the best one

[2tay530]

I'm haveing some troulble finding a welders that has a good welding capacity but can plug into a standered 120v outlet.

In y'alls opinion what is the best welder that runs on a 120v outlet for a resonable price?

[TimS]

What process?

[DSW]

We need more info to answer the question. What process, TIG, Stick or MIG? What do you plan to weld? Define "good"?

You will not find a "good" welder in 110v for welding heavy materials. An invereter tig/ stick machine, maybe depending on what thickness and running stick, however they are not cheap. Almost all 110v machines are "best" at welding thinner materials.

The bigest problem is the lack of input power with any 110v unit. The dual voltage units like the Pasport Plus in mig, Maxstar/dynasty in tig stick generally have the highest 110v power ratings. However these units are "best" in 220v.

[Sberry]

The Max 150 is pretty respectable and considering the cost of copper for leads and input wiring it soon offsets some of the initial purchase price.

[2tay530]

sorry guys. I was thinking about going for a Mig or stick but would like to do sone stuff with some thin sheet metal projects and i know most stick machines cant do bellow like 14g.

I was thinking a lincoln like the weld pack 3200hd from home cheapot i mean depot.

Not the best place but i have limited options with my parents.

[deafman]

I had a Weldpak3200 (basically a Lincoln 125 or 130 tap transformer and a cheap regulator and face shield). I used it for a lot of sheet metal practice and even built a a small utility trailer with it. Using flux core it will weld 1/8" steel ok, some 3/16" butt welds, but using gas you are limited to about 12 or 13 gauge. I would go with a MM140 as it has continuous voltage adjustment, not tap. It is easier to use on thin material. Sometimes one tap is too cold and the next tap too hot. You can play with wire speed a little bit and get by though.
Get a real welding mask, as trying to hold a face shield and weld at the same time doesn't leave you any extra hands. Try using .035" flux core so you won't have to buy any gas. Most of the time you can just brush off the slag. On thin material you might even try .030" flux core, but .035" will feed better.

[StillBoostin]

Miller's Passport or DVI 2 does both 110v and 220v and kicks butt. The Miller MM140 is good too.

James

[2tay530]

deafman it says it will do up to 5/16 but is that a wil exageration? i need to keep it a reasonable price($500, i know thats hard) and beable to work on a 120v outlet.

[Broccoli1]

The Weldpak 3200 will do just fine but I would get a Pro Mig from Lowes or the Weld-Pak 140HD at Home Depot as they have the Diamond Core Choke design- smoothes out the Arc.

They are the same machine just named differently so each store can say they sell something different and you can't price match.

Unless the 3200 is at a blow out sale price.

I built a lotta crap with a friend's Lincoln 100hd and then purchased an SP135 Plus- shoulda just purchased the 3200 and saved a few bucks

Another option is a Hobart Handler 140- Good machine too

$469.00

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200306073.htm

or at Tractor Supply for the same price.

[StillBoostin]

The Hobart is a great machine under $500. Just get it of the internet. There are many reputable sellers out there. Don't go Lincoln it is not as nice as the MM140 or the HH140.

James