I have been looking into buying a welder for some time now, and have kind of decided on this one. It's the Lincoln weldpak 100HD and i can get it for $270
http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/166034_3.jpg
what do you welders out there think of it? i will mostly just be doing .120 wall for bumpers and such. I like the fact that it does up to 1/4, because eventually i would like to do my cage and other projects. everyone keeps telling me to stay away from 110, but i have heard good things about this one. Whats the scoop?

i had one.... dident like it verry much.... sure it get's the job done but when it comes to butting 1.75"x.120" tube up to 3/16" frame plate's or even welding plates to a frame or light tab's to tube etc etc you REALLY notice the diff with the extra 75 amp's the mig pak 15 has.... flux core wire burn's hot and dig's deep compaired to solid wire and gas, that 1/4" rating is with flux core but with practise and patients you can get pretty close to it with gas....

the real issue with a 110v welder is having a 20amp breaker to plug it into.... when i had the lil 110v buzz box i got my buddy's to stand by the panel and keep flicking the breaker on..... not fun...

the machine itself is rock solid and idiot proof plus the consumables are available at homedepot, i dont know about arizona but up here the depot is open till 8-9pm 7 day's a week.... that's verry handy if your like me and play in the shop after work but forget to replace the tip's you use or dont keep a spare spool of wire around.

if you have 220v in your garage then pony up the extra $$$, as your skill increases your going to be verry glad you did....

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentseries.asp?browse=114|2690|

I already know how to weld. Im just trying to find something that isnt going to cost me a ton. I was tring to stay with something at home depot because i have a 20% coupon, and i work there so i might be able to weasel more of a discount.

I already know how to weld. Im just trying to find something that isnt going to cost me a ton. I was tring to stay with something at home depot because i have a 20% coupon, and i work there so i might be able to weasel more of a discount.

If yer going to stay in the 120v class I recommend getting the HD3200 Kit, which is a 135amp, as it comes with the Gas Regs. It will cost you about 100.00 bux more but I feel it's worth it. Of course getting a bottle of Co2 or C25 will add to the cost :D

I used the Weld Pak 100 for about 2 years with Solid Wire and CO2 and then I bought the SP135 Plus, well- cause I had da the money, and I am limited to 120v due to Apt living. That 100 worked like a champ..... but the extra little 35 amps does make things nicer.

save up anutter 100, it's worth it.

Also that 1/4" rating is for Multi pass, smokey ass Fluxcore. :D

I say go 220/230 volt. Mig or even a stick welder will do great. I have a Lincoln tombstone stick welder. I never had an issue with penetration on 3/4" steel plate or anything larger. If you plan on doing more fabrication stuff in the future I say get a mig welder with gas hookup. Definatley look at a Lincoln or Hobart or any major brand mig welder that is 220/230.

MIG is FAR more flexable and versitile.

I already know how to weld. Im just trying to find something that isnt going to cost me a ton. I was tring to stay with something at home depot because i have a 20% coupon, and i work there so i might be able to weasel more of a discount.

i paid $600 canadian pesos fer my mig-pak 15.... the mig-pak 10 was about $100 less then that.... i think if you have not allready used one of these 110v buzz boxes you should rent one from the tool center and play with it fer a lil bit then decide what you want....

this is a sample of what i did in about a hour with my mig-pak 15 with .035 flux core.

http://www.minnis.ca/albums/album06/SmaPre0352.jpg

http://www.minnis.ca/albums/album06/SmaPre0353.jpg

http://www.minnis.ca/albums/album06/SmaPre0355.jpg

thats my new tranny x-member for my C5 and SFA swap..... all 1/4" plate and HSS done in single pass.... i have also built 3.5"x5/16" wall tube bumpers with my mig just cranked and it was pushing it pretty hard.... all of these where "small projects"

well i decided to go with a 220, the Lincoln 175HD.

I like my 175 better then my old 110v one I had before.