welder opinions

pinball · Jan 14, 2020

every once in awhile I think I need a welder. If I were to buy a 110 welder what would you all suggest. I have a 700 watt portable generator that I think should run one. don't want a big one due to the cost.

caterpillar guy · Jan 14, 2020

If your going to get a welder just get one that plugs into the wall or a portable with the engine. You will be much llthe end. Those to small 110 welders are for sale all over the place as they just don't get it done.

JF in MI · Jan 14, 2020

I have one of those tiny 115V inverter DC welders that goes to 90 amps, I think. It is amazing and is my "go to" welder when it is too much a PIA or no 220 outlet available to roll my big 200 amp welder to the project.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 14, 2020

Look around for a good used welder,I have 2 gas powered an Airco that was given to me and a Lincoln with a 12HP Kohler motor I bought for $70, needed new $40 carb runs and welds
great.The Airco is a good welder also.

Jim.ME · Jan 14, 2020

(quoted from post at 09:46:41 01/14/20) every once in awhile I think I need a welder. If I were to buy a 110 welder what would you all suggest. I have a 700 watt portable generator that I think should run one. don't want a big one due to the cost.

The 110/120 welders are handy and work for small jobs. I question that your 700 watt (about 6 amps) generator will be able to run one satisfactorily. Any I have used need at least a 15 amp circuit if welding most items, 20 if welding heavy materials. Look at the specs of the ones you are considering and I think you will find they call for 15 or 20 amp circuits. JMHO

Fatjay · Jan 14, 2020

I have a Lincoln hd125 wire feed that runs off a 15a 110v circuit and I can do up to 3/8 with it, and there really isn t a time I need to do more than that. Fairly inexpensive, easy to use, I have no complaints.

Goose · Jan 14, 2020

I have a Hobart 140 that I bought for auto body work.

It's great for its purpose, but I still use my stick welder for heavier stuff.

DeltaRed · Jan 14, 2020

I HAD small 110 stick welder,and a 'el cheapo' wire feed.Both were junk with the wire feed being the 'best'. It could barely weld more than car body tin.However,I have seen some 'hi end' 110 mig machines do much better.I would never own another 110 machine.These days I run a Lincoln 'tombstone' welder.Goes from 40 to 225 amps.

Russ from MN · Jan 14, 2020

Are you sure your generator is only 700 watts, that's awfully small, and certainly won't run any kind of welder. Our smallest generator is 1500, and it will run universal motors, (with brushes) but it won't begin to start a table saw.

MarkB_MI · Jan 14, 2020

Well, what is it you think you need to do with it? A 120V wire feed welder can handle sheet metal and light stuff, but you need to go with a 240V unit for serious welding. And although flux-core wire has its place, adding gas (MIG) makes for much better welds.

If you don't already have an oxyacetylene rig, that would be my first purchase. You can weld and braze a lot of materials with gas, but you can't heat or cut with a welder.

Steve@Advance · Jan 14, 2020

Harbor Freight has a cheap 120v AC flux core machine...

Do not waste your money on it!

The next step up, the DC machine would be a better choice, but any flux core will not be as good as gas shield. It would probably run on a small genset, but not on a 700 watt.

There are some 120v stick welders, but they need all they can get out of a 20a breaker, and will still nuisance trip.

RobCons · Jan 14, 2020

700 watts wont do it. 3000 would probably be minimum and that would be with the welder on low settings. The 120 volt machines with flux core wire will do what most diy folks need. Gate repair, brackets, mower decks, etc. Just keep your travel speed slow while welding.

Super H Mike · Jan 14, 2020

I have a Hobart Handler 140 , its a 110 machine, you cant weld anything more than sheet metal with it. You can buy an old Lincoln tombstone or an older AC only machine really cheaply.

Gary Mitchell · Jan 14, 2020

Delta red, I have Pop's old tombstone welder. Anything it won't do I generally put on me, not the welder. gm

SVcummins · Jan 14, 2020

My nephew got a harbor freight 110 welder for Christmas it will burn hot enough you can see the bead you ran on the back side of a 3/8 plate

docmirror · Jan 14, 2020

Don't bother with a 110V welder unless it's just body work. Nothing tractor related, it far too small. Your gen will not run it anyway.

Just get a used stick welder, buy the right receptacle and be done with it, or send your welding out to a shop and get it done right.

For wire feed, I would not go less than a 180, and for a stick welder, the Lincoln 225, or similar will do tractor jobs.

tom upton · Jan 14, 2020

Fronius makes a pretty cool battery powered welder but not cheap. You can burn 3/32 7018 with it no problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYe2yL1--JQ

welder opinions

pinball

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caterpillar guy

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JF in MI

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Traditional Farmer

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Jim.ME

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Fatjay

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Goose

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DeltaRed

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Russ from MN

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MarkB_MI

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Steve@Advance

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RobCons

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Super H Mike

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Gary Mitchell

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SVcummins

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docmirror

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tom upton

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