120VAC input mig welder

This is annoying to sort out all the beautiful sunshine the marketeers of these machines try to spread. There are el cheapo versions with 2 heat setting switch. There are the better ones with 4 heat settings and clicker switch and the rare couple with continuous setting.

From what I have been able to find, the Hobart 140 mig is one of best of 120VAC welders under $500, but its getting close to $500. The Northern Industrial 140 has lot good reviews and time its in your hands about $400. Then I found one on ebay called RealGear USA 140 and it has continuous heat setting dial and $330 with free shipping. Company selling it is subsidiary of Praxair so gives it some credibility. Very little in way reviews from people buying it. Couple positive mentions on couple misc forums.

Then there are the used and refurbished Lincoln 140 mostly. Lincoln plays the game of selling a stripped mig and then everything is extra. They also sell slightly differing models through box stores and through dealers. Might end up with one through ebay for between $300 and $400 shipped with no warranty.

The 130, 120, 100, 90, 70 amp welders seem aimed more at consumer who wants to occasionally weld his muffler or something. And of course most are flux core only with few that offer optional kit to upgrade to gas at a fancy price of course. And lower the price the less heat settings available.

Cheap side of me is leaning towards either used Lincoln 140 or the RealGear 140. I think the RealGear welder is more than just a private branded generic Chinese mig. That continuous heat setting switch is a very nice thing (not something you see on a cheapie) and it comes with regulator and such for using gas. I really dont want to give that much for used Lincoln with no warranty. Now if I could get Lincoln for $150 and see that it works, then ok, but not $300 and a promise from far away that it works.

Course we are talking $100 differences here which alas in today's world isnt huge amount cash. Might be better deal to just buy the Hobart. It definitely would hold its value in used market and parts should be available anywhere. The Northern Industrial and RealGear welders probably not lot more used value than a Harbor Freight welder even if they are better welders than that.

Ok, more looking. The RealGear welder appears to be a Chinese clone of a Lincoln with little different sheet metal case. All consumables are Lincoln, hose liners, tips, etc all Lincoln. Havent found any real negative comments though couple people replaced the gas regulator that came with it.

Reading about the Hobart and only regular complaint I found was limitation of the 4 arbitrary heat/voltage settings. Otherwise it seems very good welder. Did find the parts are expensive for it. Found a new Hobart Handler 140 on ebay that had shipping damage. They wanted about what a new RealGear welder goes for. HOWEVER it was missing the regulator and the gun. Gun cost $165 to replace. That made it as expensive as a new factory Hobart complete with no damage.

So I either gamble $300 on the Real Gear or live with Hobart arbitrary heat settings. Can probably hit sale and get Hobart something like $425. The Miller and Lincoln with continuous heat setting crazy price for homeowner type tool. Just as well go over $1000 and get amazing little Miller industrial TIG welder if I was going to spend that much. Some guy posted about it on another forum and rather amazing what it can do.

Well havent found anybody having bad experience with the RealGear mig. It seems to indeed be clone of Lincoln 140C. And handful of people reporting positive. For home hobby use, seems to be way to go. If needing such welder for buisiness, then definitely go with one of big three welders.

So I ordered one today. Get to try it first hand. Need to pick up some flux wire as I'll be using it outdoors.

well got it today. Rainy day and UPS just dumped it unprotected. I was tracking delivery so it wasnt out too long and water didnt soak past exterior box. Guess driver was in hurry, they usually put even big boxes in thin plastic bag.

Welder components look good. Have to wait until dry day to try it. And I will have to use the .035 flux wire out of old mig to try it since I havent been to town. .030 wire works much better and .025 solid wire with gas even better.

Set it up and practiced bit on an old muffler. It really cant handle .035 flux wire very well. Really ugly welds. Plus I think this may be some bad wire as I had lot problem with it in the old HF 220V mig too. At least it doesnt jam in this welder like it did in the HF. I'll get some .030 flux but somehow bet this welder would be at its best with .024 solid wire and some gas. Just gas doesnt work well outside if there is any wind. So hopefully the .030 will work ok.

Ordered a 10# roll .030 flux wire off ebay. $48 with free shipping. I didnt find anywhere else close to that price. TSC locally wanted $20+ for 2# roll. Feedback for seller seemed all good for the wire he sells.

Got the .030 welding wire in mail today. Too wet/cold/snowy to try it out for few days I guess.

Finally get around to trying the .030 wire. Yes it welds much better. However I was still coming up with some really crappy looking welds. Ground down and they were solid though I wouldnt bet on great penetration.

Then got to thinking. I've gotten really sloppy over the years, just mostly grab stick welder with some 6011 rod that is made to weld unclean steel and still get good strong welds and deep penetration. With dang mig, this isnt so, really need to clean the joints thoroughly first. Ground one of welds off and at that point the steel is bright shiny. Got a good weld with the mig, even looked decent. I'm just going to have to relearn how to spend the time to properly clean metal before welding.

Ok, got casters welded to the angle iron and bolted onto chair. Its going to take time to get used to this welder, but its better welder than old HF, wire pushes through and uniform speed. Still in no way a fan of mig welders, just necessary evil for thinner metal.