Anyone know if the Deca welders (sold at Princess auto) are OK, or should I go with Lincoln or Miller ?
Griff.

[This message has been edited by dagriff (edited 05-17-2005).]

LOL... I was looking at one just the other day while I was at Princess Auto in Winnipeg... The Decca is a lot cheaper than the Lincoln. Apparently they are made in Italy.. But I don't know what kind of quality they have.

I'll also be waiting for an answer to this question

Lincoln or Miller are both solid, well known machines - safe to say you can't go wrong with them. As for the other machine, I don't know - are you planning on beating the crap out of it, or just using it occasionally?

Buy the best welder you can afford. I love my Miller. In fact, I went to the Miller dealer and they had a test room set up and I welded some 3/8" steel before I bought it. They also perform the warranty work, supply gas, helmets, wire etc....Paul

quote Originally posted by Paul Prince:

That's the same Miller MIG machine I have, except I haven't gotten the spool-gun ... yet. I mounted mine atop a rolling storage cabinet (keep gloves, helmet, welding tools, extra 30# spools in there) & have two tank positions at the rear. I'm using 75/25 Argon/CO2 in both, but would switch one out for 100% Argon if/when I get the spool gun for aluminum work. I sold my 110VAC Lincoln MIG welder soon after buying this one. I got the Miller because I needed its higher duty cycle for the Ford Excursion radius-rod kits I build.

Is that the Miller 135 or the 175?
I'm thinking the 135 would be just the job for me. They come out arround $950 Canadian.
Griff.

quote Originally posted by dagriff: Is that the Miller 135 or the 175? I'm thinking the 135 would be just the job for me. They come out arround $950 Canadian. Griff.

It's a Miller 210, you can buy Millers from www.cyberweld.com , as well as Lincoln, ESAB, Hobart. Cyberweld has good prices, although I do not know what the duties to Canada would be.

The 210 is around $1100(US) and $1500 with the spool gun package. Before the Miller I had a Clarke 130, it was OK for exhaust pipe and thin steel (1/4). The 210 will do 22GA. to 3/8" steel, aluminum, SS and brass/copper.

If I were to do it again, I would buy the Miller 251 and a Miller 180 TIG (for Aluminum). The spool gun works fine, aluminum is hard to weld (for me) using a MIG welder.

Using the 210 I can do exhaust pipe, fabricate brackets and I also make steel table lamps (sold 5 so far) and other metal art. It's a fun hobby.

The better MIG welders (210-251) help make up for my novice welding skills .......Paul

I got a Hobart 175 Handler on sale from Harbor Freight for $550 with free shuipping. It's fine for up to 5/16". Remember that you will also need gas cylinder, cart, helmet and gloves. Expect to spend at least another $300 over and above the welder. With a 135 amp you'll be pushed to weld 1/4" plate.

Hobart welders are made by Miller.

The radius-rod kits I build? Got 'em in 33 states now.

[This message has been edited by WAWUZAT (edited 05-19-2005).]