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

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

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
69
Reaction score
130
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.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,393
Reaction score
8,609
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Nice!
I’ve been thinking about getting one for a long time. Just never got one yet.
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

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
160
Reaction score
337
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
Engine Size
350
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.
Yup, spend the money and get a good brand welder, Miller Hobart, Lincoln.
 

Truck82

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2024
Posts
69
Reaction score
130
Location
Alderton
First Name
Christopher
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
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.
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

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2023
Posts
26
Reaction score
88
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: 17

JD Miller

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Posts
160
Reaction score
337
Location
Goober Idaho
First Name
JD
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K20 silverado
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!
Heah, where'd you get that cart.:think: I like that and the draws/storage.

I got the heavyduty cart from Harborfreak
.

.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,424
Reaction score
28,270
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
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.

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:

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,393
Reaction score
8,609
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
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.
Maybe i should have said don't buy the cheapest one. I'm sure the really cheap ones are still junk.
 

77Dmax

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2024
Posts
26
Reaction score
51
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

Talks to dogs and trucks.
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Posts
615
Reaction score
505
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

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
1,035
Reaction score
2,175
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.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,109
Posts
949,455
Members
36,205
Latest member
billyjoeramirez28
Top