Welder

[jor]

I've decided to get a 240v mig welder and am looking for advice on the right model (I have 240v in my garage). I was looking for a used one and found a Hobart 175 mig with cart and bottle for $500. Anyhow, I got cold feet before I got to the doorand have decided to go with a new one for the warranty. Anyhow, I see Lowes has a Lincoln Electric Pro 175 for $599 and I see several of the same units on eBay for maybe $450 or so with shipping. I also see some Lincoln Weld-Pak 175 HDs but I'm not sure what the difference is. Anyhow, what would you experienced welders recommend? I have a torch and tips but I want to learn mig welding and I want to use a 240v. Thanks.
jor

[mcarlson11]

if you plan to weld just steel, then a lincoln would be fine. If you plan to do some aluminum welding with that mig as well, then you need to get a Miller. Lincolns do not feed aluminum worth a $hit.

[jor]

I'm not sure if I would be welding any aluminum but you never know. What model Miller would you recommend? I'm thinking of the $500 to a grand price range.
jor

[hardtailjohn]

Jor, I have an OLD Millermatic 200, and ran another 200 in a fab shop for years, and they are a really good old rig!! I'd LOVE to have a penny for every foot of wire mine's run through it, and the only thing I've ever done is to replace the liner a couple times. Usually you can find them for around the $300 to 500 range.
JH

[mcarlson11]

any of the Millermatic models would work fine for home/small shop use.

[Jake11]

Try lookin here.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/