Mig Welder Reviews

palerider9999 · #1 08-11-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm not sure where to post this question but hear goes. I'm in need of a mig welder for light mostly exhaust type of work. Sick of getting hammered for minor repairs. Anyone have any suggestions for a rig staying under say $500.

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HammerZ71 · #2 08-11-2009, 04:15 PM

I've got a decent little 110v Lincoln in the garage, Power MIG 140, does a great job with all the light to medium stuff I've tackled. I've got a 220v Lincoln stick at the farm that I've not needed to touch in a couple of years now...

Laramie1997 · #3 08-11-2009, 05:58 PM

Stick with Lincoln. They are the best for the money. We have a medium duty here at home, and it stands up to all we throw at it. Only had a few things that it wouldn't tackle, but we have a Tig welder for the big stuff. Both are by Lincoln, and they haven't let us down yet

fasttimesNY · #4 08-22-2009, 07:21 AM

these information are good

HammerZ71 · #5 08-22-2009, 07:18 PM

While we are on the subject, another useful thing to have is a Mapp Gas kit. I keep one in the toolbox of my truck in a canvas carry bag.
They are cheap, often well under $100 with a Mapp gas and oxygen canisters included. Mapp gas, with the right size tip can do anything acetylene can do. Mapp gas with oxygen burns at 95% the temperature that acetylene and oxygen does.
Great for cutting, welding and especially brazing in the field when you can't get power to where you are working. Also, Mapp gas, unlike acetylene is very safe. Can even be shipped UPS! So riding around with it in the truck all the time, bouncing around the bed or a toolbox even won't cause anything to go BOOM!
The only downside is Mapp gas is about 8x the cost of Acetylene by volume. But who cares if you gotta use up half a $10 bottle to weld something that is the difference between getting home or calling for a tow?

I have a better one now with metal braided hose and interchangeable tips, but this is the one I carried for years. Was under $50 and served me well every time I needed it...

Laramie1997 · #6 08-22-2009, 07:22 PM

Very good point, but from my experience with it, it's a little harder to set that an ACT torch is. Personally, I prefer Propene, but you can't weld with it. For the serious wheeler, MAPP would work in a pinch.

HammerZ71 · #7 08-22-2009, 09:52 PM

Oh, no question, ACT is a lot easier to work with, but you can't ride around with an ACT setup bouncing around the truck. I leave that Mapp setup in there and forget about it till I need it. I've brazed a broken box blade with it in the field. Works well, and the portability is awesome.
But like I said, on a regular basis, if your gonna gas weld or cut, use ACT for the cost factor alone.

deranged · #8 08-23-2009, 01:06 PM

I have a Hobart (Miller) 135 I bought about ten years ago that has served me well. I've welded light to some stuff up to 1/4" for some axle spring perches. Never have had a problem with it. Just clean the tip, add wire and it goes. One of the best tool investments I've ever made.

palerider9999 · #9 08-24-2009, 07:04 PM

Just picked up a Lincoln 3200 HD and I'll let everyone know how it does and thanks for the input.

HammerZ71 · #10 08-24-2009, 07:30 PM

The 3200 HD has been a nice little workhorse for years. I didn't even know you could still get them. I thought my Power MIG 140 replaced it. I just checked the Lincoln website and they don't list it either.

But regardless, it's long been considered a super reliable little welder, won't compete with the 220v big guys, but for most tasks it should serve you just fine...