Small welder for DIY projects

[JayMac]

As I am proceeding with my project I am also shopping for a small welder. I want to get a mig with a bottle. Would like it to run on house current as the ones i have looked at seem to have more than enough power to do sheet metal. Found a used one right up the road, Lincoln 140c with a bottle. Anyone have any thought or recommendations. It is about a year old and less than half the price of new without a bottle.

Thanks

[69NEWCLASSNH]

Bottles are around $200 if you buy new.  I got a bottle, hobart handler 135, bottle, cart, mask gloves for $450 on Craigslist - so the deals are out there.  Try and buy it all at once

Edited February 8, 2017 by 69NEWCLASSNH

[Simeon]

If it's like Australia, you can hire a big bottle for big jobs and then just use disposable bottles for small jobs. You will use a lot of gas while learning. You will need two different regulators to run the different types of bottle but it is worth it if you don't want to spring for your own bottle. 

[vacca rabite]

That lincoln is a nice little welder, and will have plenty of power to do anything on a BMW.  

Especially since the bottle comes with it, I'd jump on it.

 

Zach

[JayMac]

New the unit is @$700 and toss in the bottle and gauges I figured about $1000. This seamed pretty decent for what he was asking and it gives me a benchmark for what i want to pay......and I can always sell it later to recoup some of the costs.

Thanks guys

Edited February 8, 2017 by JayMac
"D" in typing

[evil02]

Jay,

 

If you want new, you can check out http://www.bakersgas.com/

 

They have good pricing, specials and free shipping. I always compare their pricing to everyone on the web and they always seem to be the cheapest. Also, The new millers are getting cheap.

 

 If you want to find information on used welders, you can google any welder you want on Amazon and read the reviews. Sometimes there are good suggestions, sometimes not..

 

Dave

[JayMac]

Been doing that. My wife actually worked for Miller for 10 years. I like the idea of someone else taking the first hit on depreciation as I am only going to use this a few times unless I decide to get back at my neighbor by welding their car doors shut. 

My critiera was:

Run on house current

Fairly simple to use

Capable of handling up to 3/16 metal

Hobart, Lincoln, or Miller

One with a bottle if possible

Less than 5 years old preferably 2 or less

Weigh the cost of me practicing against shop time for a pro welder

 

Good news is there is a welder less than a mile away but this has always been on my bucket list of things I would like to try to do.

Since I wimped out on the engine build I need to do this to get my man card back.

[Captain Manly]

That is the set up I have been using. Very simple for the non-pro.

[evil02]

Sometimes you can find refurbished ones too. There is a place(can't think of the name) in Indiana that buys out all the Millers when shops default on payments. They go through them and sell them at a very good price. That is where I bought a Miller 250 syncrowave Tig.  Maybe google places in Indy?

 

Regarding the man card, You gotta pick and choose your battles. No loss of man card over you not building your engine. You'll sleep good knowing it will run as it should and live to weld another panel, lol..

 

Dave

Edited February 8, 2017 by evil02

[TobyB]

That one looks fine- it's the continuously- variable wire and current that makes it so useful.

 

If the ownership ring on the tank is unstamped, I'd say that's a good deal, too.

 

t

 

[JayMac]

Toby, you mean that it was purchased (tank) and not rented or stolen?

[peterman]

Most tanks will be swapped out anyway. I've never seen anyone fill a tank on site and give you the same one back. I lease a 125 CF bottle for 60 a year, and its about 40 to fill. I dont have to deal with hydro testing or recert-ing the tank. When its empty they give me another for 40 bucks - just the cost of gas

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[TobyB]

Yes, the ownership ring should be unmarked.  When you swap them at wherever, they give you an unmarked one in return.

 

It'd be pretty obvious- it would say something like "Bob's Catepillar Service" and, for bigger companies, is cast in.  Smaller ones are stamped with metal stamps.

 

Not too uncommon for Fred to bring one home from Bob's, and just 'forget' to take it back, because, well, Bob isn't welding much these days.

 

t