What do you think of this WELDER.....Deal thru 4/11

[bb71challenger]

I thought Miller and Hobart are pretty much the same? I have heard from many that Hobart welders are very nice. I have always heard that Miller is the better wirefeed welder and Lincoln makes a better stick welder. I have the small Lincoln wire welder that is rated at like 88 amps. I know it is small but it should do anything I need to sheetmetalwise on my car and that is really why I got it. I bought a smaller version of the big oxygen bottle for $5 from a guy and then had it recerted and filled with 75/25. I have used both and will never again use fluxcore, it doesnt even compare with solid wire/shielding gas.

[Bullitt-]

For the sake of discussion say 220V is not an option.....Specs below are for the Hobart at Tractor supply $390+tax free shipping = $421 This unit comes setup for use with shielding gas..... I cannot find a Miller or Lincoln that specs out similarly for less than $540 (1/3 higher cost)....(to get into a 220V it's out the roof.)

Would anyone point out what I should buy if not this one.........       

All I need this for is body panels & exhaust......in 30 years of adulthood I've never personally needed a welder.
   We may need one at Dads river house where 220V would not be close to where we would be working.
If I don't get this one now I'll probably just wait till the day I need one & spend whatever it takes.....maybe that rich uncle will have left me $omethin by then 

Volts 115
Amps 140
Duty Cycle 20% at 90 Amps, 19 Volts
Mig Ready Yes
Wire Feed Speed Control Yes, 40 - 700 IPM
Weldable Metals Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Weld Thickness (in.) 24-gauge up to 1/4in. steel
Clamp Cable Length (ft.) 10
Regulator and Gas Hose Included Yes
Shielding Gas Required Optional
Welding Wire Diameter (in.) .023 - .035
.

[bb71challenger]

With it being able to weld 1/4 inch steel you are good to go on a car. Even to the point of welding frame pieces. My welder does 3/16ths and that is enough for what I am doing. If it fits the description of what you intend to do with it then get it or you will most likely regret it. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[ntstlgl1970]

If you are limited to 120v this one sounds like the way to go. Use the thin welding wire, it will make it easier to weld the thin stuff.

[mikerallye]

I may be able to contribute some advice here. I am a welding engineer and also teach the subject at a tech college. Get a miller, Hobart, or a  Lincoln in the 500.00 dollar price range and you will be happy. Rumors suggest that Miller is buying out Hobart, (and I have been seeing some Hobarts with miller guns attached.)  Spend  around 850.00 and you can get a machine that will accommodate a spool gun (extra) which will allow you to weld aluminum, stainless, or cast iron. I know most of the welding stores will suggest you use a mix of 75% Ar and 25% C02 as a shielding gas. My experience and some welding journals suggest using less CO2 since most of the body panels are thin. I like 92%Ar 8% CO2 on the thin metal. Harbor Freight has the cylinders cheap enough and Airgas will fill them. Flux core is for outside environments and is not as good on thin metals as gas shielded wire. Jackson, Speedglas, and Arc One are all fine hoods. Autodarkening is a must. ( easy to see the start point). I currently own all three brands and all are over one year old and function great. Be sure to get a battery backup type, since the solar hoods need several hours of arc light to stay charged and most of us welding body panels don't weld 4 hours straight per day. Good luck.