Buying a welder

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

Thought it was about time to learn to weld. Signed up for a college course and are having big fun. Found out the autodarkening hoods are great. Now the question. I'm looking at buying a Hobart 235 AC/DC machine. I want to fab my own tractor attachments and such. 1/4-1/2 metal thicknesses is what I'm thinking. I've also found that in talking with people that "should" know, is a lot like talking gas/diesel. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'd like some unbiased opinions on the Hobart and other makes. Right now I'm strictly thinking stick welding. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Feed back, I must have feedback. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bobodu · Jan 16, 2005

We just got a new Hobart MIG for the plant...not thrilled with it.
I just came in from welding all afternoon (17 degrees..whew!)with a borrowed Linciln AC 225...for some stupid reason...I can't weld worth a darn with anything but a Lincoln(stick or MIG).Granted,I'm just beginning..and I sure can't explain it... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Fella has a stick at the plant (don't know the brand)...I can't start a weld with it and spend more time getting the rod loose than welding.No problem with the AC 225.

Tractors are RED....Boats are BLUE!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall · Jan 16, 2005

John
Come up to my place. I can give you chance to try 3 different types of welders. I'm no expert like some of the fellows here on TBN. Somehow things stay together after I welded them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a Lincoln 295 AC, Century AC/DC 225, and a Hobart 135 mig.
 Feedback? 
My 3 welders all work great for me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

Ron; We'll plan on that! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Can a Mig be used for stick too? I think some of them can.

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

bobodu; Millers are what I'm using at the college, along with some Lincolns I haven't tried yet. Are you using an auto hood? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

bobodu · Jan 16, 2005

Oh YES on the auto hood!!! THAT might the the reason I can weld now!! Just bought it and wish I had done so years ago.I still stick a rod now and then...but BOY the difference!! So maybe it ain't the welders...maybe just the welders hood! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall · Jan 16, 2005

Millers are what I'm using at the college 
John
You have made a good choice. Miller and Hobart are divisions of the corporation that I retired from.
Got to lookout for my retirement money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a Miller AutoDarkening Helmet. Greatest thing since -----------------------! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

bobodu; Before I started the class, I was very downspirited. I was told my eyes would be a problem and I was even concerned to being too old to learn anything. The only welding I ever did was just sticking the rod. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif My first strike using the auto hood gave me a lot of confidence, never stuck once during an hour of practice, the instructor said I was doing great! Think maybe he was being nice? Oh, he's the only guy there older than me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

Ron; Amen my friend, I'm really excited about this class. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall · Jan 16, 2005

I was even concerned to being too old to learn anything. 
/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wait until you get to be my age. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
It seems funny when my 30 year old son shows me how to do things. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif