shepo1

Hi.. Looking at picking up a welder soon...
I think I have narrowed things down to Lincoln, Hobart, or miller..
Probably in the 130 to 140 amp range..I want to run it on 120..

But saw this on craig's list.. 135 A spool welder.. any one use one like this ?? Is there any advantage to a spool welder? From what I can understand.. the Plus to this is that you can have a longer distance from the welder to the gun? Cause you don't have to run wire to it? Any other plus?

I guess on the down side.. extra weight at the gun.. also might be hard to fit into tight places?

Thanks for any advice... My plan is to use if for body work and such.. No i don't know how to weld yet.. but am planning on learning !!

twintracks

Yes, I have a Miller spool MIG welder. It works on 110 or 220v. I only have on the job training, but find it very easy to use. My advise, buy the biggest one you can afford. It's the best way to go for sheet metal panel welding.

gs72

Check out Eastwood's line of mig welders. They seem to work really well for the price. Stay away from flux core wire feed welders. You will have weld splatter all over your panels.

steverw

I have a Lincoln 135/110 it works great. I never heard of Clark welders but that dosent mean there not good, I just dont know. Ive been told you need a spool gun to weld aluminum, havnt done that either. Might be a good deal if the price is right. I think Miller is probably one of the best.

chadman

The spool guns are mainly for welding aluminum. The aluminum wire tends to not feed well in a traditional mig set up because it is so soft. By having the aluminum spool on the gun it helps prevent this. For steel work it will just be cumbersome and get in the way.

I personaly have a Miller Syncrowave 250DX TIG and a Hobart Handler 187 MIG. I think Hobart has the most bang for your buck when it comes to MIG welders. I have also used my buddies Hobart Handler 140 (110V) and it welds real nice as well. I used to have a Lincoln 110V MIG before my Hobart. Didn't like it at all.

shepo1

Cool.. thanks for the info.. Do you see any major advantage to going with like the 187 vs the 140..My issues is having to wire for 220 if i go with the 187.. Which can be done of course.. but more work for me.. LOL
Since most of the welding will be body panels.. I would be using the lower amp settings anyway right?

Thanks again

chadman

If all you are welding is thin stuff like body panels you won't see the benefit of the bigger 220V models. That said, something always seems to come up that needs the extra amperage be it repairing the lawn tractor or whatever. That's when you will wish you had bought the bigger welder. Miller makes a dual volyage welder that will run on 110V or 220V FYI. That way you can use it now with your current electrical and then if you find yourself in need of more amps you can just upgrade the electrical supply. Millers do cost more than Hobarts though but they are very good machines. My personal ranking would be Miller>Hobart>Lincoln.

shepo1

Cool.. makes sense.. Thanks

TK-65

I have a Millermatic 211 welder, has the "MVP" plug which lets you run off 120 or 230. I run it off 120 in my garage.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00245

shepo1

Thanks TK... i will check it out..