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Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Tank connections haven't changed. For $100, go for it, as long as it feeds wire. Anything else can be fixed real cheap.

Don't expect to do more than 1/8", 3/16, if you weld from both sides; and you won't be able to weld long without it getting hot. But, I have one I bought for the same price, just for lightweight stuff.

Add a cooling fan to it, (a good, 120v 'boxer' fan) and it'll improve your life, and the welding time you'll get from the welder.. (Where do you live? I have a bunch I've scavenged form old big box computers, (mainframe, servers, etc not PC's.) If you're close, I'll send you one for nothin'.)

Given what you said about not having 240v service, my first concern is the condition of your wiring. Even a 120v box is gonna pull some amperage, (that's why there's numerous comments about 'running to the circuit breaker.) In a house up to electrical code, there will only be 15amp and 20 amp 120v circuits. Several of the circuits, by code, are supposed to be stand alone circuits. In other words, nothing else is SUPPOSED to be run on them, and there's only one outlet.

There's a microwave stand alone and the washer is another, i'm certain. My memory is sketchy on the rest, but it's easy enough to find the info.

My point is, if you have a stand alone washing machine circuit, use it for the welder; but not while washing clothes. You will be much less likely to trip the breaker. Though with no 240v, you may have fuses.

Another way to save the step is use a power strip with a 14 AWG wire and a 15 or 20 amp breaker built in. House wiring for 120v only has to be 12 AWG, solid copper wire. If you use a 14 AWG stranded wire power strip, it will have a lower amp per foot rating than the house wiring. Normally, extension cords are a no go, but if you have a big enough wire, (smaller the AWG number the better.), it's no less than what's in the walls of the house.

I have a 10AWG extension cord 60' long on one of those garden hose reels; I run that out, and use it for most anything I've got that runs on 120v.

Let me know if you have any questions. I've been fixin' and usin' welders for a long time. Heck, the older welders are just a big-azz battery charger, inside.

GeoD

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

"Now you got me more interested in seeing a pic of the home over this elusive $100 welder."

Me, too, except I'd really like to see the electrical service panel... been a long time since I've seen a friggin' fuse box!

If he doesn't have 240v service, it must really be single phase service. hahaha

GeoD

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Originally Posted by jpacadd

It doesn't, the house is 160 years old, there is no 240V service.

The funny thing is I was going to say depending on how old the home is but I left that part out. Well that is a bummer.

Now you got me more interested in seeing a pic of the home over this elusive $100 welder.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

The home you live in probably already has 240v plug behind the oven or the clothes dryer. So an extension cord is all that would be needed to operate a 240v welder with out needing expensive wiring in the home.

It doesn't, the house is 160 years old, there is no 240V service.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Either post a photo here so we can tell you.

Or just go buy it and figure it out when you have it.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

The home you live in probably already has 240v plug behind the oven or the clothes dryer. So an extension cord is all that would be needed to operate a 240v welder with out needing expensive wiring in the home.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

it's $100.00

It should be in yer garage.

"buy a 240v machine" is sound advice but not always practical for some people.

again, it's 100 bux.

Like you said, it is a no brainer even if you upgrade in the future. You'll only have $100.00 invested.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Originally Posted by jpacadd

I don't have 240V service, so it would be very expensive to get wired up and then buy the much more expensive welder over just running a 120V setup for small projects.

Also I have a portable generator in my garage, so I can just run it off that to not worry about walks to reset the breaker, no?

It really depends on the size of the generator. Some welders won't run on a generator of any size, but that's mostly newer machines with more sensitive electronics.

120V welders are pretty much limited to thin metal....maybe 1/8" max. I only say that so you don't expect too much out of one.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

a 120v MIG welder won't be up for much!

That's not opinion, that's fact!

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

A 120 volt sounds like he tired of going breaker box.
I tell everyone buy a 240volt welder

Dave

I don't have 240V service, so it would be very expensive to get wired up and then buy the much more expensive welder over just running a 120V setup for small projects.

Also I have a portable generator in my garage, so I can just run it off that to not worry about walks to reset the breaker, no?

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

He did mention I can easily get the tank filled at the fire protec store up the street, so sounds like he owns it, not lease.

He says it's a 120V welder with a tank for $100. He didn't have any more details off hand other than he has a new compact flux core and he would dig out the old setup if I want it for cheap, so I didn't interrogate him. Seems like a no brainer to snag it even if it's not top of the line.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

Originally Posted by Welder Dave

First of all, what machine is it and why is the price with a cylinder only $100?

Honestly I don't know. What I do know is he is a good friend with a history of selling good stuff cheap to friends after he upgrades. So it seems like I really can't go wrong, as long as the tank is not obsolete for some reason, which is why I ask.

I believe he's selling it because he picked up a new flux core from the home supply store he manages, I think he just likes the flux core because it's compact, and maybe it's inverter duty or whatever so it's lighter I'm guessing. long story short seems like I can't go wrong with this deal.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

I did address in last post was tank.
At time the sold small tack that only had 20cf. You see the problem it only give just over one hour of welding plus walking to breaker box.
Now time to get a refill.

So check the tank if over 3 foot tall it will good 👍 tank.
This alone will good deal and buy good 240 volt welder.

Dave

Originally Posted by jpacadd

I'm looking at buying a new Mig 120V setup. A trusted hobby welder friend says he'll sell me his old setup with a tank for cheap, sounds like a good deal, if only that it comes with a tank and he said $100, seems like a no brainer, just for the tank, fittings, and whatever else.

My question is, have they changed the tank fittings, like they did with propane some years back, or some other reason that I wouldn't want to buy this tank plus whatever else for $100? I'm thinking worst case I buy another welder and have a tank setup for a fair price.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

First of all, what machine is it and why is the price with a cylinder only $100?

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

https://www.concoa.com/cgachart.html
You will likely have an argon/co2 mix.
If it’s a 20,40 or 80 cubic foot cylinder I would not sweat it.
Ask your friend if he is paying monthly rent or a yearly lease. If not it’s customer owned.
With steel prices and labor up cylinders are more expensive so 100.00 for the cylinder doesn’t seem to far out of line…..working machine is icing on the cake.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

A 120 volt sounds like he tired of going breaker box.
I tell everyone buy a 240volt welder

Dave

Originally Posted by jpacadd

I'm looking at buying a new Mig 120V setup. A trusted hobby welder friend says he'll sell me his old setup with a tank for cheap, sounds like a good deal, if only that it comes with a tank and he said $100, seems like a no brainer, just for the tank, fittings, and whatever else.

My question is, have they changed the tank fittings, like they did with propane some years back, or some other reason that I wouldn't want to buy this tank plus whatever else for $100? I'm thinking worst case I buy another welder and have a tank setup for a fair price.

Re: Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

You (and us) need more clarification as to what you are getting,,

Some tanks, in some towns are lease only,,
you give the guy $100,, then you can not get the tank filled, because it is a lease only tank,, OOPS,,

Are you getting anything else for the $100??,,,

Welcome to the forum!!

Buying a used MIG, what to look for?

I'm looking at buying a new Mig 120V setup. A trusted hobby welder friend says he'll sell me his old setup with a tank for cheap, sounds like a good deal, if only that it comes with a tank and he said $100, seems like a no brainer, just for the tank, fittings, and whatever else.

My question is, have they changed the tank fittings, like they did with propane some years back, or some other reason that I wouldn't want to buy this tank plus whatever else for $100? I'm thinking worst case I buy another welder and have a tank setup for a fair price.