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Has anyone here used a Forney Welder? I was in a local tool supply and they had a 110V Forney wire welder in a package with a cart and face shield wire and gas hookup but without gas tank for $389. The unit itself looked to be of decent quality and is made in Italy. I am looking for a welder mainly for repairing the body panels on the cab. There is also a Lincoln 110v unit for $600. I didn't get the chance to ask about the differences as I was short on time but he thought the Forney would work well for me.

I have used many old Forney but they were all DC stick welders and they were huge, heavy and old production units, probably surplus from WWII. Todays equipment is so much smaller, lighter and easier to use because of it's versatality and the technology has improved dramatically. So in that respect I can only recommend what I have used over the past 35 years which is Miller, Hobart and Lincoln. I have one one of each, the prior two being MIG units and the latter being a small AC/DC buzz box. All do a good job at what they are designed for. I would hesitate to buy any foriegn machine because of parts and quite simply the fact that we make excellent welding equipment right here in the good old USA. My advice is do not buy any 110V welder. A small Lincoln/Miller unit isn't that much more money. If it's price your concerned about then get a good used machine and they are plentiful. I'd rather support someone in Wisconsin than Italy. I'll buy spagetti for that cause.

I was thinking along those lines but the price was tempting. As for buying a 110v machine, I am limited by the wiring in my garage. I already priced out the cost of running a 220 circuit to the garage and it is higher than the cost of the welder. I have access to a 220V lincoln Mig welder where I teach. It is really tempting to run the electric and just borrow it when needed. They said it was ok for me to do that. I was looking at the 110 V just for welding body panels.

Have been using mine for about a year now, have had no problems with it except for the wire that came with the unit. took it out and chaged the tip to the same gauge has worked good for the the lighter stuff, still use my old lincoln stick for the heavey stuff,

Running the 220 to your garage is an expense to be sure depending on distance and whether it must be overhead or in-ground. However if your reasonably handy you can do the majority of the work yourself and call in a qualified electrician for the hookup if your uncomfortable with that part. I've done some 220 stuff and I'm certainly no electrician but had it inspected and it was deemed OK.

I have borrowed a Lincoln 3200HD 110 v welder. I have been practicing with some sheet metal. I have been getting nice welds on 16 gauge but have been having difficulty with 22 gauge. I have order some 19 gauge to try out. My firend who lent me the welder told me to hold on to it and he will tell me when he needs it. It has been fun relearning since the last time I welded was 20 years ago.