Which type of welder would be best for my needs?

[sdef]

Good day. I am envisioning a need for a decent welder to modify and repair small farm equipment, but am in a quandry about which type would be best for my purposes- a wire feed/MIG or a stick. I am considering the Everlast PowerArc 200 stick and the Hobart 500559 MIG.

Welding is not a current skill I have, but I am a quick learner and mechanically inclined.

My goal would be to repair damaged equipment like buckets and box blades or to attach heavy duty mounting points, etc. I am thinking about adding probably 1/8" - 1/4" thick metal and potentially repairing 1/8" - 3/8" metal (and possibly limited 1/2"), all mild steel.

I do not currently have a 220VAC 50 amp or so spare circuit in my current home but will have plenty of power in my new home a year from now. However, I currently have a 8.5K generator that should run any welder I would be purchasing.

It would also be nice to be able to weld thinner materials, but this would be a secondary objective.

I have been investigating this subject for some time now, am stuck at this point and am not able to afford two welders at this moment. I have a new tractor and implements coming and am purchasing bolt-on doodads, such as grab hooks for the bucket and would rather have weld-on items.

Experienced advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance to all who respond.

 

[Shield Arc]

Mig / wire feeders are great for production work. But a lot of things can go wrong with them. Stick welder is about as simple as it gets. For now you can buy a good DC stick welder, and a air cooled scratch start Tig torch for the thinner projects.

 

[k0ua]

If you want to weld on some bucket hooks or repair a broken implement a stickwelder will certainly do that. They are simple, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it. And they make Strong welds. I have a little PA160 and it does all I have wanted.. I TIG with it too for thin metals, steel, copper, brass. No Aluminum as it is just DC. I have repaired a lot of things with it in the last 3 years.

James K0UA

 

[gwdixon]

Shield Arc gives good advice as is his norm.

MIG welders have many disadvantages on the farm in my opinion.
>Needs sparkly clean metal
>Can't be used in any wind
>Difficult to haul around
>Lots of moving parts to cause mechanical difficulties
>Unless talented, MIG welds can be iffy
>Less adaptability to the conditions/materials - with stick you just switch rods and amps
>More expensive to buy and maintain

Stick
>Inexpensive
>Adaptable
-like hardfacing implements, welding through rust and debris, deep penetration (think bucket hooks), and so forth
>Lightweight (Inverters)
>Your generator should work

I have the PA 200 and it works quite well.

 

[Lou66]

Here what I use,, had it for about ten years,, 10k watts and welder,, tractor supply,, I fab the trailer myself,, hook it on the back of the gator and pull it anywhere I need it.. Lou

View attachment 334043

 

[sdef]

View attachment 334037View attachment 334038View attachment 334039View attachment 334040View attachment 334041View attachment 334042

If you want to weld on some bucket hooks or repair a broken implement a stickwelder will certainly do that. They are simple, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it. And they make Strong welds. I have a little PA160 and it does all I have wanted.. I TIG with it too for thin metals, steel, copper, brass. No Aluminum as it is just DC. I have repaired a lot of things with it in the last 3 years.

James K0UA

James. Really nice looking weld on that grab hook. So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

 

[sdef]

Here what I use,, had it for about ten years,, 10k watts and welder,, tractor supply,, I fab the trailer myself,, hook it on the back of the gator and pull it anywhere I need it.. Lou

View attachment 334043

I like that trailer and had not considered it as an option. Hmmmm.

 

[sdef]

Each of you have expressed opinions I have been considering and the stick was heading up my list. Thanks guys, I will get a stick and not look back.

 

[Shield Arc]

So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

I would go with the PA-300, or Longevity's Stickweld 250. That way you get adjustable hot start, and arc force!:cool2:
What ever you buy, don't go through Amazon! Buy it here.

 

[aczlan]

James. Really nice looking weld on that grab hook. So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

If buying from Everlast or Longevity, PM them here and they may beat the price on Amazon...

Aaron Z