Mig Welding

Where can I find a cheap MIG or STICK welding machine for beginners?

My fiance’ wants to buy my father a mig or stick welding machine. My dad use to weld but no longer does. He enjoys welding and would like to do it for fun .. but I honestly don’t know what I’m looking for .. but I know I want to keep it under $300.

Everyone has their preferences but there are 5 brands to stick with: Miller, Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Arc, and Hobart. Miller and Lincoln are the two big ones here in the US. Both are dependable and great to use. The competition between them really boils down to a few features that differ between the competing models, but I have used dozens of machines from both without any problems. ESAB is good but much more popular in Europe. They make amazing stuff for automated welding and industrial settings. Thermal Arc is another good brand that is just not as popular. Hobart tends to be overshadowed by Miller and Lincoln but are just as good for slightly less money.

Whatever you do, stay away from the Harbor Freight welders and the off brand welders. They are more trouble than they are worth because of their low reliability and the difficulty in finding replacement parts should you ever need them. Also, many are flawed right out of the box which will make learning even more difficult. A welder is a tool, and you don’t want to skimp on quality even though it might save money in the short term.

You won’t get much welder for less than $300 unless you buy used. I personally got a used Lincoln Weld Pak 100 for $165 shipped off eBay with an almost full spool of wire. The Lincoln Weld Pak series is an amazing line of light duty wire feed welders and pretty cheap if you don’t mind buying last year’s model. Stick welders are going to be much cheaper. The Lincoln AC-225 series has always been a top performer for the casual welder and can be had for next to nothing if you look on Craigslist and eBay. Miller has comparable models, but I am much more familiar with the light Lincoln welders.

MIG Welding: Mig Welding, Push Technique

Lincoln Electric MIG Conversion Kit for MIG Welding LINK610-2 $220.99

.030″ ER4043 Radnor 4043 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 16 12″ Spool Set of: 16 $1,519.84

NEW 4 PC SET WELDING MAGNETS WELDER ARC TIG MIG WELDING $3.15

Automatic Darkening Stick Mig Tig Welding Welders Helmet $139.99

Automatic Darkening Stick Mig Tig Welding Welders Helmet $139.99

Automatic Darkening Stick Mig Tig Welding Welders Helmet $139.99

Automatic Darkening Stick Mig Tig Welding Welders Helmet $139.99

MIG151 DUAL MIG Welder & Eagle Auto Dark Welding Helmet Home Welder Durable HD $294.49

Mig/Tig Solar Powered Welding Helmet – Red Flame Design $59.95

MIG131 DUAL MIG Welder & Eagle Auto Dark Welding Helmet Home Welder Durable HD $289.49

MIG-100 Flux Core Welding Machine Weld Auto Home Welder Durable Powerful Tool HD $132.49

WELDING SAFETY GOGGLES GLASSES EYE FACE WELD SHIELD MIG $17.99

Welding Cart Universal MIG MAG ARC TIG Machine Welders Home Garage Portable Tool $60.43

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Solar Cell Mig Mag Tig Arc New Glossy Eagle Design $69.99

FirePower Er5356 Mig Aluminum Welding Wire .30″Lb. 1440-0186 $11.99

12 PACK WELDING GOOGLES MIG SOLDERING ARC TORCH WELDER BRAND NEW $16.95

Mig 131 Welder Machine Flux Wire Welding Gas And No Gas $169.99

Dual Flux Mig Wire Core Welder 25-85 AMP Welding Gas No Gas 110 Volt $269.99

SOLAR AUTO DARKENING WELDING HELMET MIG TIG Red Flame $55.95

1 Pair Leather Welding Work Grill Gloves MIG TIG ARC NR $0.99

NEW MIG – Flux Welding Cart $58.75

AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMET MIG/TIG WELDING TADD $3.30

ISO9001 MIG 100 WELDER MACHINE FLUX MIG WELDING NO GAS WELD TOOLS $133.99

MIG 100 WELDER MACHINE FLUX MIG AND FLAME AUTO DARKENING HELMET WELDING MASK $199.99

FLUX WIRE WELDER MACHINE MIG 100 WELDING NO GAS TOOLS $134.99

DUAL MIG WELDER 131 GAS / NO GAS WELDING MACHINE 2 WAY $219.99

MIG 100 FLUX CORE WELDING MACHINE NO GAS WELDER WIRE 90 amp WELDER $134.99

.030″ ER5356 AlcoTec Almigweld 5356 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 1 Spool 535601030 $6.60

0.030″ ER70S-6 Radnor 70S-6 Carbon Steel MIG Welding Wire 11 8″ Spool ED029741 $28.27

0.023″ ER70S-6 Radnor 70S-6 Carbon Steel MIG Welding Wire 11 8″ Plastic Spool $26.99

12 PACK WELDING GOOGLES MIG SOLDERING ARC TORCH WELDER BRAND NEW $16.95

Flux Core Wire Welder Dual MIG 151 GAS 230V and Eagle Welding Helmet Mask $269.99

WELDING CART UNIVERSAL FOR MIG MAG ARC WELDER MACHINE $49.99

.030″ ER4043 AlcoTec Almigweld 4043 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 1 Spool 404301030 $6.49

Mig 135 Welder Machine Flux Wire Welding Gas And No Gas $174.99

US FORGE WELDING FLUX-CORED MIG WIRE .035 2.LB SPOOL $35.99

Lincoln Electric Welding Regulator 1599 mig tig $19.99

WELDING Hood HELMET AUTO DARKENING MIG TIG ARC Mask CF $44.99

20 Piece MIG Welder Contact Tips Replacement Welding Tips $22.99

Pack of 10 0.035″ MIG Welding Tips Replacement Welding Tips $21.99

WELDING CART with Wheels and 2 Shelves Arc Mig Gas Weld Stand $54.99

Hood fbg WELDING HELMET AUTO DARKENING MIG TIG ARC Mask1000 $39.87

MIG-100 Flux Core Welder & Eagle Auto Welding Helmet $199.99

MIG-100 Flux Core Welder & Skull Auto Welding Helmet $219.99

MIG131 DUAL MIG Welder & Eagle Auto Dark Welding Helmet $289.99

MIG131 DUAL MIG Welder & Skull Auto Dark Welding Helmet $324.99

MIG151 DUAL MIG Welder & Skull Auto Dark Welding Helmet $329.99

MIG151 DUAL MIG Welder & Eagle Auto Dark Welding Helmet $299.99

Universal Welding Cart For MIG MAG ARC Welding Machine Welder DIY Garage Home HD $59.99

MIG 100 FLUX CORE WELDING MACHINE NO GAS WELDER WIRE $134.95

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Solar Arc Mig Mag Mask Quick Respond Welder’s Hood $64.25

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Solar Arc Mig Mag Tig New Home/Business Mechanics $64.25

New Dewalt,14oz Mig Weld Nailing Hammer $40.00

Eagle Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Mig Arc Tig Mask Eye Protection 2 Lens $69.95

Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Flame Skull Mig Arc Mask Protection + 2 Lens $69.95

Mig 100 Welder Machine Flux Wire and Auto Dark Welding Grinding Helmet Mask $199.99

UNIVERSAL WELDING CART MIG MAG ARC TIG MACHINE WELDERS MAX 200 LBS NEW $75.99

NEW 10lb .030in Mig Wire Each Welding Rods / Wire 00664 093425006641 $40.89

NEW 2lb .030in Mig Wire Each Welding Rods / Wire 00662 093425006627 $16.60

New Heavy Duty Deluxe Rolling MIG Welding Storage Cart w 3 Shelves $96.98

Hood WELDING HELMET AUTO DARKENING MIG TIG ARC Mask $44.99

Auto Darkening TIG MIG ARC Flaming Welding Protective Helmet ANSI $46.99

Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Hood Mig Tig American Eagle Style Fast Dark $52.99

Mig Welder Welding Torch LED Light $33.94

MIG-100 FLUX CORE WELDING MACHINE 90AMP MIG WELDER WITH FLUX WIRE $145.99

WELDING CART FOR A MIG GUN $69.99

GRAIN COWHIDE MIG TIG WELDING GLOVES PROTECTIVE CUFF KEVLAR THREAD SIZE LG $8.00

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Solar Mig Mag Tig Arc New High Performance Cell HD $55.25

ATD-7041 MIG Welding Cart ATD Tools $97.85

ATD-7041P MIG Welding Cart ATD Tools $96.00

MIG-100 Flux Core Welder & Eagle Auto Welding Helmet DIY Home Automotive Mask HD $198.49

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Arc/MIG American Eagle Mask Protective Gear DIY HD $54.49

Welding Cart Universal For Mig 100 131 135 MAG ARC 100 200 250 Welding Machine $60.43

SPOOL OF .030 MIG WELDER WIRE WELD FLUX CORE GASLESS FOR WELDING MACHINE $39.99

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Mask Mig Tig Arc New Unit Solar Recharge Cell Weld $67.99

DeWalt DWHT51145 15oz MIG-Weld Framing Hammer – SF $56.96

Northern GMAW (MIG) Welding 1 DVD Model# 501DVD $27.99

105AMP DUAL MIG WELDER 230V NO GAS WELDING MACHINE SINGLE PHASE $269.99

Heavy Duty MIG Welding Nozzle Cleaner $43.00

Heavy Duty MIG Welding Nozzle Cleaner $43.00

Heavy Duty MIG Welding Nozzle Cleaner $43.50

Heavy Duty MIG Welding Nozzle Cleaner $43.50

Heavy Duty MIG Welding Nozzle Cleaner $44.00

Hobart 500550 Auto Arc 130 Wire Feed MIG Welding Kit $431.48

SOLAR AUTO DARKENING WELDING HELMET MIG TIG EAGLE STYLE $55.95

2” GROUND MAGNET WELDING CLAMP MIG TIG STICK ARC ARROW WELD FREE SHIP IN THE US $12.55

Hot Max WC-100 Mig Welding Plasma Cutter Welding Cart NEW $86.95

Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Solar Mig Mag Tig Arc New $79.95

TIG/MIG WELDING HELMET SOLOR AUTO-DARKENING ANSIZ87 NEW $49.99

Auto Darkening TIG MIG ARC Flaming Welding Helmet ANSI $53.99

Neiko Solar-Powered Auto Darkening MIG/TIG Welding Helmet, ANSI Approved Lens $76.63

20 PC SET WELDING MAGNETS WELDER ARC TIG MIG WELDING $39.95

Auto darkening Welding mask Helmet Power Cell mig 10376 $47.49

Auto darkening Welding mask Helmet Power Cell mig 10377 $47.49

Auto darkening Welding mask Helmet Power Cell mig 10378 $47.49

.023″ ER4043 Alcotec Almigweld 4043 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 1 4″ Spool $230.76

.030″ ER5654 Alcotec Almigweld 5654 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 14 12″ Spool $164.64

.035″ ER5654 Alcotec Almigweld 5654 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 16 12″ Spool $159.84

1/16″ ER2319 Alcotec Almigweld 2319 Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 16 12″ Spool $349.12

3/16″ ER1100 AlcoTec Almigweld 1100-O Aluminum MIG Welding Wire 50 Coil $249.50

14H-45 Anchor Brand Anchor 14H-45 Tip $6.15 Item #: 100-14H-45. Designed to fit the No. 2, 3, & 4 Style = Tweco®Wire Size = 0.0400 inUsed With = Tweco® No. 2, 3, & 4 Mig GunsPacking Type = Heavy-Duty Customers also search for: Tools and Storage\Welding Supplies\Mig Welding\Mig Contact Tips Discount Anchor 14h-45 Tip, Buy Anchor 14h-45 Tip, Wholesale Anchor 14h-45 Tip, 604669192276, 14H-45, Mig Contact Tips…

Lincoln Electric: How To Use Combination Wire Feed Welders Part K550-5 [Dual English/Spanish/French] $21.00 Instructions are given in English, Spanish and French on how to use combination wire feed welders. Lincoln Electric – The Welding Experts® – It’s more than a slogan it’s a reference to the knowledge we’ve gained in over 100 years as a leader in the welding industry. And now the lessons we’ve learned are here, at your finger tips….

Welding Techniques of the Pros: Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) – Aluminum [VHS] $19.95 …

Hobart 770150 MIG Multi-Function Welding Pliers $11.92 The Hobart 770150 MIG Pliers are a universal, multi-use tool with twelve function.  The 770150 Pliers are ideal for welding, electrical, mechanical, farm, home, plumbing and HVAC. Features: Twelve functions ideal for welding, electrical, mechanical, farm, home, plumbing and HVAC What's In The Box: Hobart 770150 12-Function MIG Pliers…

Hobart 770074 Welding Mig Accessory Nozzle Gel $13.75 The Hobart 770074 MIG Nozzle Gel prevents adhesion of weld spatter to both the MIG nozzle and weld surface during MIG welding applications. Features: Prevents adhesion of weld spatter What's In The Box: One Container Hobart 770074 MIG Nozzle Gel…

Auto Darkening Solar Powered Welding Helmet – ANSI Approved, Red Flame Design with Polished Black Finish $44.65 Premium solar powered welding helmet that comes with three unique designs. These helmets fully meet industry standards: auto-darkening lens responds in 1/25000 seconds, darkens when welding begins and clears when welding stops, shades can be switched easily and continuously between shades from 9 to 13 with 1/10000 seconds reaction time, UV and IR protection are in compliance with EN169 standards f…

MIG Welding Fundamentals with David Bird DVD $39.95 “Whether you are new to MIG welding or are an experienced welder (or think you are!), David Bird is sure to teach you something new in this comprehensive MIG Welding Fundamentals DVD. With a ‘through-the-hood’ close-up view of the weld in progress, and all the information to get you on your way to being an ace welder, this DVD is all killer, no filler. Not only teaching you MIG welding, David take…

TIG Welding Set: TIG Welding Basics & Advanced TIG Welding (2 DVD set) $96.00 TIG WELDING BASICS DVD: TIG welding has been long recognized as the premiere welding process, which can make beautiful, strong welds on nearly any metal. In this easy-to-follow program, Ron Covell covers the basic processes used for TIG welding, covering proper machine setup, joint preparation, electrode selection and preparation, torch technique, and perhaps most importantly, what to check for wh…

TIG Welding Basics (DVD) $37.95 TIG welding has been long recognized as the premiere welding process, which can make beautiful, strong welds on nearly any metal. In this easy-to-follow program, Ron Covell covers the basic processes used for TIG welding, covering proper machine setup, joint preparation, electrode selection and preparation, torch technique, and perhaps most importantly, what to check for when things go wrong! Th…

Tillman TM Top Grain Pearl Kidskin TIG Welders Gloves – X-Large – 1 Pair – 1324XL $8.44 Tillman Top Grain Pearl Kidskin TIG Welders Gloves With Kevlar Stitching, Wing Thumb And 2″ Cuff Made from premium pearl top grain kidskin, these TIG…

Audel Gmaw (Mig) Welding Mini-ref (Paperback) $10.44 Introducing an Audel “Mini-Ref” for GMAW (MIG) weldersGas Metal Arc Welders or GMAW (Metal Inert Gas) welders would be well advised to take this handy reference with them on their next job. It features crisply illustrated charts, tables, and…