Hello, I am looking to purchase a welder for my garage, nothing fancy, i'm not fabricating motorcycle frames or anything like that, just a simple machine to have in the garage for light fab. work and repairs. I'v been away from a welder for quite some time now so i'm going to consider myself a beginner.
Can anyone recommend a good machine for a beginner, not too expensive. Preferably wire feed. Thanks!
2007-06-12 14:48:21 · 3 answers · asked by Juice911 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
You would want a 'stick' welder, probably a Lincoln Buzz Box
Try the Craigs list, www.craigslist.org.
People buy those welders and then let them sit around and never use them and dispose of them on Craigs List.
2007-06-12 14:54:35 · answer #1 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the projects you mentioned, I would suggest a MIG welder. You can get 110 volt models. Easy to use and do thin metal without blowing through. A stick welder is hard to do light metals with. If you go with fluxcore wire and not gas it will be cheaper. Lots of machines out there. I like Miller but they are not cheap.
2007-06-12 16:11:32 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer the Hobart/Miller Mig welders. A Hobart Handler or Millermatic 175 with the gas kit is perfect. I repair welding equipment for a living (billswelderrepair.com) and have seen less problems from these models. We have a Handler 180 in our shop for everything from sheet metal to 1/4" frame work. Hobart is made by Miller and carries a 3 year warranty, average cost is $485-560. Check out http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/ or http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/mig/ these are very informative sites. Stay away from the Lincoln models sold at Home depot, there are made in Poland especially for Home Depot (hence the model name 3200HD). Snap-On migs are made by Century so don't spend the extra money with the Snap-On guy.
2007-06-14 03:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by Bills Repair 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋