What welder should I buy?

[Doc]

I'm finally shopping for a welder. I have never welded before.
I like the idea of dual voltage 120 / 240 since I don't have 240 in my pole barn.

For example I see: 200M MIG Welder 3 in 1 Flux MIG/Solid Wire/Lift TIG/Stick Welder 110 / 220V Dual Voltage Welding Machine for 300 bucks

Then I see one similar one by Holbart for over 1000. I think part of the difference is the Holbart can also use gas. It does .24 ga to 3/8" material.

I think that is overkill for me. I am looking for an occasional use welder for semi heavy stuff for my tractor. Welding hooks on my bucket. Welding a bracket to a flag pole. No sheet metal / auto body type welding in my plans. So from what I've read a stick welder should fit my needs but I see some in the 500 dollar price range that can also do mig and tig.

Habor freight offers this one:

TITANIUM​

UNLIMITED 140 Professional Multiprocess Welder with 120V Input​

The TITANIUM™ UNLIMITED 140™ Professional Multiprocess Welder handles MIG, TIG and stick welding
$599

For 849 I could get the Titanium 200 that has 120v/240 v option. One reviewer said that the 240 option is worth the extra. (not sure I'd need that though)

What else do I need to consider / what would you buy?

Note:
I could add 240v to the pole barn at some point, the 100 amp service would handle it. I've read I'd need a 50amp breaker but not sure of the wire needed.

 

[mla2ofus]

From what you say I think a 200 amp mig welder(not a wire feed which doesn't use C25 gas) would fit your needs quite well. The thing I have concern about with a 3 in 1 is if you lose one function what happens to the other 2?? I haven't nor will I ever own a 120v machine as they come up short either as a stick or mig machine and can be frustrating. See if you can find a friend or friend of a friend that has a 120v machine you can try. Better yet see if you can take it to your barn to try as you might get some voltage drop due to the the distance unless you have a separate transformer for your barn. If that's the case then it would be easy to bring 240v in. I have a 240v Miller 175 mig that's going on 20 yrs old and it doesn't owe me a dime. I've welded everything from .065" wall sqare tubing to 3/8" plate.
JMHO

 

[FrancSevin]

220/240 volt single phase is easy to hookup from the house. If you are serious about doing good welds, go 220/240 Volt.

I would use #8 wire, minimum, if less than 25 feet from the pole. #6 if less than 50 feet.

But then I always overbuild.

Tired Retired would know better what wire to use. And how far you can run it.

 

[tommu56]

I have a few welders and I'm a GORILLA WELDER my welds started out ugly but strong.
I have been able to get a little better in the last 30 years.

My welding arsnal
gas powered hobart stick to about 150 amps
miller sidekick suitcase tig and stick runs on 120v / 240v can go to about 120a on 120v
titaniaum 140 mig that runs flux or gs 120/240

if the steel is dirty you want the stick.
But if you can clean material my flux core titianiam has been my go to lately ive welded up to 3/8 with it duty cycle is a little low on 120
but works fine its easier to learn mig when starting (i started on stick went to tig then to mig)

 

[Doc]

I have separate 100 amp service right in the pole barn. might go 25 ft to 35 ft from the box for the 220 outlet.

 

[mla2ofus]

Just think about a #8 extension cord, which you'll likely have to make yourself, at least 25 ft long for when the welder cord just won't reach especially if using a mig or wire feed. I have a 50 ft #10 extension cord for my mig and I also have a Miller Thunderbolt for stick welding which can also use the ext cord. Someday you'll have something too big or heavy to place on the welding table which should be your first project.

 

[300 H and H]

Rusty steel a stick welder rules for sure. My favorite rod is a 6011. I t requires less amps and will penetrate very well.
I have multiple stick units on a couple different farm locations. They are probably as old as I am in most cases.
I do have a 240V 250-amp Lincoln MIG welder at the main shop. It is the one I use the most on build projects with clean
steel. I run 0.35" wire and a mix of argon/CO2 for gas shield. Impressive the range of thickness it will do compared
to the old stick welders. And clean inclusion free welds are the rule, not the exception. I keep an angle grinder with
a wire wheel just for cleaning pre welding. You cannot over clean especially with the MIG welder. You cannot MIG weld if there
is a wind or even a slight breeze unless you block it from the welding site. Wind will blow and disrupt the gas shield. Some
thing to keep in mind if your pole barn is open sided.

In my world there definitely is a place for both a Stick and a MIG welder.

Good luck with what you chose. Be sure to consult You Tube University for some instruction on welding.

 

[FrancSevin]

Just think about a #8 extension cord, which you'll likely have to make yourself, at least 25 ft long for when the welder cord just won't reach especially if using a mig or wire feed. I have a 50 ft #10 extension cord for my mig and I also have a Miller Thunderbolt for stick welding which can also use the ext cord. Someday you'll have something too big or heavy to place on the welding table which should be your first project.

You can buy a 25 0r 50 ft chord at Camping world that is 50 amp with a molded RV plug. Exactly the same as a 50 amp dryer plug. About $200 last time I bought one
Three prong for 30 amp and four prongs for 50 amp. Have an electrician put the right 220 single pole breaker in the panel and box outside on the house wall.
My barn in Springfield MO is entirely wired with a 30 amp RV plug. 110/ 220 volts.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I have a Flux core wire feed 120v welder setup. Like you I never learned to weld. I watched dad welding on his logging trucks and trailers for years though. He had a big diesel arc welder. He also had a set of cutting torches. The only two tools he really used when welding. I've been meaning to spend some time just practicing on scrap pieces of metal to learn how to lay a good beed. One of those things that I have on the to do list.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

If you have a decent generator you can weld anywhere. The difference between the low end and the high end welders is the efficiency. My Millermatic 175 draws less amps (something like 20 amps) than an equivalent HF welder (probably 30 amps). The higher end welders usually also allow truly variable power settings which can be useful. I've been happy with my Millermatic 175 - I think they are now at Millermatic 185 for the equivalent new model.

 

[Melensdad]

I have been trying to sell one locally, dual voltage welder. $850

I have here a portable MIG Welding unit called the Millermatic Passport

All-in-one MIG package that is truly portable just 45lbs (55 lbs with full bottle and wire spool). Has the ultimate arc performance, self-contained gas bottle, and flexibility to plug into 115 or 230 V power.

Rated Output - 230 V operation: 150A at 21.5 VDC, 20% duty cycle
Rated Output - 115 V operation: 110A at 19.5 VDC, 20% duty cycle
Welding Amp Range - 30 to 180 Amps (230 V)
Welding Amp Range - 30 to 140 Amps (115 V)
Wire Speed - 40 to 400 IPM (1.0 - 10 m/min)
Power cord and MVP adapter plugs of 115 and 230 V power
10 FT (3 m) M-10 MIG gun and cable assembly #195605
10 FT (3 m) work cable with clamp
Co2 Bottle

 

[stigger]

I have been trying to sell one locally, dual voltage welder. $850

I have here a portable MIG Welding unit called the Millermatic Passport

All-in-one MIG package that is truly portable just 45lbs (55 lbs with full bottle and wire spool). Has the ultimate arc performance, self-contained gas bottle, and flexibility to plug into 115 or 230 V power.

Rated Output - 230 V operation: 150A at 21.5 VDC, 20% duty cycle
Rated Output - 115 V operation: 110A at 19.5 VDC, 20% duty cycle
Welding Amp Range - 30 to 180 Amps (230 V)
Welding Amp Range - 30 to 140 Amps (115 V)
Wire Speed - 40 to 400 IPM (1.0 - 10 m/min)
Power cord and MVP adapter plugs of 115 and 230 V power
10 FT (3 m) M-10 MIG gun and cable assembly #195605
10 FT (3 m) work cable with clamp
Co2 Bottle

View attachment 157740View attachment 157741View attachment 157742View attachment 157743

A good machine, for 1/4" or less. I've used one and they work well. Just not big enough for heavier material.

 

[stigger]

Miller if at all possible. My personal minimum would be a millermatic 255.

You'll never go to weld something and say, "man I wish my welder wasn't so big" lol

 

[mla2ofus]

I've grooved and welded with two passes 3/8" with my 175 Miller. had 'er cranked all the way up.

 

[Doc]

Wow, it's easy to get up to 4k or even 8k for some of these rigs.
Way more than I want to spend for a hobby occasional use welder.

Bob if you have a meet in Cols or an hour or two from Cols let me know. If I haven't pulled the trigger on one yours looks like it has everything I'd need.

 

[mla2ofus]

I think buying Bob's is the best route. At least you know him so less chance of getting screwed over.

 

[Melensdad]

Wow, it's easy to get up to 4k or even 8k for some of these rigs.
Way more than I want to spend for a hobby occasional use welder.

Bob if you have a meet in Cols or an hour or two from Cols let me know. If I haven't pulled the trigger on one yours looks like it has everything I'd need.

We can work something out on a meeting point. I’ve got a houseful right now with the holiday. Give me a couple days.

 

[Doc]

We can work something out on a meeting point. I’ve got a houseful right now with the holiday. Give me a couple days.

Sounds good. Full house here also. No rush at all. Thanks.