Craftsman Welder

Has anyone here used the craftsman mig welder on sears.com or have any experience with craftsman welders in general? It looks like a solid deal at $400 and uses gas or flux. I can't afford a miller for $600 and this one looks like it has more features then the hobart 125 for $350, plus even though it's not the best it should be better then a HF welder. What do you guys think. I'm on a tight budget but I want a good welder that will last a while, i also would prefer to stay the new route so i can get instructions with it and a warranty. thanks!

Never used one, but for the same money you can get a good lincoln mig

A lot of times when good questions are asked, it seems we're trying to spend money that isn't ours. So bear with me. Even as a home garage type hobbiest, it is always worth stepping up to something like the Miller unit. You will never ever be sorry for that kind of choice. I know financial constraints restrict your purchase. Is there a way to beat the bushes and find one cheaper? Maybe borrow one from a buddy (Remember, don't piss him off)? If at all possible and knowing it is a tough thing to do, go with the best or most recommended unit. I have a hobart MIG that can be switched back and forth. I have a Craftsman stick that is an A/C (welds like a D/C). Miller TIG, A couple of Century MIG's. A portable Lincoln that has plasma and carbon arc capabilities. It's all good. Budgets can be restraining, but short-cuts cost you dearly in the end. Too many welders here in this site to varify that.Try to see about stepping up if you can. Hope this helps.

I like where Denny is going with this. Remember, it might 1yr, 5yrs, 10yrs from now, you will always have a good use for the equipment. A lot of times, it will make you some cash or save your butt. You will always have it to rely on no matter what.

There's an old saying (you know old sayings become old sayings because of their accuracy); If you can't afford to do it right the first time how can you afford to do it over? Yeah, spending your money is easy.:)

Something else to consider with "cheap" welders. How easy/costly is it to get consumables, or replacement parts. Tips, wheels, valves, guides and so on will be needed eventually dependant on how much you use it. If you're not going to use it enough to wear some stuff out then the suggestion to borrow one (or rent it) is perhaps a better alternative. Also there's the ease of use of a well designed tool, which can lead to better end results, especially for the "beginner".

Years ago some of the Craftsman welders were Lincolns that were rebranded (stick welder era). I don't know about the units the sell today. If it is a well known, quality brand that is reidentified, and on sale because of Sears mass marketing ability, then it could be a deal. If it's a crappy import that you'll struggle to get repaired down the road, or that just doesn't quite work right, you'll live another old saying; The bitter taste of poor quality lasts far longer than the sweet taste of a low price.

Hey Uncle Bob, Good advice. One question though. Even though I've been to rodeo a time or two, a couple of goat roapings and been banished from a couple of B-B-Q's, I have no clue what a Curmudgeon is. Fill this clueless wonder in what the heck that is.

Just Look In The Dictionary And Under Curmudgeon You Will Se A Picture Of Bob:lol:

Nitrowarrior said exactly what I feel when we answer this type of question. It is very hard for us to spend your money, and we have no idea what your budget is, or anything about your personal finances.

But generally, Bobs statement about doing it right the first time really applys to tools, especially if you intend on doing this hobby for more builds than just the one. Good tools are an investment, and you will use a quality tool for years and years , and be rewarded with good results every time you use it.

Believe me, we all have a budget and sometimes have to wait a little longer to buy something until the cookie jar gets a little more full. You might be wise to keep socking a little away until you can purchase a bigger unit so that you are not dissatisfied in a little while and then have to start looking for a new unit then.

Good luck,

Don

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

Hey Uncle Bob, Good advice. One question though. Even though I've been to rodeo a time or two, a couple of goat roapings and been banished from a couple of B-B-Q's, I have no clue what a Curmudgeon is. Fill this clueless wonder in what the heck that is.

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And I'll bet you've been thrown out of a few respectable bars too.....:LOL:

There are some rude definitions out there, but I like this one the best;
curmudgeon - a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
golden ager, old person, oldster, senior citizen - an elderly person:3dSMILE:

The way I see it if you are going to spend a few hundred save the extra cash and spend the extra 1-2 hundred to get top quality, but thats just me I guess.

You could probably even find a used Miller/Lincoln welder for the same price as the new craftsman. Some Craftman stuff seems to be made in Japan and Craftsman is not known for any type of welders. Check E-bay, craigslist, and your local news paper. I bought a "used" Miller mig that was used for demos hundreds of dollars cheaper than the new price.

man, you guys do like to spend my money :LOL: every question I ask I'm told to go the extra step and spend a little more :LOL:

Thats ok, I probably need to hear it. I did some more looking around and I'm going to hit up the local welding supply store thats been in business since my dad was a kid. I just might get screwed at a chain store but I doubt these guys will sell me anything they don't carry parts for. Looking on their web-site I've got it narrowed down to three:

Lincoln 140 amp $600
Miller 140amp $650
Hobart 140amp $460

Nothing against lincoln but if i get that i might as well go with Miller just from what I've been told from various old guy sources :LOL: . But that hobart looks nice for the price. The miller features something called auto-set where it sets the wire speed and voltage for you and says it has an easy start system for less spatter. I think the first feature is totally worthless as I can learn how to set my welder, the anti-spatter i think i can live without too.

I think i'm going to leave the deciding factor to expandibilty though, if any can add a spool gun easily I will probably choose that model but I will wait until i talk to the guys at the shop. As far as when i will use it: asap, i am putting exhaust on my truck in the next couple weeks. I will also need it to shove that 472ci in the 59 volvo later on so it will see alot of use.

Thanks for all the opinions guys, I have enough money to spend on a good welder I just wanted a new carb too, oh well- the carb i have is decent and i can live with it for a while.

That's a good definition.............By the way, what does the inside of a "respectable" bar look like?.....always wanted to try it.

From what I have always understood Lincoln and Hobart are the exact same welders just different names. Lincoln and Miller are both top name brands its just Miller is preferred, not any better then Lincoln ,its just the blue paint that everyone likes:LOL: . Anything else besides these 3 brands and you will have a hard time getting consumables and parts. You could even find something better than a Miller but you will be screwed when it comes to parts. With these 3 you can even find parts at your local Home Depot at 8 pm sat or sun night.

Dont take your local welding supplies word for what you need , they are trying to make sales . Inform yourself and get what you need.

As long as we are spending your money :3dSMILE: , cough up another $ 200 and get a 220 volt welder. You will never outgrow this one unless you go commercial and 220 volt gives such better penetration on thicker metal.


Millermatic MIG Welder - Millermatic 180 (230 Volt)

You don't have to be an expert to get great welds with the Millermatic 180 MIG welder. This compact, portable package delivers a maximum output of 180 amps and is ideal for maintenance, auto body and fabrication projects. The Millermatice 180 is easy to use and move.

# Applications/Processes Light Industrial Applications
# Light Fabrication
# Maintenance and Repair
# Auto Body
# Farm and Ranch
# Home
# Flux Cored (FCAW) (gas and self-shielded)
# MIG (GMAW)

Features:
# NEW! Smooth-Start patent-pending technology provides a smooth, spatterfree start. It’s the best-starting machine in the small MIG machine category. No pop gun starts and no spatter to clean up.
# Infinite Voltage Control with Manual On/Off Wire Feed Speed Tracking provides a broader operating range with finer control by automatically increasing or decreasing wire feed speed when voltage is adjusted (unit shipped with wire feed speed tracking set to “off”).
# NEW! More output. Semiautomatic constant voltage wire welding package is capable of welding 24 gauge up to 5/16 in (0.8 – 7.9 mm) mild steel.
# Durable cast aluminum feedhead incorporates dual-groove quick-change drive roll and spring-loaded tension arm with calibrated tension knob all designed to make set up easier and faster.
# Miller’s exclusive “Tip Saver” short circuit protection shuts down output when tip is shorted to the work. Extends contact tip life and protects internal components from damage. Trigger reset permits quick reset at torch rather than unit.
# Easy access to output studs provides convenient polarity changeover when changing from solid or flux cored wires.
# Thermal overload protection shuts down unit and activates over temperature light if airflow is blocked or duty cycle is exceeded. Automatically resets when fault is corrected and unit cools.
# Standard built-in solid-state contactor circuit makes wire electrically “cold” until trigger is pulled, making the unit safer. It’s also easier to position torch to work before starting weld.
# Self-resetting motor protection circuit eliminates the need to find and replace fuses.
# Uses 4 or 8 in (102 or 203 mm) spools and can be set up to weld with wire sizes .024 – .035 in (0.6 – 0.9 mm) mild/ stainless steel and .030–.045 in (0.8–1.2 mm) flux cored.
# Add the Spoolmate 3035 spool gun and SGA spool gun adapter for welding with .030 –.035 in (0.8 – 0.9 mm) aluminum wire on 14 gauge to 1/4 in material.

Comes Complete with: Power source
# 6 ft (1.8 m) power cord and plug
# 10 ft (3 m), M-10 MIG gun and cable assembly
# 10 ft (3 m) work cable and clamp
# Smith Argon and AR/CO2 mix regulator/flow gauge with hose
# Spool of Hobart .030 in (0.8 mm) solid wire
# Two contact tips for .024 in (0.6 mm) wire and two contact tips for .030 in (0.8 mm) wire
# Dual groove quick-change drive roll for .024 in (0.6 mm) or .030/.035 in (0.8/0.9 mm) wire
# Factory-installed gas solenoid valve
# Set-up and operation video
# Information/settings chart

Quick Specs Millermatic 180
# Input Power Requires: 1-Phase Power, 230 V, 19.5 A, 60 Hz
# Rated Output: 135 A at 20 VDC, 30% Duty Cycle
# Output Power Range: 30 - 180 Amps
# Weight: 72 lb (32.7 kg)

Free standard ground shipping within contiguous U.S.



Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

907312padMfg Industrial Price: $958.00padCyberweld Price: $779.50pad


This ad is from these people:cyberweld.com/ This is one on line company you can trust......we have bought 3 units from them so far of various models, and no one could match their deal.

Just a suggestion.

Don

I've heard of them, and their Ebay rating is perfect. Good deal.

Don

I bought a sears,had trouble getting any penetration right off the bat. A friend took me to a pro to see if I was doing something wrong. He checked it all out,reversed the polarity,and it worked fine. He then asked why I bought a sears,and I answered that I had a sears card. He then showed me 3 used units he had,for the same money I blew,and 2 good commercial units,for what i spent down,and he would carry me on the rest. Did I ever feel sick!P.S. The sears didn't last long, I've been using the commercial unit since1987.

I took the plunge....I bought the miller 140. I took my wife with me and after looking at the hobart and the miller side by side we chose the miller. The hobart only had four settings for voltage while the miller had 10. Setting it up was super easy and it really is a quality unit overall. We also picked up a fat roll of flux core wire, 2 sets of gloves (she wants to learn now), and an extra helmet for her. With tax everything was $850 out the door. :whacked: Thanks for all of the info guys. I think I made the right decision. I could have gone bigger but I really need 115v, unfortunetly I don't have a garage so I have to keep it inside and need the portability for when I use it.

As far as power goes....I had some trash exhaust tubing I was able to lay a bead down on. At a voltage setting of 4 it burned a hole right through it. It goes all the way to ten :D . Should have plenty of power for me for awhile.

I think I just burned my monitor up from staring at this post joehalford01 just put here. In no way would I ever try to spend another man's money, but I am awstruck that he took her along for the purchase. I am stupid enough to think I'm ten foot tall and bulletproof, but I just don't think I would ever have the cajones to bring the wife along to feel the "crunch" I'm about to give to the budget. OUTSTANDING job and I tip my hat to you. Now I have to cipher the wife wanting to "learn". Do these women really exist? All kidding aside (you do realize I'm trying my best at humor?), excellent move forward, you'll be surprised at the need down the road for this and maybe you'll get the opportunity to get some goodies down the road in this area. Really, I'm happy for ya!

Just wait til she becomes better at it than you.:eek: You'll never live that one down. :LOL: :LOL:


Don

I had one I bought about 15 years ago. It was not what I consider a good deal. Unless they have changed the design I would stay clear of them. The biggest problem with the one I had was the wire was hot all the time when the power was on. Don't know how many times I flashed my eyes with the thing. It would probably be better with a auto darkening helmet.
I just gave it away(sort of). I bought the wife a 71 Camaro Z28 clone from a guy at work who needed his garage for his new Vette. He wanted $1000 and the old Craftsman welder. Don't think I'll ever get a deal like that again.

http://www.newmotherearth.com/71%20C.../Camaro_01.jpg

thas ok, she can do body work while I work on the motor :LOL: