Obsessed

[GiddyWelder]

Since before joining here(long time lurker on and off) I've been obsessed with getting a Miller welder and have frequented youtube for videos and have been on miller's site too many times to count to drool(still waiting on their catalog),sad thing is It's going to be a little while before I get one as I don't want to buy something that's in the hundred bucks or so range that's not going to help me to keep me happy for years . I've saved about 500 so far and I figure I might need about 500 more to get a decent mig welder. Haven't seen anything local to be to look at to check out or possibly buy(although my son has showed me pics of his friend's diesel powered miller that's on his truck). I don't think I'm gonna be happy til I have one I can call my own(I even dream of one at night lol)

[Nicad]

Yeah, I remember being in your shoes a few months ago. Just save the money as you can and buy quality gear as you can, unless it is something you know is a sacrificial tool. I would be equally happy with gear made by Lincoln, Esab, or Thermal Arc, but ended up buying mostly Miller after weighing my options.

[Jack Olsen]

I'll play Devil's Advocate:

A used 110v machine is going to hold its value just fine, so long as you don't beat on it. You can weld for a year, keep saving, and then sell the 110v to buy a Millermatic 211 (110/220) or a 220-only machine.

Think about your needs. It's nice to have the portablility of a 110v plug for a lot of jobs, and if >1/4" jobs aren't going to be your mainstay, then the 110v will work for you.

A big part of what you're going to need down the line is the skills, more than the equipment. Sitting on a stack of hundred dollar bills is not going to improve your welding skills.

I paid $320 for a new Hobart Handler 140 on ebay. I was welding the day it got here. I might want to get a 220v machine down the line, but I can always sell the Hobart to help finance that.

[GiddyWelder]

Jack,I have thought about getting a Hobart,and actually am considering on a Millermatic 211(My son's friend's dad has a Lincoln Ranger 8 with generator that sits in the back of his truck I've seen pics of). Regardless a Miller is definetly in my future.

[DesertRider33]

I would look for a used Millermatic 135 or 140 on Craig's List to start out with. They are quality machines and will run on normal 110v house power so you don't have to make a 220v circuit to weld.

[Teljkon]

yeah I can feel that pain for sure Im sitting on my hands after making a great score on hobart untill I can afford to have a 220 outlet installed.

[piniongear]

Originally Posted by Teljkon

yeah I can feel that pain for sure Im sitting on my hands after making a great score on hobart untill I can afford to have a 220 outlet installed.

My first welder was a Miller Thunderbolt. I had no 220V in my garage either. The price to have an electrician run a line was unbelievably expensive. (in 1983) I am not an electrician!

The welder sat there for about 2 weeks and I could no longer stand it. I decided to go buy myself a book called 'Electrical Wiring At Home.' It told me everything I needed to know.

I ran 100 ft of #6 wire from a sub panel box I installed in the garage, up to the upstairs attic, down the soffit and into the electrical box on the back of the house. In a weeks time I was welding! The roll of #6 wire cost me $120.

The house we now live in has 3 phase power coming in to run the air conditioning
I went back to my book and learned what I needed to learn about 3 phase and ran more circuits for the lathe, Bridgeport and a Baldor grinder
. Last week I took the new Dynasty 200 DX and decided to hook it up on 3 phase power.
How nice! The Dynasty needs only a 20 amp circuit, where my MM 251 or the Syncro 180 needs a 50 amp circuit. So I used a 20 amp 3 prong w/ grd twist lock plug.

Point being, if I can run electrical, anyone can. it is not magic. Just get a good book and find out what you need to do....... pg

[Teljkon]

three words for you

Not My House

Im about like you ill pick up a book on anything and give it a try. Got a book on tantra once forgot i didnt have a girl friend. Cat thought I lost my mind gave me funny looks for a week.

[Joe Smith]

I wouldn't get obsessed with brands on a budget. And look used. I got my 220 century welder on Craigslist for $40. I have about $30 in new leads. Welds great, continuous amperage up to 295, and if I want to upgrade I can sell this one or just keep it around. The only feature I want next is DC.


Whoops, just noticed you wanted a MIG. Well, look used anyways, some good deals out there.