Posted By: 69fish
Eastwood MIG welder - 11/18/11 05:50 PM
Has anyone taken a chance on the 120v Eastwood MIG welder? I have never welded and can't justify spending a lot of money for a welder. If I had one I might attempt replacing floor plans with it and reinforcing my k-frame, but not much other than those type jobs. Thanks for any input.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 01:16 AM
I don't recall where I read it - may have been on here - but it seems like 4 out of 5 of them fail in a very short time. You'd be better off to buy a used Lincoln or Miller even if it cost a little more.
Nothing wrong with 110v migs as long as you don't expect to build ships. Go with gas instead of fluxcore.
Anyone can run a bead but a good, clean weld is another thing - if you can, take a short course somewhere OR get a lot a scrap and practice. I took a one week course once ... we spent 10 minutes in a classroom being told where the washrooms were, etc. then spent 40 hours welding with "as necessary" one-on-one instruction. THAT'S a welding course !!!
Posted By: blaze
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 01:42 AM
I would get a "brand-name" A welder, like any other tool, quality pays for itself. I bought my Lincoln welder at an auction. Awesme machine.
Posted By: 70Cuda383
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 02:46 AM
I rolled the dice on a harbor freight unit 7 years ago.
list price was around $200, but was on sale for just over $100. it was a flux core/gas shielding mig welder, 4 voltage settings (2 rocker switches) and variable speed dial.
it worked pretty good on flux core, only complaint was all the smokey, splattery, ugly, bird poop looking welds, but with practice, I was able to get done most of my little projects. finally broke down and spend a couple hundred dollars on a bottle, regulator and new wire, and hooked up the gas shielding.
welder is a night and day difference, now my welds look clean and professional! for as little as I use it, and for what I paid for it, couldn't really say no to it. it's been good to me so far.
Posted By: Exit1965
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 03:24 AM
That Eastwood welder looks nice. However if you can get a comparable amp-wise Lincoln for a bit more, I would suggest going with that.. might be easier to get parts should something go wrong. Looks like the Eastwood has lots of good reviews though so if a Lincoln is another 100... I'd probably go with the Eastwood.
I have a Lincoln 175 amp mig machine, it has letter coded levels, so not continously adjustable, but I've managed to get by with it fine on thick and thin metal.
Posted By: DusTed74
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 02:08 PM
I agree. Save your money and buy a brand name machine. Stay away from the flux core and get a real gas machine.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Eastwood MIG welder - 11/19/11 06:53 PM
I'm in Canada but FWIW, a large store chain up here has the Lincoln Migpak 180 on sale for $699. including auto darkening helmet and a few other goodies. You should be able to find a similar deal in your neck of the woods if you look around. Go into a welding supply shop and tell them what you're thinking of and ask if they can give you a comparable deal - they're usually independantly owned and can move as they chose on pricing. They may even have a demo unit or a used unit they took on trade. Shop around and don't be afraid to ask for a deal. If ya don't ask ya don't get!
There have been some deals locally lately on entry level Lincoln and Miller welders. Keep your eyes open, be patient and check your local adds. It's a whole lot easier to go to your local welding supplier and buy consumables than to order on line or from a catalogue.