Need a new MIG welder and Argon bottle.

I just bought an auto darking welding helmet from Northern Tool. It was there house brand @ $42.00 had to check it out. Works awesome, no complaints. I bought my welding cylinder from this place www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com they have some of the best prices around I bought my 40cf bottle for $95.00 from them shipped, everyone else wanted $165-200. Its a little on the small side but will last a good while.

 

I also need a mig welder but my garage is limited...I only have 110 outlets. I've read alot about cheap migs and desided to steer clear of them. I've narrowed my search down to either a Lincoln 140 or a Hobart Handler 140. Either of these migs retail for just over $400 but will be worth it in the long run. I'm sure they could be found cheaper online.

I've heard the best reports from the Hobart owners. A good 110 mig will be fine to weld most anything on a Maverick. I mainly need one for sheetmetal repairs on my 3 cars....they are all needing a few panel patches.

 

I had the lincoln 100HD, it was $350 at home depot. Then the conversion kit was $250, then the tank was $200 from AIRGAS but they gave me 5 free refills valued at $20each. The money adds up pretty quickly.

Now i need to get another welder....Damn

 

I made it to northern and they were sold out of the 125 welder. The hobart 140 looked nice but just a touch out my price range. But if i can get that bottle cheaper i might grab the hobart.

 

I used to get the Northern Tool catalog and I even bought some things from them - but only the name brands. Their "store" brands are the same junk that you can buy at Harbor Freight for less money.
Northern Tool is a better place to shop for the name brand goods because their prices are usually lower BUT you can find deals that are even better on the same make and model if you do your research. There is a local store that I buy my cutting and abrasive tool from - excellent quality and if I have problems they are willing to go the extra mile. try to get customer service at Northern Tools.

 

How long does 40cf bottle last? How many hours of work do you get from one?

I don't mind refilling, but no more than once per week. I have welding supply shops all around, but I don't want to fill up on friday and have to refill halfway through sunday when nobody is open.

I am assuming that 40cf would EASILY last all weekend, if not much longer...

 

Well, I committed and bought the Hobart 125 and MIG conversion kit, then the 40cf bottle from that link above. That bottle was half the price of anything else I saw, so I could justify buying a hobart instead of northern. It all came out to right around $500, including shipping, etc.

MADE IN USA!!!

 

When you buy Harbor Freight, Northern, etc. welders, where do you get new tips, liners, stuff like that?

 

My harbor freight welder that I just wore out used the same tips as Licoln, so I got replacements at Lowes and Home Depot. Or pretty much any welding store. I have a bunch left over so hopefully the Hobart uses the same ones.

Otherwise, you would have to stock up from Harbor Freight or Northern.

Speaking of tips, what size wire do you use when using gas? It is a bit smaller, isn't it? Like .025 rather than .035 flux-core?

 

Congratulations on the Hobart.
I think u made a wise decision. I normally don't make comments on purchasing decisions; everyone knows what they can afford\chose to spend. It is very unlikely u'll wear the Hobart out and if u have to replace some parts they shud'nt be hard to find. I own a Lincoln, it, Hobart and HTP America are the only ones I will buy. I don't use mine often but when I do I don't want any issues - I want it to work. Now u can get that trunk done.
Yes use .025 or .030 wire w\ gas.

 

Thanks for the complements and well-wishes! It just looked and felt like a much sturdier machine, and of course, MADE IN USA will beat over any china stuff anyday! Even for an extra hundred or hundred and a half bucks.

 

With my 40cf bottle, i've welded up my gas tank, the tank tray that the tank mounts to, the whole mustang firewall and trans tunnel, the inner fender panels, the complete core support and i still have maybe 1/4 of the bottle left. They last quite a while you'll be suprised!

 

Congrats on getting that Hobart. Nice that it came with the bottle, too. Going to want to get a bottle for mine soon.

My Northern takes standard Twico tips, etc.

 

I need a bigger bottle. The little guy I have is good for about 1 day of welding and then it's cashed.