Looking for input from the welders out there. I am looking at buying a new MIG machine. What's the best machine for under $1000? 1/4" max material thickness. Prefer a gas machine vs a flux core.

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning 13.16 (so far)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
F-250 Trans pan
MagnaFlow 12468
Snug-Lid

I feel a 12.xx coming on.

Team PSP West

 

stick with Miller or Lincoln, theres a bunch of cheaper fly-by-night brands out there, and i love it when people bring them in with problems, after they bought them from knowledgeable people like Lowes/Sams/Walmart/Home Depot

Miller has a decent 110v 130amp that goes 3/16" for under $600, a 220v 170 amp for 750, both with gas solinoids/regulators etc. good units with 3yr warranty

 

Silver-Bolt..Depends on what your looking to do with your machine. But I can highly recommend the little Lincoln Mig machine. I "think" its a 100 or maybe 300. Will get the correct model if interested. But the retail is around $300.00 plus a bottle of gas. Which gas depends on what you have in mind, to use the welder for. I have run, some were, between 15/20 spools of wire thru this little 110 volt welder, and its great for stuff at home. E-mail me @ BlackLightninSVT@aol.com if I can be of any help. Bruce

------------------
1999 Black Lightning... 1940 of 4000... Traded for: 2001 Silver Bolt... Adopted 3/24/01... Red Line Water Wetter... Wet Okole's... Bed Rug... JL Stage II Ram air... Chipless in Jersey

 

Miller or LIncoln are very good brands,but I would diffenetly buy one that is 220v the 110v one just does not have the power or smooth wire feeding which is essensial for good welding,also min. that I would look at is a 160 amp also look at duty cycle and MAKE sure it uses copper winding and NOT alum.

 

I've got a Miller 185, bought it a couple of years ago, I believe I paid about $1000 for it on sale, normally it was like $1300. Excellent welder and I believe that it can weld up to 1/2" (not sure exactly), 1/4" on a single pass is no problem at all with it. Don't buy a cheap Home Depot off brand and especially do not buy a 115 Vac unit that makes claims of 1/4" thickness welding. Alot of times, cheap off brand welders will advertise the thickness but that is using flux core and not gas and a duty cycle of like 10%. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the input. 220 for sure. Time to go visit the welding supply store.

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning 13.16 (so far)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
F-250 Trans pan
MagnaFlow 12468
Snug-Lid

I feel a 12.xx coming on.

Team PSP West

 

What has not been talked about on these boards? Search finds everything here.

Anyway point - guys I want to get a welder now. Don't know much about welding so I want to get a basic, small, good welder to learn on. Few ????'s

Whats the difference b/n wire feed and stick welders?
Which do you think is better and why?
What would you recommend for me, it's just to learn on, no really big jobs. Just easy to use/learn on and works?

 

Miller & Lincoln Are both good,can't go wrong brand as everyone stated. To get good at welding is the same as anything else PRACTICE & PATIENCE! Try a local vocational High School,They often have night classes,they can help a lot and are well worth the $.

 

I sugget you take a few welding courses, Clackamas
Community College used to offer a good one several
years ago. You will find that this occupation has as
many variables as the modifications of our trucks!!!
Once you realize the broad range of welding, burning,
carbon-arcing and etc. you may want to opt for a more
complex machine than just a welder.
My present machine is a Lincoln Ranger 8 LPG, gas fired,
with the LN-25 wire feed unit. I can weld variable stick,
as well as mig.
Do yourself a favor and take the classes, this way you
will have better input on the purchasing decision.

Marc
(yes, I lived in Milwaukie and Oregon City from 73-80