Best NEW stick welder for farm and fab and why?

[Tim_in_IA]

I am getting a welder out of necessity as I have to fix a bracket on a JD 510 baler I picked up over the weekend. I want to be able to build implements, trailers, lots of heavy stuff. Can anyone recommend Miller vs Lincoln, what model would be best and why? I have already decided on stick for the thicker metal penetration. I would like it to cost less than 2k if possible, but I never want to have too little of a machine. Thanks for the help!

 

[MadReferee]

You are going to need plenty of amps whether you use stick or mig.

You should be asking your question on the Miller or Hobart welding forums. They are not brand specific and there have been plenty of threads on Miller/Hobart vs Lincoln. Do yourself a favor and ask where you will get the best answers.

Hobart welding forums
Miller welding forum (Ask Andy)

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Hey I wasn't looking for a brand war or anything. I thought this was a pretty relevant question for a group all about fabricating tractor erquipment. Wasn't looking for the MIG vs ARC war either, that's why I stated I had already picked ARC. I have a pretty good idea what I am looking for anyway, just wanted some reassurance. Thanks guys.

 

[MadReferee]

Nobody said anything about a brand war. You specifically asked about Miller vs Lincoln and you also specifically asked about trailers and heavy stuff which isn't really tractor related either. I pointed out that a welding specific forum would be a better place to ask your question since it (your question) had already been answered there before.

If reassurance is what you were looking for then the welding forums where plenty of people who have actual experience with the equipment in question reqularly visit, would have been the first choice of places to ask.

We are trying to be helpful by pointing you in the right direction.

 

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have already decided on stick for the thicker metal penetration.)</font>

How thick of stuff are you planning on welding?? I can weld 1" with plenty of penetration with my MIG. I don't own the machine, but if you are welding materials heavier than that, I have to recommend a submerged arc setup. But for that, you're going to need at least 400 amps and 3 phase. I can't see needing that unless you're building something that is armor protected though. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The only real advantage I see to my stick welders over a MIG or TIG is that I can put them in the back of my RTV and weld out in the field on site. If you don't have to go out on site to weld stuff, it seems that the MM251 is the most common and widely used "farm" welder. I assure you that you can burn right through 1/2" materials no problem if you're not careful and it doesn't seem to be as particular as a stick welder. Depending on the exact circumstances and what I'm welding, I have to resort to my chart as to what rod I need to take. If you have rust and other stuff to burn through you need one rod, if you are welding hardened steel you need another rod, if you want lower spatter you need another rod and to run reverse polarity on DC etc. etc.

I have several hundred hours on stick, MIG and TIG. For me to recommend a specific machine over a MM251 for general farm use, I'd need more specifics on exactly what you intend to weld.

 

[Highbeam]

What is the 2000$ about? Arc welders don't have too many variables. You will want a model that allows DC welding along with the standard AC. You will want a model that throws sufficient amperage for the largest commonly available electrodes, say 200 amps of AC power. And you might want to pay extra for a longer duty cycle meaning you can constantly weld for more time without letting the machine cool down.

You want a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone. They are only a few hundred bucks new.

With your huge budget I have to wonder if you are wanting a generator/welder combo. Is that so? Then I have no advice to offer except to be sure of long duty cycles and that you have DC capability. I really like arc welding, it is more spattery than a mig but it just feels like you are welding instead of operating a hot glue gun.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Dargo,

I guess portability isn't really high on my list right now. The MM251 does look like a nice welder. I am a novice so it would probably be easier for me. The price tag is a little higher than I wanted though. I'll definitely look into it. Can you cut with this like you can with an upper end ARC welder? I was thinking it would be nice to have that ability since I don't have a gas setup.

I was looking at the Miller Dialarc® 250 AC/DC since it listed as good with Air Carbon Arc Cutting.

As far as thickness I am not completely sure. I'd be working on implements and it would be nice to be able to make a trailer or two (smaller ones, not goosenecks or anything). Also round bale feeders etc.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Highbeam,

Your right you can get the AC/DC buzzbox for hundreds, but I wanted to make sure it could cut as well. Chalk this up for my inexperience, but I just wanted to make sure what I got could handle anything I needed to do. The specs on the AC/DC 225/125 mentioned 3/16" as the largest electrode, so I wasnt sure about it's capacity. Can you cut with this as well?

My only welding experience is reading through the Welding Handbook last weekend. I've soldered quite a bit but it's not even close. I noticed the carbon cutting in a welding training book that i have from the '80s as well and it seemed like a good feature. Since I can't afford a plasma cutter at this time and I don't really want tanks of acetelyne standing around I thought getting a higher end arc welder with cutting capability would be a good compromise.

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The MM251 does look like a nice welder. I am a novice so it would probably be easier for me. The price tag is a little higher than I wanted though. I'll definitely look into it. Can you cut with this like you can with an upper end ARC welder? I was thinking it would be nice to have that ability since I don't have a gas setup.)</font>

The MM251 is well within your stated budget of $2000. I have one.

No, you can't cut with MIG welders of this type. You probably should be looking for a MM210 and an Spectrum 375 plasma cutter. These are well suited for someone with little or no experience and will meet your stated usage goals.

Not to start sounding like a broken record but you really should at least go to one of the welding sites I mentioned earlier and browse around. You will find all you want to know pretty quickly. A welding handbook just ain't gonna cut it. However, Miller has a nice student kit with tons of info for only $25. All the details on on the Miller welding site.

 

[SkyPup]

I've got a Miiler 210 MIG and a Miller Spectrum 375 Plasma cutter and there is nothing anywhere on any of our tractors that these two cannot handle.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif