Here's my experience:

In college, I sent significant time building a formula SAE car ... learned MIG and TIG along the way. Was eventually able to TIG an aluminum fuel tank (needs to be leak free). Never a PRO ... PRO's have years of experience ... you will never achieve that level ... deal with it!

After college ... bought a 110V Lincoln MIG (gas) to do sheet metal work on the restoration of a Datsun 1600 ... 110 is good for that ... but nothing structural.

Later in life ... bought a 220V Miller MIG (gas) to build a lotus 7 replica .... my unit has auto voltage adjust for us non-pro's ... this is worth a million $ and is also a good reason to buy new.

Also ... please speak to your local welding store about Argon vs. CO2 vs. an Argon /CO2 blend ... the latter may be the best universal answer.

And ... for get all prior comments about welding stainless ... done properly, it is beyond the non-pro ... needs high skill plus back-purging

As a former welding instructor a 110 volt machine is a joke and will only frustrate you as to why you wasted your money. Flux core is also a mistake. Go with a 220 volt with at least a 20 % duty cycle mig unit gas fed and you will be a happy welder.

What do you think of this for a new boy to learn with Weldline Mig 151 Mig Welder | Trade Me ?

I learned to weld on TIG; aluminum and stainless. I got spoiled with the perfect seams that could be produced with very little experience.

When I started gas fed MIG I created some of the ugliest welds you've ever seen; 110/220, didn't matter.

I figured out that it was it was almost all about material prep and weld environment. When I was welding TIG it was very clean material in a regulated (indoor) environment. MIG is so easy and convenient it's easy to not prep the metal properly or get out the wind.

For car/light hobby work, a Miller 140 is prefect IMO.

Its about getting enough heat, and managing the puddle.

Not to be a welding snob, but I'd probably stick with a Miller or Lincoln.

Absolutely.

One thing I can add which I think someone said earlier, get a great helmet. Between buying and borrowing, I have used 4 different helmets. Cheaper ones, you can't see well enough to manage the puddle. The better the helmet, the better you can see and control the weld. Makes a big difference.

I never imagined there would be this much awesome info!

220 is looking better and better for me. MIG v TIG seems to be ok either way...maybe ill see where I get the best deal.

In re TIG: is it ever a pain having to use both hands and your foot to control something you could do with 1 hand on a MIG? How do you do repairs under a vehicle with the TIG? Hand control on the torch option?

While 220v may be ideal, my 110v, 20 amp MIG welder has done all I have asked of it from thin sheet metal to 1/8" steel plate. But what do I know, I've never been a welding instructor. I would agree about definitely getting a gas fed welder, but flux core does serve a purpose such as when you are outside welding on a windy day.

Maybe if you are thinking of going into ship building. :)

I don't get the 220 folks given everything I've done with my 110.

Its funny because in my group of friends the division is approximately the same as in this post. The comments are identical. My 2 best friends weld fluxcore 110 (and have done everything for me for years) and even they are divided - one says 110 flux the other says 110 flux is amazing but why not go for 220 fully loaded. At this point even I am curious to see what I end up with!

The only difference that I can tell is the amount of heat. If you heat the piece with an oxy acetylene torch, you can get the same results with a 110 as a 220.

And I must say the savings on a 110 is kinda big compared to a 220.

What do you plan on welding? What's the possible universe of your projects?

I keep thinking of getting a MIG welder. Then I remember how little I weld. I have an OLD 220 stick welder and a torch. I use it once or twice ever other year.

I can cheat because one friend has all the toys from TIG, MIG, Brigeport, lathe and a break and he does not mind if I come up and watch him spend a few minutes welding or machining something. Another buddy is a professional welder and runs a successful welding business. If I need something difficult welded I just pay him and he has a buddy rate.

I guess I could sell off the old stick welder and replace it with a MIG but then I would have to go hunt up something to weld. ;)

This has been an interesting thread.

Patching up some rust holes on body panels, building some engine mounts, a couple crossmembers, a little steel bumper fab...I can't really think of much else and it seems as if you've done much heavier with 110.

Do you have a sub panel in the garage? Is your main panel on the exterior of a garage wall?

Installing a 220V circuit is as easy as installing a 2 pole breaker of the correct amp into the panel, running the correct gauge and number of wire, and mounting the correct 220V recepticle to match the welder plug. It's easy. I've done it several times.

I had an older Miller 130 and my brother in law has a Lincoln 135, both 120v They both seem to weld better if the 120v outlet is fused at 20A ,around here 15a 120v wall plugs is the standard.
We both use flux core because we didn,t do enough to justify renting a gas bottle.
I can weld 3/16 steel and 1/4 with effort.
I just replaced my 130 with Millers new dual voltage machine. it is rated at 140amp on a 120v 20A circuit. I can take it anywhere. If you intend to add 240v to your garage you can weld at 110v in the meantime until you do.
I can change the cord end (included) and it becomes a 210amp welder on a 30a 240v circuit.
I have a 30A 240v circuit for my garage compressor.I put a cord end on my compressor and now I can plug in the welder OR the compressor on the same 240v circuit.
The Miller 210 also has auto set which works really well.
I bought a gas bottle at the same time and a new helmet. miller had a 15% rebate program if you bought $200 in accessories. I recall paying $1050 for the welder and consider the $250 helmet free because of the rebate.
Buy used name brand equipment either Miller or Lincoln. I bought my M130 used and sold it for almost what I paid for it after using it for 5-7 yrs

I wish I had a panel in the garage or even near it. Its on the complete opposite side of the house. I do, however, have a dryer not too far away. Not sure if the electrician will be able to use that to my benefit or not.

Thanks, but the Lincoln or Miller is expensive around here. Even very old ones. I was thinking of this Chinese one to weld up minor rust holes in the car and to learn a bit about welding. Then after I have done my welding course and have more of an idea of what I want to do, buy a better one then.