Choice of a DIY Welder, 120v

rdinatal

rdinatal

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I've been thinking about a DIY welder for a while as I have a few projects that need to be done. Plus, I've always wanted to learn how to weld.

My needs are to weld steel up to 3/8" using 120vac. I don't care if I need to do multiple passes. In the future I also would like to weld aluminum so it needs to be spool gun ready. These are all DIY projects so duty cycle is irrelevant.

There is a budget of ~$300 (with some stretch $) for the unit plus whatever the accessories cost. A local Northern Tool has all welders on sale plus I get an additional $50 off.

Opinions on this unit keeping in mind budget and power limits...

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631880_200631880

-R
 
The spool gun is another $200. so that kind of takes you over on the $. But for home use, I wouldn't be afraid of it.
You will also have to buy an argon bottle and have it filled.
 
One thing I have learned in my life is ,,,,,,,,,,DO NOT buy cheap tools...............

Sorry,,,but you wont get a good welder for 300.00 dollars

If you want to get a welder and weld 3/8",,,get a good one the first time. That way you can do the job one time, do it right, and be happy with it.


CHEAP TOOLS SUCK OUT LOUD!!!
 
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For little projects at home i wouldn’t be a bit scared of that welder. It gets great reviews. Is it a Miller? No. But if you aren’t welding structural steel and are playing at home with yard art or something similar I’d go for it.
 
I’ve got a Lincoln that runs on 120 and it was a decent machine to learn on. Bought it at a pawn shop for 250 otd. I bought a Hobart stick welder for thicker stuff, and actually enjoy that more.
 
dman24 said:
I’ve got a Lincoln that runs on 120 and it was a decent machine to learn on. Bought it at a pawn shop for 250 otd. I bought a Hobart stick welder for thicker stuff, and actually enjoy that more.
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I love stick welding. It’s a lost art these days as everyone likes the squirt guns. And IMO learning to stick weld first will make someone a better welder
 
Check Craigslist. For another $150 or so you can get a used name brand 220v machine. Might even get lucky and score one with a tank and cart.
 
I don't think there is a 120V welder that will penetrate 3/8"........... half of that will probably work a 120V welder pretty hard.
 
There isn't. Technically a 120 machine is rated for 3/16" but I've welded a bunch of 1/4" with the heat up and slowed travel speed. You say you can't do 220 because I'm assuming you don't have a plug. I had one wired in my garage for like $60.
 
Gear Head said:
There isn't. Technically a 120 machine is rated for 3/16" but I've welded a bunch of 1/4" with the heat up and slowed travel speed. You say you can't do 220 because I'm assuming you don't have a plug. I had one wired in my garage for like $60.
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Not only that but you can also use a dryer plug usually. I don’t have 220 in a dedicated place right now, if I want/ need to do something with my stick machine I plug it into the dryer plug and go to town. A dedicated place is in long term plans but not short term finances.
 
I got a Lincoln SP-135, from a vendor on ebay, it was factory refurbished, they use them at trade shows and demonstrations,
they pull the main board and pop it in a new unit with three year factory warranty. They have newer models now.
Don't skimp on safety gear, get an auto darkening helmet, mig gloves, a jacket and fire extinguisher. (just in case).
Don't be like those guys on cable tv shows that do not use gloves.

The welder you are looking at is the newer inverter type, less expensive to make compared to the transformer welder like I have.
To weld the thicker metal you will use flux cored wire not gas shielded unless you move to a 240V model.
Check out welding classes at the community college.

Here are a few links for learning how to weld, it is a lot of fun but takes patience to learn the skills. Use lots of scrap to practice.
Both Lincoln and Miller have lot of videos and forums.


 
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Gear Head said:
What are you building? Trying to weld 3/8" with a 120 welder isn't a good idea.
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You beat me to it. I don’t know if a 120V welder that will do 3/8. I’ve got a Miller 212 and it’s maxed out at 3/8. I love it. But it’s probably a little more than you are looking to spend. And it’s 220.
 
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I have a little Lincoln "hobby" welder that uses 3/16" sticks that does all of my around the house crap. 120 volt and will stick 2 pieces together if they aren't too thick, maybe 1/8" at the most. Bring some steel when you come over and you can play with it....
 
rdinatal said:
I've been thinking about a DIY welder for a while as I have a few projects that need to be done. Plus, I've always wanted to learn how to weld.
My needs are to weld steel up to 3/8" using 120vac. I don't care if I need to do multiple passes. In the future I also would like to weld aluminum so it needs to be spool gun ready. These are all DIY projects so duty cycle is irrelevant.
There is a budget of ~$300 (with some stretch $) for the unit plus whatever the accessories cost. A local Northern Tool has all welders on sale plus I get an additional $50 off.
Opinions on this unit keeping in mind budget and power limits...
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631880_200631880
-R
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I HATE crappy tools, there is a noticeable difference with welders. I've used $200 and $3500 welders, the cheap ones just made me frustrated.
Is there anyone near you that has one you can practice/learn with?
 
I do know a couple I can use but they are also in the same range. The limiting factor is the power source.

Thanks for all the suggestions and information!!

-R
 
I've killed a 220 consumer grade welder due to poor duty cycle building a smoker. I decided when I get a mig it will be a 220 and one with a substantial duty cycle.

To keep myself out of trouble and still be able to stick metal together at home I got a cheap 110 stick welder from Northern, it's not too fustrating.


Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
 
I have a little ARC welder I got to learn how to weld. It is tiny and 110v so I have no expectations of running a business or building a trailer using it. Right now I need to find someone who can spend some time on a weekend or 3 and show me the ropes.

About thickness, I thought you can build up the weld in ARC/TIG.
 
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HamSlamma said:
One thing I have learned in my life is ,,,,,,,,,,DO NOT buy cheap tools...............

Sorry,,,but you wont get a good welder for 300.00 dollars

If you want to get a welder and weld 3/8",,,get a good one the first time. That way you can do the job one time, do it right, and be happy with it.


CHEAP TOOLS SUCK OUT LOUD!!!
Click to expand...
Theres some stuff ill buy at harbor freight... Screw drivers, a random socket if I need it, oil filter wrench.. a one time tool i need for a quick job...

But if its anything i might have to use more than once, it's always worth it to buy good the first time. I've learned that over years of buying, breaking, and buying good the second time. So its not really wasted money to spend a little more the first time.

As daddy always said.... anything worth doing, is worth doing right!
 
jmccracken1214 said:
As daddy always said.... anything worth doing, is worth doing right!
Click to expand...
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dalek said:
I have a little ARC welder I got to learn how to weld. It is tiny and 110v so I have no expectations of running a business or building a trailer using it. Right now I need to find someone who can spend some time on a weekend or 3 and show me the ropes.

About thickness, I thought you can build up the weld in ARC/TIG.
Click to expand...
You can build up weld but it isn’t doing any good if it doesn’t penetrate into the base metal. That’s why the low powered welders are rated for thin metal, and work good for sheet metal. They don’t have enough power to penetrate 1/4in and sometimes 1/8in.
 
The 4 main manufacturers in the U.S. for welding gear are ESAB, Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart, and the last three get some parts from ESAB. Pretty sure the Northern Tool machines are built by one of the big boys. I ran a NT mig machine for almost 4 years, and that machine really exceeded my expectations. I think it was around $499.00 at the time I bought it. Year before last, I bought a Miller MIG machine from a forum member and as good as the NT machine was, the Miller was next-level in performance.

Welding machines are truly a buy-once-cry-once thing, and you definitely get what you pay for. I have welded 3/8” with the Miller and got good penetration and good heat. I was only welding 4”-6” beads at a time with several minutes of setting up for the next weld in between, and had no issues with those welds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Been using my Krotch 110v (Northern Tool brand) for a while. If I do my part, it does well. Then again I'm only working up to 3/8". I have tried 1/2" but the breaker tripped. Must wait more...
 
I just found this thread…. I’m running a Hobart 140. It’s a great little machine. Hobart and Miller are kissing cousins, so the parts are darned close if not completely interchangeable.

With that said, I think it’s outside your budget. You’re welcome to give it a go, if you’re ever around Wake Forest.
 
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