Welder?

[Revision]

I am considering this unit. Can anyone, preferably with a professional background and/or direct experience, comment or recommend something better at the $200 pricepoint? My focus is finding something cheap enough to get the job done while being super portable and 110vac.



Thanks!



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016R0FCO0...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[rshrimp]

While this unit is a welder it is going to be very limited so the question becomes "what job?" Sticking 1/8 steel together should be fine but, unless you are an experienced welder, and since you are asking the question, probably not, this machine is likely to frustrate you.

IMHO you should look at a gas capable MIG welder. Vulcan units from Harbor Freight are getting great reviews. Stay away from the Chicago Electric stuff.

[rshrimp]

If you want Alum capability and pretty welds (once you learn how) this would be a good choice.
https://www.eastwood.com/tig200acdc....0SUQS_BHDyY518

[Bikeboy57]

As Randy said, what do you want to do?

Mig technology is good these days for welding lighter stuff together.

The inverter based stick welders make them small and easy to use.

You may have to rexamine how much you want to spend to get a welder depending on what you want to do.

[B.Nyhof]

Kind of like a wanderlodge, buy the best one you can afford. Cheap welders are too frustrating to mess with in my opinion.

[chiplamb]

220V/30A minimum. This is for hobby shop stuff, nothing else.

[Randy Dupree]

I would be with Miller,or Lincoln,something you can get consumables for with ease.
I will say Pete Haggins has a horrible frieght welder in his coach and we used it with good success to fix his bike rack in Montana once (in the costco parking lot!)

[Revision]

Thank you guys for the responses!



Yeah sorry, I guess I could have quantified that a little better. So a bit more;


I am experienced in the process of welding, having spent a fair bit of time on farm repairs with MIG & stick. I have not done TIG. I do not know how to read the weld to determine if I am getting penetration or if the machine is tuned properly, but I do have access to that knowledge and will be getting it shortly.



What I am after is a cheap unit that is ultra portable and small, for light repairs on the go. I would prefer something that will run off a 3.5k genset if needed, which does have both 110 & 220. My immediate project is putting axle hangers in a magic tilt boat trailer, but would primarily use any such machine for light duty repairs. I am looking for a gasless process...any project requiring special equipment or more power I will either go to my father's (full professional Miller & Lincoln units, all processes,) or seek out a paid professional. The unit I linked has TIG capability, but I am primarily looking for a stick welder. Wherein I have access to higher end non-portable units, I am not really interested in highest and best I can afford, but rather the portable patch kit that would come in handy for minor repairs and construction projects.



I have also heard good things about the new Vulcan units, I'll check those out as well.

[Gene Mehr]

I was thinking a couple batteries and a par of jumper cables like the Alaska Bush peeps.

[Revision]

I've seen that! Never tried though.


This one?


https://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...put-63618.html