New Welder what one.

[RFazio]

I'm ready to go out and get myself a mig. I'm looking at the lower end of the 230 volt units. Mainly because I want the largest I can power with a generator. I was going to go for a 110 volt unit but my gen can handle a 20 amp 230 volt load I guess (4200 Watt). I'll use the unit a home and my weekend place with no power. So I'm looking at millermatic 175, Lincoln SP-175, and a Hobart handler 175. Which do you guys think would make the best all around mig for a novice?

[Scott V]

Try to find a welding that has atleast the Miller,or Lincoln sp175,then weld with both.Then make up your mind.That will help you more then all the advice you could get here,or at the welding store.Use the same gas,and wire in both.Weld with thick,and thin metal.

[Hobart Expert Dave]

It is going to take atleast 4600 watts to run these welders. so a 5000 watt generator is needed. Take your voltage times your amps and you will get the wattage needed to run the welder.My guess if you are only using a 4200 watt generator you will need the Handler 135
Dave Evans

[bitternut]

I agree sort of with Hobart expert Dave. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I have a Coleman generator that is 4000 watts continuous and I think either 4400 or 4600 watt surge. I also have a HH175.

I used the above equipment to field weld rusty 6" well casing. When I tried using .035" flux-core wire the welds were cold looking and did not penetrate. I tried grinding down to all shiny metal with no improvement in welds. I switched to .030" wire and it welded fine. I was using Fabshield 21-B wire in both diameters. Obviously I was flirting with the maximum capacity of my equipment.

In conclusion you can weld with less than a 5000 watt generator but you can't weld at the machines maximum potential. I already had the generator before I got the welder so I was using what I had. If you don't have either I would definitely get a 5000 watt model. I also would recommend the HH 175.

[Old Man Stick]

Originally posted by Hobart Expert Dave
It is going to take atleast 4600 watts to run these welders. so a 5000 watt generator is needed. Take your voltage times your amps and you will get the wattage needed to run the welder.My guess if you are only using a 4200 watt generator you will need the Handler 135
Dave Evans

Not to butt in here. You have to watch Generators. If thay say you can run a max of 4200 Watts 9 times out of 10 that is for 220 V. once you go down to 110 V your output gets cut in half. Your only useing half of its windings. So if a Genarator with a 4200 Watt @ 220 V once you go to 110 your only looking at 2100 Watts of power. I would have to read the book on the unit and see what the Manufacture has to say. Some of the higher priced units will run a higher Wattage on the 110 side but, not all of them.

Just my 2Cents worth

OMS

[Hobart Expert Rock]

RFAZIO.............. WELL FIRST WELCOME ABOARD HOPE YOU LIKE THE SITE................. HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO FIND IT....... WELL TO DESIDE WHICH ONE I LIKED I WOULD TRY ALL I COULD LAY MY HANDS ON................ HEAD OVER TO YOUR LOCAL WELDING STORE OR WELDING DISTRIBUTORS IN YOUR AREA........... SIT DOWN WITH EACH OR WITH A BUNCH OF THEM THEN YOU DECIDE........... THAT WAY IT IS YOUR DECISION AND IT IS EASIER TO LIVE WITH IF IT IS YOUR CALL, HEY IT IS YOUR MONEY AFTER ALL................ ABOUT THE WATTAGE THEIR IS A MINIMUM AND I WOULDN'T CONSIDER ANYTHING LESS THAN A 5000 WATT GENERATOR........... I'VE TRIED A COLEMAN BEFORE WITH ONLY NOMINAL SUCESS................ SO WHEN YOU DECIDE WHICH ONE YOUR BUYING LET US KNOW............... AND TELL US IF IT WAS WELDABILITY, DOLLARS, LOOKS, STYLE, ETC.............LET US KNOW WHY YOU CHOICE THE ONE YOU CHOSE..........HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT NOW........................ROCK
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