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About LinkBacksDo you own a welder? If so, tell us a bit about it. How did you decide on that brand? size? What supporting equipment do you have?
Myself, I have been welding since I was 9. Stick and MIG mainly. Started off with a little Lincoln buzz box stick welder. You really learn how to weld with those things! Dad has had a few different 250+ amp welders through out the years and now has an L-tec 250A MIG that does any of the heavy stuff I need.
So when it came time for me to pick up a welder of my own, I went for flexibility over size. I purchased a Miller Millermatic 140 a/s machine and absolutely love it! I have already used it off of a 3kW generator out in the middle of a field a few times. But I also have used it in my grandparents house to repair the wheel chair lift in their garage. All it needs is a 115V 20A circuit and it's happy.
In college, I was spoiled there by a Miller machine that could do it all (MIG, TIG, stick, square wave, AC & DC, reverse polarity) and a fully complemented weld area with fume extractors, great lighting, the works! I got quite good at TIG work while in college on that equipment and will someday own a TIG machine. That machine definitely influenced my purchase.
Along with the welder, I purchased a Miller Performance series (America's Eagle) auto darkening helmet and have been VERY happy with this helmet. I had the opportunity to pick up another used plain black Miller performance series helmet for cheap that my sons use to watch me.
So how about you?
I don't own as I have no need to anytime I need to weld something I use the 30+ year old Airco MIG welder we have at work its big noisy and quirky but works or we also have a Gas Lincoln Buzz box I've used a few times
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I don't own one but I'd like to have a Miller 220. I could use it alot! so if anybody is wondering what to get me for my birthday there you go
i own a Lincoln Invertec V155-S stick welder main reason i bought it is so i can hook a TIG rig up to it. i originally bought it to work on my dad's semi and some stuff i wanted to do. made the lift shackles for my blazer with it. i get some jobs in the side with it for extra money from time to time as well. I am a welder fitter, so its nice to have stuff like this even at home.
I've got a Lincoln 175HD(220V) or something. I'm just starting to learn how to weld good with it. Anyone got any tips?
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Practice!
^^^^X2. Get a bunch of scrap steel and just start welding away. You'll start getting a feel for it the more ya do it. Its like riding a bike or driving a car, you get better and better at it until you can almost do it in your sleep.
Sig by GLD
Friend of ours has a real nice (old) montgomery ward. He does our welding.
A few years ago I had a MillerMatic 251 but I sold it because I needed the money more than the welder at the time. Now I miss it. I want another one but if I were to buy brand new, I'll get the Hobart equivalent of the MillerMatic 252(they don't make the 251 any more). Hobart and Miller welders are pretty much like Chevy and GMC trucks with the Hobart product being a few hundred bucks cheaper.
Scott
I'm starting to look for a welder to start to learn and practice, eventually I would like it for small body work and stuff. Any body have suggestions?
Look into the small Lincoln welders that you can get at your local Home Depot. If those don't interest you in any way, then look into Hobart/Miller. I have no experience with them but I've heard good things about ESAB welders.Originally Posted by 88redblaze
Scott
Alright cool man. I'll look into those, Thanks
No problem man. Just trying to help. Its what I do.
Scott
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