Results 1 to 28 of 28

Thread: MIG Welders

  1. #1
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    MIG Welders

    Hey guys,

    I'm looking at getting a MIG welder, and pretty much have it narrowed down to the Lincoln Power MIG 180C, Hobart Handler 187 or the new Miller Millermatic 180

    These are all pretty new models (the MM180 is on eBay but not on the Miller website yet), have any of you used these or the previous version (Handler 180, MM 175)?

    Lincoln Power MIG 180C

    Hobart Handler 187

    Miller MM180 (eBay)
    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  2. #2
    SLi nOOb
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    MD
    Posts
    137
    Points
    8,176
    Level
    61
    Points: 8,176, Level: 61
    Level completed: 9%, Points required for next Level: 274
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    I have a small gasless mig welder...

    Yeah don’t recommend it..

    These three look pretty decent though…
    Time to stick with what the badge says...

  3. #3
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    hehe, yeah most of the smaller welders are junk.

    I've used an MM135 and an older hobart handler, both were quite nice but if I'm going to sink some money into a welder I want something with a little more punch for heavier work.

    I was leaning towards the Miller as they seem to have a very good reputation, but then I saw this:

    http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs ... /e7242.pdf

    So right now it looks like I'll be getting the Lincoln, just have to get the 240V run out to the garage before I pull the trigger on it.

    Unless anyone points out a reason to get the Miller or Hobart that I missed of course
    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  4. #4
    t3h ub3r m3mber deadlydave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Albany, NY
    Posts
    1,879
    Points
    13,439
    Level
    75
    Points: 13,439, Level: 75
    Level completed: 48%, Points required for next Level: 211
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    and what would dan be doing with said welder?
    1996 Impreza WRX STI V2 wagon

  5. #5
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    welding things

    for right now the first project will most likely be a turbo kit, I have a stock wrx turbo and an sti intercooler in the garage that came with a parts car, just need some piping,BOV, fuel (walbro & injectors) and EM (most likely emanage ultimate).

    After that, who knows. I've got a few ideas up my sleeve.
    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  6. #6
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Well I took the plunge, my new Lincoln 180C and auto-dark helmet are on their way

    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  7. #7
    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Plover, WI
    Posts
    9,857
    Points
    43,397
    Level
    100
    Points: 43,397, Level: 100
    Level completed: 0%, Points required for next Level: 0
    Achievements:
    25000 Experience PointsO.G.Overdrive
    you lucky bastard.
    ~Mark [SLi Admin]
    2015 Dodge Charger AWD
    2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited, 7 passenger w/ Navigation

    Former vehicles:
    03 Forester
    95 Legacy Outback

  8. #8
    t3h ub3r m3mber deadlydave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Albany, NY
    Posts
    1,879
    Points
    13,439
    Level
    75
    Points: 13,439, Level: 75
    Level completed: 48%, Points required for next Level: 211
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.
    congrats dan! Enjoy!
    1996 Impreza WRX STI V2 wagon

  9. #9
    "Proby"
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Whitman, Mass
    Posts
    237
    Points
    6,488
    Level
    52
    Points: 6,488, Level: 52
    Level completed: 69%, Points required for next Level: 62
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    My advice. Don't even bother trying to weld with flux core. It is much more difficult to get a good clean weld with one. And the time you spend beating the slag off you could be enjoying a beer looking at your marvolous new weld.

    Step on up to argon/CO2

    Unfortunatly. The price of steel has sent the price of a tank through the roof. So expect to pay another 100$ish for a filled tank. Luckily the price of the actuall gas is pretty cheap. I was around 12$ for the last fill of my 80 CF tank.

    Dan
    97 Legacy GT Red & Silver-------96 OBS Blue Green Black & Silver
    95 Talon TSI AWD Green 12.9@102-----91 Grand Wagoneer Grey & Woody

  10. #10
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    Yeah, I have a bit of experience welding with various rigs. Gas-shielded is the only way to go unless you need the extra penetration you can get with self-shielding wire, and at that point you should really be thinking about tacking it and taking it to someone with a bigger machine.

    That said with 180 amps at my disposal I doubt I'll run into that problem on any of the projects I have in mind

    I'm planning on picking up a 40cf tank locally, should be fine for my needs.

    If all goes well I'm hoping to get myself the spoolgun & another tank for straight argon for welding aluminum, the availability of a cheap spoolgun was a big factor in choosing the lincoln over a miller or hobart.
    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  11. #11
    SLi nOOb outbacktweaked95's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Morgantown WV
    Posts
    118
    Points
    5,526
    Level
    47
    Points: 5,526, Level: 47
    Level completed: 88%, Points required for next Level: 24
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    if u havent already usually u can get used tanks and just buy them. also uve already bought ur mig but ive found that its better to get a 220 weldoer than the standard 110 it burns better and can handle smaller jobs with ease. Uve got a nice welder on ur hands though in the right hands it a very useful or distructive tool lol. when i got mine for christmas my dad told me all the stuff i wasent allowed to do with it lie weld in the basement and all i responded with thats ok ill start with welding ur truck doors shut. he wasent to fond of that idea.

  12. #12
    SLi Resident grayguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    940
    Points
    10,233
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,233, Level: 67
    Level completed: 46%, Points required for next Level: 217
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points
    Millermatic all, the way. I love my 180.
    1998 Legacy 2.5GT: Stock to turbo to stock, and given to my Dad, then to my sister that blew it up. Now I've repo'd it and it will once again rise to former glory!

  13. #13
    SLi Lurker AussieDan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
    Posts
    483
    Points
    9,445
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,445, Level: 65
    Level completed: 32%, Points required for next Level: 205
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.
    I've been very happy with the Lincoln, it hasn't given me any trouble at all and has handled everything I could throw at it.

    To be honest I was leaning towards the Miller when I first started shopping for welders, but in my opinion the drive system on the Lincoln is superior.

    For those who aren't familiar with MIG welding, the wire is fed through the cable to the gun by 2 small rollers.

    If the wire doesn't feed smoothly there is a tendency for it to bunch up between the rollers and the end of the cable, which means you have to cut off the 'birds nest' of bunched up wire, pull the wire out of the gun and re-feed it.

    The Lincoln system supports the wire all the way from the spool to the gun so that it cannot bunch up. In addition, the drive system is all alloy, with no plastic parts like I saw on some of the comparable Millers.

    I don't have any links to hand, but I am glad that I did the research before buying.
    2007 Audi RS4
    1997 Legacy GT - 05 WRX conversion + more | December 2008 ROTM | SOLD

  14. #14
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    Are the $200 gasless units really useless? Shame I'll have to multiply my welder fund by 5. I need a bigger piggy bank; AussieDan, can I have yours, or did you smash it with a devastating excitement? I've had a friend weld me a couple parts with the gasless MIG in his school's machine shop, not bad, but I don't know anything about welding and he knows very little.
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  15. #15
    SLi Resident grayguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    940
    Points
    10,233
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,233, Level: 67
    Level completed: 46%, Points required for next Level: 217
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    MillerMatic 180FTW!!!

    i've had mine for almost 3 years now and never had an issue.

    Fluxcore is a waste of time, there's no point in not getting a gas setup, you'll eventually hate yourself if you don't.
    1998 Legacy 2.5GT: Stock to turbo to stock, and given to my Dad, then to my sister that blew it up. Now I've repo'd it and it will once again rise to former glory!

  16. #16
    New User
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    2
    Points
    3,169
    Level
    34
    Points: 3,169, Level: 34
    Level completed: 80%, Points required for next Level: 31
    Achievements:
    Veteran1000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    Lincoln Power MIG 180C, I would suggest, is the best one to buy for it has great properties. It features a lot of uses. Hence, such welder has been widely used.

  17. #17
    SLi O.G. httrdd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    NEPA
    Posts
    2,700
    Points
    11,761
    Level
    71
    Points: 11,761, Level: 71
    Level completed: 28%, Points required for next Level: 289
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: MIG Welders

    I bought a $300 Craftsman gassless auto feed MIG welder used for 60 bucks last night and am going to be welding mild steel exhaust. I am guessing it can be done, but will it hold strong? I am new to welding and ready to learn. I am going to buy a better setup after the holidays, but this thing was a steal! Let me know what you guys think.
    TJ

    99 LGT H6 Limited OBP

    A little bit of Wrx, a little bit of 2.5RS, a little bit of STi, a LOT of SVX!

    Will I ever supercharge this Eg33???


    Quote Originally Posted by chuckthefuk
    Cheers and the Baja is not the bastard child.. The Legacy is :-D -Chuck

  18. #18
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    Practice, practice, practice.
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  19. #19
    SLi O.G. httrdd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    NEPA
    Posts
    2,700
    Points
    11,761
    Level
    71
    Points: 11,761, Level: 71
    Level completed: 28%, Points required for next Level: 289
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: MIG Welders

    Yes sir I am doing that as we speak at work. Lots of steel to play with and a full roll of .30!
    TJ

    99 LGT H6 Limited OBP

    A little bit of Wrx, a little bit of 2.5RS, a little bit of STi, a LOT of SVX!

    Will I ever supercharge this Eg33???


    Quote Originally Posted by chuckthefuk
    Cheers and the Baja is not the bastard child.. The Legacy is :-D -Chuck

  20. #20
    SLi Supporter
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    GB
    Posts
    4,530
    Points
    23,515
    Level
    94
    Points: 23,515, Level: 94
    Level completed: 17%, Points required for next Level: 835
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.Recommendation Second ClassSocial
    Awards:
    Frequent Poster

    Re: MIG Welders

    I've been using Lincoln Electric welders for almost 10 years... various types and power types but they never let me down.. I've never used the competition.. never needed to..

    Just my 2 cents..
    -Chuck

  21. #21
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    Harbor Freight's auto-dimming welding helmets are a GODSEND. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... =&q=helmet
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  22. #22
    SLi O.G. httrdd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    NEPA
    Posts
    2,700
    Points
    11,761
    Level
    71
    Points: 11,761, Level: 71
    Level completed: 28%, Points required for next Level: 289
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: MIG Welders

    Those are neat and I have a 20% off coupon (also free flashlight)! I have gear here at work that I am taking to use since our original welder was layed off, so I guess I am the new welder.
    TJ

    99 LGT H6 Limited OBP

    A little bit of Wrx, a little bit of 2.5RS, a little bit of STi, a LOT of SVX!

    Will I ever supercharge this Eg33???


    Quote Originally Posted by chuckthefuk
    Cheers and the Baja is not the bastard child.. The Legacy is :-D -Chuck

  23. #23
    SLi Supporter TGX4776's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Hedgesville, WV
    Posts
    1,599
    Points
    9,577
    Level
    65
    Points: 9,577, Level: 65
    Level completed: 76%, Points required for next Level: 73
    Achievements:
    5000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: MIG Welders

    Quote Originally Posted by httrdd
    Those are neat and I have a 20% off coupon (also free flashlight)! I have gear here at work that I am taking to use since our original welder was layed off, so I guess I am the new welder.
    And i bet you dont get a raise
    2016 Mazda 6 GT

  24. #24
    SLi O.G. httrdd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    NEPA
    Posts
    2,700
    Points
    11,761
    Level
    71
    Points: 11,761, Level: 71
    Level completed: 28%, Points required for next Level: 289
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.

    Re: MIG Welders

    Na that never happens. I am a paid hvac tech and everthing else is included I guess. Lol.
    TJ

    99 LGT H6 Limited OBP

    A little bit of Wrx, a little bit of 2.5RS, a little bit of STi, a LOT of SVX!

    Will I ever supercharge this Eg33???


    Quote Originally Posted by chuckthefuk
    Cheers and the Baja is not the bastard child.. The Legacy is :-D -Chuck

  25. #25
    SLi Supporter
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Lynchburg, VA
    Posts
    279
    Points
    3,316
    Level
    35
    Points: 3,316, Level: 35
    Level completed: 78%, Points required for next Level: 34
    Achievements:
    Veteran1000 Experience Points

    Re:

    Quote Originally Posted by backpack09
    My advice. Don't even bother trying to weld with flux core. It is much more difficult to get a good clean weld with one. And the time you spend beating the slag off you could be enjoying a beer looking at your marvolous new weld.
    Flux core is a self-cleaning wire. A while back I got an AWS cert in flux vertical up, did very little cleaning and passed the cut/bend with 1 pinhole imperfection. Granted, then and now when I weld, I use nice wire plus argon because I am damn lazy.
    '97 5mt BK - 228,xxx

  26. #26
    SLi O.G. d1giPhux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    3,244
    Points
    20,084
    Level
    89
    Points: 20,084, Level: 89
    Level completed: 47%, Points required for next Level: 266
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.Overdrive

    Re: MIG Welders

    I'm wishing people would post some pictures of things they have welded!

    Soon I need to weld body panels on my car. Really not sure if I want to attempt it or not, but after this winter its going to be a 'must-do'. Either that, or I could pay a shop 3k+ or some ridiculous crap they want to charge around here. I think I will just suffer through and learn how to weld myself.
    --99 Legacy GT Limited Edt. (Silver ! )

    99 Subaru Legacy FSM Download:
    http://tinyurl.com/2u8cbx

  27. #27
    SLi Resident Soul Shinobi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Nashua, NH, USA
    Posts
    863
    Points
    10,380
    Level
    67
    Points: 10,380, Level: 67
    Level completed: 83%, Points required for next Level: 70
    Achievements:
    O.G.10000 Experience Points

    Re: MIG Welders

    I'm still not great myself, but remember one thing: welding is heat management, get that in your head and think about it all the time. Also metal prep is the most important part, it should take much longer to clean the metal than to weld it. Acetone is a great degreaser (wear gloves when handling). Establishing a very good ground connection is critical.

    Here are the MIG welding videos I have in my YouTube favorites list:

    Mig Welding tips - Boy Scout Merit Badge

    (subscribe to this guy's channel, he's awesome, search his channel for "MIG")

    That guy's channel is really all you probably need but here's some other stuff I had:

    MIG Welding Principles

    (this is made by the welder manufacturer Miller)

    Mig Welding Automotive Sheet metal from How to ASAP

    (some decent arc shots)

    Basic & Advanced MIG welding


    (these are long, it's a somewhat boring guy who teaches a class at a school, but there's still some decent info including basic machine care that the other videos don't cover)
    -Nick
    1992 BC Legacy L Sedan AWD 5MT 272,000 - Wish you the best
    1998 BK Legacy L Wagon 5MT 234,000 miles - RIP (rebuilt heart with 42k lives on)
    2002 SF Forester S Wagon 5MT 215,000 miles - Current winter sleigh
    1986 FC Mazda RX-7 GXL Coupe 5MT 155,000 miles - Summer cruiser
    2006 EX-250-F Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Old bike, will sell next year
    2007 K7 Suzuki SV650S - New bike, will also see track days

  28. #28
    SLi O.G. d1giPhux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    3,244
    Points
    20,084
    Level
    89
    Points: 20,084, Level: 89
    Level completed: 47%, Points required for next Level: 266
    Achievements:
    10000 Experience PointsO.G.Overdrive

    Re: MIG Welders

    Thanks man! I'll check that stuff out. Been watching welding videos for some time now. At some point I'm gonna pick up a mig and try some test panels for fun!
    --99 Legacy GT Limited Edt. (Silver ! )

    99 Subaru Legacy FSM Download:
    http://tinyurl.com/2u8cbx

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •