school me on cheap welders

[swamprat]

so i have a couple bucks saved up and i am thinking about picking up a cheap welder. im looking for something portable, cheap and i can use in the garage. what are ya'lls thought and input on this?

[Confederate]

First....what are you going to weld?
Second....110v or 220v?

Stick/TIG/MIG?

Advice, keep away from Campbell Hausfeld and cheapos.


If you want to make good welds, you got to get a good welder.

[Confederate]

If your going to weld sheetmetal....go with a MIG.
Thicker metals...go with an AC/DC arc welder.


You may already know this budy.

[swamprat]

i plan on fabbing up parts for my 4runner, nothing thats super important like a cage or anything, but light bars and other crap that i can think of. we used to have a couple miller 110v stick welders in my high school's ag shop, i kinda liked them. and i think with the right electrodes a stick welder would be perfect for now.

[Confederate]

Well watch yer amps if you use the stick and yer welding on thin metal. Might not be a good welding job but it may can hold.

Saw an stick and mig welder together in one by Northern Industial (off brand) but I wouldn't trust it. www.northerntool.com

[ranger11]

This is what I use Its perfect for what you want to do.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200332691_200332691


This one is smaller only by a little and 100 cheaper but I dont think it comes with the gas valve.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200381941_200381941


But also check out this tread


http://www.gatrailriders.com/GTRForums/index.php?topic=4221.0

[Jimmy]

Well watch yer amps if you use the stick and yer welding on thin metal. Might not be a good welding job but it may can hold.

Saw an stick and mig welder together in one by Northern Industial (off brand) but I wouldn't trust it. www.northerntool.com

The Northern welders are rebranded Lincolns.

[Confederate]

Well watch yer amps if you use the stick and yer welding on thin metal. Might not be a good welding job but it may can hold.

Saw an stick and mig welder together in one by Northern Industial (off brand) but I wouldn't trust it. www.northerntool.com

The Northern welders are rebranded Lincolns.

Really now? Once I saw that it said "MADE IN CHINA"....ugh.

[ranger11]

Everything is made in china they do good work on some stuff..

[ranger11]

Well watch yer amps if you use the stick and yer welding on thin metal. Might not be a good welding job but it may can hold.

Saw an stick and mig welder together in one by Northern Industial (off brand) but I wouldn't trust it. www.northerntool.com

The Northern welders are rebranded Lincolns.

I have not had a single problem out of mine and Ive had it for 2 yrs I think.  I dropped it off the cart and broke the feed part and it still works good. I would give it 9 out of 10 only reason not a 10 is its yellow

[Confederate]

Wish nothing was made in Communist China. Anyways....it may be a good welder...just watch out for the paint....MIGHT HAVE LEAD! lol 

[ranger11]

If everything was made here only the rich could afford it. {btt}

Matt has had good luck with the hf welder