I'm looking into buying a welding machine but not sure which brand or size to get. I am a beginner and don't want to buy the wrong one. also, does anyone have a opinion about eastwood machines they look like some nice deals.
I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I'm thinking about welders. As I understand it, what you are doing determines the type of welder you need. Like those little wire fed 110 Lincoln Electric welders are supposed to be great for general body repairs, but useless for anything thicker than a 1/8" or so. I was told by my Uncle to never buy an Electric other than a Lincoln. He was a welder for 30 something years.
I'm a Lincoln guy, I love my Lincoln welder. If you are going to spend the money, save a little more and buy a machine from a welder supply, do not buy a welder from a home improvement store, they are not the same quality. As for size, most 120V welders will do everything you'd be doing yourself, my 140c will weld 1/8th inch with no problem.
Depending on what you plan on doing now and in the future will depend on what type of welder you want to buy. Because I do suspension work and roll cages I have a Millermatic 212. It is a 220 welder and can weld 3/8" in a single pass. For typical body work you can get away with a 120Vwelder. I had a Hobart 140 for the longest time and loved it. Make sure you buy a welder that you can hooked gas too. Do not get a flux core only welder. Again I recommend a Hobart or Lincoln in a 120V. Try to get something with a higher amperage like 130 and above.
According to my text book from my Lean Operations Management course, Lincoln Electric is the model for Total Quality techniques. They are the bar for quality control in manufacturing. And clearly I should go back and edit my post so it looks like I knew they were 120 and not 110 the whole time.
Got my small Lincoln for stuff up to 1/8", I have welded 1/4" with it when I can get to both sides. Anything thicker I just break out my 230 amp stick welder.
I bought the Eastwood Tig and plasma cutter combo. In over two years the only problem I've had was adjusting the pedal switch to shut off power. It welds nice. Good on sheet metal, up to about 1/4 with good bevels and a couple of passes. For a home shop, I am satisfied.
Miller or Lincoln and what Dave B said buy from welding supply the chain stores sell lesser quality ones.
Never used a Lincoln machine that I liked, but that's just me. I prefer Millers for both MIG and especially TIG. They seem to run smoother and more repeatable.
I'm a miller guy too. I've had mine for about 17 years (wow I just realized that) and I haven't had to replace anything on it yet except tips.
I know this thread is little aged, but, think this is the proper place to for my entry. I acquired this new machine/toy about 3 mos. ago and just really had the chance to play w/ it. I purchased it w/ trying some Tig welding in mind , and wanted to try one of the Inverter style machines w/o a large investment. I am impressed w/ the little machine after playing w/ it in the stick weld config. for about 1 hr. Using in 115v mode it lays nice beads w/ 3/32 rod on .125 angle iron @ about 60 amps. I think in 230v pwr mode it will do fine on thicker materials to .250 at 100+ amps. I can say, for the time being -- I like the fact it's small, light weight and seems well built.
