Cheap welder, but best welder for price?

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Okay, well, this weekend I should be getting my paycheck, if it doesnt rain... :toetap05: And I decided that its definately going toward a welder... if I can convince the folks.... and usually my father doesnt like me spending alot of money(he doesnt get the concept that I save it, until there is something I want to get, and then spend a fair amount to get something decent...)

So... I am looking at cheapest, but best for the price..... my limit is about $400, I maybe able to go to $500, but thats including mask and gloves...

I was thinking H140, but, its close to 5, not including gloves and mask, around here. I mean, Ill spend it, but only if you guys say that there is nothing better....

And I have thought about it, and definately no HF.... or like brands....

Are Lincolns in that range as good?

I realize this is comparing Granny Smith apples to Red Apples... but, I was hoping one of you could speak of which is metaphorically tastier...

Thanks.....

 

[JHen]

I would certainly recommend the Hobart 140. It let's you control voltage range AND wire feed speed. On A MIG welder, the wire feed speed also controls the current, which is important. It gives you a lot more control over the arc and gives you a lot more ability to get a proper arc for the metal type and thickness you are welding. It comes with .030" wire, about a pound I think, which is flux core, and it comes with an argon regulator, as well as about a foot and a half of hose.

I would also recommend an auto darkening mask, it makes starting a bead a whole lot easier. More expensive, but well worth it IMO.

Gloves aren't too terribly important really. I've done most of my welding so far without gloves and the only time I got burnt was when I was welding underneath my car and my hands were about 4 inches away from the arc, they caught a little splatter. The gloves really protect you from the hot metal and the intense UV the arc gives off. A cheapo pair of leather gloves will work.

I would save up about another 100 bucks and get the Hobart 140 and an auto-darkening hood.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Ah.... auto darkening isnt too important to me.... I can just as well flick it down.... I dont trust technology like that not to flash me....

For generations before us, people did it the old fashion way... and they got by... I think I can manage....

Sorry, I dont mean to throw away sound advice... thats just my personal stance...

Thanks

 

[freakboy]

Ah.... auto darkening isnt too important to me.... I can just as well flick it down.... I dont trust technology like that not to flash me....

For generations before us, people did it the old fashion way... and they got by... I think I can manage....

Sorry, I dont mean to throw away sound advice... thats just my personal stance...

Thanks

Trust me after working all day and having to flip it down then flip it up and relize you just welded next to were you wanted to it gets old quick...

autodarkening is reliable as hell and you cant get welders flash from a short exposure.... only way is if you sit there like a fly for more then a second and just stare..

 

[sedgy]

i got flash a few years back and my eyes where f*&ked for a month cudnt see properly because of my bad expierience i never press the triger unless my eyes are covered. auto darkening is less hassle.

as freakboy says fliping up n down gets old and then u dont bother with ur mask then u get flashed just like i did.

weather u use a standard mask or auto darkening guys just make sure ur eyes are covered befor u weld

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

It let's you control voltage range AND wire feed speed.

I have never used a wire feed/mig welder than doesnt.

 

[KieranM]

nice mask here, went to buy it but postage was way too much, its chin operated and from the video its great lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc6hmFZ2faQ

Those hf welders are clones made with different name for all other stores. Its not the best thing to be welding up your frame with a headache and your seriously annoyed only to find out mr welder has over heated. We bought an oil cooled arc welder recently and it claims to run 24/7 with out over heating, cost 400.

A good welder will last forever.

 

[r_chez_08]

They look pretty cool. I use a crappy hand one. It is a pain in the a$$, as it only leaves you with 1 hand free

 

[KieranM]

same as one im using now, it takes skill to weld arc with one hand lol

 

[r_chez_08]

Haha Yeah :L but when u have pretty cool self slag peeling blaa blaa blaa rods, it makes life a bit easier

 

[lemegacool]

just so you know you cant get a arc flash if your auto dark helmet fails they still protect if they fail... i used a china auto dark helmet at work for 3 years... the las 6 months the helmet was malfunctionnning badly but never caught a flash, and that was welding in the 250-300 amp range so with a small welder like that i'll say go allllllllll the way with a auto dark helmet... bought mine for 50$ at princess auto and i love it (i'm at my second since i worn the hell out of the other)lol

 

[JHen]

I have never used a wire feed/mig welder than doesnt.

The hobart model a step below only has a couple of set voltage amp ranges, there is only one knob for adjustment.

 

[devino246]

i got flash a few years back and my eyes where f*&ked for a month cudnt see properly

As in you got flashed once or twice? Ive had it happen to me once, but it took at least a few flashes and light reflecting. It also didnt do anything except wake me up in the middle of the night, feeling like someone poured sand in my eyes. No sight damage.

 

[motor_head]

if you get a flip down one always make sure you use it i've thought it would be ok for just a couple seconds WRONG,hurt like hell for about 5 days every time i blinked. it doesn't affect your sight just feels like sand in you eyes

 

[JHen]

Yeah, welding without shade burns your corneas because of the intense UV and infrared rays.

 

[ktm450exc]

Get the Hobart Handler mig 140, cheap auto darkening helmet and gloves. I've got all three..

 

[JHen]

Don't forget a chipping hammer and wire brush since you will be using flux core wire unless you shell out another 100 bucks for a tank of argon.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Will an old hammer work? I have an angle grinder based wire brush, will this work?

 

[JHen]

Will an old hammer work? I have an angle grinder based wire brush, will this work?

Well, a chipping hammer is almost like a chisel with a handle making a T. They are only like 5 bucks. A wire brush is only like 2 bucks. The angle grinder wire brush should work well enough, but I think a hand held brush is more convenient since you can have it right there and pick it up. It doesn't take much to get the flux off to see your weld.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Ahhh... I see... I thought it was maybe just a lightweight hammer...