To pile on to a pile of the same suggestion, I treated myself to a Miller 211 earlier this year (because I figured the latest version of my forever changing car deserved better), along with a big gas bottle, and it's really convinced people that I have some kind of skill (they are wrong). It's a great machine, and is a million times better than my old Eastwood 135 (observe internal hardware/drive mechanism), which still has a purpose or two--it has been dedicated to crappy flux-core welds forever . . .

I have been welding for over 40 years in one form or another and I have always had the best luck with Lincoln welders. I have had several stick welders but my first MIG was a Lincoln 140 110vac and I gave that to my brother when I upgraded to my current Lincoln 256. For automotive welding and occasional heavy welding I would recommend the Lincoln Power MIG 210 which is also a dual 110/220 input. Like some have said, don't waste your time on flux core, learn to use the proper shielding gas. The bottom line is that both Miller and Lincoln are top of the line welders, while brands such as Hobart and other no name welders are lower cost units.

You're asking about MIG welders and my recommendation never waivers about getting the very best one you can.... because of future use - and because this is a tool you'll have for a very long time. I was reminded of this today when at "the shed" and I decided I hadn't TIG welded for a couple weeks --- and if I was going to do some - I might as well butt weld some box cutter blades together for practice. Why do I mention this? Because I bought a TIG machine - that at the time had many more bells and whistles than I might use... I bought a Miller 200 DX. Today - welding the edges of razor blades together - I needed everything that machine could muster up! Pulse - with front and background splitting...and a super steady arc... And while it took me several tries experimenting with the settings - the machine was capable of delivering what I needed and I was successful in welding them with no filler... and a bead that measured .0724 (about two hairs worth).

Just sayin' --- today was proof of why I make the "get the best you can" because you never know what you're going to do going forward.

Pictures Greg, or it never happened...:poke:

FINE!! LOL




set up was a little tricky!! Took me about 4 pairs of blades to get the machine set....


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...G/IMG_8812.jpg





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...G/IMG_8814.jpg







A TEST BEAD - no filler..... just to get the machine set to run a puddle.....







http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...G/IMG_8816.jpg





Found I had to have a super sharp tungsten! In order to focus the arc....







http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...G/IMG_8818.jpg







DONE!!


Now ---- my old eyes really struggled with finding and keeping the joint.... so there's a little wandering.

JUST FYI --- That "bead" --- no filler --- is .0724" wide.... that's about 2 hairs width!! No kidding!! I measured it.





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...G/IMG_8817.jpg

And you need a good helmet. :)


.

Greg, that's crazy small. All kidding aside concerning helmets, I bought a new auto dimming adjustable helmet, that goes down to a 7 shade, and for the first time I could see my work with having to rig up lighting. I can weld SO much better now that I can see what I'm doing.
Sorry about the hi-jack OP!

I've said that dozens of times in various welding thread discussions on here -- if you can't see - you can't weld!!

I had the machine set at 20 amps (variable with my foot pedal control) and had it also set on pulse -- and holding a really really tight arc..... so "sight" was an issue! There just wasn't much light running ahead of the torch. There isn't much of a "joint" when butting two razor blades!! I'd have to stop - get back on the butt joint and start running some more.

Glad you got a good quality helmet! It makes a world of difference.

x2 once I got my Hobart auto helmet, I could see what I was doing. My welding is still nothing special but I can see what I'm doing wrong now :D