Before you read this article on 115v mig welders, you have to promise that you will never weld a trailer hitch with anything less than a 230v mig welder or a 230 volt arc welding machine…Promise? Okay, keep reading.

115 volt mig welders have some limitations, but they are still a great way to start welding. For well under $500, you can order a good 115v MIG welder online and start welding in a week. (sometimes shipping is even free) What can you get for less than $500? You can buy the most powerful 115v MIG welder available that will weld up to 1/4″ steel.

I never recommend buying a 115v MIG welder that is a flux core welder only…(unless it’s an amazing deal like a big name brand for under $200). A flux-cored MIG welder is not versatile enough. Once you add the ability to weld with bare wire, many options become possible.

For less than $500, you can buy a Hobart mig welding machine that runs on 115 volts and welds with bare wire or flux cored.

What can be done with a 140 amp 115 volt MIG welding machine?

• Fix a lawn mower deck
• Build a lawn mower or a bush blade.
• make a set of shelves
• modify or build a custom bike
• fix a cracked exhaust manifold (with a few tricks like preheating and adding a nickel rod with your other hand)
• make welding sculptures
• weld patches on body panels
• make shooting targets for your friends
• make a mailbox protector
• build rafter supports for an outdoor deck
• modify the engine mounts on your brother in law 1970 Chevelle Hot Rod

The great thing about a 115 volt mig machine is that if you ever decide you need to upgrade to a 230 volt mig welding machine, the 115 volt machine is still very handy because it will work with .023″ bare wire, which is what best from Bread slices for welding thin body patches.