$1500 budget what to buy ?

[Jamming]

Looking at some Chinese made, with I hope American pride all-purpose welders plasma cutters. Any comments would be appreciated. Looking at the forum sponsors for a machine, everlast or longevity ?

[smfcpacfp]

Millermatic 211 GMAW (mig) welder with tank and everything you need, spoolgun for aluminum and stainlees steel would be about $1,500. It runs on 120 or 240. I have one and I like it alot.

I also have a used Miller Thunderbolt SMAW (stick welder) which I picked up for $20 and invested about $120 for wiring and connectors. It is a 240 machine AC/DC. If you bought an old Lincon Tombstone or Miller Thunderbolt welder (SMAW), you would have enough for a good torch set for cutting and welding. I also have a Plasma cutter - Hypertherm Powermax 600.

Buying a multipurpose American welder (Miller, Lincoln, Hobart) with the attachments for SMAW, GMAW and plasma cutting isn't going to be in your budget, not even close.

Even with a less expensive Chinese welder to have everything you need (cables, hoses, consumables, tanks, carts regulators, etc.) to do everything you want is going to be quite expensive.

http://youtu.be/4HVU21qLUV4

[Shield Arc]

I've read in a couple different places to stay away from the all in one units. Most of the problems seem to be with the units with high freq for Tig, and plasma combination.

What type of welding will you be doing?

[Gary Fowler]

If that is all I could spend and wanted a versatile shop, I would look for a good used AC/DC 220Volt stick rod machine that can be found for not more than $400 complete with fairly long welding leads of 50 or more feet. I picked up my Miller AC/DC CC/CV 350 amp machine with 150 feet of lead for $350. This would leave you enough to buy a good Victor oxy/acetylene torch for around $350. Rent your bottles for the time being rather than buy which would cost you another 300-400. So now you have spent 800-900 which leaves you plenty of money to pick up 2 or 3 Harbor freight 4.5" grinders ($20 each) and abrasive blades (10 pack assorted for $6 on sale) /wire brushes, hand wire brush, chipping hammer, AD hood ($49) and then a visit to your local welding supply for an assortment of welding rods for the stick machine, maybe some brazing rods for the oxy torch and still have some money in your pocket to pick up a used Phoenix 50 pound rod storage oven.
Shop is then ready to fab whatever you want. Later as more money is available, spring for your own bottles, maybe a MIG welder (220 volt rather than the underpowered 110v) or even a plasma torch. Since these last items would run you about what you have budget $1500 each, these would be a good to have but not necessary for the time being. Cheaper units are available for each of those, but many folks end up trying to sell the cheap stuff and buying more powerful units later so why waste your money. Wait till you can afford the best unit. Remember when buying a MIG/FCAW, you're going to need a bottle of mixed gas to run it if you want good quality welds. FCAW can be ran without gas shielding, but better results are obtained with a shielding gas. I have found that I can do anything I need with my stick machine and if I were to add to my shop it would be a TIG gun with high Frequency box so I could also weld aluminum. Leave the wire feeder to folks needing high productivity which is what they were originally developed for but have developed favor with home users because when properly set they produce good looking welds with very little practice. Good looking doesnt always equate to strong however as MIG welds are notorious for cold lap and non fusion which looks good but might not hold as well as one would think.

[Jamming]

I appreciate everyone's comments. The type of welding I need to do is just around my shop type, "home use". Really what I would like to have is a plasma cutter and a stick machine. So would I be better off just buying a plasma cutter separate and getting a stick machine ? I have a wire feed Hobart and its been great for small jobs, I want to able to cut and build with steel upto 1/2 inch. My next project is a enclosed cab for my tractor,

So what brand plasma ? I would buy a Hobart again in a minute if recommended.

So tombstone and plasma cutter.. Would this be a good choice.

[deereman75]

Originally Posted by Jamming

I appreciate everyone's comments. The type of welding I need to do is just around my shop type, "home use". Really what I would like to have is a plasma cutter and a stick machine. So would I be better off just buying a plasma cutter separate and getting a stick machine ? I have a wire feed Hobart and its been great for small jobs, I want to able to cut and build with steel upto 1/2 inch. My next project is a enclosed cab for my tractor,

So what brand plasma ? I would buy a Hobart again in a minute if recommended.

So tombstone and plasma cutter.. Would this be a good choice.

I would stay away from a tombstone. The stepped amperage is a huge pain. I have got the longevity stickweld 250, and love it. They are under $500. I would highly recomend it. For plasma, it comes down to how much you want to spend. If you want to spend $1500, get a hypertherm, and you will have the best. If you dont, I would look at longevity. I have never used a plasma, but with how good the longevity customer service is, and how good the product I have tried is, the plasma would likely be perfct for a hobbiest.

[Jamming]

FREE SHIPPING — Hobart AirForce 700i 230V Inverter-Based Plasma Cutter — 40 Amp Output, Model #500546 | Plasma Cutters | Northern Tool + Equipment

How bout this one.

[kf4uda]

For a stick welder I would recommend a Hobart Stickmate LX 235 AC/160 DC. I have one and have been pleased with it. I do not have a plasma (yet).


Hobart Stickmate LX 235 AC/160 DC Stick Welder - 3837309 | Tractor Supply Company

[deereman75]

Originally Posted by Jamming

FREE SHIPPING Hobart AirForce 700i 230V Inverter-Based Plasma Cutter 40 Amp Output, Model #500546 | Plasma Cutters | Northern Tool + Equipment

How bout this one.

Overpriced IMO. That is the same price as a hypertherm powermax 45, which is a much better quality machine, and cuts thicker. Plus the hypertherms are made in NH. One of those would blow your whole budget though. I would probably get the hypertherm, and save another $400 and get a longevity stickweld 250.

[deereman75]

Heres a link to the longevity stick welder I have. Costs less then a hobart stickmate, and is more powerful, and has better arc control.
StickWeld 250 | IGBT 250AMP E6010 DC STICK WELDER 60% Duty Cycle