Finally got a new mig welder

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dusterdude

dusterdude

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Posts
355
Reaction score
379
Location
US
First Name
mark
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
gmc c15
Engine Size
305
Cool
 
Truck82

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
77
Reaction score
155
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Nice!
I’ve been thinking about getting one for a long time. Just never got one yet.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,446
Reaction score
8,679
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Truck82 said:
Nice!
I’ve been thinking about getting one for a long time. Just never got one yet.
Click to expand...
If and/or when you do,do not buy a cheap one. The difference is night and day,a cheap one you'll just think you suck at welding, a good one you'll know you don't. I know there's going to be a ton of arguments,my cheap one welds great etc. Look on you tube and the net,there are not hundreds of how to's on how to modify a Lincoln or Hobart,but tons on how to make Cheap Chineese welders usable.
 
JD Miller

JD Miller

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
185
Reaction score
389
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
Engine Size
350
Ricko1966 said:
If and/or when you do,do not buy a cheap one. The difference is night and day,a cheap one you'll just think you suck at welding, a good one you'll know you don't. I know there's going to be a ton of arguments,my cheap one welds great etc. Look on you tube and the net,there are not hundreds of how to's on how to modify a Lincoln or Hobart,but tons on how to make Cheap Chineese welders usable.
Click to expand...
Yup, spend the money and get a good brand welder, Miller Hobart, Lincoln.
 
Truck82

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
77
Reaction score
155
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Ricko1966 said:
If and/or when you do,do not buy a cheap one. The difference is night and day,a cheap one you'll just think you suck at welding, a good one you'll know you don't. I know there's going to be a ton of arguments,my cheap one welds great etc. Look on you tube and the net,there are not hundreds of how to's on how to modify a Lincoln or Hobart,but tons on how to make Cheap Chineese welders usable.
Click to expand...
Yup, that’s one of the main reasons I don’t have one yet. I want to get a nice one. Thanks for the advice
 
straydog371

straydog371

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2023
Posts
26
Reaction score
89
Location
WNY
First Name
Kerry
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I picked up a Lincoln Power MIG 215 a few months ago.
I'll be practicing / learning the basics over the winter.
They taught us stick welding during High School shop class, but that was a LONG time ago.
Gotta have the right tools to bring these trucks back to life!
 

Attachments

  • Welder.jpg
    Welder.jpg
    144.6 KB · Views: 18
JD Miller

JD Miller

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
185
Reaction score
389
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
Engine Size
350
straydog371 said:
I picked up a Lincoln Power MIG 215 a few months ago.
I'll be practicing / learning the basics over the winter.
They taught us stick welding during High School shop class, but that was a LONG time ago.
Gotta have the right tools to bring these trucks back to life!
Click to expand...
Heah, where'd you get that cart.:think: I like that and the draws/storage.

I got the heavyduty cart from Harborfreak
.

.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,438
Reaction score
28,342
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Ricko1966 said:
If and/or when you do,do not buy a cheap one. The difference is night and day,a cheap one you'll just think you suck at welding, a good one you'll know you don't. I know there's going to be a ton of arguments,my cheap one welds great etc. Look on you tube and the net,there are not hundreds of how to's on how to modify a Lincoln or Hobart,but tons on how to make Cheap Chineese welders usable.
Click to expand...

Times are changing. There's some "cheap" ones now that perform very well and are durable too. I've got A LOT of experience mig welding with the hobo freight Vulcan 220 welder (two of them actually) and they are an extremely nice unit. They cost roughly the same as my own Hobart 190 and the Hobart 220s that I also have a crap ton of experience with... if I was to buy myself another welder, it would be the Vulcan 220 without a doubt.

Also, I can put a new guy on the Vulcan and they will do just as good as (or just as bad as) they would do with the Hobart 210.
 
Last edited:
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,446
Reaction score
8,679
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
bucket said:
Times are changing. There's some "cheap" ones now that perform very well and are durable too. I've got A LOT of experience mig welding with the hobo freight Vulcan 220 welder (two of them actually) and they are an extremely nice unit. They cost roughly the same as my own Hobart 190 and the Hobart 220s that I also have a crap ton of experience with... if I was to buy myself another welder, it would be the Vulcan 220 without a doubt.

Also, I can put a new guy on the Vulcan and they will do just as good as (or just as bad as) they would do with the Hobart 210.
Click to expand...
Maybe i should have said don't buy the cheapest one. I'm sure the really cheap ones are still junk.
 
7

77Dmax

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2024
Posts
37
Reaction score
77
Location
vt
First Name
Joe
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
6.6
I find the cheap ones do the bigger stuff ok but make a mess of anything smaller than 12-14 gauge. You really need a good welder for body work.
 
donnieray

donnieray

Talks to dogs and trucks.
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Posts
619
Reaction score
517
Location
Roanoke Rapids NC
First Name
Donnie
Truck Year
84,85,86.
Truck Model
86 C10, 84 K10 MM7 NP833 option truck, 85 K10.
Engine Size
350,355;350.
That's a nice unit. I have a Miller 210 with .025 wire and an argon bottle. Very reliable and constant.
 
Craig Nedrow

Craig Nedrow

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,183
Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Still using my 20 year old miller 175. Use anti spatter on the nozzle, help a lot. Also have a miller tig, just love em both, and they last.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BoxT86
Finally, a squarebody forum!
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Truck82
Truck82
LJ69
I finally got me a squarebody
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
LJ69
LJ69
Chris64
I finally got my hands on a squarebody!
2
Replies
15
Views
625
ChuckN
ChuckN
Hugger-4641
1985 Scottsdale, finally getting some love.
2
Replies
19
Views
2K
ChuckN
ChuckN
gerhed
I got a lift
2
Replies
15
Views
1K
idahovette
I

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,157
Posts
950,592
Members
36,271
Latest member
jstewart7501
Top