Cheapo MIG Welders

Monkey Butler · #1 03-01-2009, 04:14 PM

Was at the local Home Depot today and they had their 3200HD marked down from $479 to $355.

I've been wanting a little welder and this looks like a step up from the real bottom of the barrell machines but if anyone here who know about these things has an opinion I'd like to hear it.

In a nutshell it is a 115V 20Amp machine that does MIG of flux core. Says up to 5/16 steel on the box.

THEFERMANATOR · #2 03-01-2009, 05:07 PM

I've never heard of that model, and I couldn't find it on there website either. If your going to get one, I would reccomend getting one that can do mig welding with a shielding gas or flux cored wire. You would be better off to get one that can do both than to buy one that only does flux and then want to do some thin stuff later and need to use a shielding gas to do so.

Skools Out · #3 03-01-2009, 10:48 PM

buy one once and buy a good one. I have a Miller 425 Great welder i would recommend Miller if you want a wire welder and as ferm said buy one that uses gas. I know Miller makes cheaper ones than my 425 but i do alot of welding plus i use mine with a spool gun as well for aluminum welding.

Skools Out · #4 03-01-2009, 10:53 PM

I do have a Lincoln Welder too perfer the Miller. The Lincoln is their 225. I currently am looking for a TIG Welder, the Miller 425 will do TIG but the parts cost $2700+ just to add TIG to it.

Here's a Cheaper but decent Miller

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_140_autoset/

Skools Out · #5 03-01-2009, 11:00 PM

you might want to look at these

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...970_114+765791

garagenc · #6 03-02-2009, 01:21 AM

I think you need to stay away from ANY welder that does not convert over to DC. Most 115V units are AC and are hard to weld with because of the alternating current they fluxuate and the weld doesn't come out as nice and uniformed. . Most welds that are AC aren't as strong either. (The welds used on Submarines are from DC machines because they are more pure with less defects).

Most 220V units convert the AC over to DC.

I'm looking for one also so what ever I buy will be a DC unit with gas.

I looked at those last weekend at Home depot and I wasn't too impressed with any of those. I think with a Lincoln unit you are going to have to spend $800 or more. A Miller will cost more but they are some of the best on the market.

Just my 2 cents worth.