gwdixon
Elite Member
OK, here's a story that you can take or discard.
30 years ago I bought a Lincoln AC tombstone. Used it for 10 years with 3/32, 6011 rod. It held everything together and the welds were absolutely ugly - a combination of inexperience and the characteristics of the rod. (A pro welder would likely have no problem.)
20 years ago some hard facing needed to be done and the AC just didn't like it. Put it down in clumps. So a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone was picked up on sale. Once the DC was tried the AC circuit was not used again.
Last year some 5/32 hard facing rod would not burn correctly on the limited DC (125A) on the tombstone. One of the new inverter welders was picked up and the Lincoln AC/DC tombstone joined its AC brother in barn storage. The 200A DC-only inverter was so smooth it was amazing.
Then the 30 year old O/A outfit seemed out of place. So a plasma cutter was purchased. Now the O/A is only used for heating/bending. Plasma is like cutting butter with a knife.
The point is that over the years remarkable improvements have been made in welding technology. While a pro could probably put down a good weld with a lamp cord and a coat hanger, the rest of us can benefit from the advances.
The welder and plasma cutter could be had for right around $1000 if you choose an import. You might even negotiate a deal for the pair.
Mine are from Everlast (as is one of Shield Arc's several) and have performed flawlessly.
30 years ago I bought a Lincoln AC tombstone. Used it for 10 years with 3/32, 6011 rod. It held everything together and the welds were absolutely ugly - a combination of inexperience and the characteristics of the rod. (A pro welder would likely have no problem.)
20 years ago some hard facing needed to be done and the AC just didn't like it. Put it down in clumps. So a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone was picked up on sale. Once the DC was tried the AC circuit was not used again.
Last year some 5/32 hard facing rod would not burn correctly on the limited DC (125A) on the tombstone. One of the new inverter welders was picked up and the Lincoln AC/DC tombstone joined its AC brother in barn storage. The 200A DC-only inverter was so smooth it was amazing.
Then the 30 year old O/A outfit seemed out of place. So a plasma cutter was purchased. Now the O/A is only used for heating/bending. Plasma is like cutting butter with a knife.
The point is that over the years remarkable improvements have been made in welding technology. While a pro could probably put down a good weld with a lamp cord and a coat hanger, the rest of us can benefit from the advances.
The welder and plasma cutter could be had for right around $1000 if you choose an import. You might even negotiate a deal for the pair.
Mine are from Everlast (as is one of Shield Arc's several) and have performed flawlessly.