Mig Welder Suggestions

D2Cat

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L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
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I've got a HUTH, built in Germany. It's several years old now and the only trouble I ever had was a mud dobber's nest built up one summer and it would not allow changing amp setting. It's 160 amp, 110 volt. Works nice. Check out USA Weld. They sell all brand, parts and supplies. I bought 6ea, 10# spools and got free shipping.
 

76_Bronco

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B7200 4WD w/FEL, 4' disc, 4' Brush Hog, 14" Plow, 4' Blade, JD 246 2 row Planter
Mar 28, 2012
182
1
18
Rainsville, Al
You do know that the Eastwood is a rebranded one from someone else. I would rather buy from the original builder.
Their welders are designed and tested in house at Eastwood. They were designed to be EQUIVALENT to the Lincoln Mig Pak 10 (135amp) and the Mig Pak 15 (175amp). And their welders are made with a Tweco style gun (the same as most major companies including Lincoln use). Therefore all consumable parts (nozzle, tips, etc) are available at any local welding supply store. And they also have a 30 day no hassle return policy, if you don't like it just send it back.
 

Tooljunkie

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L1501,home built carry all, mini plow blade.
May 13, 2014
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Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba,Canada
I was looking at purchasing one myself. I'm not a welder but would like to learn how. I was looking at the Lincoln Power MIG 180C or the Power MIG 210 MP Multi-Process. Both seem to be reasonably priced. Would these be good for a beginner?
I would say a good welder makes for a good welder. If you start off with something not good, dialing it in will be difficult. Yes a skilled welder could probably weld with anything but it all comes with practice.

A buddy had welders all his life, never really saw him weld. He could not weld. I was shocked.i was doing some mechanical stuff for him and dialed in his little hobart mig. He didnt know it could weld so good.
Experience- go burn some rods or melt some wire.
Youtube has some good welding videos.
 

apeckham

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L3800HST, Buhler 6' Finish Mower, Land Pride APS500, Land Pride RB3774
Feb 24, 2014
52
2
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Corning, IA, USA
Update:

I haven't bought a MIG yet, however in doing all the research I became very interested in Plasma Cutters. :) I ended up ordering a Eastwood Versa Cut 60. This sucker is a beast!!

It may be built across the pond but it is of very good quality. It states it will cut 7/8 inch. I can tell you that it cuts 1" stock without breaking a sweat. I've never used a Plasma Cutter before so it took me about 20 minutes of playing with different materials and settings to get the hang of it.

Very impressed. I'll probably end up ordering the Eastwood 175 MIG in the near future.
 

bissonj

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bx2200, 54" mower deck, PTO Bagger, Hydraulic plow
Jan 3, 2015
8
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3
Lakeville, Ma
fwiw, I watched craigslist and got a Millermatic 250 cheap ($600) now that I've used that wouldn't use anything else. Course before that was a HF mig with tank so it's hardly apples to apples.
 

Daren Todd

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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
May 18, 2014
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My father in law has the 110 flux core welder from harbor freight. Can't get used to it. Has only two settings for the heat and two for the wire speed.

We have the millermatic 252 at work, and that things a Cadillac. Comes with a little cheat sheet to get it in close for your temp and speed, and then you fine tune it from there.
 

CJN8

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B2650HSD, LA534 FEL, Gearmore Box Blade, Bush Hog, Cimmeron Rake
Nov 16, 2013
122
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San Diego, CA
I took advantage of the miller rebate and purchased a 212 auto set unit. I ended up getting the portable arc station for just about free with the rebate. It is sweet. Right out of the box I was putting down very nice beads. My vote is for Miller 211, 212, or 252. Consider that you will probably have this welder for years so purchase up to your "max pain" dollar amount. Good luck.

Nate
 

bearskinner

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BX25D, snowblower, PHD, Grapple, Snow blade, land Plane
Sep 1, 2014
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As with most things in life, do your research and buy better welder and one that can do more than you currently think you need. You will find once you start with a cheap or under powered welder, you wont be satisfied. Good welders, or tools of any kind make work more fun, make better welds, and IF you need to sell it, have a better resale value. you may as well spend your hard earned money on yourself, or your kids will squander it when your gone!
 

cabu

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Kuno B1-15 (B1502DT)
May 24, 2009
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Germany, Oyten
If you go for a brand, you will get service in the future.
What I would think about is what have you welded in the past and how much Amps will you need in the future. Take a look at the tech specs, even if the welder is rated with 200A, it is maybe only by 20%.

My mig welder is Made in Germany and connected to 3-phase 400V.
Fun to work with :cool:

My old 1-phase 230V one was cheap, noname, always overheated and not smooth with the wire...

BR carl