Best Quality/Price For 220V 170-250 Amp Mig Welder?

[Whitetrash]

If the ESAB is being mentioned as comparable Quality that's a No Brainer

[seagiant]

Hi,
Well the ESAB deal fell through but...

Found a Hobart Beta Mig 250, only problem is the Owner got it from his dead Uncle's Shop and when he plugs it in Welder gets no power?

He does not want to deal with it so got him down to $300 for it only the Welder no extras.

I'm assuming it is something that can be fixed or set straight.

He says it has not been burnt or over heated.

The Welder is single phase only so it's not set up for 3 phase I guess?

Thinking of taking a chance on it, would be nice having a 250A capacity and these Welders are suppose to be butter smooth?

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by seagiant

Found a Hobart Beta Mig 250, only problem is the Owner got it from his dead Uncle's Shop and when he plugs it in Welder gets no power?

He does not want to deal with it so got him down to $300 for it only the Welder no extras.

I think $300 is a bit steep for a non-functioning welder. I've bought welders at auction that I wasn't able to test. They were bought "as-is". They were in the $100 range and I looked at them for parts value (gun, gauges, torch, consumables, etc.). I've been lucky and every one of them worked after minor work or cleanup and a profit was made.

An "old" welder like that will be fairly simple to check out. BTW, don't you already have an "old" welder? Anyhow, look at the roll of MIG wire inside and the drive rollers. Maybe a dozen screws and you can pull the cover right off. You are looking for mice nests & chewed wire, scorching, corrosion, mud, leaking caps, etc. Since it doesn't power up, look at the wires coming in from the cord and/or for the breaker to be tripped (if equipped). If it needs any work, walk away. I would stay away from anything that has been stored outside or is weathered.

Dennett's is having an auction in a couple weeks. LINK They are on SR46 in Sanford. They don't have anything listed yet but they often have welders.

PS: I don't know where you found this one but I see a lot of welders on FB marketplace. Most are priced well above value, IMO. Occasionally there are good deals but they sell quick. I theorize that the over-priced units people are going to Miller or other websites, looking up a similar welder and pricing their old shit accordingly. Granted, new values have risen due to Bidenomics, so used values will go up as well...

[astronut]

Originally Posted by seagiant

Hi,
Well the ESAB deal fell through but...

Found a Hobart Beta Mig 250, only problem is the Owner got it from his dead Uncle's Shop and when he plugs it in Welder gets no power?

He does not want to deal with it so got him down to $300 for it only the Welder no extras.

I'm assuming it is something that can be fixed or set straight.

He says it has not been burnt or over heated.

The Welder is single phase only so it's not set up for 3 phase I guess?

Thinking of taking a chance on it, would be nice having a 250A capacity and these Welders are suppose to be butter smooth?

I would not take a chance on it for that amount of money. Just a bit too much in non running condition.

[seagiant]

Originally Posted by mccutter

I think $300 is a bit steep for a non-functioning welder. I've bought welders at auction that I wasn't able to test. They were bought "as-is". They were in the $100 range and I looked at them for parts value (gun, gauges, torch, consumables, etc.). I've been lucky and every one of them worked after minor work or cleanup and a profit was made.

An "old" welder like that will be fairly simple to check out. BTW, don't you already have an "old" welder? Anyhow, look at the roll of MIG wire inside and the drive rollers. Maybe a dozen screws and you can pull the cover right off. You are looking for mice nests & chewed wire, scorching, corrosion, mud, leaking caps, etc. Since it doesn't power up, look at the wires coming in from the cord and/or for the breaker to be tripped (if equipped). If it needs any work, walk away. I would stay away from anything that has been stored outside or is weathered.

Dennett's is having an auction in a couple weeks. LINK They are on SR46 in Sanford. They don't have anything listed yet but they often have welders.

PS: I don't know where you found this one but I see a lot of welders on FB marketplace. Most are priced well above value, IMO. Occasionally there are good deals but they sell quick. I theorize that the over-priced units people are going to Miller or other websites, looking up a similar welder and pricing their old shit accordingly. Granted, new values have risen due to Bidenomics, so used values will go up as well...

Hi,
Thanks you are right and I backed out of the deal.

Yes, I have a Cebora and it has been a good Welder but wanted something more "Classic", and a better Make...

Have been looking at old Transformer Machines like the MM200, ESAB Mig Master 250, ect...

Known machines that actually have a Cult Following.

Thanks for the info on the Auction, probably trouble for me around all that old stuff like Lathes and Milling Machines!

Might go check that out as you are correct, people on FB WAY TOO HIGH on a lot of these Machines!

[seagiant]

Hi,
Well, just put myself out of my misery!

Just bought a PrimeWeld Mig 180 before the BF Sale ends in a few hours (midnight!)...

The old Cebora is not cutting it anymore and I think after 30 years I can afford a new Mig Welder.

This Welder gets rave reviews on a couple of fronts and a 3 year warranty is pretty good.

First job will be building a stout Welding Cart for the PW Mig and my Plasma Cutter...

Thanks to everyone for the help, I feel better anyway!

https://primeweld.com/products/mig18...RoCKHcQAvD_BwE

[dubby]

Be sure to keep reporting back on it as you get it set up and running, please.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by seagiant

Just bought a PrimeWeld Mig 180 before the BF Sale ends in a few hours (midnight!)...

It's $549 now, how much did you pay?

I think it will do you OK. They didn't show any pics of it with the cover open so I would wonder about the quality/durability of the drive rolls & housing, etc. I will also assume it will not take a spool larger than 8" which will be fine for what you intend to do with it. I don't do a "lot" of steel welding so my 12" spool of 70S is still about half left after 15 years. And still shiny (ie: no rust) because the welder lives indoors. That guy looks small enough that you can keep it inside out of the weather. BTW, inside a small shed is not "inside".

[seagiant]

Hi,
Yes I built a back edition to my garage workshop.

It's where I do hot and dirty work.

Admittedly dirt, and grinding dust is a concern and something I try to deal with best I can.

Got the Welder on BF Sale for $466 shipped and 3 year warranty.

Also bought a cover which brought the bill to south of $500.

Have only set the Welder up and played with it for a few minutes but is WAY smoother than the old Cebora and it takes 10# spools, and also uses the same style/size contact tips (Tweco)

Used the Cebora .023 Wire and Tip and set it up with Argon/C02 mix.

I will use up the .023 Wire and then go to .030 from there.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by mccutter

Ain't any good deals around here in the Deland area in blue or white.

Originally Posted by mccutter

I think $300 is a bit steep for a non-functioning welder. I've bought welders at auction that I wasn't able to test. They were bought "as-is". They were in the $100 range and I looked at them for parts value (gun, gauges, torch, consumables, etc.). I've been lucky and every one of them worked after minor work or cleanup and a profit was made...

...Dennett's is having an auction in a couple weeks.

So for shitzngigglez I went to the above auction yesterday. Spent less than $50 for a new ATI folding SG stock, SnapOn coolant pressure tester and for $5 some oddball pics made with pastels (the implements). There were some great deals in bulk and "contents of" but I didn't want to have to fuck with it.

One of the last lots was 1000s of Fauxona test kits. "So who'll give me $10 for these collector items?" says the auctioneer. "$5? Anybody?" So I say loudly "$1!!!" to which the auctioneer smiles and rolls his eyes. "Anybody else?" and soon the bidding reached the high bid of $11. Keep in mind we're talking 10s of $1000s worth of taxpayer-funded supplies.

Anyhow, a few 120v welders in fair condition (Lincoln SP-125, Miller MM135 and MM130XP) went for $100-$125. I'm usually the guy that buys the hundred-dollar-specials but I already have a MM140 welder that seldom sees use. One the bright side, a really nice-looking one with tank, cart and extra (import) MIG gun NIB went for over $800 which bodes well for the value of MINE...

Originally Posted by seagiant

I will use up the .023 Wire and then go to .030 from there.

I would recommend you just remove the .023" and gear up (and buy) 035" and tips. To me it is more forgiving as to settings and what I usually do with it.

Tweco-style tips can be found just about anywhere including HomeDeLowe's, ACE and HF. Read the chart that recommends wire vs material thickness and you'll see what I mean. If you were doing a lot of auto body type stuff sure, get the .023 or .030. Worst-case is you have to swap wire out--NBD...