mig welder

[3bears]

My daughter in law wants to buy my son a mig welder. She asked me if he would be happy with a 110 volt. I don't weld.
But from what I have been told, a 110 has more versatility meaning you can take it more places because it s 110.
220 is limited because you have to have 220 available.
I do know that 220 can weld thicker metal. In that fact I think the 220 would be better .

So what should she get him ?

Opinions please

 

[97t4r81]

110v will be fine for most everything he’ll probably do.

 

[JAXJeremy]

110v will be fine for most everything he’ll probably do.

agreed..bought a hobart 140 several years back, for reference they're actually 115 volt. Anyway, I've found it to be more than capable..not sure if he's new to welding or not, but that's a good rig to learn on..just my .02 cents.

 

[Peadog]

If it's going to stay in the "shop", I would go with 240v . Not only will it have more power, it will have a longer duty cycle.

Some people say 110/220, I prefer 120/240.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Another option is a dual voltage welder. I like my Millermatic 211, which can do either 120 or 240V. I've never had to use the 240V, but it's nice to know it's there if you need it.

 

[MK_98]

I have a Lincoln 140 and its been perfect for the home garage

 

[Crusifix]

I have a Miller 140 knockoff. The difference came from the cable feeding the ground clamp and the lack of autoset (wouldn't use that anyway). It works great, and has been solid on everything up to 1/4" with .30 wire. I've welded thicker, but you need to chamfer the material and sometimes make two to three passes to get things solid enough to trust. For home use, it hasn't failed me.

 

[T4topher]

Another option is a dual voltage welder. I like my Millermatic 211, which can do either 120 or 240V. I've never had to use the 240V, but it's nice to know it's there if you need it.

That’s what I went with, Hobart 210mvp. The main question is how thick of metal will be welded. 3/16 is right on the edge of being too thick for 110 imo.. Another thing I’ve heard/read is if you get a bigger breaker/wires to a 110 outlet it will perform better than say a regular 10/15 amp breaker to a regular 110 house outlet..

 

[LittleCaesar]

Either the Lincoln or Hobart 140 will be fine for him. As long as he isn’t welding frames, both at about $550 should be fine for all future work.

 

[S1996R]

120v Should be just fine. I have a Lincoln 135 plus and it works great.

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to OT where more people may find this useful.

 

[TonyB66]

I've been eye-balling the Hobart 190, also 220v. Have heard only excellent things about Hobart...

 

[thezentree]

I bought a Hobart 140 on black friday and used it with flux core to weld my sliders together. I haven't had a chance to paint them and weld them to the frame yet, but I'm hoping it'll be up to the task. I'm really happy with it so far, especially for $405.

 

[96RedRunner]

I do know that 220 can weld thicker metal. In that fact I think the 220 would be better .

So what should she get him ?

Opinions please

A 240v will do a bead on thick metal in a single pass. 120v change the process and do it with three passes or one pass and a cap pass, depends on how much you bevel the metal your welding. 240v duty cycle is nice, 120v duty cycle works
well in most cases, puddle will get smaller and smaller the closer it gets to time for a break.
Get one that is capable of using gas.

 

[Crusifix]

It's not a big if it doesn't use gas..LOL

 

[DaMonkey]

It's not a big if it doesn't use gas..LOL

maybe technically correct, but a flux core 'mig' machine not that unusual and is worthwhile to distinguish to someone that is asking 110 v 220.

 

[Crusifix]

maybe technically correct, but a flux core 'mig' machine not that unusual and is worthwhile to distinguish to someone that is asking 110 v 220.

Just giving you a hard time man.

 

[96RedRunner]

It's not a big if it doesn't use gas..LOL

I threw that in because nice option to have, there are advantages to using gas, ya know.

 

[Crusifix]

I threw that in because nice option to have, there are advantages to using gas, ya know.

I use gas when I can. Which is most of the time. If I am in a pinch I will either throw some flux core in my machine and switch polarities, or just drag out the arc stick welder.

Good info on here. Just make sure that if you get a MIG, it can also do flux core. Most can, but some can't.

https://www.millerwelds.com/resourc...actical-informative-guide-for-doityourselfers

 

[ndcent]

The Miller 211 is a good option. I got one on Craigslist for $1200 like new, though I hate the little M-10 gun, they can take a M-25 like I use on my Miller 251.

Flux core sucks, I’d avoid.

Hobart are good machines, Miller owns them.

I’d have better recommendations if I knew your sons application for the spray gun.