Why must the good stuff always be so expensive? (welders)

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
09/18/2017 at 14:09 • Filed to: None

The welder that I’ve been borrowing from a cousin for the last two years finally needs to go back, which means I’ve started looking again at buying a welder. A while back I was looking at at Eastwood MIG 135, but after being metaphorically burned by buying a cheap electric chainsaw, I’m tempted to go with more of a brand name. Problem is, brand name welders seem a lot more expensive.

Around these parts, a Hobart Handler 140 (same as the one I borrowed) is $750 CAD on sale. That’s almost doable. But part of me wants to go with a TIG welder instead, as they seem better at handling lighter jobs (which is probably the bulk of what I’ll be using it for). Thing is, the cheapest brand name TIG welder that I can find is well over $1K. (The Hobart EZTig is something like $1.8K, and the Miller Maxstar 161 is even more, despite being DC only). At this point in time, I don’t think I’m quite comfortable spending that much money on another tool. (I already treated myself to a nice 12" Bosch mitre saw last year, and I’ve spent more in car repairs this year than I would have liked). Used welders aren’t terribly common around here, and the ones that I have seen seem to have asking prices that are close enough to new that a person might as well get a new one. That, or they are off-brand that seem pretty sketchy.

So... anyone here have any recommendations on a MIG or TIG welder that won’t break the bank... or break on me after 10 hours of use?

DISCUSSION (25)

HammerheadFistpunch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 14:14

For light work its the handler all the way. Durable, reliable and inexpensive. TIG would be nice but the handler will do light jobs just fine

Tristan > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 14:15

Not at all helpful, but one of the best trades I ever made was a rusted out ‘87 F250 diesel that I desperately needed to rid myself of for my Craftsman MIG welder...

For Sweden > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 14:17

Well, supply met demand, and I think the bourgeoisie made an appearance as well.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch
09/18/2017 at 14:18

Yep. Just load up with small-gauge wire and use CO2/Argon, and Bob’s your uncle.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
09/18/2017 at 14:21

its true...to all.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > HammerheadFistpunch
09/18/2017 at 14:30

The other one that I did come across was the Millermatic 140 for $750 or thereabouts: https://www.millerwelds.ca/EN/mig.php Shipping is likely on top of that price, though. I also question if they even have any stock at that price, given it was replaced by the 141.

Given that Miller and Hobart are owned by the same outfit, it wouldn’t surprise me if they had very similar internals.

tromoly > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 15:42

Invest a little more money in a quality welder and you’ll likely never buy another one. Tips/barrels/tungsten/etc don’t count, they’re consumables and you’ll use them up regardless.

I’ve used a couple really nice Lincoln MIG units, my motorsports friends are split between Miller and Lincoln, a high school buddy has used decent Hobart and Miller units, between the three brands you should be fine.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > tromoly
09/18/2017 at 16:00

Hobarts are typically feature-delete Millers. Same company, same consumables, most of the same parts. Back when I was trying to figure out how to get set up with a spool gun, two of the options for use with a Miller motor power unit were a Hobart and Miller - exactly the same, except that the lead on the Miller was twice as long, there were a few more accessories, and the Miller was twice the price.

Frank Grimes > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 16:09

home depot lincoln mig in the most amps they have.

CobraJoe > Tristan
09/18/2017 at 16:40

I traded a couple of collector rifles for a Lincoln mig welder.

Honestly, the welder made me feel like more of a man than the guns.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Frank Grimes
09/18/2017 at 18:58

I’ve heard mixed things. I’ve heard that some of them have plastic feed mechanisms. A metal roller, but the part that holds it in is plastic. Could be rumour though.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > tromoly
09/18/2017 at 19:00

Yeah, that’s what I’m leaning toward. “Buy once, cry once” as a friend of mine put it.

Frank Grimes > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/18/2017 at 23:42

mine is plastic but it has also lasted me 17 years without any troubles.

Master Cylinder > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 06:25

I actually have the Eastwood 135 and it’s served fairly well for about 7 years now. Including that one time I cut two cars in half and welded the good halves back together.

I won’t pretend it’s on par with the big names, but it’s definitely a step or three up in quality from the Harbor Freight variety of welders. For the price, I’ve been very satisfied with mine.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Frank Grimes
09/19/2017 at 07:49

Good to know!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Master Cylinder
09/19/2017 at 11:49

That’s good to hear. The one thing that it has going for it is the totally variable wire speed and amperage. The Hobart Handler 140 and many others in the same price range only have 4-5 settings for amperage. It’s still a very tempting investment, as it would cost me roughly $400 CAD (as opposed to even the cheapest Lincoln costing $550-$600.

Frank Grimes > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 15:54

The part that is plastic on mine is just the thing that tensions the wire over the roller. It is not necessary for it to ever be really stressed but for peace of mind I would prefer it would be aluminum but like I said the part should never be under much stress and it has lasted me a long time so I guess its ok.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Frank Grimes
09/19/2017 at 17:57

I suppose a person could always 3D print a new one if it broke.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Frank Grimes
09/19/2017 at 17:59

I do wish there were more IGBT welders out there. Some of them are positively tiny.

MM54 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 22:07

I’ve been saving up for a miller 215

BaconSandwich is tasty. > MM54
09/19/2017 at 22:12

That’d be nice. I’m eventually planning on running a 220 outlet out to the garage, so it would open up a few options.

MM54 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 22:26

miller 215 can run off 120 or 240 (has a swappable plug) - just can’t push quite as much current at 120.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > MM54
09/19/2017 at 22:46

I was kind of curious to see what Lincoln has to offer. I’ve seen the MigPack 140 for $550-600 on sale. They list the MSRP at over $1k on their website. Crack pipe.

MM54 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 22:49

I’ve heard from multiple people that if you want a stick welder go with a Lincoln, but if you’re looking for mig/tig Miller has the better machines. I personally have no input (not enough experience to have an opinion).

Frank Grimes > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/19/2017 at 22:59

yeah I have a AHP Tig welder and it has worked very good and it is pretty small compared to a huge lincoln square wave or frankly tiny compared to an old miller heliarc.