ok, been thinking of investing in my own welder. i'm just tired of waiting and paying someone else to do the work i know i could do. which would you buy?

millermatic 135.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLERMATI...wItem

lincoln sp-135 plus
http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-SP...wItem

hobart handler 140
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-HAN...wItem


now the lincoln and miller have a variable voltage setting, while the hobart has 4 settings. mostly have exhaust's, trailer hitchs, and small body repair to do.

 

lincoln great little machine just remember that despite it being a 115 machine it will require a good 20 amp circuit (if your welding in the upper amperage range) and can draw slightly more on max as I would beleive the others do also

 

All three machines are good. Though some people like to have the tapped setting ***** over the variable since it takes some of the guess work out of the settings. Oh and the units you have listed are good for exhaust and body work, but I would head towards the 175amp units that run off 220 if you want to do work on trailer hitches.

John

 

i am buying a hobart 140 in the coming weeks... everyone says it's a great welder and the price is right!

 

just yesterday, I went with the millermatic 135 for my first welder because i think it will be the easiest to sell and the resale value is high.

I think the millermatic 175 is a better bang for the buck, but I think what makes the millermatic 135 and other small migs so popular is that many people are limited to 120v. So i'm guessing that the 135 will be easier to sell than the 175.

Like i said, this is my first welder so depending on where it takes me, I may choose to upgrade to a tig. I was just scared to make a $1700 investment with absolutely no welding experience.

if I were you, I go with the miller because I think you'll be able to take advantage of the infinite voltage settings and most people recognize miller to be a better brand than lincoln.