Considering an ESAB

[RailDude]

Been wanting to get back into welding. Will basically be starting over since I havent run a bead since high school and am looking for a machine to start with. Mostly hobbyist around the house/farm type stuff...angle iron, tubing etc. 1/4 to 3/8 mild steel most likely. I like the idea of a 3 in 1 machine tho friends and relatives tell me to steer clear of inverters. Three machines I am considering so far are the Rebel 235, the Fabricator 252i and Miller Multimatic 215. For the money the Fabricator seems to be the better deal, 1k cheaper than the Rebel 235 and looks to do about the same thing except for ability to use 120v household current. No 50 amp 240 service in the garage just yet tho I do use my 30 amp dryer plug to run my woodworking tools. Hopefully those in the know can steer me in the right direction on a good welder. I just want something I wont outgrow and end up wishing had gotten something else. Also something that isnt so complicated to set up and use that a 57 year old will get disgusted with it and shove it in a corner to collect dust. Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Take care.

[Jawslandshark]

I have the Fabricator 252i and the Rebel 235. The 252i is a great machine and a super bargain when it comes to welders, don't have anything negative to say about it. If you want to haul it around get the roll cage. The Rebel 235 is a good machine also, not sure if it is worth all the extra money, but does have a LCD screen and lots of handles and much tougher exterior, and like you mentioned runs on 120v but I have never used that. I think the Rebel runs 6010 better if that makes a differnce, but the negative is a single drive roll for mig that I think has a hard time with 33/44lb spools. Several people I know don't like the Rebel due to the screen and how you have to bounce all around in the GUI to change settings, I had a kid out of welding school that was so frustrated with it he refused to use it, does not bother me at all. The 252i is a little more straight forward but still has a lot of settings.

I would not worry about inverters, that tech is pretty solid these days. Can't comment on the Miller since I don't own that smaller model, the 350P and XMT's are strong units.

[Brand X]

The Sanrex ones are more then solid. They are awesome. The little LM-200 is quite a nice package if you can find one.. About 20 more amps then the 252i pretty much the same duty-cycle too... My 252i is up for sale, but probably have to wait tell all the good deals are gone. Day is coming soon..

Here is what you can expect on a 240 volt single phase circuit out of the older model Sanrex. First is the LM-200 and second is the MST-400..
I like how they weld too.. The low to high end is sweet..

[mxpapa]

I notice you are in Texas, just thought I would throw these out, I like the price for a home welder. Too far away for me. https://waco.craigslist.org/tls/6127551324.html, in case you don't go inverter.

[Rondo]

Sanrex is marketing under their Sanrex name in the states now. All products are available through them and some new ones too.