Hi all:

I have read many posts about which MIG welder to buy. I am at the point where I need to get one. I have used Lincoln and Miller machines and I like them both.

I have the usual welding tasks to perform on my 68 RS...trunk floor, floor pans, quarter panels.

Has anyone used the Northern Industrial MIG from Northern Tool? It is a 115 volt, 135 amp unit that comes with the gas regulator, hose and wire. It sounds like all I would need would be a bottle of gas and a helmet. It is on sale for $299.99

I don't want to be cheap, but if I can save some money on a welder, I can put it to use elsewhere on my project.

It sounds like a good machine, the price is right and it got good reviews by comsumers on the Northern Tool website. I just thought I would get your opinions before I ordered one. The item number on Northern's website is 164611.

Thanks for the help.

i know what you meen about trying to save money but the name brand stuff miller/lincoln will out perform, outlast most if not all of the off brand stuff. if you buy off brand it's a crap shot you may get a good one maybe not. Then you have to think about if it goes bad who will service it? is parts available? But then again your only talking 300.00 bucks if you use it one time to replace a floor pan trunck or quarter panel then it probley paid for itself anyway. then you can throw it away!

I'd just recommend a Lincoln WeldPak from HD or Lowes if you want something inexpensive. At least you then have an easy means of recourse if there is an issue with it.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100031840

Or something a little stonger for $460:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093231

When you are in the middle of a task, do you want to stop because something breaks? And there is the potential issue of not having a quick means of resolution (if there is no local HF Store)?

i bought 1 at harbor freight with ins. it was 250 appr. had problem with wire feed brought back got new one. Works fine, but I don't do a lot of welding.

Thank you for the replies.

I think I might check out the Lincoln unit at Lowe's before making my final decision.

If I decide to go with the Northern Tools unit, I will let you know how it works out. You never know, it might be great or it might wind up in the classified section on this site! Thanks again. :)

I went through this when I bought my first mig.
Go with the Lincoln I have used them , they work well.
My first was a Daytona mig I had nothing but problems.
I use all Miller products now and am very happy.

Good Luck,
Brian