Wire Welder

I have a stick welder but it just blows holes in light stuff. What do I need for a wire welder? Harbor Freight has several at around $100.

 

Gregg, I bought a HF Dual Mig (the kind that can take a gas bottle) for about $300. Added a cooling fan inside the unit, and I've done all kinds of stuff with it.

Don't know about the $100 ones, but may work well for thin stuff.

 

I have the $119 dollar 110 flux core unit. It is not very good for sheet metal, as it only has min/max settings. On min, you have to set the wire speed pretty fast to not burn through.

 

I have the same welder and sheetmetal is not what it likes, 1/8 steel is its favorite metal. I have rebuilt my whole body with that welder but I do not recoment it for that job.

 

Hobart Handler 135 can be had for just over 400 and it is a good light duty welder that will burn up to 3/16. While the HF stuff may be fine, I have never had to do anything to my 175 but add wire and gas. and use it almost daily.

 

We have one of the 220v HF Dual MIG's, and it has been pretty good, overall. My son has a friend that had a HF 110v MIG welder, and it did a fair job on sheet metal. Most of the time, they were using an extension cord to run the unit - If you only have light work to do, I'd advise picking up their 110v welder on sale. If it burns through on you on the low setting, adjust the "burn" with a longer extension cord, which will limit the current in relationship to its length.

 

My son read my post, and pointed out that as you weld with the 110v HF welder, you will be forced to improve your welding skills, as you cope with burn holes, wire speed, etc. A great tool to learn on!

 

I would save a little dough and buy a Miller or hobart , you wont regret it. I have used most of the small welders except hobart, the small miller is better then any thing else Ive used. I bought my miller 135 over to my friends shop that had a lincon and you could hear the differance between them. If you start with a good welder you'll thank yourself later

 

Look at this site, welding wire for thin sheet metal....TwentyGauge
www.jhharris.com

 

One vote for the hobart 135. I have welded sheet metal and the thicker stuff using the gas...much cleaner. I sure like it considering I started out with a stick. Never had any problems with it.