Starting Welder suggestions.

[ukoffroad]

Any welder types, advice sought.
Thinking about picking up something to start, and looking for suggestions. No specific projects in mind outside of a front bumper for the Classic. What is a durable starting setup for someone not using it for business?

 

[pinkytoe69]

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I think the harbor freight titanium line is a pretty solid bank for the buck for someone just hobbying

 

[KorytheLorry]

I use a Miller Maxstar 150 suitcase stick welder. It is awesome. It will run off 120 or 240. You'll get plenty of output for a bumper with 120. They can be found second hand for a few hundred dollars (I think I paid $300 for mine off Craigslist). I learned to weld with a stick welder so I am partial, but I find it way more capable than a wire welder at the same price point. It does a good job on thin sheet metal, but you can also crank the current and do structural welds on 1/4" steel.

 

[eburrows]

I started with a Lincoln flux-core MIG welder from Home Depot, 20 years ago, and I still have it and use it, even though I have a full TIG setup now. Cheap, simple, easy to use, and move around. Easy to drag out to fix a fence, etc.
If my house burned down tomorrow, I'd still buy a MIG before rebuilding my TIG setup, just for practicality.
Stick is good for thick stuff, and I'm sure experts can weld thin exhaust tubing with it, but a newbie can use MIG to swap in a catalytic converter easily.

 

[LRDONE]

I have heard good things about the harbor freight welder.

 

[Rocky]

I've heard good things about HF gear...and bad... Whether the opinion is as a result of the User ability or inability.

 

[pinkytoe69]

HF typically has 3 tiers for stuff nowadays:

- classic cheap garbage (Chicago electric, Pittsburg)

- mid tier (Bauer, titanium, quinn)

- premium (Hercules, Vulcan, Icon)

I have the mini Titanium welder and Chicago red helmet and they've been great for what I need. Bauer isn't bad, but the Hercules stuff is better.

Icon stuff is pretty solid and the Vulcan welding gloves are the most comfy I've used

 

[LRDONE]

If I had the choice and no budget I'd buy millers 220 multiprocess unit. Mig,tig,ac/dc. But that's $4,200 without a cart, tanks, helmet or gloves. A couple DIY projects with not a lot of duty, the harbor freight titanium welder will work great. I've watched a lot of reviews and in use videos of that unit.

 

[pinkytoe69]

Ya if budget is no issue miller or esab is always an option