[hj3]

I was starting to become interested in welding. I looked into a few how-tos and it seems pretty simple and straight forward, as long as you maintain safety and a steady hand. I was looking at buying a small welding unit. I found a few units at Sears that are within my price range. I'm just wondering which type is the best bang for the buck? I'm not trying to buy several different welding machines, due to the different styles, so which unit would be the best one for me to purchase? Any other units that are recommended? Any features I should look for? Thank you & have a good day.

[KISS]

What do you want to do with it?

Paperweight, weld 2" steel plate or make Christmas ornaments?

What type of welder were you looking at?
MIG, TIG, STICK, ORBITAL, COMBO?

[hj3]

What do you want to do with it?

Paperweight, weld 2" steel plate or make Christmas ornaments?

What type of welder were you looking at?
MIG, TIG, STICK, ORBITAL, COMBO?

Hello:

Thanks for the reply. I want to use welding mainly for automotive use, piping and any other here and there jobs that will require welding, like model building / making prototypes (I'm big on diy in the circumstances where I'm capable of doing so). The type of welders I was looking at was electric arc welders, mainly because those were the only ones I saw on the sears website that were in my price range. When I revisited the site today however, I saw other ones up there too, which has led me here because I saw a whole range of options available that was also within my price range. If they have combo welders available then that may definitely catch my interest. Thanks!

[KISS]

Take a look at this thread where MIG welder selection was discussed at length:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/tools-...lincoln+welder

You can combine stick with TIG, but I'm not sure about other options.

Then come back and ask specific questions.

[KISS]

You probably don't really want and arc or TIG welder based on your applications.

[Scleros]

I'm currently shopping for a MIG unit (have existing Lincoln TIG 375) for similar applications: autobody quarter panel replacement, sheet, and light plate. I'm looking at a Millermatic DVI or 212. If the bulk of your work is going to be autobody look for a unit with good low end performance. I took several autobody classes where we used Millermatic 140s/80s. I experience significantly more panel warpage with my TIG due to the heat than I did in class. (Could be I just need to practice more too... :rolleyes:)

[hj3]

You probably don't really want and arc or TIG welder based on your applications.

Hello. I read the thread and another answer and have rounded my selection down to mig welder. I'll look further in depth now on mig welders and get back to you. Thank you very much!

[hj3]

I'm currently shopping for a MIG unit (have existing Lincoln TIG 375) for similar applications: autobody quarter panel replacement, sheet, and light plate. I'm looking at a Millermatic DVI or 212. If the bulk of your work is going to be autobody look for a unit with good low end performance. I took several autobody classes where we used Millermatic 140s/80s. I experience significantly more panel warpage with my TIG due to the heat than I did in class. (Could be I just need to practice more too... :rolleyes:)

Hello. Thanks for the response. I rounded my choices down to mig welder and am looking into it and will get back to you. Thanks!

[hkstroud]

Suggest that you check to see if your local high school offers welding classes as part of the Adult Education Program. Many use to.