inexpensive 220v stick welder

[Soundguy]

Well.. I think I'm finally goning to get a real welder for the farm. Right now I have a little 110v stick welder. It's great for sheet metal.. and 3/16 and 1/4 stuff.. making or repairing small projects for the wife.. etc. But nothing big. Everything big I have to tote to my day job and try to get some lunch time welding done on our big mig or tombstone buzzbox.

I always keep my eye open for prices even when not buying. Seems like I ran across a 180$ stick welder here recently? Maybee TSC or lowes?

AC is fine.. and deffinately 220v. I'm not interested in mig. I can play with that at work and burn their wire and gas. I have no problem changing an electrode every 45 seconds .. etc.

Duty cycle isn't a big issue. My projects are on 'off' time anyway. I havn't considered the super cheap chineese units.. frankly.. because they are almost the same price as the 'domestic' units.. and also.. they mainly are migs or flux wire. very little choice on stick.

Anything I can get local will be a good option.. I'm not brand specific. Miller, hobart, lincoln ,e tc.

I just wish I could remember where i saw that 180$ stick welder. I vaugly rememebr it is a hobart stick welder at tsc.. Anyone know off hand?

recomendations / comments?

Soundguy

 

[HomeBrew2]

Sorry I don't have a source for you ... nice to see someone else interested in a simple buzzbox. That's all I've ever used. When I can get into the right mood vertical and OH welds look very presentable. I inherited a tombstone that makes a little racket nowdays but keeps on ticking. Hope ya find a good buy!

 

[BB_TX]

TSC web site shows one for $231. Maybe that one was on sale for $180 at one time.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Don't forget to check your local newspapers, etc., for a good used machine. As you probably know, basic stick machines are fairly robust and most have years of service left in them. I got a 220v Hobart, practically brand new, at a very reasonable price from a guy that was moving back into town for health reasons. With Hobart, you can also pull their manuals from their website so that's not a concern.

 

[Jagmandave]

Harbor Freight has a Campbell Hausfeld 230V, 225 amp stick welder for $229. with free shipping, and they have "Chicago" brand welders for less.....

 

[MMM]

TSC had the AC/DC Hobart 230a for $349 a while back. You'll appreciate the DC for out of position welding and be able to use a wider variety of rods. AC/DC machines have a remarkable resale value also. I've seen used go for $30 less than a new one.

 

[California]

If you aren't in a big hurry I would start by looking around locally. Watch local classifieds, yard sales, and Ebay (but consider shipping cost!).

I got the welder I described in this thread at an estate sale so close to home I could see my house from there.

It's a big old basic farmer's welder. AC only, rated 230 amp with 100% duty cycle to 125 amps then 30% to 180 amps. It included a cart, the original cables, second pair of cables with clamps on both ends, new gauntlet leather gloves, whitestone? markers, carbon arc torch, and 30 lbs of bumper hitch steel bar to fool around with. I don't think it had total 40 hours use since new. $50 total cost.

I'm having a great time learning what it will do.

 

[tawilson]

In the market myself for a stick welder and the AC/DC is good advice. Besides what you mentioned, I work in construction occasionally and a lot of stuff gets thrown away a man could use, and DC rod is one.

 

[PineRidge]

Soundguy any way that you go you're going to love the capacity that's packed into the 220 volt units. You'll be laying bead on the heavy stuff soon. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Highbeam]

Nothing quite like taking two chunks of half inch plate at 90 degrees, a nice thick rod, and full welder output to lay a mean bead joining those hunks in one pass.

The crackling sound of the weld is like bacon cooking on the stove and the smoke rising from the weld smells like pretty roses. The heat radiating from the weld slowly soaks through your clothing until it levels off into a toasty warm bliss. You can even feel the vibration of the current in your welding hand. Life is good until a dingleberry falls under your knee and then burns through your pants, you just can't get that knee off the ground fast enough.

There are a bunch of subtle sounds and smells that you will only recognize after welding a few times. It is addicting and beats the heck out of woodwork anyday.