Happy hump day y’all. Curious of peoples input on multi process welders. It’s been 20 years or more since I’ve run a welder. Had a good neighbor across the street for the past 20 or so years that I took any of my welding needs too, and he’d hook me up. I’ll only be using it for personal, hobbyist type stuff, so I don’t see a need to spend $4000 or more on a Miller or Lincoln, but I do want a quality machine. Just looking to be able to repair my trailers, equipment and maybe some fun projects. Pretty good chance I may cut out and replace the cage in my bracket/street car as well. Doing a Google search on welders, I’m finding affordable brands, but their price is so much lower than the big guys, that it gives me some question as to their quality. Some that I see at surprisingly low price points are, Yes, Arccaptain, Forney, Eastwood…. Thanks.

Find a vintage used mig machine.
"Duty cycle" rating is key, and easily available consumables. (liners, tips, leads and guns)

quote:

Originally posted by Goob:
Find a vintage used mig machine.
"Duty cycle" rating is key, and easily available consumables. (liners, tips, leads and guns)

Thanks. Having thought about this a bit more, I'm thinking about ditching the multi process idea and going with a good MIG. Had thought I may stick weld with it also, but I'm just repairing my trailers, fixing my hotrods and such. There's a couple Miller retailers nearby, so I may stop in and see what they offer. I'm sure they have used stuff for sale. Also have a good guy at church who owns a large scale welding/fab shop I'll speak with next time I see him. Haven't seen him in a few weeks, but I'm sure he'll show for Christmas. May look into a plasma cutter soon as well. Thanks again.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Linco...-OQNM9caAp9vEALw_wcB

I got this one and really like it. What I needed it for mostly was to weld up primed steel for my patio and carport using fluxcore wire. That worked well but you have the flux slag. The mig with gas works very good when I have used it. Have not used the TIG yet but sure it will work well.

I had a thread on this about a year ago in this forum and with the advice here decided the Lincoln 180 would fill all my needs and it has served me well. Will try to find the thread and edit if I find it.

https://drr.infopop.cc/eve/for...652/m/1937073207/p/1

I am very pleased with the Lincoln 180 so far and have used it quite a lot. More than I thought I would have.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Linco...-OQNM9caAp9vEALw_wcB

I got this one and really like it. What I needed it for mostly was to weld up primed steel for my patio and carport using fluxcore wire. That worked well but you have the flux slag. The mig with gas works very good when I have used it. Have not used the TIG yet but sure it will work well.

I had a thread on this about a year ago in this forum and with the advice here decided the Lincoln 180 would fill all my needs and it has served me well. Will try to find the thread and edit if I find it.

Thanks. The Lincoln 180 looks like a good unit. I've talked myself into not going with multi process and getting MIG only, either Miller or Lincoln. That should help with cost. We have an AirGas shop nearby that I understand sells those as well as Hobart. Gonna see what they have to offer. Maybe have a good deal on used machines as well.