FCAW

[Nesikep]

I have a little 120V chinese welder.. it's alright, but just heavy enough I don't really call it portable.. it does have gas capability, which is nice, running flux and gas makes for some nice welds.. I usually run gas and solid core .023" wire which does alright for most things up to 1/4".. heavier stuff gets stick welded.

 

[talltimber]

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.

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.

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

I bought the 140 Handler last fall. It's been a good machine so far with moderate use. I've built some heavy pipe gates, gate posts with stubs for floating braces, a headache rack for the pickup, and just odds and ends repair. I have a Lincoln 225 stick for the shop, so this welder was a perfect compliment to it, running great off of a portable 6500w gen. out of the back of the truck. I've been very pleased with it.

 

[callmefence]

I use a 110 on custom ornamental iron jobs that have to be built on site. 12 gauge or lighter steel. Have both Lincoln and Hobart. Ones as good as the other. For shop I wouldn't conider anything but 220.
Fwiw I still prefer stick over anything.

 

[Anonymous]

bball, ripley co. you?

 

[bball]

White co. 45 minutes north of lafayette.

 

[bball]

Ended up buying the Hobart 140. I was considering the 210 but RK didn't have it in stock...and it was $400 more than the 140. I couldn't believe how reasonable the stick welders were. Will plan on one for next year. Caught a managers special on the 140. $449. Plus a handful of gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used. Made out pretty good.

 

[jltrent]

Ended up buying the Hobart 140. I was considering the 210 but RK didn't have it in stock...and it was $400 more than the 140. I couldn't believe how reasonable the stick welders were. Will plan on one for next year. Caught a managers special on the 140. $449. Plus a handful of gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used. Made out pretty good.

You want regret getting the 140 I have had mine for probably ten years and if I was buying again I would get the 140. It will weld bout anything as I said before. Some of the wire works and feeds a lot better than others.

 

[cfpinz]

Miller has one that will operate off of 110 and 220 volts, pretty neat unit.

I've had good luck with Miller units, keep an eye on Craigslist.

 

[tom4018]

I bought one of these for the options of both voltages.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... _vc=-10005

 

[True Grit Farms]

Ended up buying the Hobart 140. I was considering the 210 but RK didn't have it in stock...and it was $400 more than the 140. I couldn't believe how reasonable the stick welders were. Will plan on one for next year. Caught a managers special on the 140. $449. Plus a handful of gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used. Made out pretty good.

Good deal, can I borrow it?

 

[rollinhills]

Hobart is owned by Miller they make good equipment. I at one time had all Lincoln welders But started having trouble out of the portable units, started buying Miller and haven't regretted it. I had a 140 for a good while didn't use it much so I gave it to a friend, only trouble ever had is the liners don't seem to last all that long, they get dirty and get real jerky. Stop by a welding supply store an pick up some wipers to go on the wire ahead of the feeder rolls, it will save you a lot of headache if you don't use it regularly.

 

[bball]

Ended up buying the Hobart 140. I was considering the 210 but RK didn't have it in stock...and it was $400 more than the 140. I couldn't believe how reasonable the stick welders were. Will plan on one for next year. Caught a managers special on the 140. $449. Plus a handful of gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used. Made out pretty good.

Good deal, can I borrow it?

Anytime Grit! For the record, you were the first to ask. :lol2:

 

[True Grit Farms]

Ended up buying the Hobart 140. I was considering the 210 but RK didn't have it in stock...and it was $400 more than the 140. I couldn't believe how reasonable the stick welders were. Will plan on one for next year. Caught a managers special on the 140. $449. Plus a handful of gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used. Made out pretty good.

Good deal, can I borrow it?

Anytime Grit! For the record, you were the first to ask. :lol2:

That's just because word hasn't got around yet. Worse than having folks asking to borrow it, is them asking if you'll fix this or that for them.

 

[OldCrow]

Sweet, I came back to tell you that I finally bit the bullet and you beat me to it. I ordered the refurb as the nearset RK is 2+ hours away and it was the best price I could find. Almost bought new but it was around $70 more dollars even on sale at TSC. Mine is getting shipped so it will be next week or weekend before I can try it out.

 

[bball]

I bought one of these for the options of both voltages.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... _vc=-10005

Yep tom, that's the one I wanted. Said it would take 5 weeks to get in. I figured as cheap as the stick welders were, I would just grab one to replace my crappy El cheapo Chinese one next year. That would give me a nice portable unit and a decent one in shop for pretty much same money. I liked the 210 and would have bought it if they'd had one.

 

[bball]

Sweet, I came back to tell you that I finally bit the bullet and you beat me to it. I ordered the refurb as the nearset RK is 2+ hours away and it was the best price I could find. Almost bought new but it was around $70 more dollars even on sale at TSC. Mine is getting shipped so it will be next week or weekend before I can try it out.

That's great crow. I will be tacking some things up tonight. I have developed a pretty good to do list over last few years. Picked up an old cattle chute for next to nothing that just needs a lil TLC and it will function at cows summer home. Might post a pic if the welds aren't too embarrassing!