Small MIG welder and metal brake

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Phil Graham

Honorary PhD
Mar 10, 2011
651
1
18
Atlanta, GA
Hey all,

I did a good amount of TIG on mild steel, nickel, and titanium in graduate school. We had two TIGs, a "traditional" and an inverter unit, both nice and expensive Millers.

I'd now like to buy a hobby level MIG unit, primarily to work with mild and stainless sheet, tube, or u-channel. Ability to also do TIG is a bonus, but by no means a requirement. I'm looking for a unit < 200amp with a reasonable duty cycle. I'm not doing automotive work, but rather minor fab work on projects like solar power, a custom charcoal grill, and simple stove designs for developing world. The thickest base material I'll likely utilize is 16 gauge (1.6mm) stainless (austenitic stainless).

So, if you have a harbor freight MIG for hobbyist work, how do you like it? If I go step above those units, what do you recommend?

Also, can anyone recommend a small metal brake? Mostly for doing right angle bottoming of sheet metal, so nothing fancy, again compatible with 16 gauge austenitic austenitic stainless sheet.

Thanks in advance,
 
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Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

The Lincoln SP175+ is absolutely fantastic. Infinitely variable voltage (you do NOT want the crap units with just a couple taps) and just generally excellent Made in the USA build quality. I bought mine used for $400; it's over 10 years old and works great.

There is an SP125+ that runs on 120V which is also very good for lighter duty jobs.

These smaller welders have a much smaller torch than the larger 200+ units making fine work in small places vastly easier.

I have a cheap HTP120 unit that isn't all that bad either.
 
Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

I had a Lincoln Weld-Pak 3200HD that worked great for small projects. Bought it new at Lowes/Home Depot (one or the other..) for about $450. I believe it went up to 135 amps. I never had time to use it much though and sold it about a year ago for $300.
 
Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

Tom Manchester said:
Avoid the harbor freight units. I don't know how well the electronics on those things hold up, but I can say for certain the guns on those things are flimsy crap. I'd take even the cheapest Lincoln or Miller any day over those.
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Agree. As with sound equipment, buy once cry once. If it's blue and comes from a real welding supply, you can't go wrong. I have a Millermatic 250 that's going on 23 years and has never had a problem. As you probably know, for your use .030 wire, or perhaps even smaller, is the way to go. Happy welding.

--Frank
 
Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

Frank Koenig said:
Agree. As with sound equipment, buy once cry once. If it's blue and comes from a real welding supply, you can't go wrong. I have a Millermatic 250 that's going on 23 years and has never had a problem. As you probably know, for your use .030 wire, or perhaps even smaller, is the way to go. Happy welding.

--Frank
Click to expand...

I found .030 is the best general purpose wire, .023 was too small for anything really useful, and the one time I ran .035 it was amazing for some serious high-speed production welding.
 
Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

+1 on the Lincoln and Miller. I recommend the 230V for what you will be doing. I have owned the 120V units as well and used them all day long for automotive body work but in my opinion they are really too weak for any kind of fabrication above sheet metal. Parts availability is also very good for the name brand units which can be handy if you buy used. Also I suggest getting a real welder with a gas bottle rather than trying to use the flux coated wire only.
 
Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

Phil Graham said:
So, if you have a harbor freight MIG for hobbyist work, how do you like it? If I go step above those units, what do you recommend?

Also, can anyone recommend a small metal brake?
Click to expand...

Recently bought a Chicago Electric wire feed welder from Harbor Freight, it works well, and for under $100 paid for itself on the first few welds.
If its build quality is an indicator of the other welders in their line, I think they would be fine if they have the features you are looking for at a hobby level.

Just went out to the shop to look up the brand name of the small metal brake I inherited (which also works well), but it only says "Made in China"..

It does handle 16 gauge stainless steel, and also has a shear and a roller built in.
The brake has various size removable "fingers", so you can make boxes.

Art
 

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Re: Small MIG welder and metal brake

Tom Manchester said:
Avoid the harbor freight units. I don't know how well the electronics on those things hold up, but I can say for certain the guns on those things are flimsy crap. I'd take even the cheapest Lincoln or Miller any day over those.
Click to expand...

Sold on skipping Harbor Freight. A flimsy gun would be terrible.
 
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