Nice little budget welder

[ghetdjc320]

Just wanted to post up about a little welder I picked up recently. I have a full Lincoln welding rig I left at my folks place but needed some small welder I could use for smaller repairs and fab work. Picked up a Century flux mig welder from Home Depot and it is awesome. It’s made by Lincoln but probably not in the US I imagine (all my literature says Lincoln in Georgia but not sure if that’s where it was made). It weighs just a few pounds and is upper compact. You can see where they saved money especially with the spool holder but man does it have it where it counts. Never seen such a nice bead and weld penetration on such an economical machine. Has a full electrical and mechanical diagram as well as part numbers for any replacement pieces so it’s really put together like a mini professional unit. Only down side is no provision for shielding gas but since i have no indoor area to weld here, flux core is all I can use anyways. Just thought I’d share. 

[ghetdjc320]

Here are some pics of the unit. I can keep the welder, grinder, consumables, helmet and accessories in one sealed storage box. Love the portability. Welded some 1/4” today with ease on a single pass. 

[Pete M]

sounds like a winner  

[mnkyboy]

I have a 125 amp Century flux core welder that I bought over 20 years ago,  it's been a good little portable machine.

 

 

[OldSch88L]

What would be your opinion on that and flux core welding for a guy that would mostly do bodywork? I'm shopping for a small inexpensive MIG, but in autobody school, I learned MIG welding (gas) on a Lincoln 180, and all the places I've worked after that all had that same gas Lincoln 180. I never had a chance to try any other brands, nor did I try flux core. I'd use it for sheetmetal, and the thickest I'd go would be like 3/16 for frame stiffeners, so nothing too crazy. Also would you recommend a 110V welder? I don't have a 220V outlet at home :S

[derf]

I have a ProMig 140, which is a 110v welder.  It would be fine up to 3/16.  Make sure you have a good 20A circuit to run it.

[ghetdjc320]

4 hours ago, OldSch88L said:

What would be your opinion on that and flux core welding for a guy that would mostly do bodywork? I'm shopping for a small inexpensive MIG, but in autobody school, I learned MIG welding (gas) on a Lincoln 180, and all the places I've worked after that all had that same gas Lincoln 180. I never had a chance to try any other brands, nor did I try flux core. I'd use it for sheetmetal, and the thickest I'd go would be like 3/16 for frame stiffeners, so nothing too crazy. Also would you recommend a 110V welder? I don't have a 220V outlet at home :S

I also run a mig 180 Lincoln back at my folks place stateside. The 180 is a awesome machine as is the 140 (which can run on 110). For welding in a controlled environment (no wind or breeze) I’d use mig. However, if welding outside, my little flux core can do 90+ percent of what my 180 can do. I would definitely use it in autobody. If you plan on welding 20 gauge or thinner though skip mig all together and go tig or braze in the panel. This little welder will only do about 18 gauge minimum if your very careful. 

[Torq_Shep]

My Hobart 180 works fine but the century welders are cheaper.