Is there anything to look for in particular when buying a used MIG Welder? I am starting to keep my eye out for a good deal on a 110 MIG. What is a good deal? I have seen a Miller 110 for $200 (which I called about but was sold) and a Hobart 110 for $300 recently.
The rollers can be wear points. Nozzles, etc., shouldn't be too expensive and are consumables. Make sure the valve in the gun doesn't stick open. I would get one that did gas and flux core, not just flux core. Otherwise, fire it up and see if it works.
I'm not particularly fond of the Hobart Handler. The one I used sucked compared to my Italian HF MIG.
Check wire feed. the linings go bad. Thats what happened to my HF unit.
I'm running a Hobart Handler 140 I picked up at a pawn shop for $200. Cary a piece of scrap steel with you and test it.
I'll offer that before committing to a 110V machine I'd see if there's any way you can swing a run of 10/3 Romex a 220/30 breaker in the box so you can get a bigger machine. I lived w/ a 110 Daytona Mig 130 for a long time before getting a Millermatic 185, and I'd never go back.
Getting 220 in the garage seemed a big deal then, but I've got the compressor, TIG, MIG and Plasma all on 220 and it's great. Hell, I like it so much I have a 5hp rotary phase converter in the shop to make 220/3 phase for the machines...
I agree with the 220v idea. I just upgraded to the Eastwood 175 welder and had to move a 220v plug 30 feet across he shop. Well worth it.
In reply to motomoron:
Well I have access to a full welding shop with 220V welders but it is 45 minutes away. I want something just to shove in my garage and it is going to be in a rental garage so I can't really add the 220.
In reply to 93EXCivic:
Well, as long as you've got man-sized power ~someplace~ you're OK.
Carry on!
I think 230V is probably the way to go, BUT, 115V can be Real Handy. Like when you need to take the welder to the house, friend's house, driveway, etc., there's always 115V available. Load it up with flux core and you can make it stick right there.
what's your budget?
Dr. Hess wrote: The rollers can be wear points.
+1. Check the internal bits...metal rollers are preferable to plastic.
Also, make sure you can get parts for the welder, stick with name brands you know and are fairly common.
230v is nice, but a decent 115v will do quite a bit, look for a 130-140 max amp model in 115v if you can get it.
BTW - 10' of teflon tubing from McMaster-Carr to replace the mystery-plastic liner plus a clip-on felt cleaner/lubricator and nice, fresh name brand tips makes even a cruddy welder work respectably well.
I also recomend getting a "name" welder. No sense getting a deal on a welder you can't find parts for. I've been burned in the past, so now I stick to Lincoln or Miller.
Just make DAMN sure the wire is not "hot" until you pull the trigger. Some of the low-end units have this feature that will drive you nuts.
nderwater wrote: what's your budget?
Ideally somewhere between $200-$300 for the welder.
Maybe check out Ebay. The new Everlast machines have been getting pretty good reviews in the TIG world, and you can usually offer a lower price on the machines that are for sale. I've seen buy-it-now prices as low as $300 for a new machine with "extras"
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