MIG welder: cheap

[ChoochCharlie]

I'm shopping for a cheap hobby type MIG welder. A system for less than $200.
I used a really basic system years ago, borrowed from a friend. Got the job done in a super sloppy way, but that's perfect for me.

Looking for recommendations on flux core and shield gas welders. When I used the one years ago, I ran it with flux core wire and later with shield gas and was not able to make better welds, personally. So I am leaning towards a cheap flux core system.
Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, and the store brands from Northern Supply?

What do you have and like or hate?

 

[scottyb]

I'm shopping for a cheap hobby type MIG welder. A system for less than $200.
I used a really basic system years ago, borrowed from a friend. Got the job done in a super sloppy way, but that's perfect for me.

Looking for recommendations on flux core and shield gas welders. When I used the one years ago, I ran it with flux core wire and later with shield gas and was not able to make better welds, personally. So I am leaning towards a cheap flux core system.
Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, and the store brands from Northern Supply?

What do you have and like or hate?

I'm not sure about a welder for less than 200. What do you need it for?

IMO a welder is not something to go cheap on. If you want to make bumpers, sliders, or most anything else for the 4runner you will want 220V. You will also want a longer duty cycle if you don't want the machine constantly shutting off while you're welding. I think most of the less expensive machines have a 20% to 30% duty cycle. I would save up for a quality machine, but again it depends on what you are using it for

 

[Outdoorlogic]

Save your money! wait till you can get a quality welder! With crappy or I should say budget welders come bad habits. Drop the money on a small tank and learn to weld with gas no flux core. Craigslist is great for getting used welders at a great price. Try to hold out for 220v, you can purchases a good 220 v welder from most hardware stores for less then 500.00. You don't want to limit yourself. You say its just a hobby welder but ask anybody with welding skills:
1. You become everybody's best friend
2. Suddenly everything on your rig needs to be replaced
3. Making is more satisfying then buying ( note I didn't say more fun:
Just my .2 cents after many years of welding, and starting out with the crappy welder.

I'm shopping for a cheap hobby type MIG welder. A system for less than $200.
I used a really basic system years ago, borrowed from a friend. Got the job done in a super sloppy way, but that's perfect for me.

Looking for recommendations on flux core and shield gas welders. When I used the one years ago, I ran it with flux core wire and later with shield gas and was not able to make better welds, personally. So I am leaning towards a cheap flux core system.
Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, and the store brands from Northern Supply?

What do you have and like or hate?

 

[Zulu95]

My neighbor bought a cheapo $350 welder and could not use it for light or heavy welding. It was pure junk. On the lowest settings he would keep burning holes and the highest setting would not do a good job on heavy steel. He was a welder at one time so it was the wellding unit he bought. He returned it and got his money back.

 

[ChoochCharlie]

Hmm. Now you all have me thinking differently...

Cool. thanks.

 

[bbowman]

A blind monkey can run a decent bead with high quality equipment;IMHO. A great welder can bubble gum with a low quality unit. If your doing sheetmetal repairs and less than 3/16" metal fab,$500.00 will get a good flux core welder. If you wanna do heavy fab and frame repairs,spend a grand and you'll have something that you can brag about. A great unit will make you money and lots of off-road friends.