Tweet
Welder Purchase Advice Please
Hi,
I'm looking to buy my first welder. I'm 60, and want to do some hobby metal work in retirement. First specific use is welding on the chassis of a car I've started restoring. I'd also like to be able to weld aluminum and possibly stainless steel. I did some stick welding many years ago, and that seemed pretty easy. I tried some oxy-acetylene welding several years ago and that was a bit more challenging. TIG seems interesting, but everything I read makes it sound like if you don't do it often, it will be hard to learn and maintain the skill. Additionally, decent TIG welders aren't cheap, and I get the impression that it may be the wrong type of welder for the thicker steel of the car chassis. So I'm thinking a MIG welder is probably the right choice for someone in my situation? BTW: I can get my hands on an old Lincoln tombstone stick welder, so could go TIG and stick.
Assuming I've come to the right conclusion about going with MIG, I've been looking at which MIG welder to buy. I want to buy one made in the USA, or at least not made in China. The Hobart 210mvp reviews are positive, and it sounds like plenty of welder for my uses. I think it's at least assembled in the US, but I need to verify that. The only concern I have is that one comparison review of it against the Miller 211 says it will burn through mild steel thinner than 1/4". That sounds really limiting.
Since I'm new to all of this, I'd appreciate feedback from people with welding experience.
Thanks,
Gene
I'm looking to buy my first welder. I'm 60, and want to do some hobby metal work in retirement. First specific use is welding on the chassis of a car I've started restoring. I'd also like to be able to weld aluminum and possibly stainless steel. I did some stick welding many years ago, and that seemed pretty easy. I tried some oxy-acetylene welding several years ago and that was a bit more challenging. TIG seems interesting, but everything I read makes it sound like if you don't do it often, it will be hard to learn and maintain the skill. Additionally, decent TIG welders aren't cheap, and I get the impression that it may be the wrong type of welder for the thicker steel of the car chassis. So I'm thinking a MIG welder is probably the right choice for someone in my situation? BTW: I can get my hands on an old Lincoln tombstone stick welder, so could go TIG and stick.
Assuming I've come to the right conclusion about going with MIG, I've been looking at which MIG welder to buy. I want to buy one made in the USA, or at least not made in China. The Hobart 210mvp reviews are positive, and it sounds like plenty of welder for my uses. I think it's at least assembled in the US, but I need to verify that. The only concern I have is that one comparison review of it against the Miller 211 says it will burn through mild steel thinner than 1/4". That sounds really limiting.
"The Hobart 210MVP will only weld mild steel as small as ¼”. Any smaller and the weld will likely burn through the metal. The Miller 211, on the other hand, welds even 24 gauge mild steel. This theme is repeated even when dealing with aluminum. Surprisingly, the 211 can weld 24 gauge aluminum while the MVP’s limit is 18 gauge aluminum which is slightly larger." Source: https://weldzone.org/hobart-210-vs-miller-211
Since I'm new to all of this, I'd appreciate feedback from people with welding experience.
Thanks,
Gene
Comment