Which Shop Welder

[2_many_hobbies]

I would ask this on welderzone but it looks kinda dead...

I want to build benches, mill enclosures, and general support framing out of scrap steel square/round tubing.

I have no idea how to physically weld though I have watched videos and seen it done but I dont want to spend $1000 to learn its the wrong setup.

So to make steel benches and for as cheep as possible (canadian tire / harbor fright included) what should I buy to get my garage well benched?

Thanks!

[BobWarfield]

Get a Mig, that'll be easiest. Find one that runs on 220V, from Lincoln or Miller. If you can, take a community college welding course.

Best,

BW

[DSL PWR]

Don't go for the cheap no name welders. I wouldn't even touch the bottom end lincoln mig. BW is right get a 220v model. I also own a Ready welder that may be just the ticket for you. http://www.readywelder.com/

[plasmapunk]

I would recommend the Millermatic 180 with autoset. For general shop welding it works great. I picked mine up for less than $800. It is spool gun compatible also.

[2_many_hobbies]

Originally Posted by DSL PWR Don't go for the cheap no name welders. I wouldn't even touch the bottom end lincoln mig. BW is right get a 220v model. I also own a Ready welder that may be just the ticket for you. http://www.readywelder.com/

Great link, never seen one of those before. Do you run it off 3 car batteries and have it on a trickle charger overnight? How long can you use it for?

I should mention that 220v is out of the question the electric panel is in the laundry room and their is only one circuit in the garage so I cant even 'rig' two outlets together for 220v

I was checking out the Canadian Tire Mastercraft welders and they have zero settings but are $150-300. I cant spend a whole lot and a $700 is to high.

I did find this one for $220, it looks better than any of the other cheepies and is cheep enough I don't mind upgrading down the road (I don't even know if I like welding... Its just really handy)