[royalcherokee]

Im in the market for buying a welder to start learning how to weld and make some armor for the jeep (replacing rockers and making bumpers) and was wondering if you guys could point me in a good direction. I dont need 220v because i can borrow one when i travel up north but i want a decent hobby welder for around the house. Budget is around 400-600. any thoughts?

 

[Flexin' XJ]

Miller 140 Autoset. But you have to find it on sale because it is around $750 new. We bought one at work and it is sweet.

Although a Hobart 140 should be good too at a lot less cost. No autoset though. Although I don't use the autoset at work anyway.

 

[muddinman56]

I have the Hobart 140 all Said and done with the tank and spool of wire I paid around 650
That 500 dollar welder + tax the 35$ for the .30 wire and a2 hour tank.

But I have a hood,gloves,coat,mig pliers and welding cart allready

It's really a good welder for what it is and I have no complaints except I hate running flux core.

But I would recommend the Hobart.

 

[yyj87]

We have a new miller dual volt welder at work w/ auto set....... awesome!

A buddy bought an eastwood not too long ago, also a sweet machine. It is oddly similar to operating a miller 200 from 10 years ago.

My first was a "hobby welder" .... shouldn't have wasted my money! Go for the gold and buy a welder once, if your set on a 120v buy a good one! The difference between a tsc 120v wire feed and the miller is night and day.

 

[royalcherokee]

thanks guys! thats 3 votes for the hobart 140 so i think im going to go in that direction

 

[dreezy]

I have an Eastwood. I figure if what I want to weld is too thick, I can tack it together here and take it to somebody I know with the equipment. I don't use it enough to wrap a ton of money into one.

With a cart and auto dim helmet I think I paid around 450 shipped.

 

[14muddn]

I have an Eastwood. I figure if what I want to weld is too thick, I can tack it together here and take it to somebody I know with the equipment. I don't use it enough to wrap a ton of money into one.

With a cart and auto dim helmet I think I paid around 450 shipped.

x2 for eastwood I have this one http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

I've had mine for 2 years without any trouble using it from sheet metal to building a ramp gate for my trailer. When I was looking for a welder it had great reviews and the same warranty as lincoln and Miller.

 

[skife]

heard alot of good things about the hobart 140. My brother has a nice miller, i believe its a 240.

i don't have alot of expierence with different welders, but the welder at my last shop was a miller dynasty 350 (a little over your budget)

 

[Freebird01]

Hobarts are made by miller and are good machines for the money for a home user. they tend to fall short in the wire feed under heavy use more then anything.

make sure you get a good helmet and good gear. i really like the BSX welding coat an their mig gloves are hands down the best.

DO NOT BUY A HARBOR FREIGHT AUTO DARKEN HELMET!!!

they are junk and your eyes are worth more then that. spring for a Miller pro-hobby or a Miller performance helmet. or a decent fixed shade!

 

[littletrucker]

X10 on the Hobart. I love the one I have. Its been pumping out great welds for almost 10 years now.