If your gonna buy a welder buy this one (pic)

gingerbreadman · Aug 22, 2004

I built my trailer with it thread and iv done a bit of light gauge steel body work with it aswell.... I would say this is a light to mid range welder.... very suitable for anything automotive related.....

It is a lincoln MIG PAK 15, it is a wire feed welder.....

wire feed welding is the easiest type to learn by far and id say the most forgiving.....

This welder has a heat range of 30 to 175amps and wire capacity up to .045
It also has the option of using shielding gas (which in my oppinion is the only way to go)

It comes as a kit with a short video, a cheap face shield, a spool of shieldless wire (flux core wire) and a few extra gun tips... your ready to weld just as is if you wish...

I opted to get the shielding gas setup consisting of a set of gauges and a tank... unfortunatly local laws prohibit the possesion of large gas tanks unless there rented so I had to buy the small 40 cubic foot bottle :canflag: the shileding gas allows you to use solid copper wire instead of the flux core wire and gives you a wider range of wire sizes which means a broader range of heat settings and usages and it turns this unit into a true MIG setup (I hope im getting my terminolgy correct here maybe a welder or 2 could step in here) not to mention you get a much much cleaner weld (with no slag) using the shielding gas.......

the cost....

welder kit $599
gauges and hose $129
tank (with fill) $169
stand (or build one) $50
helmet,gloves,
extra tips, wire etc.$100

the disadvantages to this welder would be its a little light for heavy duty welding, im talking like 3/4-1 inch plate..... It will penatrate 1/4 to 3/8 very good and with multi pass id feel comfortable welding 1/2 inch..... for the adverage guy this welder would suit them well.... the other disadvantage is welding outside, if there is a wind it will blow the shielding gas away causing distortion in the weld a solution for this is to crank up the gas flow but then your using more gas so.............

im happy with it.....

-gbm-

crushnut · Aug 23, 2004

Thanks for letting us know

WORTH · Aug 23, 2004

I just bought the HOBART equivilent on Ebay for 460 including frieght . It comes with the guage setup for gas. It's also 175 amp.

The one i have now is the smaller Lincoln, I think it's a 100amp, It works great for all the small stuff. But doesnt cut it for the frame stuff.

gingerbreadman · Aug 23, 2004

WORTH said:
I just bought the HOBART equivilent on Ebay for 460 including frieght . It comes with the guage setup for gas. It's also 175 amp.

The one i have now is the smaller Lincoln, I think it's a 100amp, It works great for all the small stuff. But doesnt cut it for the frame stuff.

ya i looked at the hobarts and they were more expensive then the lincolns round here anyways, also remember my pricing is good old :canflag:

I forgot to mention that this welder is a 220 volt so be prepared to unplug the dryer...

-gbm-

WORTH · Aug 23, 2004

gingerbreadman said:
ya i looked at the hobarts and they were more expensive then the lincolns round here anyways, also remember my pricing is good old :canflag:

I forgot to mention that this welder is a 220 volt so be prepared to unplug the dryer...

-gbm-

I forgot you used FUNNY MONEY , Ya I know it's 220, I'll rewire the shop after i get it and decide where the best place is for an outlet.

fastford91 · Sep 3, 2006

gingerbreadman said:
I built my trailer with it thread and iv done a bit of light gauge steel body work with it aswell.... I would say this is a light to mid range welder.... very suitable for anything automotive related.....

It is a lincoln MIG PAK 15, it is a wire feed welder.....

wire feed welding is the easiest type to learn by far and id say the most forgiving.....

This welder has a heat range of 30 to 175amps and wire capacity up to .045
It also has the option of using shielding gas (which in my oppinion is the only way to go)

It comes as a kit with a short video, a cheap face shield, a spool of shieldless wire (flux core wire) and a few extra gun tips... your ready to weld just as is if you wish...

I opted to get the shielding gas setup consisting of a set of gauges and a tank... unfortunatly local laws prohibit the possesion of large gas tanks unless there rented so I had to buy the small 40 cubic foot bottle :canflag: the shileding gas allows you to use solid copper wire instead of the flux core wire and gives you a wider range of wire sizes which means a broader range of heat settings and usages and it turns this unit into a true MIG setup (I hope im getting my terminolgy correct here maybe a welder or 2 could step in here) not to mention you get a much much cleaner weld (with no slag) using the shielding gas.......

the cost....

welder kit $599
gauges and hose $129
tank (with fill) $169
stand (or build one) $50
helmet,gloves,
extra tips, wire etc.$100

the disadvantages to this welder would be its a little light for heavy duty welding, im talking like 3/4-1 inch plate..... It will penatrate 1/4 to 3/8 very good and with multi pass id feel comfortable welding 1/2 inch..... for the adverage guy this welder would suit them well.... the other disadvantage is welding outside, if there is a wind it will blow the shielding gas away causing distortion in the weld a solution for this is to crank up the gas flow but then your using more gas so.............

im happy with it.....

-gbm-

its not solid copper wire! it looks like copper but its steel!! i asure you of this leave it outside and watch it rust!!! just a little FYI! and i am a welder by trade !!

Stanger'66 · Sep 3, 2006

The sp175+ is Lincoln's better 220 volt 175A class machine. It has the infinite voltage control, not taps. You can pick one of these up new on ebay for $750. Not knocking your machine, just informing others. There is also the Millermatic 175 if you prefer Miller. The Hobart 180 is also a decent machine but is tapped as well and doesn't have a good heat setting for 1/8" so that rules that welder out. Also, GBM, you don't have to worry about wasting gas when welding outside, just switch the wire out to flux core and reverse the polarity. If I could have any welder for overall restoration work it would be the Millermatic 210 with the 3035 spool gun. This way you have gobs of power, a super smooth arc, and you can weld aluminum and stainless. This combination will set you back $1800 though, 3 times the price of the welder mentinoned in the thread. I just figured I would throw some other choices out there for those of you who are shopping for welders. Best deals are the reconditioned Hobart Handlers from ToolKing.
Grant

Jester67 · Sep 3, 2006

I have the Hobart 180 and have not had a problem setting it down for sheet metal.

gingerbreadman · Sep 3, 2006

fastford91 said:
its not solid copper wire! it looks like copper but its steel!! i asure you of this leave it outside and watch it rust!!! just a little FYI! and i am a welder by trade !!

Yes, i learned this after i made this thread, the guys are right, i did some research and the mig pak 15 is a offshore version of the lincoln line sold at retail stores opposed to other models mainly carried by tool stores and welding suppliers. but iv used it alot since my trailer and it seems pretty good.

Where do you work as a welder?

-gbm-

Nemesis67 · Sep 4, 2006

I got a Hobart 140 with the gas regulator and hose from Tractor Supply Company for $419 (before taxes). It's only a 115v machine, but so far it has been great. I've done new front floor supports and the full length floors so far. I'm getting ready to put in the subframe connectors, so I guess I'll find out if it does a good job on the thicker steel.

fastford91 · Sep 4, 2006

gingerbreadman said:
Yes, i learned this after i made this thread, the guys are right, i did some research and the mig pak 15 is a offshore version of the lincoln line sold at retail stores opposed to other models mainly carried by tool stores and welding suppliers. but iv used it alot since my trailer and it seems pretty good.

Where do you work as a welder?

-gbm-

i work at John Deere here in Canada in Welland Ontario!

gingerbreadman · Sep 4, 2006

fastford91 said:
i work at John Deere here in Canada in Welland Ontario!

thats cool, i just started my apprentiship for heavy duty mechanic, and i almost got on with john deer or (brant tractor) in kamloops here. I ended up with a construction company tho.

-gbm-

keith2172 · Sep 8, 2006

IMO, and after talking at lenghth with the local Praxair guy IHO too, the Miller DVI is the best hobbiest welder on the market today. I have one and have to say it stands out against all others i have used. And the best part, it will work with 110V or 220V by simply switching the plug adapter! In about 2 seconds I can go from one to the other! It also has provision for the spool on gun which I have yet to purchase but understand it's one heck of a tool. It was about $1200- $1400 out the door, I don't off hand remember, but that included tank and wire and helmet blah blah blah, so pretty decent in price when you consider what you get. Well, there's the FNG's .02, hope it helped

If your gonna buy a welder buy this one (pic)

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