welder its basically a stripped down Miller welder. You won't be welding thick gauge metal 1/4 and above. but its as good as you can weld. Miller welding has a Youtube account with welding how to videos on there for reference.

 

[the_weirdo]

The Hobart 180 we gave my dad has been a good welder and didn't cost much more than what you have shown in the link. I really recommend stepping up to 220V power.

 

[XJensen]

I got my Hobart 175, the older version of the 180 Josh mentioned. I got it off CL for $300 with a 12lb spool of flux core.

I had room on the panel and set up the garage for 220. I love it! I need to get a tank to start running gas but the flux core has worked fine for now, the welds turn out pretty decent even when I do them.

Next time your in the valley give me a ring and try it out.

 

[Skipper51]

Thank you all for you ideas and suggestions.

Being a beginner I took this rout Chicago Electric Welding 240 Volt Inverter Arc/TIG Welder with Digital Readout from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/tig-mma-inverter-welding-machine-with-digital-readout-98233.html

If I can melt this thing down by using it too much then I will upgrade to something beefier and that will do more.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

you bought the harbor freight welder? that thing is awesome. I don't know much about welders but my buddy bought one of those and I was laying down some really hot beads with it. they looked great too. for $400 can't go wrong

 

[blenny]

I got the harbor freight 180 mig for $260. It works real well, but the duty cycle sucks when building something like a bumper from 1/4. I would just say to avoid their wire.

 

[Bryan C.]

I bought a nice Lincoln precision tig 275 welder with the pulse panel and crash cart from a buddy a few months ago.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K2618-1

Works great but it doesn't like welding through leftover paint and galvanized steel. I still have my unused chicago 110 flux core welder for the nasty stuff so it works out ok. Have fun and get busy practicing.

 

[Skipper51]

I bought a nice Lincoln precision tig 275 welder with the pulse panel and crash cart from a buddy a few months ago.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K2618-1

Works great but it doesn't like welding through leftover paint and galvanized steel. I still have my unused chicago 110 flux core welder for the nasty stuff so it works out ok. Have fun and get busy practicing.

Wow nice welder.
Yeah the welder did not even get here and I am rethinking going with the TIG and going MIG. Since I am just beginning I will be starting out using a MIG to learn on. :yap:

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

oh wow I didn't even notice that was tig. HF sells a mig machine for about the same price. MIG is way more useful when building a jeep

 

[Bryan C.]

Wow nice welder.
Yeah the welder did not even get here and I am rethinking going with the TIG and going MIG. Since I am just beginning I will be starting out using a MIG to learn on. :yap:

That thing is way over my head....I had no welding experience when I got it but I can lay some OK beads with it now.

Mig is good for welding to the body, tig is good for fabrication using new metal. Overall most prefer mig over tig for Jeeps.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

I was very surprised you went with TIG to start. Usually a wire feed mig is a good set of training wheels. Im still on those training wheels years later.

 

[Skipper51]

Just a quick update to give you something to read.

A friend had a Hobart 140 MIG so I got it. Sent back the TIG.

I have done a little welding just to practice and I did some welding today on the tractor mower putting on a new bigger wheel mount for a stronger wheel.

Welding is so much fun I see why you guys would offer to do welding for guys when they needed it. Its just plain fun.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

Welding is so much fun I see why you guys would offer to do welding for guys when they needed it. Its just plain fun.

that it is. just the damned cost of materials for it sucks. get some welds under your belt and post up some pics