Welder Advice

[Dereck]

I'm at the point of needing to buy a new welder. Over the years I've made do with a little no-gas mig, fine for little jobs, but now I need to step it up. I'm no master builder and I do need to keep an eye on the cost, but any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[kev d]

I've got a sealy 185, it does everything I need it for which is mostly bodywork.
Its got enough settings to fine tune it to whatever your working on but 5mm is about the max thickness I would use it on.
Its also got the euro torch which means it's secured to the machine by a screw fitting - much easier to repair / replace the lance than when the wire feed / gas pipe etc, are all plumbed directly inside. 
If you were doing any heavier steel work it always pays to get the biggest welder you can, using a smaller machine at full capacity burns it out much quicker.
Cheers,
Kev

[Dereck]

Thanks for the advice Kev. I will be mainly using it for bodywork, but that will include A-piller/heater channels - so need to produce decent welds. I know a lot is down to my abilities, but if I start with the right set-up I can't blame the tools...

[louisb]

I bought a Miller 140 w/ autoset about a year and a half ago and I have to say I am really happy with it. In fact my only complaint is that as my welding skills have improved, I wish I had gotten the Miller 180, 220v vs 110v, so I could weld thicker metals and do roll cage work. The 140 cost around $900 when I bought it and has been well worth the price. I can weld anything from 22 gauge up to 1/8 plate without any problems. I used it to replace the frame head and shorten the pan on my buggy and it worked great. Another suggestion is to go ahead and buy a good autodarkening helmet.

My next welder purchase will be a Miller synchrowave Tig. But that is still a few years down the road. 

--louis

[FIDDE]

Buy a three phase machine and a known brand so you can find spare parts easily.
And adjustable wire feed is preferable.

[volksnut]

I have a older Hobart 135 120V mig with gas attached, I bought it years ago and hasn't let me down yet, but if I were to do it again I would go with a 185 or 210 on 230v  It will still weld sheet metal and up to 3/8" stuff...it's all about the penetration