[crash]

I am about to buy an electric welder, it would mostly be used for body repair and rollcage, etc. I have gas welding equiptment now, but wanted to know which is better to get- tig/arc or mig/flux?
Any suggestions before I make the investment would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob

[robs ss]

My neighbors son works in a body shop, he went to bodyshop technical school 3 years ago, there was 23 of them in his class, they were all trained on a millermatic 135 mig, the one that plugs into a 110 outlet.

There isn't anything on a car chassis or body that these won't handle.

I just gave my two sons a 110 miller sidekick mig I had for close to twenty years, never had a problem, the fan was getting a little noisy, plus the welding supply guy told me welding machines will get a little weaker when they get older.

I bought the millermatic 135 last year, with a co2 argon mix and 23 welding wire.

They sold lincoln and miller, the 110 mig in a lincoln has a plastic drive wheel, and a hobart doesn't have the fine tune adjustment that the miller does.

All three machines will do a good job, just telling you what I was told.

They say to stay away from the flux core, I have never used flux core, only heard that.

Tigs work nice on roll cages, but general bodywork, the mig is faster and less heat, all in all probably a lot better to use a mig on bodywork.

A mig 110 will weld 1/4'' steel but you really have to burn it in there, be better with a bigger machine for that.

Just an ol mans two cents.

Rob

There are questions to be answered, and answers to be questioned"

Chassis, Body Jig, Trunk Pan Pics.
http://webpages.charter.net/2manitowoc

Paint booth, Ventilation, etc.
http://www.2manitowoc.com/paintroom.html

[garyroushkolb]

I totally agree about the Miller 135. More bang for the buck. I have several welders and this one gets used more than the rest. Just make sure that the metal is clean.
The best welder to own if you had to pick just one would be the Miller Dynasty 200 TIG unit. You need a tig torch and water cooler to make it work and the price is high but it's the best welder I own and will do some amazing work.
Both end of the price range but roll bars need tig to be the best, what do you trust your life with? I've survived to dragster crashes because the roll bar was strong, apparently i was a better welder than a driver.

[Houston54]

I am partial to the Lincoln 135 welder myself. I paid under $400 for my unit about three years ago and it has seen pretty constant use in that time with no problems. It came with the gas regulator so moving to MIG process was easier. Just buy a bottle of C25 and some .030 wire and you can weld practically anything on your project. The Millers are also good machines but they are a bit prouder of them and the pricing reflects that.

[OneMoreTime]

I have one of the small Lincoln welders and it has been good to me for a long time..However if I am to replace it which I am considering I will get the 175 as it is a bit better for those times one needs to weld some heavier metal..and it does crank down to do a nice job on sheet metal..

That unit is worth the extra money to me..I looked into a TIG unit but I have so little need for TIG that I passed on one of those..

Sam

[kringold]

When I buy my welder it will have the capability to TIG. If it can TIG, then you have the power supply for stick, MIG, and Flux-cored. It will also be red. I've used both Miller and Lincoln's to TIG with and find that the Lincoln Electric's are better units. However, ask the next guy and he might tell you to buy blue. It's a matter of opinion like Chevy or Ford.

[oldred]

Kringold, Exactly the way I feel about it. I am sold on Lincoln, they have never let me down since 1968 and I don't want anything else Having said that let me point out that Miller is the best seller and for a darn good reason, let's not look down on Hobart either because they have an excellent reputation also and in fact I have had only good experiences with both Miller and Hobart. ( contrary to the very popular "urban legend" Hobart is not made by Miller, however both are owned by the same parent company ITW)

[37ford4dr]

any body have any thoughts on the HTP line? especially the HTP 200


http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_...s/mig_200.html

its about $1060

[kringold]

Originally Posted by 37ford4dr

any body have any thoughts on the HTP line? especially the HTP 200


http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_...s/mig_200.html

its about $1060

I haven't tried that line but there are other things you may want to consider. If something goes wrong with it, how easily are parts and/or service going to be. And if you have to wait, can you really afford too? I would recommend a Lincoln, Miller or even a Hobart. They are bound to have what you need nearby and readily available. Check to see what your local welding supplier has on hand, and go from there. Just my opinion.

[TT66']

Tractor Supply Company "TSC" has a Hobart Ironman 210 amp for $1035. Nice machine. Check out Hobarts website for detailed info. I don't know if you have any stores in your area though. http://www.mytscstore.com

[crash]

Thanks everyone for their help. I should have mentioned budget is unfortunately a problem. So I have to balance whats good and what I can afford at this time.

Thanks again, you all always come thru. Bob

[studeman]

I have a Hobart 135, great machine but lacks power when you want to do cage stuff. I recently bought a millermatic 210. What a great machine. It has more than enough power to do cage work and does sheet metal better than my hobart. I say buy as big as your budget can afford. Mine cost $1300. Worth every penny. The 135 is a good machine for small work but you will be dissapointed in the end when it comes time to do heavy stuff. Buy the big machine the first time and you won't have to buy another.

[oldred]

As the old saying goes "You can always turn down a big machine but you can't turn up a little one"

[IanRiordan]

I bought a 210a Lincoln 2 years ago - great from panel steel to farm equipment.

[SteveU]

Do the 7 taps on the millermatic do a good job of covering everything or would having a continuously variable adjustment be better?