farmhand welder, opinion pls

[goin4wheelin]

i went to my local tractor supply and i saw this farmhand welder on sale. the kit cost $263.70
i know it's 115v but i am trying to learn how to weld.

http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=1&paID=1011&sonID=600&productID=8957

the link i posted 's the welder i am talking about. but the one i saw also come with cart.

i know they are made from campbell hausfeld and was wondering about the quality.

i been thinking about getting either the hobalt 140($460.00) or lincoln sp135($457.00) welder, both are 115v. i compare the spec between those 3 welder and dont see much different on the spec. the different i saw between the lincoln and hobart is the thickness of weld, hobart 24g-1/4", lincoln 24g-5/16" and both are running on 20% @90A

i know some people will jump on me and ask me to get 220v or go home but i dont have the access to the 220v outlet so dont flame on me.

thanks

simon

[Art Triggs]

I was given one of these outfits as a birthday gift, it's better than no welder, but if it was my money I would have saved it and bought a Lincoln or a Hobart, this is really a very light duty welder ( not that I'm any good at welding) and good for little stuff, aside from that the "accessories" that come with it are not great, I dont think its the bargain that Tractor Supply likes to make it out to be.....

[Roxtar]

Do a search under welder. Someone just posted a question like this a week or so ago. The problem is the 20% duty cycle.
Junk.
A cheap POS welder is much harder to weld (learn to weld) with. As a beginner, you need to buy something decent to get any results.

[Beezil]

there is a difference between getting two plates of 5/16 to stick together, and FULLY WELDING two pcs of 5/16" together.

if you want to FULLY WELD 1/4" and up with do it with a 220 vac welder, 175 amps or more.

why are some of you WASTING good money on cheap junk when you can SAVE just a little bit more money on a GOOD welder that will DO THE JOB without worry?

[biscuitboy87]

^^
lincoln if you have to go 110...i use one and it's the least junky of the 110's.
IMHO

[goin4wheelin]

Beezil, i know you will chip in your knowledge/opinions. i know 220v welder 's the way to go but right now i dont have garage or any place to hook up the 220v outlet.
i already kinda feel "not sure" about the farmhand. so the farmhand are out.

what about hobart and linclon? which will ya go go for? and why?
hobart 140
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00920502000

lincoln sp135
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00920667000


thanks for all the input and opinions.




there is a difference between getting two plates of 5/16 to stick together, and FULLY WELDING two pcs of 5/16" together.

if you want to FULLY WELD 1/4" and up with do it with a 220 vac welder, 175 amps or more.

why are some of you WASTING good money on cheap junk when you can SAVE just a little bit more money on a GOOD welder that will DO THE JOB without worry?

[Roxtar]

I've used a Millermatic 135. It's a nice machine for 110V. I've had good results but never used it for more than .120" wall.

[Bloose]

Beez is right, man I hate to admit that :), for another $125 you could get a Hobart 220 machine. I know that not having access to 220V could be a real problem but I'd hate to spend $500 on something that really limited my options when I could have spent $625 for far less limitations.

I know it is way more money and likely out of the range you wanted to spend but what a neat machine,

http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_dvi/

It'd be cool if they came out with the same thing in a smaller machine.

Here is a link for a Hobart 180 for $625 delivered,

http://www.toolfetch.com/tools/500501.html

I just bought a welder and was going to go with a Hobart 210. Hobart is made by Miller but was $150 cheaper than the Millermatic 210. When I looked at the specs though the Miller was night and day better. It had a much higher duty cycle rated at a higher amperage. It also had a 250A MIG gun where the Hobart had a 100A gun. The Hobart is definitely a good machine but you have to look at the details closely when compairing price.

B-loose

[Roxtar]

I know it is way more money and likely out of the range you wanted to spend but what a neat machine,

http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_dvi/

It'd be cool if they came out with the same thing in a smaller machine.
I've got one of these running my bore welder. It's a sweet machine but yes, pretty pricy.