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Started By
Message
Thinking of getting dad a MIG welder for Fathers Day... suggestions?
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:10 am
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:10 am
OT welders, I've heard my pops talk about wanting a MIG machine several times. He uses my uncles old one all the time and loves it, so I am considering buying him one for Fathers Day. He has an old AC/DC, but he can barely see the puddle now as his eyes are getting bad.
For whatever reason, he has little difficulty in using a MIG. This would mainly be for use around the house when he tinkers. I know very little about them other than the basics of using one. Any suggestions? I know very little about the wire speeds, wire types, and the sizes.
If someone who knows a thing or two about them can point me in the right direction on a good machine that can handle your basic stuff around the house I would be appreciative. I don't want to go break the bank and get one that is far more than he needs, but at the same time, I want to make sure its one that can get the job done.
ETA: Thanks to the admin for assing up my thread title. He doesn't have trouble using a MIG welder, hence I am getting him one for Fathers Day. No worries, I fixed it.
For whatever reason, he has little difficulty in using a MIG. This would mainly be for use around the house when he tinkers. I know very little about them other than the basics of using one. Any suggestions? I know very little about the wire speeds, wire types, and the sizes.
If someone who knows a thing or two about them can point me in the right direction on a good machine that can handle your basic stuff around the house I would be appreciative. I don't want to go break the bank and get one that is far more than he needs, but at the same time, I want to make sure its one that can get the job done.
ETA: Thanks to the admin for assing up my thread title. He doesn't have trouble using a MIG welder, hence I am getting him one for Fathers Day. No worries, I fixed it.
This post was edited on 6/11/14 at 12:37 pm
8
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:16 am to tysonslefthook
A Millermatic 140 is a good little machine and you can get it for about 700 bucks new.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:19 am to tysonslefthook
220v or 110v?
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:22 am to NYCAuburn
I don't think he has 220v in his shop, but I could be wrong
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:22 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
220v or 110v?
This. Gotta know how big of a machine he needs.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:23 am to tysonslefthook
Get a Miller.
Really easy to use.
Do you know the voltage he has at the house? 110 or 220?
Really easy to use.
Do you know the voltage he has at the house? 110 or 220?
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:24 am to LSUballs
quote:
A Millermatic 140 is a good little machine and you can get it for about 700 bucks new
Is it worth paying 700 for the Millermatic instead of the Lincoln 140? This thing will only see light occasional use. Maybe once or twice a month when he has to fix whatever he tears up!
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:24 am to tigerman03
quote:
Do you know the voltage he has at the house? 110 or 220?
I think 110 at the shop, I'll have to find out for sure when I go this evening
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:29 am to tysonslefthook
Lincoln Handy Mig Portable is a decent little 110 volt machine.
About $300-$350 range.
About $300-$350 range.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:33 am to tysonslefthook
Ive got a miller and a hobart. Both are easy and work great. Hobart is a little cheaper you can get them a Tractor Supply usually cheaper than anywhere else.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:36 am to tysonslefthook
Lincoln
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:38 am to tysonslefthook
quote:
I don't think he has 220v in his shop, but I could be wrong
Get the biggest(largest number) model from either Hobart(miller's cheaper lineup but good), Miller, or Lincoln that you can afford. Really this is the usual answer for even if you have 220v
This will be a ford vs chevy debate
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:40 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
This will be a ford vs chevy debate
I kind of expected it to turn out like this. His favorite color is blue though, so maybe that will sway me to Miller
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:49 am to tysonslefthook
The Miller is a nice machine (I have a 130 about 10 years old). My Miller uses shielding gas.
I have used a Lincoln 140 at work and it is a good little machine too.
Something to consider also is whether you are going to bear the expense of a shielding gas or just get flux cored wire.
The weld quality with the shielding gas is superior but a bottle and regulator add $100-200 to the package. Then you almost have to get a cart to keep it all together.
If you're price point is under $500 get the Lincoln.
If you can swing up to $1k get the Miller, bottle, regulator & cart.
BTW no matter what you get some consumables are needed (tips, wire, nozzle dip, etc.)
You may want to check some local welding supply houses sometimes they have package deals.
Hope this helps.
I have used a Lincoln 140 at work and it is a good little machine too.
Something to consider also is whether you are going to bear the expense of a shielding gas or just get flux cored wire.
The weld quality with the shielding gas is superior but a bottle and regulator add $100-200 to the package. Then you almost have to get a cart to keep it all together.
If you're price point is under $500 get the Lincoln.
If you can swing up to $1k get the Miller, bottle, regulator & cart.
BTW no matter what you get some consumables are needed (tips, wire, nozzle dip, etc.)
You may want to check some local welding supply houses sometimes they have package deals.
Hope this helps.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:49 am to tysonslefthook
I've got a Miller 211. It's great because it can be either 110 or 220. You're looking at $1k, but for Miller quality it is worth it
Air gas is kind of expensive, but will have everything you need to go home and weld that day.
Get an auto-darkening helmet for him too. Mine is a $40 job from Northern Tool and works pretty well. It's no $200 helmet, but it works
Air gas is kind of expensive, but will have everything you need to go home and weld that day.
Get an auto-darkening helmet for him too. Mine is a $40 job from Northern Tool and works pretty well. It's no $200 helmet, but it works
This post was edited on 6/11/14 at 8:51 am
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:51 am to tysonslefthook
Lincoln power mig 140 is on a rebate program right now. Pay around 600 and get some free gear (auto darkening hood, jacket, gloves, etc)
Mig welding is easy because you just squeeze a trigger
Mig welding is easy because you just squeeze a trigger
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:51 am to Hammertime
quote:
Get an auto-darkening helmet for him too. Mine is a $40 job from Northern Tool
I have this as well and it's a pretty damned good helmet. I recommend as well.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:52 am to Hammertime
quote:
I've got a Miller 211. It's great because it can be either 110 or 220. You're looking at $1k, but for Miller quality it is worth it Get an auto-darkening helmet for him too. Mine is a $40 job from Northern Tool and works pretty well. It's no $200 helmet, but it works
If you want 110/220 capability get a Lincoln power
Mig 180C for a few hundred bucks less and it comes with a really nice auto darkening hood. 211 is overkill for tinkering around the house.
Posted on 6/11/14 at 8:53 am to htownjeep
Only problem I have ever had was welding outside with the sun at my back
Posted on 6/11/14 at 9:06 am to AndyCBR
You can use flux cored wire on any machine that is wired fed. IMO you need to use gas on any wire that you put down. The overall quality will be better when using shielding gas, even with flux cored wire. A 110V machine will only weld 1/4" thick material max, so also keep this in mind.
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