So I want to purchase a welder so I can do some of my own fabrication. I've done a little mig welding many years ago and want to re teach myself. I want to be able to weld on axle truss/brackets and eventually maybe even build my own cage. What size welder would I need for this type work?

 

I would look at a 220v mig welder with a gas kit. Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart are where I would look.

 

What about the amps? Seems like they are all 110,130,140,180. How does that effect what they can weld.?

 

Yes it does, but any 220v welder should be in the 170-200 amp range.

 

OR instead of practicing on your own why not take a cheap night school refresher at your local community college If you ask maybe you should. A little bit of money and time on their machines and materials could maybe save your Jeep from an OH sh-t

 

I recently went to the Miller 211 Auto Set from a little Lincoln 110. Both gas. But the thing that really improved my welding was the new Miller Digital Elite hood when I was able to add the magnifiers for my old eyes. Nice to have the 220 now, no more cold starts..

 

Awesome, that's what I bought few months ago. ( the welder I mean )....

 

Best to avoid the entry level 220v. They may get close to 180 amps, but that's only when using flux-cored wore, not solid wire. So machines like the Lincoln 180 and equivalents will fall into that category.

Look at Miller 211, Lincoln 216, Hobart (I forget which one).

 

Hobart 210 MVP. Similar specs to a Miller 211. Just saw them recently on sale at Blaines for around $790.

 

Yup - I just mine about 2 weeks ago from them. . Freakin love it! Miller is running crazy rebates on the 211 right now too. You can get it down to close to the same price.

I'm in the middle of welding up a mig cart right now and I'm loving the 210 MVP - big difference over a 110.