Thread: 110 MIG welder advice

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I'm planning to purchase a 110-115 VAC MIG welder soon and thought I'd ask what everyone is using.

Northern Tool has a Clark that's inexpensive but is it reliable?
Then they have a Hobart which is the next grade up.

I could get a Lincoln or Miller from another retailer.

Please let me know what you are using, and how well it works.
More importantly - which machines would you not recommend?

Thanks - Bert

What are you planning on welding with it? 110 volt units are very limited, generally to thin metal, like body panel thickness. I know some guys will swear you can weld frames with them, but penetration can't be as good as a 220 volt unit.

Mig welders is one of those areas where you really need to spend a few bucks extra, or you will outgrow it very quickly and have to move up to another one.

As for what units........brand preference becomes subjective. We have a Miller 210 mig, and a Miller 200 sycrowave tig. The tig is new and hasn't really gotten much use yet, but will when Dan starts on the bodywork. The mig has welded miles of welds flawlessly. I just used it for two days straight last week building my aircompressor base and rack, and even with my limited welding skills the welds are strong and presentable.

Save your money on the cheap units and buy something you will never have to replace in your lifetime or your kids lifetime. JMO

Don


PS: Put the gas bottle with it........fluxcore spatters too much.

Yep what Don said
I would stay away from the 110/115 volt units they just don't have what it takes. Even for sheet metal there duty cycle is realy limited. You do want to get it with the bottle as well that way by changing gas you can weld different metals (aluminum or steel)

I'd save up a bit more money and get a bigger unit. As the other guys said, they are very limited in their usage. A welder is an investment and I would imagine you plan on using it for more then 1 project. I'd definitely recomend a bigger unit. As soon as you use the 110 about a half dozen times, you'll allready be wishing you would have gotten a 220 volt unit and a bottle of CO-25. The flux coated wire just doesn't cut it for welding, either... As with any tool, it's always best to pay for the quality unit the first time.....

OK - thanks for the reality check - that's why I hang out here -

I definately planned on using gas.

I'm going to spec out the Miller 210 that Don suggested and get something similar. I believe Miller and Hobart are the same company now.

Thanks - Bert

Good plan, Bert!!!

It's always hard to suggest how another person should spend their hard earned dollars, but good equipment is an investment that will last you for years and years.

Check out these people: www.cyberweld.com/


We have bought the mig, tig, and plasma from them, and they are first rate, and lots cheaper than your local dealer. Other members have used them I think.


Good luck.


Don

I use a gas generator when I want a good weld

Thats a super idea.

I was fretting over running a 220 line from the back of my house to the garage in front, then a heavy extension to get within reach of the work.

That's why I had submitted to the 110 idea. And stiil wasn't happy with that.

Fire up the 5500 watt 220 generator and go to work.

I like it -

Don
You bought a plasma cutter??? Didn't know you had one. That was the first thing I bought after my Mig way back when. I've even used it to scarf off old welds cause run out of OX or Acc. Another Great tool.

Yeah, the funny thing is, we wanted one for years, finally bought a ThermoDynamics, and after a couple of times never used it again. It has sat that way for about two years. Just recently I started using it, one time to cut out my driveshaft hoops on the T, and last week to do some notching on the base I had to build for my air compressor stand. Thing works great, and I see that I will be using it a lot more in the future, instead of my trusty cutting torch.

Only thing is, these rascals throw some sparks. I've got three burns on the top of my right foot where molten steel went down my sock, and I couldn't get my shoe off fast enough. Guess you are supposed to wear more than tennis shoes and just shorts when welding and cutting.

I have no idea why we haven't used it more, it makes short work of even the 1/4 inch plate I was cutting. I agree with you Charlie about how good they are, and the cut is much neater than the torch.

Don

I have a Firepower FP-130 MIG welder. It can be used with either flux core wire or as conventional MIG (solid wire & gas). I bought the Firepower because it had the highest duty cycle (40%) of all the 110 volt welders I looked at. It comes standard with a Tweeco style gun. I specifically wanted a 110 welder for the small size and portability. I have had mine for about 6 years now and have worked it very hard with no problems.

Yes, flux cored wire splatters more than conventional MIG, but not as bad as a stick welder. There were a bunch of nay-sayers here at work and in my local neighborhood that said I wouldn't like the results of a 110 welder and flux core wire.., so I built my coupe entirely with it. Now they don't bring up the subject any more.

If you can afford it and have room for it, buy a Miller 220. If not, go ahead and buy a good 110. It'll get you going and will last indefinitely in a home shop.

I have a Clarke 130 and that thing is one tuff puppy. You can see it working in alot of the pics in the addy below. We use it alot and have had no problems.

I have a Lincoln Weld Pac 100 and it a great little machine. Bought it of Ebay for $200, brand new. It's done everything I've asked of it. I'm sure I would have better results if I converted it to gas, but I'm very happy with what it can do. And since I work for a steel fabricator, I'm a project manager, if I ever need anything over 3/16" welded or anything beyond my very limeted skills welded. I have an entire shop full of guys who are very happy to help me out. I've been meaning to to get a 220 machine but when you have a coworker just a block away with a truck mounted welder, who's always ready to help, I never get around to it.

Here a couple pics of the first thing I built with the little welder. Just wish I had some pics of it before I put it togeather.

Originally Posted by 67elkybryan

I have a Lincoln Weld Pac 100 and it a great little machine. Bought it of Ebay for $200, brand new. It's done everything I've asked of it. I'm sure I would have better results if I converted it to gas, but I had some pics of it before I put it togeather.

Convert it to gas and you will never look back - just not having to clean up the weld splatter, including on your face shield will more then convince you.

Your Radio Flyer will probably "fly" now - nice project

Originally Posted by Irelands child

Convert it to gas and you will never look back - just not having to clean up the weld splatter, including on your face shield will more then convince you.

Your Radio Flyer will probably "fly" now - nice project

I plan on converting it. Not having to clean up splatter would be nice. The wagon moves along pretty well. I'll try to find some pics of the frame and welds before I assembled it. The little 110 does decent welds. But like with anything, it's all in how well you prep the steel before hand.
The wagons frame is made of 1x1x1/8 tube, I think, it may be 3/6. I can't remember. It was what ever we had laying out in the yard at work. Another benefit from working for a steel fabricator...an almost unlimeted supply of free material.