Which Stick Welder for a New Welder?

[chopped]

I used a buzz box from sears (AC only) cost 99 dollars from 1973 till this day.. Worked fine except the adjustment wasnt a crank.
Soundguy i belive convinced me to get this one
Hobart Stickmate LX 235 AC/160 DC Stick Welder - 3837309 | Tractor Supply Company
I waited till I had a coupon and used it.
Quite a difference.. Im glad he recomended it...

 

[Soundguy]

i love my hobart. it welds awesome. i like it better than the old lincoln tombstone at work.

however.. if I was on a budget today looking for a new one.. I'd look at that 200a northen tools unit for 150$ darn hard to beat that price...

soundguy

 

[chopped]

this one?
Northern Industrial Arc 200 230 Volt, 200 Amp Arc Welder, Model AC4180 | Arc Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment
I wonder how long these have been aval dont remember seeing them a few months ago when I was looking..lol

 

[Soundguy]

yep.

i just noticed them a couple months ago myself.

I see they are on sale fro 139$ wow... cheap amps.. cheaper than harbor freight by a huge margin..

soundguy

 

[Cacinok]

Did you try Search Tempest?

SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist

I haven't seen that. I do have a c-list app for my android phone - just input what you're looking for, what area and any filters (e.g., price) and it'll notify me when a new item is listed.

Someone was advertizing a welder on the local radio station for $40. Of course you don't know what kind of condition it was in.

Ian

Welders advertised on the radio? Reminds me of driving through nowhere arkansas and hearing the local obituaries read, except w/ a personal touch. lol.

yep.

i just noticed them a couple months ago myself.

I see they are on sale fro 139$ wow... cheap amps.. cheaper than harbor freight by a huge margin..

soundguy

cheap, but you have to wonder what the duty cycle is - it says 10% @180a - I assume it's a whole lot better at lower amps.

iirc, the hobart stickmate's only 20% duty cycle at similar amps, so maybe it's not too bad.


just when you thought you had life smoothed life out, a new wrinkle appears. i fly up to WA next week to interview w/ BNSF. it means an increase in money, benefits, insurance and other things (i.e., steady money) i haven't had since i went into business for myself. only problem is that i likely wouldn't be in WA for long and then i'd have to move again. so i may not buy a welder until things flesh out a little. may have to even sell the tractor - heaven forbid.

 

[Soundguy]

can't assume it's linear.. but then.. I do very little welding at 180a. i do most of my welding at 90-110a

I'm sure the duty ycle on my hobart stickmate 235a is quite low at 200a.. though it is 100% at 100a

soundguy

 

[blueriver]

So what happened? What welder did you buy? Mine quit today ... so I was searching ac/dc and found this ...

 

[bearcreek paul]

I just bought a Pa 140 off mark from everlast.Ordered it 10 days ago it's on back order.

From all the feedback from this thread you guys convinced me to try the inverter Welders.

 

[Welshman]

I just bought a Pa 140 off mark from everlast.Ordered it 10 days ago it's on back order.

From all the feedback from this thread you guys convinced me to try the inverter Welders.

Bummer on the wait, but I think you'll be happy with it - and you can carry it around in your pocket Have you done any DC welding before?

 

[grsthegreat]

I just bought a miller thunderbolt ac/dc stick welder to replace my trusty old century ac/dc.

Ive only used the new one once so far, but LOVE it

 

[blueriver]

Is the dc feature worth the added money ...

 

[grsthegreat]

Is the dc feature worth the added money ...

OH YES/... especially with 7018 rod.

 

[bearcreek paul]

Yes I've welded dc before but it's been awhile.Maybe 25 yrs since I've been out of the machine shop.

I have used an old ac buzz box since the seventies.From what everybody said the 140 should be about 140 lbs lighter.

 

[Soundguy]

anyone see the newest ac/dc welder HF just put out.. looks to be over 100A on both sides.

just wondering if anyone's been brave enough to test it?

soundguy

 

[grsthegreat]

anyone see the newest ac/dc welder HF just put out.. looks to be over 100A on both sides.

just wondering if anyone's been brave enough to test it?

soundguy

I fear those who have tested are no longer with us :laughing:

 

[bubbacuse77]

I have an Hobart stickmate LX. It is AC and DC. The DC is worth it as mentioned earlier. I rarely take it out of DC electrode positive. Safer as well. It is the exact same machine as the Miller thunderbolt with a diffrent cover. Confirmed by the moderator on the miller welding forums. Hobart is Millers way of offering you a discount product without just lowering the price on the fancy blue stuff.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have an Hobart stickmate LX. It is AC and DC. The DC is worth it as mentioned earlier. I rarely take it out of DC electrode positive. Safer as well. It is the exact same machine as the Miller thunderbolt with a diffrent cover. Confirmed by the moderator on the miller welding forums. Hobart is Millers way of offering you a discount product without just lowering the price on the fancy blue stuff.

I priced both at the supply houses.... there only about a $20.00 difference here. hobart was $509 and Miller $529.

 

[bubbacuse77]

We have a store in Wisconsin called farm and fleet. they sell it everyday for $435. Maybe because Miller is made in Wisconsin?

 

[grsthegreat]

We have a store in Wisconsin called farm and fleet. they sell it everyday for $435. Maybe because Miller is made in Wisconsin?

ya, they have to ship it way up here to idaho...can be cheap. I paid $199 to ship my stupid tire chains...... the welder feels nearly as heavy... HA

 

[blueriver]

What about the units that include the plasma cutter ... worth it?