Recommend me a good welder

[ThatOneKid]

I have all of my projects put on a big STOP because I dont have a welder, I turn 16 next month and I am planning to purchase a welder. I have never welded before but one of my older friends has and is willing to teach me. I need a welder that I can weld go kart frames with / tractor frames. Please recommened me a welder that I can get that wont kill me in price but is still good quality (Does HF have any good welders? I know they always have a 20% off coupon )

 

[KartFab]

Tractor frames? your going to need a welder that will operate on 220-240v at least.

A good starter welder (STICK WELDER) that is very cheap AND reliable is a lincoln "tombstone" welder (they literally look like a red tombstone).

Look up Lincoln stick welder on craigslist. You will be able to purchase one for $200 or less and they are very common.

Miller equivalent is the "thunderbolt" stick welder.

Hobart is a brand that miller makes. You could say that miller=lexus, and hobart=toyota. They both are good brands, but the toyota/hobart is a lower quality machine with good reliability.

Things to have on your radar in craigslist used would be:

millermatic 175, millermatic 180, millermatic 211, millermatic 250,251, 252, Dont get one thats less than a millermatic 140 (e.g. 130, 135) as they dont have enough power for a tractor frame.

Lincoln also has their equivalent to the millermatics. Just look for a mig welder. Gas mig requires a bottle. The welders that can do gas welding will also be able to do flux core (which is like stick welding, but doesnt use gas)

Harbor freight? Someone else will have to chime in, but I beleive that you can do well with a quality lincoln or miller welder, and (if or when) you decide to upgrade over the next few years, you can sell it for exactly what you bought it for.

If the outside is rusty, dont buy it, they last a long time but unfortunately they last a REALLY long time so they may be trying to sell you a 30 year old welder that still works. a 10 year old welder is just fine and will last you another 20 years if you dont leave it outside or in the rain.

Harbor freight? Who knows.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Best balance between price, versatility, and ease-of-use for a novice? A MIG (GMAW) welder using Flux Core wire feed (FCAW). Personally, I think Lincoln tends to be the best bang for the buck.

Tractors have frames???

 

[fowler]

they sure do
loads of bits bolted together
wont find too many with a one peice chasssis anymore

costs too much in shipping

i cant really help much as we have differant welders in aus

if u can find them
unimig are good

i wouldnt worry about welding tractor frames yet
if u want to weld 3mm then theres plenty of decent quality cheap welders

quite a few people are building karts and doing stuff around home with harbour freight welders

if u want to weld tractors then theres nothing cheap
even the most rubbish chineze 250amp welders are expensive

if u are on a farm maybe get your parents to throw some coin in
itll be a great tool to have on the farm

i got my dad to help me buy the 300amp WIA welder
he didnt like it at first
but now he sees how useful it is hes gone and brought a second 150amp mig as a portable one

but if your not then id get a smaller wire feed welder and build your kart for now

EDIT
think we missed something
it has just occurred to me Americans call ride on mowers tractors as well

 

[Doc Sprocket]

they sure do
loads of bits bolted together
wont find too many with a one peice chasssis anymore

EDIT
think we missed something
it has just occurred to me Americans call ride on mowers tractors as well

Exactly... I have a few tractors- actual agricultural tractors- at my disposal. NONE have frames. The engine bolts to the bellhousing, to the transmission, tunnel, rearend- the driveline BECOMES the frame- there is no frame.

I thought about the riding mower thing too- but his pic is of an ag tractor, so...

 

[fowler]

Most tractors just have two bits of plate down each side that everything bolts to then a few cross menbersto hold the cab and stuff

I think the smaller tractors still run the one peice type setup

Didnt see the pic
So my origonal post still stands

 

[ThatOneKid]

Tractor in my profile picture is not a tractor I would be working on, Tractor "frames" to me are the 2 C channels on each side that are connected and hold everything in place.

And No I do not live on a farm, I live in a suburb of Chicago.

Thanks for the advice, I will be looking into a welder now and I will get more indebted when I get enough $$ To make a purchase.

 

[rmm727]

Millermatic 210 and 212 as well for searching Craigslist

 

[Denny]

A good bang for the buck I found is the Hobart Handler 140 mig. It comes with everything, you will just need to buy a bottle. It is very easy for a beginner to set up and use. Usually you can find them on sale at Tractor Supply on sale for under $500.00. Then all you need is a 20 amp 110 supply for the power.

 

[JMINDY]

NAPA has starter welding kits by Thermal Arc. Fabricator 181i, is a three in one model - Mig, Stick, & Tig (however Tig torch is sold separately). Kits include auto-darkening helmet, gloves, mig pliers, wire spoils & tips, etc... Fab 181i is not a top of line machine, but they are a cheap way to get started and learn the three methods of welding.

NAPA also has Lincoln brands, but you'll pay more for them. Their Marquette by Lincoln model has a 4th quarter promo that includes free gloves, jacket and helmet. See their "Real Deals" publication.

My personal welder is a Clarke 100E. It's been a great welder for me. Bought it used in 1999 from a mechanic friend that was retiring. The only slight issue I've had is it doesn't seem to like being off the bottle (using flux wire). Clarke Manufacturing went out of business sometime in the 2000's, so I can't find parts for it at local welding shops. However, a welding supply company out of Chicago has everything for it, just have to order online.

If you are purchasing a used welder, I would suggest a Miller or Clarke. Lincoln, Hobart, and ESAB have good reviews also but I haven't personally used any of them.

 

[java230]

IMO save a bit for a better one. HF ones Suck bad IMO, especially if your making welds on a frame to hold you.

Millermatic 211, 120/220 machine, has autoset, which can be handy when your just learning, can do gas or flux core, id recomend gas. Your welds will be so much better if your not fighting the machine, it will be easier to learn to do it well.

 

[machinist@large]

I've had great luck with the Lincoln 135 mig I bought for a repair job several years ago. (A common knick name for that size welder is the Lincoln lunch box). If I need to weld anything heavy I break out the Miller Dial Arc 250 AC/DC stick welder.