Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

is there any difference from the 3200 hd and the sp-135t other than oneis sold at home depot and one isnt?

I still havent had anyone clarify this, when u say like 1/2" is iffy, does that apply to welding two 1/2" plates together or welding a manifold bend to a 1/2" flange?

righty now im trying to decide between buying a welder and an hf bandsaw or full coilovers and camber kits(currently on stock)

both will happen eventually , but just need to decide which dto do first

Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

[quote=cberman ]
Well, 115V would be really convienent, so maybe the hobart 140?[quote]
I'm pretty sure that you can go higher than the 140 and still run off of 115v power.
I don't know that I'd call it better or worse...but it's a quality machine, at a much nicer price. Don't worry about getting stuff like the hood. The ones that come with them are ---- anyway. They're not worth $5. As for a regulator, probably every machine you buy that has gas abilities will come with one.
It does NOT mean that you can get a piece of 1/2" plate and penetrate all the way through it with no bevel. What it means is that the machine has enough power to produce the heat it takes to run a smooth bead ON that thickness of metal. For example, if you get a piece of 1/8" plate and have the machine turned all the way up, you may burn through it. If you take a piece of 1" plate, with same machine settings, it may not even be hot enough to make a bead that will stay on the plate when hit with a chisel.

Keep in mind that, like with any products, manufacturers tend to stretch the truth on their claims for advertising purposes.

Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

penetration shoulb be plenty on any of these for a 1/2" flange, right?

According to Hobart's site, http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/mig/ the 140 is the biggest 115 they make.

I think the 140 seems like a good welder for my needs and will be a good starting point. is there any reason why i shouldnt get a reconditioned unit? $390 seems like an awfully nice price

So i figure 390 for a welder, HF bandsaw 120 (ive heard they can be had for 150 in the store - 20% coupon), hf auto darkening helmet (~40-50), good bandsaw blade (~20), misc items(find somewhere that rents argon tanks, welding gloves?, wire wheels?, wire brushes?) I dont have a compressor, so will a wire wheel on a drill work okay for cleaning metal?

Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

Also, will need some mig wire..can you use stainless wire to weld mild? ie can i just get one spool of 316 rather than a bunch of different kinds?

Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

I have a HH140 and am very happy with it. I have done some exhaust work as well as built and installed some subframe connectors with it. I leased a gas bottle (C17 at the time) C25 now and used 0.030 wire. 1/8" thick material is easily within the limits of this welder.

http://members.shaw.ca/rlemke/subframes/
No critiques of my welds. :P

Re: Lookin into getting a mig
 

towartds the end of the week i should have a pretty large sum of money from work coming in, and i found a reconditioned hobart 125 for 250. is the 140 worth the additional 150? i could really care less about looks and this will be my first time ever welding. I was thinking i would give a manifold a shot maybe, also some suspension bars, etc. nothing too serious, more just for the experience