MIG Welder Recommendation - Club Cobra

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Today, 05:53 AM Registered User   Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lodi, CA Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #773, 482 stroker, cross ram stack injection Posts: 63 Not Ranked      MIG Welder Recommendation I am fabricating a trailer out of 1/8" wall structural tube. Any suggestions for a MIG welder? Is gas better than flux core wire? Budget is up to $600.00. As long as I'm at it, I would like to replace my welding helmet. Any experience with the Harbor Freight adjustable auto darkening helmet for $50.00, or is it better to pay more and get something like the Metal Man for about $150.00? __________________ Drink no wine before its time Advertising Today, 06:42 AM Registered User   Join Date: May 2009 Location: American Fork, Ut Cobra Make, Engine: 66 Cobra 1971 Ford 302 Posts: 576 Not Ranked      A gas welder will make better looking welds with less spatter than a flux core welder. I have used the Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet for about four years. No problems with it. It goes on sale regularly. I have a 220V welder but for home use I would get the biggest 110V you can get. Some go to 145amp and will weld just as thick of steel as mine and you can move it around a lot more places without having a 220V outlet. I was looking at Eastwoods welders recently. You seem to get a lot for the money. I would not however buy cheap wire for your welder. I bought some.030 from Harbor Freight but could not get the wire speed dialed in. When I switched back to my quality .035 everything was fine. I tossed the cheap wire. Last edited by Wbulk; Today at 06:51 AM.. Reason: Last added. Today, 06:52 AM Registered User   Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: k.c., ks Cobra Make, Engine: jbl Posts: 1,604 Not Ranked      man i wish you were closer, i am getting ready to sell my hobart 110v handler and everything with it! use gas with the mig, much better and easier than the flux core stuff. Today, 08:18 AM Registered User   Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chester Springs, PA Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham 289 FIA #690, FRPP 427 Boss engine Posts: 626 Not Ranked      When only the best welder will do, always go red, white, or blue! That's Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller. Gas is definitely best and you can get a very nice Millermatic (what I have) within your budget. The 110v unit will easily weld up 1/8", but if you think you may have bigger projects in the future, go for a 220v unit. __________________ RCR GT40 SOLD to Fast 5 Kirkham #690 289 FIA Today, 08:45 AM Registered User   Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Cobra Make, Engine: NAF, 496 CHEVY, I HATE To Be Late Posts: 1,607 Not Ranked      I have a Hobart 175 that I like a lot. Its 220v and I've never had it "time out" on me due to duty cycle limitations. I'd had some weird, off brand 110v years ago and it would either time out or blow my circuit breaker after what seemed like very little welding when I was working on anything heavier than sheet metal. I guess the moral is: buy quality, consider what you will use it for, and how much welding you'll be doing. Gas does provide cleaner welds but using it in windy conditions is a problem. As to the helmet, I'd had a Harbor Freight automatic that worked just fine however, I did buy a 3M through my welding class instructor, and it is more comfortable and I paid only about $90 for it. __________________ Karlos "In the Land of the Pigs, The Butcher is King" Last edited by Karl Bebout; Today at 08:48 AM.. Today, 08:55 AM Registered User   Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tucson, az Cobra Make, Engine: Hurricane. 351W something. More on that later! Posts: 2,064 Not Ranked      I have (among others) a Lincoln MIG. Can't remember what number it is but its one of the biggest 110v units. Great welder and I really have no complaints. It will weld just about anything on a car and I can plug it in just about anywhere. I also have one of the HF auto-darkening helmets. No complaints either. If you buy a welder, spend the extra money for a MIG and not just a wire feed welder. You don't have to use the gas unless its needed. Larry __________________ Alba gu bràth Today, 09:04 AM Registered User   Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cypress, TX Cobra Make, Engine: 427 S/C Hurricane, '66 427 MR 2x4 Side Oiler Posts: 1,617 Not Ranked      Don't buy a cheap welder. Our Hobart Handler 140 with gas will weld anything you need on a hot rod or Cobra except thick things like driveline cases. Its a matter of preference but I wouldn't MIG without gas. Prior comments about wire quality ( as well as tips) are spot on. These things really hold their value, so spending extra to get better quality is a wise move. Tractor Supply has good prices on Hobart. Today, 09:10 AM Registered User   Join Date: Aug 2010 Cobra Make, Engine: Superformance MKIII Posts: 20 Not Ranked      Stick with either Miller or Lincoln professional units ( the Hobart ...now part of ITW group ...is the "retail" Millers. The retail Lincolns are the ones you find at Home, Lowes etc ) The best bang for the buck right now are the Lincoln industrial Power Migs POWER MIG® 140C MIG Welder Currently there is a rebate ( cash or auto darkening helmet .....the helmet is worth far more than the cash rebate so you should go for the helmet ) for the Power Mig industrial units bringing it down close to the cost of the retail units. The helmet you get as freebie is from Lincolns industrial line so it far better than the $100 ones at Harbour Freight The 115 volt unit will have no problem with 1/8" wall tubing ...if you ever plan to do aluminum go for the 230 volt unit ...worth the investment As far as gas / self shielded flux cored goes the MIG for your application is the best choice . The self shielded flux cored actually can weld heavier material on these smaller machines , but conversely cannot weld auto body as easily due to the high penetration characteristics of these wires One 1/8 tubing you can get very nice, low spatter welds with the self shielded flux cored...just takes more technique Today, 09:40 AM Registered User   Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mendota, IL Cobra Make, Engine: Posts: 194 Not Ranked      I have a miller 135. I dont feel it is hot enought for 11 gage (.119). Any thing thinner and it works well. Using the largest dia wire your machine will take to weld thicker steel will help. A propane torch to preheat also helps. Try to not use an extention cord . #10 wire from fuse box to plug also helps. A friend that teaches welding thinks that most 110 units are borderline for welding 1/8 steel. Mark « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Display Modes Rate This Thread Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:18 PM. Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0 Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0 The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. 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