Welder Dilema

[Entourage]

I am looking for a Welder. I have been trolling Craigslist for weeks and the used welders are either overpriced or from the Disco era - nothing against Disco Era - but want a more modern day MIG Wire Feed style.

I am doing the body work on my project and that may be it. I may or may not ever use it again so rather not have the commitment of a new one.

Anyone know of a welder for sale or rent?

[akaFrankCastle]

I bought my Lincoln through this site a few years ago:
http://www.weldingmart.com/category/Our_Holiday_Specials/595

Pretty damn good customer service. Fast shipping. Price was pretty good when I was shopping. I haven't compared prices lately to check and see if they are competitive.

[Entourage]

Hey - I have been looking for weeks for the right welder and you save me the trouble. Should have posted this up eweeks ago. Thanks a ton for the help. Now I need to decide between the 140 and 180. I appreciate the help - that is a great site with great prices.

[akaFrankCastle]

Wasn't until I read your thread this evening that I remembered them.

I'm typically a hands on shopper. I HATE buying anything that I can't try out first.

mart.com was great though. My first Lincoln they shipped was crushed by UPS because they stacked crap on top of it. So the case and the regulator were both damaged. I called them up, told them the situation, 48 hours later I had a new Lincoln. After attempting to get them to pick up the broken welder for nearly two months, they finally told me "eh, keep it. sorry for the trouble."

[Entourage]

What did you do with the broken welder?

[Kinder]

Dan did the replacement floorpan w/ the 140, a great 110 welder, I picked up the 180 but you have to wire up a 220/240v outlet if you don't have one and it makes it hard to take somewhere if they don't have the outlet so the 140 is a bit more flexible.

[akaFrankCastle]

Traded it for an engine hoist, compressor, and die grinder.

[airbur]

I bought my Lincoln Electric SP-135T MIG from that same web site a few years ago. Good prices and cheap shipping. It has done everything I've asked of it on the Bronco so far. I haven't welded any of the frame or mounts etc...but all the sheet metal etc has worked great. It shows it can do up to 1/4" but I haven't tried that yet.

I believe this is the equivalent now....

http://www.weldingmart.com/item/Lincoln ... 4?refind=1

[akaFrankCastle]

I bought my Lincoln Electric SP-135T MIG from that same web site a few years ago. Good prices and cheap shipping. It has done everything I've asked of it on the Bronco so far. I haven't welded any of the frame or mounts etc...but all the sheet metal etc has worked great. It shows it can do up to 1/4" but I haven't tried that yet.

I believe this is the equivalent now....

http://www.weldingmart.com/item/Lincoln ... 4?refind=1

I can tell you that unit will do just fine at frame repair. Just make sure to bevel the edges of the pieces you are working on.

[ClayJ]

I bought my Lincoln from either Lowe's or Home Depot. I got a 25% discount coupon when I moved into my house and bought a ton of stuff in one massive shopping spree.

[Entourage]

I am surprised how hard the welder thing has been. I am feeling like I should get a welder becasue of future repairs. I also had a probelm borrowing a tool, it breaking, and then buying a new tool for the friend who lent it to me. I was out all the money and no tool to show for it.

Big dilema. Thanks for the input. I am happy Depot and Lowes sell these welders so I can get wire and parts. I think I am going to order a Lincoln 140 like Airbur and Punisher.

Anyone know a good place to get a tank filled?

[Kinder]

General Air or Air Gas, I can't remember who I used last time, I think Dan said one was a bit better than the other, Dan?

[ZOSO]

As for using gas on the wire feed. Here's a tip for you guys that are using a 110volt little guy. Use straight CO2 for a shielding gas. It actually causes the weld to be hotter so you can get more penetration out of a little welder. Thats all i ever use and have never had a problem. I have a 110v craftsman wirefeed that has done everything i need. Welds 1/4" plate no problem.

[Entourage]

Perfect. I will order the welder today and get the tank this week. I am so excited to have my father-in-law here to show me how to weld. Thanks again for all of the great help guys.

[Entourage]

Just ordered the 140 and a auto darkening helmet - way excited. They are even throwing in a pair of $40.00 gloves.

How much is the tank rental and fill going to cost?

[Entourage]

That is even easier to pick-up one of yours, Dan. I will PM ya to make arrangements to come get it. Thanks man.

[ZOSO]

Congrats on the purchase. Im wanting to get a bigger unit. My little mig does fine and so does my arc but I want a big mig. But that will come when I have my own garage to work in.

[Entourage]

I was tempted to get the 220 V for another $130.00 but in the end, I will never use it. Plus, I can use the saved money to add a cart.

[Entourage]

Heck Yeah!!! New Lincoln 140 Welder just got delivered! I am very impressed with Mart - came 2 days early! Thanks a ton for the suggestions. The timing could not have been better - Black Friday deal was $100.00 less and no longer available at that price. Free $40.00 gloves arrive tomorrow USPS. Father in law is in tizown and going to get me started tomorrow! Fun weekend ahead! Plus, Harbor Freight Cart is on sale Monday for $35.00 and Zilla has a full co/argon Tank!

Thanks guys for your help! YEEEEE-HAAAAH!

[akaFrankCastle]

Harbor Freight has been tempting the crap out of me lately. I went through their last circular and circled 500 bones worth of stuff I need/want. Mostly want.

[Entourage]

Thanks for all of the help getting the right welder, cart, helmet, etc. I just got the Harbor Freight Cart, 4 Rolls of Lincoln Wire, Lincoln Tip Gel, 4 Pairs of Gloves, CO/Argon Tank from Dan, Miller Helmet, and ready to start welding!

I am happy to bring it or any of my welding supplies to the January 2011 Bumper Build Tech Class.

[akaFrankCastle]

Thanks for all of the help getting the right welder, cart, helmet, etc. I just got the Harbor Freight Cart, 4 Rolls of Lincoln Wire, Lincoln Tip Gel, 4 Pairs of Gloves, CO/Argon Tank from Dan, Miller Helmet, and ready to start welding!

I am happy to bring it or any of my welding supplies to the January 2011 Bumper Build Tech Class.

Don't everything just look purty there on that cart, fresh from the plastic? Time to get it dirty!

Make sure you keep those gloves safe. I had a neighbor's dog run off with my last set. Tasty soft leather.

[Entourage]

I will bring you a pair to the Meeting - the least I can do for your help.

[akaFrankCastle]

Thanks for the offer. I mostly use a Nomex blend military flight glove now. More dexterity and flame retardant. I usually don't run long enough beads to need that much heat protection.