Welder Recommendation

Twenty plus years ago my wife bought me a Craftsman MIG welder.  I have no idea who actually made it, but it's been adequate to weld everything I've attempted and only revealed its limitations while sticking a Locost chassis together.  My main beef is that the filler wire is always "hot", meaning even with the trigger off, it will arc.  I've never seen another welder do that.

With the recent purchase of a slightly rusty Torino and a more rusty Triumph TR3, I want to upgrade to something better that will potentially last the rest of my life.  I used a lower-middle tier Lincoln recently and couldn't believe how nice it was to use and how good the welds were. 

I'm looking at a Lincoln 180 Dual, but I don't know if the extra cost of 120V/240V capability vs an only 120V or only 240V unit is worth it.  My current welder is 120V, but I'm thinking 240V is the way to go.  Other Lincolns I'm looking at are a Pro Mig 180 and the 180C.

Thoughts?

I owned a 140 AMP 120V MIG for many years and it did everything I asked of it.  I now have a Lincoln 180 Dual and it also is a good machine.

I have not use the 220V option while welding yet as most of my use of this machine is tack welding items together or exhaust work.

But it's there  ever is a need I have it. 

I also have a TIG that I do most of my "off car" welding with.

What you have to ask yourself is:  How heavy of steel you're going to weld?

If 1/8" or thinner then a 120V machine should be fine.

I've welded heavier steel than 1/8", up to 1/4 inch  using a 120V with no issues.

IF most of your planned use is automotive then the 120V machine could work for you as your old one did.

And you same the added cost.

But if your not sure what your plans for future projects are then perhaps the added cost of the Dual machine could end up being a good investment.

If there's any (and I mean ANY) doubt in your mind about the 120/220 thing, get the 220.

I bought a Hobart Handler 140 (115-only) a few years back after having my brother tell me that I should spring for the 220-volt unit.  I told him that I was only going to be welding sheet metal and I didn't need it (even though I have 220 in my garage).

Fast forward to today, and I find that I have had several occasions to weld steel that was thicker than what was comfortably done with the 115-volt unit.  If I had to do it over, I'd get the 220-volt unit.

I have a Lincoln 180 dual and like it. Got the SCCA discount so that's why I picked it.  Note: the 180 series come on several forms. The one at the big box stores isn't the same thing the industrial gys use desipite looking almost the same. Dig deep into the Lincoln site for details.

If you are going to weld more than sheet metal I would spring for the dual unit.  I have either an SP-100 or 120 Lincoln and love it.  So far I've only done sheet body parts.  

I have a Millermatic 211 and love it. It has dual voltage capabilities.

I picked up the Vulcan Omnipro 220 a little over a year ago and it has delivered.  I have run the red and blue machines a fair amount in the past (work and hobby), and I was somewhat nervous about the idea of a HF welder. 

Saying that, I've put it through it's paces from 110v @ friends place to 220v dual shield wire (super hot), and learning dc tig.  It hasn't missed a beat the whole time.  I'm on my 3rd roll of solid core wire and if I had to do it again, I wouln't hesitate.  

I just picked up the spool gun recently for a quick side job and it laid down a weld as well as I can on any of the 4 figure machines at work.

I would get the 220v.  If you want something portable 120v is what you want, but then just buy another smaller lighter 120v welder.

Unabashed blue fanboy here.  I've got an older pre-inverter 211, it's MPV (will run 120 or 240) and the Auto-Set feature makes me look like a much better weldor than I am.

Whatever you choose buy from an actual welding supply retailer, avoid big box store special SKU machines.

Another vote for dual voltage or just 220. I have had several cheap welders, all 120 based and all failed me. Picked up a Millermatic 251 used and have never looked back. You probably don't need one that big but Lincoln or Miller will serve you well. Also, get a bottle, you will weld like a pro with gas and a decent setup. 

Look at the welder as a long term investment. Your old one lasted you 20 years. I bought a Miller 211 dual voltage and like it alot. I've used the 220 for heaver things like trailers and farm equipment. But the 110 lets me use it off a generator for light work in a pinch. For the couple hundred dollars in difference getting a dual voltage to me was a no brainer. I prefer Miller equipment just because the internals seem a little more solid to me.  Things you look at like wire feed drive wheels etc.. I don't think you would go wrong with Miller or Lincoln. I bought mine during the build with blue promotion so cost was about equal.

I bought an Eastwood Mig 170 a few years ago because I got a crazy good deal on it as a display model, and it's been a really good welder since then.  It was the previous version of this welder.  Even now full retail it's still a really good deal.  $520 and has infinite controls for amps and wire speed, includes a spool gun for aluminum, and comes with a 3 year warranty.  As others have said, def get a 220V welder if you think you *might* need it.