silverado.408

iTrader: (1)

Im in the market for my first welder. Im looking for one that can do a little bit of everything. Im not trying to spend a ton seeing is how its my first welder and want to learn. I many going to use it to put hotside parts together and maybe a cage down the road. Any recommendations ?

Turbo09

Last year I bought an Everlast 185 tig/ arc welder, I know everyone is going to call it Chinese junk but it's great! I have used miller and Lincoln welders my whole life being a millwright and needed a welder for home projects. I found these and for 600$ you really can't go wrong! Mine also has a/c so I weld aluminum also. Over all a great machine that has paid for itself several times over already.

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

I really like hobart welders myself, very easy machines and good quality. My work has one.

If you are looking for a 120v welder for 300-400 bucks thats a good buy, just make sure whatever outlet you use has a 20 amp breaker on it as anything lower will reduce voltage and make for a bad time and likely pop the breaker.

I also have a Northern Tool welder, a knock off really but it works pretty darn good and the price was right at the time. I will get hobart someday.

Turbo09

I use mine on 220v I can run it on 110v but it is limited to 90-100 amps. Check out the comparisons between it and the miller that is double the price on u tube. But I guess we should ask what you are looking for mig? Or tig/ arc?

dirt track racer 81

iTrader: (45)

I have a Hobart handler 210 mig welder, buddy has a miller 220v I used today and absolutely hated it. I also have a miller diversion 180 tig welder that is a very nice welder.

Atomic

iTrader: (42)

I have a miller 211 and love the thing, handles up to 3/8" single pass. Also have a spool gun for it so I can do aluminum. Runs on 120 or 220v

silverado.408

iTrader: (1)

So doing research on the welders you guys are recommending I'm looking at about a 1000 bucks for a good welder. Not including the add-ons bottle , cart and so on

lsxperformance

iTrader: (2)

I use a diversion 180 tig as well works great. After you buy a gas lense and e3 tungstens.. It's an air cooled torch so if you do a lot of long runs the hand piece gets hot. But for hot pipes and things like that it will work fine.

Basically with welders it seems the question of how much do you wanna spend? And in some cases you get what you pay for.. Not saying the cheaper machines are out gunned but the inverters in the machines are in sometimes better quality with a longer service life. If it's not something you do a lot of volume I wouldn't think much past the cheaper units out there.

Another thing the diversion was a great machine to learn with IMO and has minimal adjustments.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

go to your local tractor supply and check out the hobart handler 190. i think you can walk out for about 800 when they run a sale.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

hobart handler 190 WITH the spool gun. looks like a steal to me. i may have to finally jump on it.
Hobart Handler 190 MIG Welder with Spool Gun Package - Tractor Supply Co.

no spool gun for $730
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...y?cm_vc=-10005

if you want dual voltage you can get the handler 210 for 900 or so.

hobart is owned by miller and has a great reputation.