Welding Question

[Aladinbama]

Well, here I am. I actually found a Northern Industrial 125 used one, supposedly less than one spool of wire through it for $75. - tempting to get the warranty for the $64 more. (you can still me) But ...

I'd go with the Hobart, but I may never really pick this up and I'd hate to spend $400 for something I may or may not do. If I were 20 or so years younger there would be no question, but I'm not, SO I guess you can me for dong something ill advised.

Still really thinking about it though. I hate cheap, but I hate spending money on stuff I find out I'm never going to really use more ut: . Thanks for all the advice guys

 

[r97]

Well here is how I'm going to think about it, you can buy the Hobart, then get hooked on welding and be happy with a nice machine, or you can buy the Hobart, not use it much and sell it a year later for $75 less than you bought it. Of course I can understand how you wouldn't want to drop $400 on something that you might just sell later.

Search craigslist for a used Hobart, Lincoln, or Miller welder. You might get lucky and find a full setup for a few hundred bucks.

 

[marvin]

I have several welders. a Lincoln SP100 set up with .025 wire for thin sheet metal, a Hobart Handler 120 with slightly larger wire for larger things but for real welding have a Miller Syncrowave 250 TIG. For what you are going to use it for I would go with one of the smaller MIG welders but stay from the flux core Harbor Freight crap! Buy a Hobart or Lincoln used. Just my 2cents.

 

[brandongeiger2]

I got a Northern tool 135 MIG/Flux core welder a month or so ago it lays down beads just as good as the Lincoln my auto tech teacher uses the only bad part is the internals are somewhat cheap (wirefeed assy.,spool spindle, etc...) the ground clamp works perfectly but among many others i don't like the stock ones the torch works great and everything is easy to set up for a beginner.
They also sell a reconditioned or used one for almost $100 less.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332691_200332691

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I got a Northern tool 135 MIG/Flux core welder a month or so ago it lays down beads just as good as the Lincoln my auto tech teacher uses the only bad part is the internals are somewhat cheap

I'm sure it works fine. But the "cheap" part is the whole point. Will these things come through for you in the long run? This is why some of us (myself included) feel that it's better to buy a good used name brand machine rather than a new chinese unit. Once your warranty goes, your meat's left swinging in the breeze.

 

[frankysfree]

I'm sure it works fine. But the "cheap" part is the whole point. Will these things come through for you in the long run? This is why some of us (myself included) feel that it's better to buy a good used name brand machine rather than a new chinese unit. Once your warranty goes, your meat's left swinging in the breeze.

Exactly!! How many cheap brands do you see still working fine 30 yrs later. Heck, when i was looking at used Miller welders i kept seeing old military welder/generator ones on trailers that were from the 60's that still worked just fine.

One thing that people dont realize also, is the lincoln welders you get at home depot are NOT the same as the ones you buy at the welder supply. They have a contract with home depot to build welders to sell exclusively through them at a cheaper price. The vin number will tell you which is which.

Also, if you buy say, a Hobart, most of the parts from a Miller will work on it. So essentially your buying a cheaper made Miller, that you will ALWAYS be able to find parts locally for, and which you can upgrade the parts as they wear out to better quality parts.