This has been discussed before by others, I am looking for a welder. I am building a 2 story covered patio, and 2 new Carports. Most of the material is 14 gauge steel, a friend recommended the Lincoln Weld-Pac 180 mig and I think it would probably work well for this project and most of my needs. One other I looked at was the Millermatic 215. Another that was recommended was the Harbor Freight OminPro 220 Vulcan. One thing interesting about that model is it is supposed to be able to TIG weld also which I may need some time.
Looking for something relatively small and light as much of the welding will be done on second story. Money is not top deciding factor on this purchase but if I can get one that does everything I need at a lower price then like to know that before I make this purchase. After this project probably would not use welder more than a few times a year but it would be nice to TIG brackets etc if needed on my cars.

Welcome any thoughts or recommendations on this. Thank you,

I have a miller multimatic 220 at my home shop. A friend of mine bought the HF Vulcan 220 and in my opinion it isn't far behind the miller. If not using everyday to make money I would buy the Vulcan. AC tig is the only real advantage the miller has

Wow! That is good information and if I am not mistaken there the Millermatic 220 is $3500 more than the HF Vulcan 220. Money is not my top priority here but that if I am not mistaken on price that is a big difference.
Thank you,

Bruce, I have a Hobart 230 MIG, an excellent machine with reasonable pricing.

I have a Hobart 230 also but he wants small I’m doing sheet metal work on a couple of projects and just bought the Arccaption 200 it will might with or with out gas it can do lift star tig dc and arc weld and it’s less than $400. Has lots of good reviews and so negative ones but four the money when it breaks I’ll throw it away

Duty cycle rating is everything.

Is welding 6 to 12 seconds per minute good enough?

I have a few spots in my roll bar install that sure could have been better, if I'd had a better machine.

Check out HTP. I have two of their machines and have had zero issues with them. They are very high quality and every bit as good or better than the other brand names.

www.usaweld.com

I have a Miller 035 I bought new 800 yrs ago that still does the job.....ONLY downside is obviously it doesn't weld aluminium.....I recently bought a 225x TIG from Primeweld that works very well and more important (at least to me) is their customer service....look into them. They are famous for good service...

I am by no means a welder I’m learning but that’s as far as I can go now. I’m rebuilding my Camaro s there’s welding involved. I bought a Lincoln 180i mpdv and weld pak. As it comes out of the box it can mig or stick weld. It has the option to add a foot pedal to tig with if desired. It has 240/120 volt capacity and comes with an adapter to allow 120 volt use. I’ve only done sheet metal work with it but am very happy with it. It cost right around $1000 last year when purchased.

The Lincoln 180 I MPDV sure sounds interesting like it may be what I need. Going to try to do more research on it.

So probably what I am looking for is a "Multi Process Welder"?

From what I can tell there is the HF Vulcan 220, the Lincoln 180I MPI, These are smaller units but sound like they will do everything I could possibly need. Home Depot had the Lincoln 180I MPI for $1299 with the accessories so I think it only needs bottle which is another $460 filled. That is certainly cheap enough. If it will do what I need. Having a farm now I have to repair weld plow and things like that. Will need to do some welding on the 14 gauge carport and covered 2 story patio. Then maybe TIG a bracket on my cars once in a while. The Lincoln 220 ($2100) is about twice as much as the HF Vulcan ($1000) Not sure what differences are between the Lincoln 180, Vulcan 220 and the Lincoln 220? All seem to interesting and in the price range if they can do the job, note none come with bottle. Since I will have to be carrying it out in field and upstairs on the patio project lighter is better especially if I have to drag my big 220 volt generator to.

Which one would you recommend? Or something else? Or is the Multi Process Welder one of those deals that it does a little of everything but nothing very good? I am assuming the Lincoln 180 and 220 the difference is duty cycle?

Curly,
Make sure you consider the fact that when working outside the wind will really effect your shield if you use gas. I would check if flux core welding is possible with whatever welder you choose.
I would think you could use flux core with any of them but I'm not sure.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:
Curly,
Make sure you consider the fact that when working outside the wind will really effect your shield if you use gas. I would check if flux core welding is possible with whatever welder you choose.
I would think you could use flux core with any of them but I'm not sure.

Dave

I was thinking this as well. And since portability was mentioned, it would eliminate the need for a gas bottle as well.

The Easy-Flux 125 from Harbor Freight is super tiny and light. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

The Lincoln welder I got can use flux core wire as well as solid wire with gas. It comes with drive rollers for two different diameter wire. It is ready to stick weld out of the box. To tig you do have to buy a torch and pedal. I’ve only used mine on 120 volt doing sheet metal work. Installed quarters snd fixed holes in the firewall. I’m learning so not a welder but I have welded together 1/4 plates with good penetration on 120 volt. I need to get another 240 circuit in my garage for the welder.

ARCCAPTAIN 160 MIG Amazon. They have an inexpensive 130 too that’s killer!
I use this out in the field for fence and sheet metal projects. Great little machine

These are inverter welders also.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BP758,

quote:

Originally posted by BP758:
ARCCAPTAIN 160 MIG Amazon. They have an inexpensive 130 too that’s killer!
I use this out in the field for fence and sheet metal projects. Great little machine

These are inverter welders also.

How is the duty cycle on this one? I just do not want to save a little up front and be dissapointed in the long run.

60 Curly. I welded box tube gates together. Two 9’ sections , 14 gage. I welded pretty much all day and continuous for at least 10 min. No issues . I bought harbor frights 100 about a two years ago. Worked ok but it doesn’t like to work steady. My son came by with his new Arc 130 and I was blown away. Way nicer welds and total adjustable. So I ordered the 160. I’ve used it twice since then. I’m sure at 240 volts it would be better but out on the property it’s my 5000 gen set.

Next week I’m switching over to gas, building two new steel oil pans. I’ll let you know how that goes. Can’t do inner shield in the pan too much splatter.

quote:

Originally posted by BP758:
60 Curly. I welded box tube gates together. Two 9’ sections , 14 gage. I welded pretty much all day and continuous for at least 10 min. No issues . I bought harbor frights 100 about a two years ago. Worked ok but it doesn’t like to work steady. My son came by with his new Arc 130 and I was blown away. Way nicer welds and total adjustable. So I ordered the 160. I’ve used it twice since then. I’m sure at 240 volts it would be better but out on the property it’s my 5000 gen set.

That ARC 160 is $219 to $399 on Amazon. That is so cheap it scares me. I am going to try to look into it more but I think the ones right now I am leaning towards is the Vulcan 220 HF, The Linncoln 180 MPI or the Lincoln 220 MPI.

I get that Curly. I posted my results and I do own a miller and a Bluepoint bigger migs. I bought these for sheet metal light gage work. My 250 doesn’t like to operate at 1-3 heat and wire. Or it’s me?

Check these out
https://www.weldclass.com.au/c...s-mig-multi-function