Mig welders

Can't really help you Mike. I have a Century. I understand "Century" was made by Lincoln a few years ago. Other than that and Linde that I used on the job quite a few years ago. I wasn't a big fan of MIG welding other than for very light metal.
Terry
 
Spend a little more money now and save lots latter If you wont to sell it down the road you can sell it. No one will buy a cheep china made used welder
my 2 cents
Bill
 
I have an Airco 180 amp mig welder for sale 220 volt that I used on my Model A and works good, if you are interested. must be picked up at my home in Belleville Mich or make your owne shipping aragments $300.00 email pictures avable. VMoore3032@aol.com
 
It all really depends on what you are using the welder for. The Millers, Lincolns, and Hobarts are very technically advanced. An untrained individual could safely build a structural frame and not really have to think twice about it. Alot of the smaller brand welders arent as user friendly for structural welding . they tend to be harder to set up as far as finding the sweet spot for the material being welding ( Wire speed and heat). but in my opinion any gas mig welder will do just fine with tack work or sheet metal work. Richard Lorenz you are correct Millers are American made but Lincolns big parts (wire feed & boards) are made in China and I think in Mexico too. Anyway this is all just my opinion fellas. I have found great deals on mig welders on craiglist lately.
 
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I know the owner of a very large welding shop in Los Angeles and he told me that Lincoln welder parts were at one time made in China but all components are now USA.
 
so your son is ready to weld on the vicky? i own a hobart 120, it is a 120 volt handler model does very well is easy to use and is a little workhorse i also use a miller 185 it is a 220 volt unit for heaver gauge metal and a miller econo tig 220 volt unit for aluminum and precise welding where i want to control the voltage/heat range . if you can , look for a used hobart or lincoln/miller welder check craigslist or welder repair shops for a deal , DO NOT USE FLUX-CORE , go the whole distance and use gas shield it makes superior welds and does not leave slag , the reason for the recommend on old welder is that .1. its cheaper 300-500 dollars and 2. they do not use circuit boards. i go to a welder repair shop every now and then in my area and all i see in for repairs are the new units with the l.e.d displays and circuit boards that have failed , i asked the owner and he told me that there are always problems with the small units with the ic boards breaking down whereas my little hobart unit is just a transformer , capacitors and a couple of diodes ,very simple and fixable at home if you are adept.
 
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Don't go cheap with mig welders. My guess is your using it for patch pannels? And maybe a few other peices. U get what you pay for. Miller and lincoln welders are the best, and and good with sheet metal. Torch and tig welders are a better welder to use on sheet metal, if you know what your doing, if not you can warp the metal. I like millers the best, but that's just my opinion.
 
I like my Hobart. The welder at work put them at the top of his list for the best bang for the buck. Miller has ties to Hobart.

Hank
 
I have a Lincoln and I love it. It is dumb-proof. It was worth the extra $$. I suggest the 220 version as you can do more with it if you desire (thicker welds) and definately get the gas hooked up. It makes for easier welding. This advice is from a novice welder putting good welds together. Tom
 
I own a Hobart 185 and it has been great. Not just on my A, but general repair work around home. even get to make things!

If you get a chance to buy one you will love it . alot of Miller parts are use on the Holbarts

Some good deals on Northern Tool

skip
 
you get what you pay for, those little century welders form harbour are not worth much, get a miller and only buy one welder once, hobart are good but they dont have infinite amp adjustments, they are preset, like the lincolns, miller has infinite adjustments which you can change as your welding, buy one with the gas option, and if i were you i would buy the 120 v, its a lot cheaper and it will do almost as much as the 220v, 3/16 welding against 1/4" thickness metal, and with the 120v you can take it any where and plug it in and weld, upstairs or in your friends drive way
 
ford1 said:
you get what you pay for, those little century welders form harbour are not worth much, get a miller and only buy one welder once, hobart are good but they dont have infinite amp adjustments, they are preset, like the lincolns, miller has infinite adjustments which you can change as your welding, buy one with the gas option, and if i were you i would buy the 120 v, its a lot cheaper and it will do almost as much as the 220v, 3/16 welding against 1/4" thickness metal, and with the 120v you can take it any where and plug it in and weld, upstairs or in your friends drive way
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agree with ford1 we have a 120v with gas in our shop and works great. the good ones have 100% duty cycle so make sure you check that stat out. welding a 1/4" thickness is no problem.
 
Buy good tools and you will only have to buy once.
I have TIG, MIG Gas and Stick.
Bought a used Lincoln 250 TIG a couple years ago. Love it!
Have welded sheet metal and 1/4" steel plate. Works great.
 
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