Which brands?

[woodymaples]

Hi. Brand new to this site. Have started welding as a hobby and am about to purchase my first mig machine. I am curious about these off brand machines that are so inexpensive. Do they stand the test of time? Will I regret buying one instead of the more trusted brands? Speaking of which: what are the brands i should stick to, other than Lincoln, Miller or Hobart?

[TraditionalToolworks]

Use the search on weldingweb, plenty of info. You should be able to do that much.

[gatemaster]

Stick with Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart. You're going to get what you pay for, just like anything else.

[CAVEMANN]

It's hard to say, I bought an offbrand last year and LOVE IT. To me it welds better/easier than any of the lincolns I have used.

[Bonzoo]

Go to the closest three welding supply places to your place. Ask what they recommend.Buying on the net or a fastweld "restaurant"(depot, lowes. sears. target. etc etc)...good luck. The LWS is generally a dirtbag company but they hire guys that have some---or a lot--- of knowledge. Lotsa gray headed sales people.

[jerje]

Go down below to the Harbor Freight section and read Shovelon's comments on the Vulcan Protig 200. I rewarded myself with two new Lincoln machines last fall after several decades of welding with cheap Sears rigs and had to really struggle before deciding on Lincoln over the new Vulcan line by Harbor Freight, at half the price of what I paid for the red machines. Vulcan also makes a very nice mig/stick machine.

[Bonzoo]

Go down below to the Harbor Freight section and read Shovelon's comments on the Vulcan Protig 200. I rewarded myself with two new Lincoln machines last fall after several decades of welding with cheap Sears rigs and had to really struggle before deciding on Lincoln over the new Vulcan line by Harbor Freight, at half the price of what I paid for the red machines. Vulcan also makes a very nice mig/stick machine.

Go ask for a feed motor or fan ( pretend you had a lightening strike) The LWS will have all that for their machines and the guys can instruct you on replacement techniques.

[Gamble]

I think most people are happy with “off” brands as long as they know their limits
It’s the guys that spend $100 on a mig trying to weld 1/2” plate and have unreal expectations that you hear bitch a lot

The Vipermig 180 I sell got about the best review you can get on weldercritic.com
Figure out what you want out of a welder and the budget and pick a few and narrow it down from there

[DannyDan]

I've been happy enough with my mig 175 from Eastwood that I will likely get a 250 amp mig from them. I only weld as a hobby though. If for commercial service, it only makes sense to get a brand carried by your LWS, because downtime waiting for a replacement part is costly.

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[motoman202]

Hobart really is pretty affordable. It's a true workhorse brand. Good warrantee. I would really look into them. Even check your local craigslist or Facebook on used machines. If your limited to 110v the hobart handler 140 is an awesome machine. Good luck.

[woodymaples]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. Today I purchased a Miller 211. After lots of thought and consideration of your comments, this was the machine for me. Expensive, but I am reasonably sure it will prove to be worth it. Bought it from a local dealer where I can get good advice, repairs if necessary and of course gas and consumables. I like to support our local businesses. Thanks again for your support.

[BD1]

Wise choice, you'll be happy. The off brand import machine manufacturers delete any negative posts or comments. There are many stories here about them and not good.

[soutthpaw]

ESAB is a top brand equal to the 3 you initially mentioned.

[gmt]

Buy used?

[gmt]

Enjoy your Miller! Good choice.

[N2 Welding]

ESAB does not spend big bucks advertising and promoting their products in the schools as much as they should have. I think they may be changing and trying some education programs. Well at least weld.com has some esab machines. Any way, in HS I took sheet metal and welding and the school had Lincoln machines. So it kind of stuck as a trusted brand.

To the OP. You should be happy with the 211, hopefully you don't have a wobbly drive motor.

[woodymaples]

Buy used?

Believe, me, nothing would have made me smile more than to find a used dual voltage machine. But, alas, I subscribed (free) to an internet feed app called "IFTT" which allows for searching for just about anything, and along with a Craigs List search, I got no hits. So I paid retail. I know, a dirty word, but I'm in this for the long haul so not an issue.

[smithdoor]

I agree with you
I have owned both Miller and Hobart they both work great same machine for over 30 years . Lincoln was to pricey
Today I have HF170 due budget

Dave

Stick with Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart. You're going to get what you pay for, just like anything else.

[n00b]

IFTT lol does it really work. I hear about it... but thought...

[Hobbytime]

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread. Today I purchased a Miller 211. After lots of thought and consideration of your comments, this was the machine for me. Expensive, but I am reasonably sure it will prove to be worth it. Bought it from a local dealer where I can get good advice, repairs if necessary and of course gas and consumables. I like to support our local businesses. Thanks again for your support.

you made a good choice for a quality unit with a real warranty you dont have to pay shipping to get repaired and a company with real customer service and parts supply....if it meant buying a welder or putting food on the table then the cheap chicom welders are better than nothing to get started ...

[gmt]

You can buy used. Are you handy with modifying or repairing?

[N2 Welding]

He already purchased a mm211

[Hobbytime]

He already purchased a mm211

buying welders is like crack, once you start you keep buying more..lol

[N2 Welding]

Yes and for me the disease carries over into my hobby for Garden Tractors with the multitude of attachments either factory made or home built. My hobby for garden tractors pushed me into hobby welding. Now I fabricate attachments for my GT's

I still have to list a $20 Lincoln Buzzbox to help pay for my mo betta toys