Eastwood Welder

[RR1862CC]

I needed a mig welder at work so I bought this Mig 175 from Eastwood a couple of weeks ago. The price was right at $599.00 which included the welder cart, spool gun for welding aluminum, auto helmet, and a set of panel clamps. I'm welding in some body panels and subframe on a bus at work and so far the welder is top notch with no problems.
I like to buy American made and when I ordered it I did not know it was China made or I might have went with a Lincoln or Miller. That being said it fit in the budget I was allowed at work so I'm ok with it.

The reason I'm posting it here is I thought it would be great as a hobby welder for someone needing a bigger welder on a small budget.

[jwm8898]

Nice to hear your having good luck with your welder. Thought about trying eastwood, but went the used lincoln route. I tried a everlast plasma cutter and didn't have much luck. Gonna go with hypotherm or thermal dynamics.

As far as welders go, I have a lincoln power mig 215, and a thermal arc 186 ac/dc tig welder. Really like them both.

[ACecil]

Congrats on your nice welder!

[Nightow1]

I did a lot of research looking for a mig and Finley went with the eastwood 175. They are a great company to deal with and well known in the custom hot rod community. I'm far from a great welder, but a friend of mine Rescue11 has used it and he made some great welds with just flux core wire. If I'm wrong he will shurley post but he was impressed with it as far as price and versatile. I would recommend this welder to anyone. Haven't tried the gun yet but hope to when I get some gas. Just a note I was told to just run straight Argon through it if you plan to weld aluminum. That way you dont have to change tanks out when you go back and forth between aluminum and steel.

[Yamaguy]

I have been looking for a welder (I have been borrowing my buddies for the last few years when I need it). Ill have to look into those that price is hard to pass on.

[RR1862CC]

The past two weeks it has really had it's workout. I welded in the sub floor and body panels on one bus and today the second of two exhaust systems on two other buses. It never gave a minutes trouble with all that and the free auto darkening helmet works as good as any of my name brand helmets. Now I need to think up a project for the aluminum spool gun

[Nightow1]

yes please do, and post it. I haven't used mine with gas yet and relay want to know how the gun works.

[bigdaddyjak]

I bought that welder about a yr ago, 1st big job I did was build myself an outdoor wood boiler, worked great, and so does my 170 gallon boiler!

[RR1862CC]

I figured I would update this thread. It has now been two years since we bought this welder and it still is problem free. I just finished my third roll of wire since new and the only thing I have had to do is replace tips,wire, and gas bottles. Very good product for the money especially for a home shop.

[Alvy]

Good to hear that it's still problem free. Like seeing some long term testimonies like this rather than short term. A couple Queations.....does this welder have a fan that is thermostat controlled or is it on constant? Are you normally using .030 or .035 wire? I'm happy with my Hobart 140 as at the time it was the highest amp 120v welder before going to 220. I'm shopping comparable Lincoln's and millers of the sort but now that I've seen it be problem free for a couple years, that does help.