So this will likely be based on opinion of course, but thats what I'm looking for. Working with some small metal projects and would
like to do some in house welding. Once upon a time one of my friends taught me a bit, but ultimately never spent much time at it.

In your respective opinions what is the best machine for light duty use and to "learn" on?


Bit off topic, but know many guys are jacks of all trades.....

Justin

I bought a flux in wire machine and would NOT recommend that. Splatter and feed rates were all over the place. I didn't buy one, but I wish I had picked up a self darkening helmet so I could see what was happening with it down. I'll be following this thread with just a bit of interest.

I have and use both mig and stick welding units. For the majority of work that I do in my field the flux core wire feed mig is the easier of the two for me to use. With some practice you will learn the wire feed speed that you need and the temperature setting to get good penetration on your work.

Like anything new it has its learning curve.Having a good fast transition helmet is a good expense but not cheap to start off with. But they are great vs the old style helmet flip units or hand held protective shields.They didnt have them years ago when I got set up. But I still might make the plunge and get one.

I weld alot of traps and stakes and other projects every year. I can make alot of T bar stakes in an afternoon or repair broken ones pretty quickly.

I've had good luck with my Hobart wire feed. Don't recall the model number.
One thing to consider is how portable do you want it to be?
The 110v models are great because you can take them into the field with you and find a power source. Just about every home/business has 220v but most of the time the outlet is far from where you need it and the connection does not match the plug.

Key is getting a good helmet.

I also have a flux core 110 mig. Took a while to get temp and feed rate set, like Bob said. Splatter, burn thru's and small fires were(?) common. I think a lot depends on the type of wire you buy. I just have a cheapy from Harbor Freight works well enough for my needs (quick fixes). My 2 boys break or loose everything I own anyway. So like Paul does with his drills, I buy cheap stuff...
Bigger things I take to a boilermaker friend of mine that can weld 2 snowballs together!
Make sure surface is CLEAN before you start.
Again, like Bob said, practice makes perfect!

Auto darkening helmets (imo) are worth the money! Especially when you get welders flash once or twice....

Mig is the easiest to get a consistent bead and penetration for a beginner. I would not suggest a gas-less mig, if you are going to purchase a welder, Lincoln and Hobart sell fairly cheap models with gas setups. I use co2 and argon mix, it helps the wire burn cleaner and hotter. If your just starting out ,buy a book on welding or go to a local welder and pick his brain.

My family won't let me go near anything that's hot but I have a son-in-law that I could rent you.

Thanks Folks,

What I'm hearing jives with most of what I am seeing on reviews from the general buyers of the wire feed types.
Lots and lots of positive reviews 4-5 out of 5 stars on northern tool and amazon, etc... The self darkening helmet
is a great tip, I remember a pro welder I knew back in MI used one of those and swore by it.

This one below and several others in this line have an add on kit so you can add the gas if you like. Many folks
commented that the bulk of work you could do without it, but that it would make your welding better to employ
the gas so again, good tips!


Hobart 500559 Handler 140 115V MIG Welder

For $500.00 or close to it, seems like a solid investment in a tool I could use for most anything I'd have a need for.

Keep the tips rolling though if anyone has others not mentioned.

Thanks again,

Justin

Wire feed doesn't like rust or dirt. Arc welders don't care. I bought a 220 volt arc welder for $75 at an auction. I have a Lincoln gas wire feed. Got that and an Oxy-Acetylene torch set for $450 about 20 years ago at a garage sale. My point is, you don't need to buy new.

Mig will be a lot cleaner than flux core or stick. About to buy the Hobart 140 myself. Good machine for the price. I have a flux core machine presently. The splatter cleanup is a time killer for me. Invest in a auto darkening hood. Doesn't have to be expensive. Paid less than a $100 for mine and I love it. Saves the neck from flipping your hood down. Wish I had it 20 years ago when I welded 12 hours a day.
Instead of buying the anti spatter spray for your gun tip, buy a can of Pam. Works just as good and cheaper.

Definitely recommend a mig with the gas set up. For a years I had a small Lincoln 100 mig, I think the smallest you can get. Worked fine, but did not like the "splatter master" flux core wire, though I could have bought the accessories at any time to flip over to gas. The gas is soooo much better, night and day. If you ever entertain the idea of doing heavier stuff or other materials they make migs that are a bit larger and will work on both 110 or 220 by just changing a plug, but for most stuff a 140 on 110 would be great. With a 110 / 220 volt you could do some heavier stuff if needed and get closer to a stick. New clean material or taking the time to clean the material to be welded makes a huge difference as mentioned above. Some machines have the option of buying an additional gun to do aluminum without getting a new machine. You will never regret having the self darkening shield. I got one for $50 from Harbor Freight I think. You don't have to spend big bucks on them.

Great tip with the Pam.

x2. on the pam, i will try to give my two sents worth . extintion cords!. get the best you can get! gloves things get hot! more gun tips you will need, extra nozzle for gun, mig pliers are handy, brush, . take a peace of copper pipe hammer one end flat bend it out in a almost L shape and you can put it up behind larg gaps and fill in , the weld cant stick to copper, and do lots of practice .

And i almost forgot , take care of your gun led ,dont kink it ,saves alot of headace down the road ,put cotton ball around welding wire nere the tensioner hold it on with a close pin , it cleans the wire so alot of dirt and debris out of the linner just makes it last longer.

Thanks guys! More great info and much appreciated!!

I am looking at the Hobart 140 as well. I was told that if you want to weld ticker stock you can heat it with a torch first to get deeper weld. Good to know but to do trap and UTV repairs I think stock thickness will be fine. I had a stick years ago and it was good but it needed 220, not easy to use in other places.
Don LaFountain cwcp

This may sound dumb but a word of caution when first using mig. The gas won't come on til you pull the trigger. Knew a fella that held the gun up to his ear and pulled the trigger to be sure the gas was on. Wire came out and punctured his eardrum. He didn't stay employed at our shop very long. Thought I'd share that.

My trade before I went into the adc biz was welding and fabrication and I've burned a pile of wire on different stuff over the years , my suggestion is a mig unit with shielding gas in a 220 volt model this will give you the versatility to do most anything , I'm not sure what the budget is but after buying a new thermal arc machine I'd recommend you have so look at them , they are a multi process machine that allows you to mig , tig and stick weld from the same unit .

Justin,,,,,buy the 3200 hd from home depo....(if still available). I have used mine to shorten frames on 3/4 ton Chevy's,,,made a rad suzi,,,,and built trailers, cages and finished 13 fall out shelters for friends.
Duty cycle is awsome for a 110 machine
Home depo has a cheep extended warrenty program but i opted out and have 9 years of punishment and rain on mine.

VINK is there anything you can't do??? Brain surgery? Find a cure for cancer? Be a successful Republican Presidential candidate? President and founding member of EA?
OH and I have a stepson that can weld a sardine can back together. I design, engineer, cut, fab, and tack weld, and he finish welds, makes it prettier than Vink's pink camo Speedo.