So I have never welded before but am going to need to learn how for a current project. After reading about TIG/MIG/Stick, it seems MIG is the way for me to go.

I am looking for a MIG welder that is good quality, no Harbor Freight junk. I was looking at Miller/Lincoln. I can run a 240 outlet into my garage and after reading a few "what welder should I buy" threads, it sound like the 240 is the way to go.

Now should I be looking for a dual 120/240? If I only really plan on using this in my garage should I just buy the 240v? Any suggestions or actual model numbers?

Thanks.

 

millermatic 211 /thread

 

I bought the miller 211
I liked the flexibility of being to use 220 or 110
You never know when you may have a project that will not have the luxury of being completed in you garage with the 220v

 

So the 110 on the millermatic just gives you the option to use it elsewhere.

Is there a Lincoln equivalent? Also it looks like these include everything but the gas bottle, gloves, and helmet. Is this true? Like I said I have no experience welding.

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/me...FQ2hOgoddy4Aww

 

ya i got mine and i just needed gloves, helmet a bottle, the 110/210 is really nice quick and simple changing. set the thickness of your metal and the machine does the rest, granted the metals prepped right, i have welded my longarm kit on my jeep, a front end back on a wrecked civic, winch plates, exhaust work etc. love it its perfect

 

Nice, I think I am going to pull the trigger this week on this.

 

you wont regret it

 

Don't regret it. Going to some time learning to weld but I had some fun tonight. Oddly though on 110 it tripped the circuit breaker in my garage about 3 times.




First weld ever



two more welds right after

 

What do you plan on welding? If you are looking to do 1/8" or less, a 110v machine is fine.
The longevity mig 140, the tweco 141i are ones I've had and both work really well!
If you want to spend more money and do thicker stuff I have a few options.
The longevity Promts200 is mig/stick/tig and 220v and 200amps. The hobart 210MVP is dual voltage and pretty much the same as the miller 211, but I think it has a wire feed rating. Also under $1k.

 

Not bad for the first weld ever. You should pick it up in no time. For me mig is the easiest to learn on. Arc welding a little harder and tig after that.

Mess with different heat ranges and speeds.

 

DON'T USE BRAKE CLEAN TO CLEAN METAL BEFORE WELDING (if thats what you were doing with all those cans)

 

x2

The millermatic 211 is a great machine for light/medium shop work. I personally think its overkill for a garage/home setup unless $1,100 isn't a big deal and/or you plan on building your own frames at home.

There's just few automobile applications that require 3/16+ sheet metal outside of medium duty trucks. I personally can't think of anything a 110v/125A welder couldn't do on most imports but I do understand buying more machine that you currently need especially when you can afford it. Same with machine tools . . .

 

I plan on messing with it a lot. This thing is fun.


I am aware of the issues with chlorinated brake cleaner. Those were just in the garage for other stuff, and they are unchlorinated and were not used.

I plan eventually to do more than just the body work on my civic, would like to learn how to weld a cage and do some more interesting fabrication projects. This was simply the first step and the price was ok for me.

 

nice :D

everyone should have a 110 mig , just throw a roll of flux core in it and you can weld anywhere there is a plug no gas needed

 

I have the millermatic also. After using the automatic settings for a couple months, I now adjust the settings myself. I change my garage circuit breaker to a 30amp, and it worked like a charm.

 

My next welder will be one of two. Either a hobart 210mvp or a Hobart 180 Trek which is battery powered!