Help finding a welder?

[pistolpete]

I am in search of a new welder and would like some advice on where to start looking for a new unit....I have spoken with some of the big companies and they are a little to expensive for me at the time so if you know another company I can look at please be sure to let me know. Thanks in advance to all

[LOKNLOD]

You're going to need to lay out your use for the machine in a little more detail in order to get a meaningful answer. What are you going to be welding?

[TCz]

Build your own out of microwave oven transformers?

Seriously though, need more info, what you're going to do with it, budget, etc...

[EricP]

What material and process are certainly important and will be necessary in providing good advice.

The big three of the welding world are Miller, Lincoln, and Esab. Miller purchased Hobart, primarily for their filler metal business, but Hobart still continues to make welding machines. They tend to be stripped down cousins of Miller welders. They are also less expensive.

Step down transformer welding machines suck a lot of electricity, particularly in single phase models. You haven't told us what you want to weld, how long or how often. Make sure you can provide the power the machine will need.

You may want to check out Craig's List or the For Sale sections of off roading forums as a lot of people will buy a welding machine for some project and then it will sit in the garage unused.

A lot of cheap wire fed welders (Harbor Freight, etc) are set up for flux core wire. They may not have a gas solenoid. If you wish to use any gas shielding make sure it has a solenoid.

Eric

[SecondsCount]

There are a lot of top notch gunsmiths on 1911pro (http://1911pro.com) and Louder Than Words (http://www.louderthanwords.us/) that may be able to help you. Some of those guys are artists with tig machines.

I have an ancient GE stick welder so I can't really tell you much about the new stuff.

[pistolpete]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys but i have decided to go with a company named longevity due to the price range i could afford, there customer service, and of course that 5 year warranty which sold me so even if it breaks down i'll be covered for some time now.....i'm posting some pics of my cuts and welds with my new toy so be sure to let me know what you think

http://www.longevity-inc.com/productdetail_229/Multi-Purpose-Units/WeldAll-200PI.php