Need Welder Recommendation

[Mo Lee]

I think I need a new wire feed for home use, is the off brands any good or should I just buy name brand. All I really need is a small Mig but I want it to work well with sheet metal and it must be gas. Does the larger 220v ones work for light metal or should I stick with the 110v version. Any recommendations would help.

 

[Buelldog]

Welder Advise

I think I need a new wire feed for home use, is the off brands any good or should I just buy name brand. All I really need is a small Mig but I want it to work well with sheet metal and it must be gas. Does the larger 220v ones work for light metal or should I stick with the 110v version. Any recommendations would help.

Having been in the welding supply field for 40 plus years, I kinda like going with the Majors.....Lincoln, Miller, Hobart.
Yes the 220v units work great with light sheetmetal.....you can run .023 solid wire(with gas shielding) and really handle thin sheet. The 110v units have really come a long way in technology and work great too.....just be careful if using an extension cord as you do not want primary current drop affecting welder output.I guess it boils down to do you want top of the line quality or just something that will work o-k??Shop around ,the welding supply business is offering some incentives as business has been real soft for them during this downturn!!

 

[Lamonster]

:agree:
Lincoln, Hobart or Miller would be the way to go and don't bother with the 110 units.

This is what I did for 16 years. :doorag:

 

[bjt]

Miller welders are what I learned to weld with so they are my personal favorite. At work, we have a few of the 110 wire welders and I just don't like them as well as a 220 welder. The arc doesn't start as well and they seem to have more uneven welds IMO. Of course that's probably just me as I haven't done any real (daily, steady) welding for about 10 years now.

 

[Mo Lee]

Problem solved, for a while at least I figured a way to disassemble the gun an shorten the cable this stopped the gas leak and it welds right again. It is a old MigMate 110v that I found at a yard sale a few years back. What I like about it is it has 6 heat settings. I looked around on line and none of the MigMates look anything like this one. Thanks for the replies when I do take the plunge I will probably go name brand 220v and replace my stick welder at the same time.

 

[Magic Man]

:agree:
Lincoln, Hobart or Miller would be the way to go and don't bother with the 110 units.

This is what I did for 16 years. :doorag:

Nice "starter kit" LOL

MM

 

[bjt]

Nice "starter kit" LOL

MM

:roflblack:

 

[Lamonster]

Nice "starter kit" LOL

MM

:lecturef_smilie:

 

[Mo Lee]

:lecturef_smilie:

Mercy does that thing have 4 wheels!
Love the Diamond Plate.

 

[Lamonster]

Mercy does that thing have 4 wheels!
Love the Diamond Plate.

No 6 wheels with a 32,000 GVW :doorag:

 

[Spyder#353]

Having been in the welding supply field for 40 plus years, I kinda like going with the Majors.....Lincoln, Miller, Hobart.
Yes the 220v units work great with light sheet metal.....you can run .023 solid wire(with gas shielding) and really handle thin sheet. The 110v units have really come a long way in technology and work great too.....just be careful if using an extension cord as you do not want primary current drop affecting welder output.I guess it boils down to do you want top of the line quality or just something that will work o-k??Shop around ,the welding supply business is offering some incentives as business has been real soft for them during this downturn!!

:agree:

I have a small Lincoln mig machine a 110 plug. I keep on my welding truck. I think it's a model 140 C. It's been on the truck a long time. I use it on light weight work like handrails thin gage sheet metal. If you use an extension cord. Make sure it is a heavy duty that will carry at lest 20 amp's. Home Depot sells Small Lincoln mig welders,you might try them first