New mig welder?

[k20chevy 454]

Okay guys I set aside alittle more than 600 for a good mig welder,I seen the best Hobart mig in atwoods for 600 is that a good buy? I already have a tig and stick and a crappy mig so that's why I'm looking to buy a better one before I build my tube bed, any info would be nice thanks guys

[BAD@SSChev]

Hobart is a good welder. That sounds like a decent price. Im a Miller guy myself.

[rebelbowtie]

Find a used millermatic, chances are you'd be getting more bang for your buck. What size MIG welder are you looking for? $600 tells me a 110v unit, I'd save a little more and get a good 220v. I know it's way out of your price range but years back when I bought my welder, I payed little under 2k for a "used" millermatic 251 from the local college. I say "used" cuz no one actually used it. Just sat there cuz the school couldn't fill enough students into the class and that's why they were auctioning off their equipment. It also came with a spoolmatic 50A and XR-A cobra 300 amp whip and 500 amp ground cable and twin bottle rack.

[BAD@SSChev]

Check craigslist. Ive seen some killer deals on there lately. I got a Miller dynasty with a liquid cooled torch for way less than half price off of craigslist and it was barely used.

[rebelbowtie]

Yea the whip and spoolmatic are about $900 a piece if you buy it new, so I also got it abou half off

[BAD@SSChev]

I will probably never buy a brand new welder unless the tree in my backyard starts sprouting 100 dollar bills. I would definetly look for a Millermatic on cragslist if it was me.

[FSUwelder1212]

FYI Illinois Tool Works owns Miller and both Hobart entities (Hobart welding products who makes machines and Hobart Brothers who makes filler metals) Millermatics and the smaller Hobart machines are VERY similar the Millers just may have a few more bells and whistles and charge a premium for them.

[monckywrench]

Check out the Hobart forums, the Millerwelds forums, and Weldingweb for probably more than you want to know about MIGs. You can pull manuals for anything you are interested in from the corporate websites BEFORE buying a used machine.

Buy as much machine as you can afford. You cannot turn on amps you don't have. Make sure the used machine you are considering is single phase and will work on 220. 110 MIGs are severely limited. Handy for sheet metal if you run mixed gas and .023 hard wire, but still limited.

Since you have a stick machine and a TIG, a MIG around the 180 amp region should fill the gap. Anything too thick for a 180 is easy stick territory.

Be cheap when buying used. While old transformer stick machines are tough, MIGs have a fair number of moving wear parts. New MIGs are often a good deal, and Hobart has many happy owners.

Don't hesitate to post forum questions in welding forums when you need info on specific used gear, but DO include the model and serial or "code" (Lincoln uses those) number.

Much love for Craigslist:
I scored a super clean ESAB 450i MIG/TIG/stick machine with Digipulse feeder and bucket full of good air tools for 1300 bucks. Most folks don't read da book so they don't know those will run off a 220 50A breaker at home.

[richmond2000]

depending on your stick you may be able to buy a MIG kit for it (my Hobart engine driven welder does)
if not OR to expensive try local Auction Houses / Pawn Shops I would recommend to stick with a brand that is available in your area IE MILLER NOT English Electric as MIGS can and do need spares/ servicing a LOT more then a stick
I like MILLERmatic machines

[ajk381]

I agree with the 220 idea. I used millermatics in high school and liked em. Bought a cheap 110 lincoln 90a and it worked good for exhaust/or so i thought. Recently got a handler 187 and hugeeee diffeence. My buddy who couldnt weld for crap laid a perfect bead. Was around $800. Much better then a used miller for 2000.

[rebelbowtie]

I agree with the 220 idea. I used millermatics in high school and liked em. Bought a cheap 110 lincoln 90a and it worked good for exhaust/or so i thought. Recently got a handler 187 and hugeeee diffeence. My buddy who couldnt weld for crap laid a perfect bead. Was around $800. Much better then a used miller for 2000.

if you are referring to me..no its not better. that miller was "brand new" it just sat in a classroom unused. also just my spoolgun alone is worth more than your entire machine. buying a used machine with add ons and accessories is always your best bet.

[randeez]

not to jack but hopefully contribute- i have also been in the market for a welder for a while. about the best deal i can find is for a millermatic 180 auto set, is this a good welder for a beginner? i have an uncle who's always done all my welding so i never really bothered to learn- he's given me a few lessons but i've never really built anything

[southcarolina12]

if it was a welder that i was just going to use every now and then i would just get a flux core mig welder and i think the millermatic 180 is both flux core and gas shielded so you should be good on that. it seams like it would be a very good welder to me 180 amps is good for automotive purposes. i would say get it.

[rebelbowtie]

not to jack but hopefully contribute- i have also been in the market for a welder for a while. about the best deal i can find is for a millermatic 180 auto set, is this a good welder for a beginner? i have an uncle who's always done all my welding so i never really bothered to learn- he's given me a few lessons but i've never really built anything

whats the price? also i have no experience with ato set but is that the auto hot start that dials in the wire speed based or heat on arc length?

[randeez]

haven't done much research but it appears it auto sets heat, you can(have to) dial in wire speed. and for prices new i'm finding just over $800

[rebelbowtie]

that sounds about average i guess for a 180. not a bad price but could prob find a gently used one cheaper.

[randeez]

yea i've been keeping an eye out for a used one, i havent bought one because usually if they pop up on craigslist around 500 they're gone within an hour or they get thrown up on there at $900-1000 used:whatever: