Help me pick a welder!

[NastyEllEssWon]

...been doing a little more research on the HD/Lowes "retail" welders. Apparently, they are a little different than the 180C. The "C" has an infinite power adjustment, whereas the box store units have 5 tap settings. The wire feeder body is apparently plastic whereas the 180C is cast aluminum. The 180C is a bit more expensive, but I'm OK with spending a bit more to get a better overall unit. I don't plan on buying another welder until my kids are in college... lol.

Looks like the best price I can find is $849!@#!

its actually funny you say that because I purchased 4 samsung tv's off amazon and they all have an amazing picture. a friend of mine bought the same model tv I did after seeing mine, but he bought them at walmart. His pictures actually worse than the TV's I got on amazon (fulfilled directly by Samsung). After closer inspecting his packaging compared to mine we found out that the Samsung branded TV's at walmart actually used a different part number than the ones I purchased directly from Samsung. Both TV's were the same price too, except the ones Samsung sold to Walmart have a cheaper screen than the ones they sell Directly from their websites

Moral of the story...its best to buy online anymore. Especially with Amazon Prime

[DanteGTZ]

Wired up my 220 plug tonight... now just waiting on the welder to arrive. It apparently shipped via freight truck and won't be here til Monday!

[DanteGTZ]

Got the welder delivered on Monday and got it loaded with the flux cored wire for now. I still need a gas bottle ($198!), welding cart of some kind ($?), and have to wait for my helmet/gloves/etc to be delivered sometime next week... It's like Christmas only Santa forgot the batteries!

[3X00-Modified]

I have 3 small bottles but I ended up renting a large bottle since the smaller ones would run out so quick. It runs me $100 a year but the gas is cheaper to fill it.

[DanteGTZ]

What size did you go with? I'm thinking an 80cu ft cylinder will do it for me but I am only speculating...

[3X00-Modified]

My small ones I believe are 60's... My rented may be a 125 or a 150... I don't remember off the top of my head. 80's are the largest cylinder a person can buy/own personally in my area.

[woody90gtz]

I ended up getting a big bottle the last time and it is nice. Went through 2 spools of wire and still have 700lbs or so left in the bottle.

[3X00-Modified]

Don't you mean 700 PSI.. gas isn't measured in lbs.... And just a fyi, Amy would tear you up for using improper units too.

[DanteGTZ]

Finally broke down and got a gas bottle today. For $60/year I am renting a 125 bottle. Got the first fillup included and the refills are like $35. We'll see how long it does, but I figured it was a good deal to rent (125 for $60/yr) vs. buy (80 for $200), at least for now.

Now I'm having some fun welding up a cart for my new toys. It feels very nice being liberated from that "I need a welder" club... lol!

[3X00-Modified]

Not a bad deal.

[Slinky]

I wish i woulda bought the eastwood AC/DC TIG/plasma cutter combo for $1000 when it was on sale.. I could be making cool stuff now :/

[DanteGTZ]

Just whorin' some pics... Finished the welding cart for my new welder.

[Godlike]

Nice setup. I have a Lincoln 175T that im very happy with. I think someday I would like to pick up a 180C to use for Aluminum and SS. Theres a combo I found: welder, cart, spool gun package for $1345

[1988GTU]

I think someday I would like to pick up a 180C to use for Aluminum and SS. Theres a combo I found: welder, cart, spool gun package for $1345

Link??

[Godlike]

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/l ... un-k2473-2
They sell it w/o cart for $1075 shipped. Not bad I thought.