cheapo welder
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 675
From:
STAY AWAY FROM FLUX CORE. youll get nothing but chicken sh*t for welds.
If you are only using it for the car a 120V system should be ok for you. if you start getting into welding the frame or stuff over 0.125" thick i would go 220V.
If you are only using it for the car a 120V system should be ok for you. if you start getting into welding the frame or stuff over 0.125" thick i would go 220V.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,469
From: AR
You get what you pay for. Don't buy a cheap hooker. You will not have fun! 
Seriously, If you are going to be using it for much more than tack welding, I would look into one of the cheap Lincoln wire welders. They can be had for under $300 if you want to use flux wire.
Seriously, If you are going to be using it for much more than tack welding, I would look into one of the cheap Lincoln wire welders. They can be had for under $300 if you want to use flux wire.
+1 on the little Lincoln.
I bought one of these from home depot a few years ago. It was gas capable and did not cost much more than $300, I think about $400 or $450...
I have since upgraded but I still have it.... I can let you borrow it. Where are you in AL, I will have someone in Enterprise next week. You will need to rent or buy a bottle if you want to use gas though.
I really really recomend a 220 Volt Miller, very nice machine for about $700.00
We have used the **** out of this little machine it is a performer.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 882
From:
Harbor freight has ABSOLUTE garbage. Even their sand paper is crap. The only good thing harbor freight has is shop towels and a bathroom for customers.
If you buy that welder...........
A : Expect it to brake in 1 week
B: Expect it to ruin your project
C: Both A & B
If you buy that welder...........
A : Expect it to brake in 1 week
B: Expect it to ruin your project
C: Both A & B
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 98
From: alabama
thank you all!!!
what was i thinking? the cheap hooker did it for me...
new question, i dont have 220 run out to my "make due shop" what are my best options for welders. are there gas ones that run off 110?
jmd, thanks for the offer, im in the montgomery area, but it will be a few more weeks before im ready to tackle it.
what was i thinking? the cheap hooker did it for me...
new question, i dont have 220 run out to my "make due shop" what are my best options for welders. are there gas ones that run off 110?
jmd, thanks for the offer, im in the montgomery area, but it will be a few more weeks before im ready to tackle it.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 131
From: Utah
Wareagle,
Millermatic 140 runs on 110V and will weld up to 3/16 on a single pass. Regardless of the brand (as long as it is Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart) look at the amperage rating and voltage output. The higher you go, the happier you will be. Here is the one I keep pushing: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_140_autoset/ Check the want ads, Craigslist and other places for a used one. Typically unless these things are dropped from nose bleed altitudes, they are fairly indestructible. Rollers, liners, tips etc may need to be replaced but the machines are well built
Millermatic 140 runs on 110V and will weld up to 3/16 on a single pass. Regardless of the brand (as long as it is Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart) look at the amperage rating and voltage output. The higher you go, the happier you will be. Here is the one I keep pushing: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_140_autoset/ Check the want ads, Craigslist and other places for a used one. Typically unless these things are dropped from nose bleed altitudes, they are fairly indestructible. Rollers, liners, tips etc may need to be replaced but the machines are well built
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 59
From:
I have the 110V miller machine. I've already patched a floor pan, filled small rust holes, and built some one off brackets with it. It's a good little machine for the hobbyist.
Maybe I'll get a garage with 220V someday. In the meantime, the 110V miller does the job.
Maybe I'll get a garage with 220V someday. In the meantime, the 110V miller does the job.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 131
From: Utah
Chaos,
Before I wired my garage for 220V I ran an extension cord from my electric dryer outlet out to my garage for my welder. It was about 25' and didn't produce too big of a voltage drop. You might consider that if your laundry room is in close proximity to your garage.
Before I wired my garage for 220V I ran an extension cord from my electric dryer outlet out to my garage for my welder. It was about 25' and didn't produce too big of a voltage drop. You might consider that if your laundry room is in close proximity to your garage.
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 98
From: alabama
68, i thought about that for myself as well,
my problem, my "area" is about 100' from the house. I figured that was too far to run a extention from the dryer. im not an electrician, so i dont really know.
my problem, my "area" is about 100' from the house. I figured that was too far to run a extention from the dryer. im not an electrician, so i dont really know.