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Need help on selecting a welder

J

JOCCO

Well-known Member
Guys i need a small wire feed mig for sheet metal. We have larger heavy duty ones (thats what most of our use has been) They can be converted to .23 wire, but i want a seperate machine I am looking at the 110volt ones and flux core wire too. But do not know which way to go. 1. It will not be used a lot. 2. I will not buy a no brand mail order type!! Thanks
 
Look at a miller 130.You need to be able to use gas.The 130 weighs 65 lb.Welders that weigh less skimp on the transformer.I dont think you can get flux core wire in .023.Mig welders have a lot of parts that can fail so you need parts backup.Always unplug your welder because lightning strikes on the power line can damage diodes in the welder.This goes for all power tools when they are idle.
 
"36" is spot on...for sheet metal, you'll want to use the bottle and straight wire...the flux core is just to heavy and doesn't leave a clean enough weld for sheetmetal work
 
I have 2 Lincoln wire welders, one flux, one gas. I would get a small gas welder, flux core is a little messy and does not weld as smooth or clean as a gas welder. Especially if you want to weld thin metal.
Jim
 
I have 2 Hobart handlers, they have been excellent machines. Both have done a tremendous amount of work.Had to replace a diode in one machine once
 

I have a Lincoln that i love for small jobs ,110 v. I have the gas hook up on it for cleaner welding and it works great.

They say to use co-2 gas with it but i use 75/25 much cleaner. [ 75% argon-25% co-2 ].

Do take into account that these little welder no matter the brand have a small duty cycle. I guessing around 30 to 40 percent, so if it's alot of welding your wanting to do these might not be the best choice.
 
I've got a Lincoln SP135. For a small machine use. I have it setup on .023 wire with gas and its good to about 3/16" steel. The reason I bought it it had an infinitly variable output voltage dial whereas the others all had 5 or so steps. Really helps when working with light guage steel to fine tune the machine.

I would seriously consider buying their 240 volt portable model though unless you really need 120v power so you can go anywhere. The 120v model will trip a 20 amp circuit when adjusted wide open and you loose about 50 amps welding current and some duty cycle in the 120v model.
 
I agree with 36 coupe, The Miller 130 or the 135 (newer version I believe) are a sweet machine. The duty cycle is only 20% but I like them anyway. I use one with gas and .030 wire on stainless steel.
 
The later 135 has variable output voltage. nice feature but it adds an expensive circuit board to the welder.I bought my 130 from a fellow who had inherited it from his dad.There was a reel of stainless wire with the welder.I would spend the extra money for a Miller or Hobart.Havent used a Lincoln mig so cant comment on them.Most of the cheap 100 amp migs weigh in at 35 40 pounds.Transformers must be skimpy.I have used a Lincoln 225 stick welder since 1964.Good welder no repairs needed.I would stick with these 3 companies when buying a welder.
 
The flux core wire is not made for thin metal. Go with a mid size machine with gas..Heavier metal, get a good old stick welder.
 
Hobart makes a nice machine, I've used mine with flux and with gas. Gas is much nicer but it does weld rather well on heavier steel with flux core. Hobart is made by Miller, it's supposed to be the "economy" model but there is very little difference in quality. If you check around you may find the same miller unit on sale for less than the Hobart.
 
I have a Century 130, Miller 130, Hobart Handler 250, and a Lincoln 135.
The Miller has a far superior high frequency output and infinite control compared to any of them. The Century also has infinite control but is still not as nice as the Miller.

The other welders seem to sputter when welding compared to the Miller's continuous arc and flow.
So if you have the means, spend a bit more for the Miller, you won't be dissapointed.
 
Might want to check and see what all those big capacitors and invertor inside the miller are being used for. I don't think they are inside it for the hell of it.
 
All migs have capacitors to filter the DC voltage.The circuit board controls the variable output of the wire feed.
 
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