Hi,

I considering purchasing MIG welder to pursue my welding interest.  I have been looking at convertible gas (MIG) /no gas 120V wire feeder.  I was wondering if any one with experiencing with welding has any suggestions on units (or specifications).  The links below are for two that I have been looking it.    I noted the craftsman welds up to 3/16 but the Lincoln welds up to 5/16.  I'm concerned that I under buy with the welder and have to upgrade shortly after the purchase.  Is the extra money worh the extra 2/16ths.  Any input would be greatly appreciated. 

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920569000P?vName=Tools&cName=Welding&sName=Welders

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093231&N=10000003+90401+503465

What materials do you expect to be welding?  Thickness?

Typical Sears stuff. Buy a welder that's 'a little bit cheaper' from them, and you get a crappy stamped and tacked 'cart' to go with it. You'll knock the crappy cart over, and bang up your welder while you're welding.

The lincoln/miller/whoever folks know you'll build your own cart, bench, everything with their welder and love it.

+1 IMHO for the lincoln.

Of the two, buy the Lincoln , Also get yourself a nice auto tinting helmet. I've got the "same" one in my garage (bought it in the mid 90's), works great. I had to buy the Mig kit as an add on then. Good little welder.

Quote from: GeeP on February 12, 2008, 08:22:41 PM
What materials do you expect to be welding?  Thickness?

I would expect I would be mostly working with steel.  I intially want to use it to weld up a new exhaust for my GS.  I would eventually like to use it for project car (fixing body work) and other application that may be required for it.  The problem is I am not quite sure all the applications that I may use it for and want to get something versatile enough that I will not 'grow-out' of it quickly (like my air compressor). 

Quote from: ohgood on February 13, 2008, 04:06:30 AM
Typical Sears stuff. Buy a welder that's 'a little bit cheaper' from them, and you get a crappy stamped and tacked 'cart' to go with it. You'll knock the crappy cart over, and bang up your welder while you're welding.

The lincoln/miller/whoever folks know you'll build your own cart, bench, everything with their welder and love it.

+1 IMHO for the lincoln.

I was leaning towards the lincoln as it has all I need to set up for gas (except the clinder and gas) but was unsure of the quality comapred to craftsman.  I know lincoln is a named brand welder, but the craftsman is almost as much but doesn't come with as much stuff.  Does that mean it is higher quality?  Or am I just overpaying for a cart?

Buy the Lincoln I have the same one just an older model. Works great for all of the stuff I have ever had to weld. I haven't converted it to gas at all because I haven't had the need to. I weld mostly light duty around the shop projects nothing major. I would take the Lincoln though much better quality than the sears cr@p.

Quote from: Absolute Rescue on February 13, 2008, 06:51:43 AM
Buy the Lincoln I have the same one just an older model. Works great for all of the stuff I have ever had to weld. I haven't converted it to gas at all because I haven't had the need to. I weld mostly light duty around the shop projects nothing major. I would take the Lincoln though much better quality than the sears cr@p.

What is the duty cycle on your lincoln?  The one I was looking at is 20%, compared to the craftsman which is 40%. 

I am wondering if I buy a welder with a 20% duty cycle (which from what I understand means it can weld 2 out of 10 minutes and must cool the remaining time), would I be waiting for the welding to cool down all the time?

Read more carefully on that Duty Cycle.  They are at different outputs.  Buy the Lincoln.  I too have the same but older model.  It is very easy to use, and worth every penny.  I cannot comment on the Sears model, but Iwould take the Lincoln over the Sears based on past use.

Regards
Graham

I will have to check the duty cycle next time im at my parents...stupid apartment has not garage . I'll be there this weekend so i'll try to look for you.

OK, I'll be the jerk....


Is a "Weldling" a baby welder or what?   

Are you going to jump right into production welding ?   I used the lincoln 100 to weld steel awning frames for awhile before we got our Big Miller machine at work- and the Lincoln did Fine (we still have it and take it on site when we need to fab up uprights and such on site).

You are talking about making a few passes here and there doing exhaust and stitching in some sheet metal right?  You'll be hard pressed to over heat that machine. You'll be tacking and making short passes (on lower "heat") when you do your sheet metal anyway- if you try to weld too much in one pass on sheet metal you warp it.

The exhaust- short passes too.....so..

Of the two- buy the Lincoln.

I think I am going to go for the Lincoln.  I saw this one on ebay.  What do you think?  Kinda hesitant as it is from an individual (not a store) and seems kinda underpriced. 


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320217610735&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI

At the price it is now with shipping you are only 60$ under what it will cost on the HD Website brand new....Check some welding supply places ...check lowes..etc etc..


Check Craigslist too.

I love my Kemppi welder  , started to weld for the first time with this one, so i can´t really say how good it is compared to other welders, but it is very easy to set up for diffrent thickeness and materials, and didn+t took long for me to get good results with it.. I bought this used, cause it´s a pretty expensive welder if you want a new one, but maybe it´s better to go for a used (more expensive) welder if you want a "easy to use" one that produces good result without being a pro.

Just my thought.