Been kicking around buying a 120V Flux core welder for small tack jobs. First off, I'm a hack welder. I Love to see the work some of you guys do when you post pics, but I'm no where near that level. Just something small,convenient, simple to run. I have a small, el cheapo harbour freight stick welder and am over it. I have 220 V in shop and have heard that's the way to go. Just looking to keep it simple for a hack, hobby, just tack some stuff together type of outfit. Looked at Lincoln and hobarts. Any input welcomed.
FCAW
- Thread starter bball
- Start date
Buy a 220 volt welder, rent a bottle, and do it right. You will be much happier in the long run. TSC sells Hobart. They're not bad.
A
Anonymous
:2cents: got a tsc wire welder yrs ago like it had a lincoln buzz box for stick for over 30 yrs still works smith torches for over 30 had to send back for free seats 1 time the gages are gettin a little sticky these days .bball if you get one of those little ones like i got you can use either flux wire or gas i got big bottle sets in one spot an 20 feet weedeater fuel line so i can move it around just keep it behind you i have not had any problems.
M-5
Well-known member
A 220 welder is the way to go. I keep saying I'm gonna up grade to a name brand wire welder when this harbor freight one quits. Ive run quite a few rolls of wire thru it. It keeps on working. Has 4 settings and will weld thin to 1/2" . I still use my buzz box for any heavy welding.
I have a TSC HOBART HANDLER 140 115VAC 60 HZ WELDER with the gas that I have had for several years. You can turn the heat up and the wire speed and make a couple passes and weld bout anything you want. I highly recommend it and based on all the reviews others do to. It has paid for its self several times. I have a Lincoln 220v AC/DC stick and a Victor torch I use often also. If I was in business doing contract work I would want a 220v or a Tig welder, but for my use they would be overkill as the Handler works great and burns in good, also I can make a fairly pretty bead with it.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... mig-welder
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... mig-welder
True Grit Farms
Well-known member
Get a 220 welder. I have a little Lincoln 220 wire feed and run .030 flux core in it. Works great for metals up to about 3/8ths, and I can weld conduit easily also. But I also have a big Miller that I run .035 or .045 carbon wire and star gas for the thicker stuff.
Bigger is always better, because duty cycle is a big deal with welders.
Bigger is always better, because duty cycle is a big deal with welders.
Thanks for the feedback fellas. This is exactly what i was hoping for. I was leanin towards the 120 V because i could run it outside via heavy ext cord to work on equipment i cant get into shop instead of a 220V. But almost everyone says to get a 220V. What kind of range do you have from the 220V outlet?
M-5
Well-known member
You can make an extension cord out of HD wire. I have about 30 ' 10-2 that I have wired to box that gets me where I need to be.
Caustic Burno
Well-known member
I have a flux core Lincoln handy as pocket on a shirt for small jobs up to 3/8 inch for serious stuff have to get the stick on heavy metal to get penetration
Caustic Burno":mk0m9kld said:
Kinda why I was leaning for a 115V. Convenient for the little stuff. I can pull the stick welder out for the heavy stuff. I have it set up just like dash said. Have a healthy chunk of 10-2 on it where the original useless 6 ' plug used to be.
Caustic Burno
Well-known member
What I like about the little wire feed it will run off my 2500kw generator.
It along with power tools all fit neatly in the Mule bed for jobs away from the house secondly it is a lot quicker to run back to the shop for something on the mule. Mule won't drag the big welder in some spots so I am unhooking it for the tractor to go get what I forgot or need.
It along with power tools all fit neatly in the Mule bed for jobs away from the house secondly it is a lot quicker to run back to the shop for something on the mule. Mule won't drag the big welder in some spots so I am unhooking it for the tractor to go get what I forgot or need.
pdfangus
Well-known member
Caustic Burno":1t11ld5q said:
I ditto this....I have a little Hobart flux core and while I am not a good welder it has enabled me to make some remote repairs using a small generator...
bball":1ti7qx1i said:
I'm with jlrent on the handler. I have researched them as well and for the money the Hobart 140 amp handler seems like it is the winner. I'm in the market for one as well. Great reviews on them and they weld up to 1/4" steel on gas which is pretty impressive for 110 volts. Anything over that thickness for me and I use a stick welder anyways. I'm not making a living with it so as long as it holds I'm ok with the looks. :D
If you decide to go Hobart they have reconditioned units available directly from Hobart weld shop for 419.99. Comes with regulator and everything a new one does. Just a thought if you want to save $100 on normal price. TSC has them on sale for 469.99 right now as well as the 210
Crow, I agree. Researched them pretty good last night and came up with same conclusion you have. I REALLY like the sounds of that 210, but man, the price sure makes me pucker.... buy once, cry once and its over I guess.
A
Anonymous
thats about the way i look at tools all togther bball ! take a deep breath snd know that once you got it youve got it when ya need it !! my son says you never use this ..me .. yea i used it once this year an its pd for ! lot of odds an ends seem to just sit there in box on a shelf ect.. but when ya need it you can use it .
skyhightree1
Well-known member
I have a millermatic 211
The 210 would be nice for sure and it has the option to add the spool gun for better feed of aluminum wire if you wanted to. I don't do much, as a matter of fact none to date, so what little I want to do I deal with it I believe. Let me know if you get one and I'll do the same. I told my wife I wanted to get the welder for my B-day which is soon and she said I needed pants and a new pair of boots. I told her I would just ride out what one pair of good pants and 3 yr old boots I have till Christmas. I despise spending money on clothes/boots etc.... I would rather get tools or equipment any day. :nod:
