What kind of welder should I buy?

[cp1969]

I am about the furthest thing from an o/a expert as there can be, but the ability to oxidize or carburize the base metal is an aspect of the o/a torch that the welder controls by how he adjusts the flame.

A torch can be adjusted to produce three types of flames: A neutral flame has an excess of neither gas; a reducing, or carburizing, flame has excess acetylene. An oxidizing flame has an excess of oxygen. A knowledgeable torch operator (not me) knows how and when to use each type of flame.

 

[excelagator]

I recently completed a welding 101 class this year and bought a MM 210 a few months ago. My 210 will do 99% of what I want done. Stick welding is personally my favorite. Our instructor wanted us to stick weld before we went to MIG. There are situations like cast and forge parts that our instructor told stick is preferred versus MIG. If I have some cash in the future I will probably buy a 200 ampish DC stick welder. My son was given grandpas old Lincoln AC "tombstone" welder. The only thing is it won't lay a bead like newer DCs.

110 versus 220..I went with 220 more power, more duty cycle, more cooling because of it of duty cycle. I personally think a bigger unit and is the way to go. This way you won't be upgrading or at least any time soon.

I would look and shop for what you want and look at the little things like cable lengths, amp draw, ease to work with and on and etc. Believe it or not the AC amp draw with tell you how efficient the unit is. I would also buy a quality name brand and not a off brand. This will help with getting parts later down the road too.

Opinions from my little world!!! lol
Dan

 

[pintodeluxe]

Wire feed welders are ideal for most projects using 1/4" or thinner plate stock. MIG is metal inert gas welding, and is a common featue on wire feed welders. TIG is tungsten inert gas welding, and is a more expensive / specialty welder. I've had great luck / easy operation with a 110v lincoln HD100 weldpak. If you have gas, use plain wire. If no gas, use flux-core wire.

 

[ninefinger]

When you all are speaking of the "Tombstone" are you talking about the model k1297, k1170 or just what model number?

 

[MJPetersen]

I cannot read minds but the term "tombstone" in reference to welders is connected with any of the Lincoln transformer based welders in the tombstone shape. If I remember correctly they are rated at 225 amps. I will check their site and post a pic of it. The current model number is as you suggested "K1170."

Mike

 

[ninefinger]

MJP, that is the one I thought, the K1297 looks like that too, a few more dollars but I believe it is a little more machine. Hope Santa is good to you tonight. Bill

 

[MJPetersen]

Bill,

The difference in the 2 are that the 1297 is AC/DC. DC makes a smoother nicer bead in most situations. Some rods and special wleding can be done in DC only, DC Electrode + and DC Electrode - are then two more options. It is generally accepted that DC gives a little better penetration, thus often you can run a notch lower amps in DC than in AC to accomplish the same work.

Mike

 

[ninefinger]

Mike, is the 1297 capable of welding 1/2 " plate, enough penetration?

 

[Bill_C]

I'm not an expert welder by any means, but I don't think there's a home-shop welder (by that I mean a single phase, 220V unit) out there that would claim to weld 1/2" in a single pass. For example, a 3/8 in horizontal fillet weld, on 1/2 plate, using E7024, calls for 1/4 inch rods at 375 amps AC to do the weld in a single pass (according to my Lincoln Procedure Handbook).

With multiple passes, however, the Lincoln "tombstones" and the Hobart/Miller equivalents will easily weld 1/2 inch, in fact even much thicker.

 

[groundcover]

Amazing what you can do with the old Lincons. I had to pull mine apart and lub the fan last week as it started to make a funny noise on start up. Not bad as that is the only thing that I have done to it other than lenghten the leads and I got it on Christmas-33 years ago !