Welding question?

[Bear95]

Ive wanted to get into welding to learn the skill and to have the abiltiy to repair and make stuff. I wanted to make my own atv trailer. My friend has been teaching me to weld on his lincoln 180 hd, but i wanted to know what is a good welder to get. Mainly the trade off between a 140 and 180. If i wanted to make a trailer would a 140 be able to tackle the job. any advice is appreciated.

[Tubby]

JMO...

Stick welder - Lincoln

Mig welder - Miller

When considering a welding machine, get one bigger than you think you'll need. My vote for a Mig machine is the Miller 180

[MarkS]

The Lincoln Cracker Box Welder! That's what I learned on and still love. Just my .02

[Btoutdoors]

I personally think a lincoln stick welder is way to go, but I am old school. I have both but only use the wire welder a couple times a year,and I weld nearly every day. My thinking is a stick welder is alot more versatile. Good luck!

[BearkatHunter]

I love both Lincoln and Miller, but my vote for a wire feed is a Miller Millermatic 252 and for a stick a Miller Thunderbolt XL.

[KHoes203]

Miller all the way!! and like stated above go bigger than you think!

[SirTopher]

so you want to be a welder?

[01txag]

We have several Miller's, and one Lincoln that sits way in the back of the shop collecting dust.


It's better to have more power, but for general messing around making stuff for your self, 140 would work fine IMO if you found a good deal on one. If you're buying new, get a bigger one. The price won't be that much different

[Palmetto]

Get one with a descent duty cylce if you building big things like a trailer.

[berto]

I love both Lincoln and Miller, but my vote for a wire feed is a Miller Millermatic 252 and for a stick a Miller Thunderbolt XL.

I dont know crap about welders but I own a 252 and its pretty dang good. Will do anything ill ever need to do

[Draco]

Get one with a descent duty cylce if you building big things like a trailer.

As Palmetto said, get one with a decent duty cycle or you will be sitting around waiting for the fan to cool the machine down. The Miller 180 would be the way to go.

Also before building trailers or any thing else where a failed weld might cause a danger to the public, make sure you really have your welding skills honed.

[heyearl]

welding rods yu'll get a better penatration in to the metal
you can with wire feed, but takes pratice, wire
I have done a few on my trailer that the temp was not right
looked good, broke off after a month or so
go back and weld with a rod,
I have a older HOBART TR250 rod welder
let you have cheap