What's the best welder ...

Im going to build/restore a A Body roadster and want one welder for the whole job. However i dont want to spend alot of money. Any advice on whats the best welder for the money, and will be capable of doing any job when restoring a car.

 

I use a Miller 250X and I like it

 

How long is a rope?

 

I have always used Lincoln. The best thing to do is try them out. Call your friends and bum a piece of small metal and try them out.

 

Get your popcorn TMAN! LOL

 

maybe try harbor freight, or walmart

 

220 volt Lincoln 175 wire welder from Home Depot is minimum ~$650. Buy a gas kit and bottle ~$100. My local craigslist is full of similar ones for half price.

 

BEST and "don't want to spend alot of money" don't go together in the old car hobby or in REAL LIFE either.

 

Have you done a search here on this? Lots of info posted. You get what you pay for.

 

I love my Miller 185

 

I have two Lincoln Wire feed welders: One from Home Depot that ate shit and died, and another one from a local weld supply. Turns out that Lincoln makes a "blue light special" model to sell at HD. The one at the weld shop was only a little bit more and they threw in all the goodies

 

I guess the better question is what is the max thickness of metal you weld during a restoration. 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 ...

 

You can always do multipass welds for thicker material

 

So then will a welder like the millermatic 140 would get the job done. Remember that Im not making this a profession and Im not a shop owner. Just going to do one car with my father.

 

hahahaha

 

Hobart Handler 187 is the best machine for a hobbiest that I've ever owned.

 

Hope you are kidding.

 

hey man! Im new at this too and i made the mistake to wanna save money and bought a 400$ 110v craftsman and not too long after i got rid of it and bought a millermatic 180 and i love it. I should have saved my money and bought the miller in the first place, so save and buy something that will last you forever and you'll also be able to do frame work. Don't do what i did!!!

Ian

 

I have owned an earlier 110V Hobart Handler 120 for about 15 years and its kinda like my right arm now. Money very well spent!

Sounds like the quality may not be what it used to be, per the post below.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355570&highlight=hobart

 

what ever you get, dont even consider a Chicago electric welder, thats all i have to say

 

Agreed ,me too

 

Mig is relatively easy to use. Don't even consider welding sheetmetal without the shielding gas. You'll hate life.

I have a Miller 135 using Stargon shielding. I run .23 wire - most people don't know that the stock wire guide is sized for larger wire...buy the smaller one and fit it to your gun/feed hose.

Miller is more money than most, but look at duty cycles and the internal wiring size - you really do get what you pay for.

I also have a 220v arc welder for large stuff (over 1/4 inch) and a small oxy/acetylene for metal working, brazing and cutting.

Oh, to know "what's the best welder?" head over to the Miller forums and read the posts by the guys who measure their experience in "miles of welds".

 

Miller 180 autoset

Now close this thread PLEASE!!!!!


Gary

 

Get a miller mig 180...210.. Dont mess with that other junk

 

This is what I bought also. I never welded before I bought mine, and it has been easy to learn with. An autoset miller may be faster to learn with though.

Brad

 

Do not go cheap!! You will definitely get your moneys worth. I have a 220v Hobart Handler 180. I really like it. I does great on bodywork and frame work as well. You cant go wrong with a Miller or a Lincoln either. Just go with a good brand. You will be happy you did.

 

esab 203 is a good compromise...

 

another Miller 185 fan; after being thru 2 "astro" and a "century" I finally bought a real welder like I shoulda done to begin with. bought mine new in 1997.

 

go to a body shop and ask if they have any broken old welders that you could buy for the cheap and have it refurbished youll save at least a grand and get a bitchen welder

 

Really, I seriously doubt body shops are trashing welders, then selling for cheap. Most of the shop guys I know are McGyver. Fix a space ship with some foil and clothes line.