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What kind of little (115v) welders are you using. Does it work well? Are you doing wire feed and MIG? I would like to get a welder for doing bodywork, sheetmetal, fenders and want to keep the $$$ down. What are your suggestions?

Buddy in AK

Hi Bud,

I have a centry 125GL which is no longer made, but its a nice little MIG unit. MIGs are probably the easiest things to learn how to use. The equivalent welder now is a Hobart MIG 125 Handler.

Hobart at Northern

They have em at Northern, but I think sears and a few other stores carry equivalent. I don't have any special power provisions for it, and I have fixed floor boards, body panels, and even welded together an entire flatbed with it. So...I like it, other than, wire is hot all the time, so get an auto dark helmet so you don't flash yourself. Millers don't put power on the wire till triggered, so I think that puts them ahead. if you want to spend a bit more, look at HTP. If I hadn't gotten the Century as a gift, I would have bought an HTP.

Click me to get to the truck pictures

I bought my welder from Snap-On in '88. I've never been shy about using it. It's gotten quite a workout. It's a 115v MIG. It only powers up when the trigger is pulled. I've welded miles with this thing, and, it's held up all these years. Snap-On actually delivered my new plasma cutter today. Can't wait to try that thing out!!

JS

I'm happy with my Lincoln Mig-Pac 135, it works really well and is easy to use. I paid $400 for it three years ago.

I picked up a Lincoln weld-pak 3200HD (135) off ebay about a year ago and have been very pleased with it. I just moved from using flux core to gas and have started the sheet metal welding. I believe I sniped mine for about $280 plus shipping. The other small 110v welders are probably just as good but they seem to be more expensive.

I have also seen these in Home Depot for about $450. It is one of those tools that you are better off buying than renting, and like a cutting rig, is hard to get by without unless you have someone do it for you. Use the nozzle dip though to keep from plugging the tips.

I would also add that the Clarke brand of welders available through places like Harbor Freight may not be the best option. Their reliability has been suspect and you do not want to have your welder crap out in the middle of a project.

We have Miller 135's where I work (five of them) and they work out very well. With gas of course!

Thanks for the input,

I've looked at a few bottom end ones and the BIG names. Talked to a few buddys (including you guys)that weld and think I'll save a couple more $$$ and get the Lincoln 135 Plus. I want something that will last and will be my portable unit someday if I get a big rig.

Later, Buddy in AK

Hard to beat the lincoln mig 135 with the bottle and price.

I use a Century (not sure of model #) mig welder that I bought from Sam's Club. Many spools of wire and bottles of shield gas have gone through that thing. Piewagn, I want that plasma cutter!

Gotta do my rockers & 1/4's first!!
Should make this job alot easier!!

JS

Just drew my first arc yesterday with the new machine (Lincoln Weld-Pak 3200HD). Tickered with repairing some cracks on one of the BBQ pits. After a couple of test runs, ran like a charm. I haven't drawn an arc in over 20 years (an it was rod type) and I took right to it. Never used a MIG before an I definitely love it. A little more practice and I'll take her to the panel truck.

Great feeling, isn't it? Now go get an autodark helmet and wonder how you ever did without it.

I've been using my own Weld-Pak 100 on the job for a few years and it welds great....told the boss he should get a Weld-Pak 3200 HD so we would have less splatter, he agreed but suggested I needed to store it in my shop....shucks...I guess if I have to...