Input needed

[masterwacker]

I need some opinions about what welder to buy. I have some experience with stick and mig welding and these are the only two types that I am interested in. What I want to be able to do is custom fabricate bumpers and such for my truck, do a SAS, and other truck related things. So obviously with a 175 amp mig welder I can weld up to 3/8" in a single pass, but it is a hell of a lot more than a 135 amp mig or even a 220 amp stick welder. Welding with a mig I have found is easier and looks neater with me than a stick welder. Can I do what I need to do with a 135 amp mig welder or do I really need a 175 amp mig? Basically with keeping the cost down what are you guys using and what would you suggest I get? This is my Christmas present to myself this year.

[Mike D]

sticks are usually stronger and they will look good if you know how to use it

[MidgetMike]

Dude I did my first truck with stick and that sucked, welds were awsome but a lot of work chipping slag, I just bought a Millermatic  135 the best regular 110 volt outlet  20 amp mig I could get and it welds to 1/4 in 1 pass, but what the hell will you weld on your truck thats 3/8' thick? and you should still bevell and curf your weld areas anyways, the 135 kicks ass I just did my IFS box brace on my knew 83 in about 2 hours and the welds are sweet no slag falling on me burnin    my ass and no chipping slag clean and ready for paint plus you can use it any where if you have a decient extension cord you can weld on the roof of you house if you need to weld thicker metal just grind and fill, even structural welders that ise arc have to. Miller just came out with a knew welder and a lot of welding supply guy's are selling thier for the knew welder that just came out 2 weeks ago you might score a deal   Good luck   

[FIREBALL]

Definetly go with the mig, and get the gas too. The smaller one will work on anything you are going to work on, on your truck. I've built 7 trucks for myself and others, and I use a Hobart Handler 130. Hobart and Miller are the same welder these days, so either one will work great. The advantage of the Hobart is that it is marketed toward more home use where the Miller is marketed toward commercial. Therefore they usually offer a longer warrenty on the Hobart figuring it won't be used as often, or as hard.
Oh ya, I did my first mods with a stick, ya it held well, but what a pain in the ass. The mig is much cleaner, and I have never had anything come apart, that wasn't engineered right in the first place.

[Hyena]

I have a linclon sp100 at home.  It works great for the small stuff.  I used a miller 135 to do my front crossmember.  I have stick welded a bunch at school but it sucks, way too much slag and harder to fill a gap i think.  I have seen arc welds crack over time.

[UNBREAKABLE]

Miller all the way!

[Skinny_Pedal]

i have to agree. just go with the miller. they kick so much ass. in my metals class we have a new 135 millermatic. 1/4 in one pass penetrating the sh*t out of the metal

[masterwacker]

Thanks for all you help.  I will end up going with the miller 135.  Man I can't wait for it now.

[MidgetMike]

dude you won't stop using it, I love mine it's the man get gas you won't regret it     

[kyle_22r]

if you're a good stick welder, the slag just peels right off...

[kneedownnate]

Yea, my first day welding the slag came off like week old sunburn,   Nate

[NMTOY]

with stick welding when the amps and the arc length are just right you get the sweet roostertails and the slag comes right off, unfortunately it takes some practice before that happens. Mig is much easier to learn and no slag, you will love the Miller 135. Spend some time practicing on scrap metal before you start welding on your truck. Have fun!