mig welder suggestions

[ButchS1066]

First question I'd ask is:

What do you plan on welding with it?
Thick? Thin? Steel? Stainless? Aluminum?

I have a full size 220V Miller MIG setup, and a little 110V Lincoln WeldPak. Out of the two, I use the WeldPak more. I do agree a 220V unit is a better choice in most cases, but portability played a large part in why I went with with a 110V unit. I can weld damn near anywhere with it.

[Fill]

sorry, not trying to be an ass...just in a hurry and didn't want to turn this into a Chevy/Ford argument.

if you sign up for the email, TSC runs 10% discounts ~ every quarter. They also have the HH210 available for online purchase, free shipping, with the same frequency. A big advantage of the HH210 for the money is the optional spool gun to do thin aluminum. haven't done it yet, heard it's not easy.

the debunking comment was just related to the manufacturers. Miller and Hobart are owned by ITC. The big difference in the two is the Xformer, not the feed assembly, although that used to be the case.

Lincoln is thinning their US work force and buying factories in China to complement the ones they already own in Mexico.

ESIB is great value, if you can decode the SN and find out where it was assembled...

blah blah blah. I spent too much time on welding forums when I should have just bought a HH210. No better value for the garage/farm welder.

[Netpackrat]

No problem, I just didn't want to be steering somebody wrong and not know it. My MIG unit is just some basic Lincoln 175 that was heavily discounted at Lowes' because they were changing models, and it was the last of the old ones left. I've had it for a couple of years and it seems to work really well for me. Haven't had much use for the stick function of my TIG since getting the MIG unit, either.

[Les Nessman]

"What do you plan on welding with it?
Thick? Thin? Steel? Stainless? Aluminum? "

Not sure what exactly is considered 'thick/thin'; but mostly just household stuff, small projects, repairs, etc..mostly steel I suppose, as I've never welded Aluminum before (guess I'll try now, though)
In the past, I've made a lot of stuff using angle iron and pieces 1/4" or thicker. (What I lack in engineering finess/training, I make up for by 'overengineering'(read: brick sh1thouse)!) I think that is at the outer limits of a 120v, so I think I'm going to go with a HH210.

My choices are limited to Amazon, Sears, Northern Tool, and Lowe's; since I'm going to get $500 worth of gift cards from one of them for my hotel travel points.

[ButchS1066]

The reason I asked is a stick welder might be a better choice, especially if you lean towards building "over-engineered" stuff. Your $500 budget would easily cover a nice stick welding outfit, with room left over for the accessories.

There are tradeoffs, but I'd at least compare the processes to see which is a better fit for what you plan on doing.

[toad]

Who publishes a good book or series of books on modern welding techniques?

[Netpackrat]

The best overview book on modern welding process from a DIY/hobbyist perspective is Performance Welding, by Richard Finch. Beware of his "Welder's Handbook" that is more commonly seen, because it is mostly fluff with little useful info. Evidently it was written at the behest of welding manufacturers, who placed limits on what he could and could not say.

[toad]

Netpackrat;

Thankee kindly. I've bookmarked it.

[Rumpshot]

Netpackrat;

Thankee kindly. I've bookmarked it.

Bookmarked it??? I ordered it! Should be here next week. Used. shipping was almost as much as the book. Less than $9.00 invested.

[Les Nessman]

update: I went with the HH210; arrived today. I need to get an outlet installed in the garage for it next week.

What type of shielding gas do y'all use? CO2, co2/argon, ...?