Welder...which one?

[empire231]

need some help deciding which one to get....here's the story.

I am a complete rookie to welding...but I have been doing some reading up on it. I don't want to start w/ a small machine because I don't like selling things to upgrade later. the main purpose for the welder would be basic things like bed cages/cab cages/engine cages/shockhoops...etc. I am looking at the mig welders around the 175 amp range. I've done some research, and it seems most people run the lincoln or the miller and they like both...soo I kinda narrowed my choices down. the top 3 contendors (no specific order) are.

1. lincoln 175 mig (on ebay for about $639)
2. millermatic 175 mig (ebay for around $633.60)
3. hobart 180 mig (ebay around $558)
I would just like to hear some feedback of what you guys think about those. likes/ dislikes...advantages/disadvantages...etc.

...aslo has anyone had any experience w/ chicago electric? this cheap one here @ harbor frieght to be exact? cheap (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3664) ($399)

thanks in advance http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-Pat

[CBR_Motorsports]

The HF one is terrible, don't do it. The 175 is a strong machine, but just make sure you get the 220V version. I think you can't go wrong with any of those brands, but I have heard that lincoln's cust. service is not good.
-Kyle

[steveG]

I've had the Miller 175 for about 2 years now & I love it. It's always worked great & is probably more welder than I'll ever need.

[empire231]

Thanks for the replies, so far I've narrowed it down to 2....it's either the miller 175 or the hobart 180... both are 30% duty cycle...but the hobart only has a 4 way adjustment on the amperage while the willer has infinite adjustment....and the hobart is a 180 while the miller is 175 (which I doubt makes a significant difference) and w/ the hobart, I would save around $80...but I'm still kinda leaning towards the miller. any thoughts?

[AZmiik]

30% duty cycle at what amperage? You also should take in the price of consumables. Now miller and hobart are the same thing anymore. Hobart is millers consumer brand for sale at home depot and such.

MIke

[empire231]

Both are 30% at 130A

[picone]

The Lincoln 175 is excellent for the price too. We just bought it at work to run off of a generator and and it welds really nice.

Dominic

[rokker]

I have the Hobart - 0 problems. Very happy with it.

[johnnyweb]

put my vote in for the miller. 2or3 of my friends have the miller and they work great. my codriver has a hobart 180 and we use that in the garage alot. but i have not been that happy with its performance. the welds are splaterry and not as clean as alot of other welders i use. i would not buy the hobart if i had my choice. good luck with your purchase.

[empire231]

after checking out some welding forums....people are saying the hobart 180 is better than the Miller 175. the main reason they say that is because of the millers auto trac amp/wire rate...they say that it is very hard to dial in and is more of a - than a +. they also said that the hobarts 4 output settings are easier to work w/ than the millers infinite adjustment? what do you guys think?

thansk for all the help so far.

[hoeker]

i would never give up my infinite amp adjustment.

[Kbach66]

Not really advice on which welder, but on where to buy.....
Somebody in here mentioned Cyberweld.com a long time ago and that's where I ended up getting my welder from. It was the newest model, not an outdated on like some on ebay, it was the cheapest price on the net and locally that I could find, and it was free tax/shipping, drop shipped from the local miller distributor.

Might be worth a look once you narrow down which welder you want.

[Brian Mapes]

I bought my Miller tig from cyberweld about a year ago and there was no tax or shipping charged to me. It also got to me quicker than they said it would cuz it really shipped from the miller place in rancho so it only took like 2 days for me to get mine. Cyberweld had the cheapest price but after i bought mine i went to airgas to get my consumable and they told me that i could have got it for 300 less from them. Oh well. That didnt have to do with what kind but i was just adding to what kbach said.

[Flea]

About two years ago I picked up the Hobart Handler 175amp 220v welder. I use it everyday now and the thing still welds perfect, as good as the day I got it. So I hope that helps a little.

[Nacho_Blanco]

I was told that the miller has metal drive gears for the wire feed and that the hobart has plastic. Any truth in this? I got my miller 175 through welders direct. A little cheaper than cyber weld. http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code =907020

[empire231]

OK now all this talk about welders is getting old! but is seems like alot of people like the Miller210....is it even worth me considering this? will I even have use for it, for the things I want to do? and does it justify the extra 5 bills?

damn I hate making decisions http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[rokker]

I think its all about budget really. If you have the extra 500 than get the stronger machine.

If your going to be a "weekend welder" (like myself) Id say any of the 3 220v machines above will be just fine. They should all be able to weld 1/4" steel in a single pass which is prob the thickest walled material you will encounter based on your specified usage of the welder above. Take the extra 500 and get a bender, nothcer or other shop eqipment you may want/need.