PDA

View Full Version : help me pick out a welder



BigDaveZJ
04-24-2005, 03:41 PM
So I'm looking for a light duty welder. Won't be doing anything too intense yet, and I'm limited by the wiring in the house. Currently there's a 15amp circuit for the garage, and it trips pretty easily. Welder would only see light fab stuff. I figure it's easier to upgrade the circuit from 15 to 20 amps than run 220, and it's a lot cheaper.

K, Home Depot apparently doesn't like people linking to products on their site, but its the Lincoln WeldPak 3200HD. Home Depot has it for $459.

This one here looks good to me for what I've got in mind.

I've always liked the Miller 210, but just don't think I totally need that right now. Plus, the cost of the 210 is a bit (k, a lot) higher than the one I linked, and I still have to run a 220v line.

Thoughts?

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
04-24-2005, 04:37 PM
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1165

nmzj
04-24-2005, 07:51 PM
Dave, it doesn't take much to put in a 220 circuit if there is space in the box. If you are upgrading a 15A to a 20A, there isn't much difference.

BTW, I got my lincoln 175 off ebay for $450 shipped.

Jason

Pearce
04-24-2005, 09:06 PM
Miller 175 has done everything I've needed it to do to build a complete suspension. Go to Cyberweld.com to check prices on a couple different brands they sell.
And if you got two slots open in the breaker, it wouldnt take much to put a double pull breaker in for the welder.

here they do a single pull:
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/panel/breaker/install.htm
just need to make sure you have 2 slots side by side to hit the bus bar.

Nordic1
04-24-2005, 09:27 PM
I wouldn't pickup a weld pack... something about those models seems funny to me... There's plenty of people on pirate that get by doing their own fabwork with 110v however I would shoot for 220v if at all possible.

If you're going 110v, I'd shoot for the Lincoln 135 T, Miller 135 or the Hobart 140

Jim311
04-24-2005, 09:47 PM
I run a Lincoln Pro Mig 135 and love it. Can't go wrong with Hobart or Lincoln IMO, but I'm a Lincoln man myself.

OverkillZJ
04-24-2005, 10:00 PM
Parts to do 220 = $30, I'll do it for you in June

BigDaveZJ
04-24-2005, 10:05 PM
And if you got two slots open in the breaker, it wouldnt take much to put a double pull breaker in for the welder.



Therein lies the problem, the box is full!

OverkillZJ
04-24-2005, 10:17 PM
And if you got two slots open in the breaker, it wouldnt take much to put a double pull breaker in for the welder.



Therein lies the problem, the box is full!

Send me a pic of your box, I think we can find a solution

BigDaveZJ
04-24-2005, 10:18 PM
Send me a pic of your box

I don't think Pam would like that. :finga:

When it stops snowing I'll go snap a pic.

Bustin' Loose
04-24-2005, 10:20 PM
:shake: :smt018

karstman
04-24-2005, 10:36 PM
220's cake. Make room in the box and be done with it.

BTW = Why is it always snowing SOUTH of here.....no snow here.

:finga:

BigDaveZJ
04-24-2005, 10:52 PM
220's cake. Make room in the box and be done with it.

BTW = Why is it always snowing SOUTH of here.....no snow here.

:finga:

And my ZJ was outside again for a bit tonight! Granted I was driving it, but it was cold!

Bustin' Loose
04-25-2005, 01:50 AM
220's cake. Make room in the box and be done with it.

BTW = Why is it always snowing SOUTH of here.....no snow here.

:finga:

How do you make room in a full box?

karstman
04-25-2005, 07:14 AM
Eliminate some of the circuits you don't "need".... and use those spots on the bus.

nathaniel
04-25-2005, 07:32 AM
Eliminate some of the circuits you don't "need".... and use those spots on the bus.

Or use slim breakers to increase space. or incorrect way tap another circuit thats 220 and dont use both at the same time. ie stove/dryer and welder.

OverkillZJ
04-25-2005, 11:37 AM
Eliminate some of the circuits you don't "need".... and use those spots on the bus.

Or use slim breakers to increase space. or incorrect way tap another circuit thats 220 and dont use both at the same time. ie stove/dryer and welder.

Bingo.

Half height breakers is the easiest / safest way to fix it. It's seriously a 3 minute job. If that's not an option for whatever reason, tapping the dryer breaker works too :)

Mtn WJ
05-10-2005, 10:32 PM
Dave

I have a Lincoln 135 that you can borrow to see if it will work for you. My guess is it will be. So far I am pretty happy with it. The Home Depot Weld Pack 135 and the Pro-Mig are the same welder FYI. The smaller weld paks are not worth it but the Pro Mig 135 or Weld pack equivalent are good options for 110V users. Lincoln like many other company's re-label items to prevent shops from getting price matched. Otherwise I have heard good things about the Miller, Hobarts and Clarke 135 welders too.

You can do a suicide type 220V set up where you take two extension cords and combine Grounds and Neutrals then plug the cords into two different outlets on different phases. Boom you have 220. I have done this before when I used to produce AV shows and needed 220V in old buildings with no 220.

Let me know if you want to borrow my welder before you decide on a 110 or 220 welder.

Keith S

BigDaveZJ
05-10-2005, 10:49 PM
Keith,
I decided to go 220, not gonna fart around with 110, gonna do it once, do it right.

AprilzWarrior
05-11-2005, 12:03 AM
Get a Lincoln Power Mig 225 Like me !!

:butthead: