Welder Advice

[Uncle Buck]

I’m toying with the idea of buying a MIG welder.

I’ve always wanted to try my hand at sheet metal rust repair.

I want a machine that will work well but not break the bank.
Considered a used one since there seem to be plenty of name brand welders out there but came across this at crappy tire.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-120v-flux-core-mig-welder-accessory-kit-2999921p.html?loc=plp

It is a MIG but the price is almost too good to be true.

Advice much appreciated as always.

[RedSN]

Honestly, I would go to a welding equip store, and get either a blue one or red one.
I don’t know if it’s still the case, but when I got my Lincoln, there was an identical one at CT for way less. Difference was the country of origin for the transformer.

[ZR]

My advice, for good results you need a good welder. Lean towards offerings from Lincoln, Miller or Hobart (don't buy from big box stores. While it looks like same welder the local welding store sells, most times it's not n has plastic drive gears etc vs steel and or cheap transformer). Opt to set yourself up with at least a small bottle of shielding gas vs non gas welding. If your patient, many times a complete set up comes up for sale where owner has either bought for a small project or just plain lost interest. Always always always see it working before laying down your $$.
If your focused on sheet metal repair and small welding projects, some really good 110 migs out there. Can't say enough about my 110 Lincoln mig, use it for sheet metal n lighter welding plus have a 220 mig for the larger jobs.

[ZR]

Kijiji search under "mig welders" brought up a bunch of em.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/city-of-toronto/mig-welder-sp-135-plus-with-cart/1642422294?undefined

[ZR]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/oshawa-durham-region/lincoln-electric-mig-welder-140/1642613040?undefined

[RedSN]

Kijiji search under "mig welders" brought up a bunch of em.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/city-of-toronto/mig-welder-sp-135-plus-with-cart/1642422294?undefined

This is the one I have (minus the “plus”). Mine is step voltage vs variable. Great welder.

[Uncle Buck]

Would variable voltage be better for thin material or do the step ones work fine?

[ZR]

Step works just fine. Might even makes things simpler while your learning.

[5.4MarkVIII]

If your plan is sheet metal then spend a little more and get one with variable voltage. Step would be fine for learning but honestly pretty soon you will wish you had more control.

And just go right to a 220 volt. 120 is fine for sheet metal but the extra power comes in really handy for odd jobs and repairs.

Even coming from a body shop back ground I went cheap for my first welder and regretted it immediately.

Ended up grabbing a Lincoln Migpac 180. Canadian tire carry’s them.

Don’t mess around with the cheap stuff because you can’t get parts for them

[RedSN]

And just go right to a 220 volt. 120 is fine for sheet metal but the extra power comes in really handy for odd jobs and repairs.
Most automotive stuff, the 120V is just fine. Sheet metal, exhaust tubing, thicker stuff like torque arm bracket using flux-core, etc.
Duty cycle with the 120V tho isn’t great. But that’s fine, just takes a little longer.

If I had the the opportunity again, I would go with 240V machine. But at the time, the 120V suited my needs better. It still does everything I need it to do. I’ve even added aluminum welding capabilities to it now, works great.

[5.4MarkVIII]

i just find there is always more to do. lol. 120 would not hold up when I had to weld new structural tubing into the old delivery truck. with the 220 i was able to build my own lawn roller frame. and other larger projects. but your correct thats probably not stuff that most hobby guys will get into

but right now CT is showing the 120v. migpac 140 at $849 and the 220v migpac180 at $949

imo for the extra hundred bucks. get the 220 assuming you have the power for it.

[Uncle Buck]

The Lincoln 140 seems popular

[redo75]

Stay away from the cheap flux core models and get the gas shielded model.
More expensive due to renting or buying a gas tank and a regulator.
In long run better and easier welds.
Remember you will "always" come across a "thicker" piece of steel to weld.

[ChickenLips]

My Miller 211 has earned it's keep

[Uncle Buck]

I’ve become obsessed with watching sheet metal welding tutorials on You Tube.

Sure are lots of techniques but they all have common basics at least.

[redo75]

Canadian UT'er "Fitzee's Fabrication" has a long goodie - Welding Sheetmetal. Shielding gas or flux core?
Eastcoaster so a little hard to understand but worth it.

[Laffs]

Canadian UT'er "Fitzee's Fabrication" has a long goodie - Welding Sheetmetal. Shielding gas or flux core?
Eastcoaster so a little hard to understand but worth it.

Fitzees is great, there's also Japhands Kustoms from the other coast that's got some great fab vidyas.

[OldSchool]

I have a lincoln 210 brief case run mig with gas has both 220 and 110( gas is only way to go) and a miller tig. Both do dc stick.

they have been reliable but for the most part getting parts have been easy.

You are welcome to come by, if you are ever down here and burn wire.
A good sweating torch is a fabulous asset for thin Sheet metal as well!