Inverter arc welder

[Sublifer]

I've decided my next welder will be an inverter arc welder. I'm up in the air about what model to get though it will probably be an Everlast or Longevity.

I like the idea of the convenience of a 110/220 dual voltage machine but I'm not sure 140 amps would be enough as I've got some 1/2" and some a little thicker to weld. I've kind of had my eye on the PowerArc200 but I do like the idea of 50 more amps and the adjustable arc force of the longevity StickWeld250.

Right now I don't have 220 at home except from my 5500watt generator but I can always get that installed.

What does everyone think?
- 110/220 convenience at the cost of power for the 140 models
- Powerarc200 at a good price for the power but may need to install 220 at home
- Stickweld250 at a higher cost but has the manual arc force control

Does anyone have any other suggestions as well?

I am not going to buy a maxstar or whatever for 150 inverter amps at $1000 just for the name brand. I'm just not made of money.

 

[IslandTractor]

I went with the convenience of 110/220 rather than maximizing 220v output. If I were building bridges or running a production shop I'd have gone the other way. Don't discount the convenience of welding with 110v even if limited to 90amps or so.

1/2 steel is typically going to be prepped and can be welded in multiple passes with 140amps.

You clearly need more than a 5500w generator to take advantage of a bigger welder.

 

[deereman75]

I have got a stickweld 250, and love it. I highly recomend it, the arc force adjustment is really nice.

 

[Shield Arc]

Having a welder that runs on 120-volts doesn't interest me one bit. I have enough engine drives to solve the portable issue.
On the other hand I wouldn't have a problem welding 1/2 or 3/4 inch material with a 140-amps with the proper joint prep! My Lincoln Invertec 350-pro has adjustable arc force and adjustable hot start, I think that is the best thing since chocolate ice cream.:laughing:
If you have your mind set on those two options, the PowerArc 300, and StickWeld 250 are a cheap way to get them.

 

[Sublifer]

one vote for convenience and two for the stickweld.

I think I may get one of the bigger units then.

Trying to compare them, the everlast200 has adaptive arc force while the longevity250 offers manual adjustment. Any pro's or con's to either?

 

[IslandTractor]

one vote for convenience and two for the stickweld.

I think I may get one of the bigger units then.

Trying to compare them, the everlast200 has adaptive arc force while the longevity250 offers manual adjustment. Any pro's or con's to either?

Except the guy who has a couple of truck mounted engine welders is a pro and you are not. He does repair bridges. You don't. A 110v unit is very handy.

 

[Shield Arc]

I have a PowerArc 200, great little machine, best arc you'll find for the money. But, there is always a but isn't there!:laughing: You really have to be paying attention to notice the arc force. The hot start is a little more noticeable. Before buying the PowerArc 200 I had never run a machine with hot start or arc force. The PowerArc 200 wet my appetite, but didn't quite fill my needs. I found a used V350-Pro with adjustable arc force, and hot start, I fell in love with it, hands down the best machine I had run to date. Loved it enough I ordered a new one with pulse, and sold the first one. Now if I would have bought the StickWeld 250 or the PowerArc 300 with a adjustable arc force, and hot start first, I just might have saved my self a lot of money.

 

[Sublifer]

Except the guy who has a couple of truck mounted engine welders is a pro and you are not. He does repair bridges. You don't. A 110v unit is very handy.

I actually have a little 110 FC unit. Yes, a cheapy from harborfreight. I hate it but it's gotten the job done on everything up to 1/8" if with a good bit of spatter and a lot of waiting for it to cool down between runs.

So I do have a 110 for small stuff when needed, though it doesn't work good on 18ga and thinner cuz it likes to blow right through it.

But I really need a unit that can handle some thick stuff.

Looking at the front of the panel on the stickweld pics there are knobs for amps, "surge current" and "arc force". I assume the surge current is the hot start to keep the electrode from sticking when you strike it and arc force is what it says it is. Could someone explain what exactly arc force is?

Also thinking about getting a plasma cutter. Probably one of the cheaper "D" models. Any particular reason I should be looking at the "I" models and not the "D" models? I'm sure the Infineon Inverters are better, but would it be worth it to a non-commercial user? - EDIT: Forget I asked this. I will put it in a new thread where it belongs.

 

[k0ua]

I actually have a little 110 FC unit. Yes, a cheapy from harborfreight. I hate it but it's gotten the job done on everything up to 1/8" if with a good bit of spatter and a lot of waiting for it to cool down between runs.

So I do have a 110 for small stuff when needed, though it doesn't work good on 18ga and thinner cuz it likes to blow right through it.

But I really need a unit that can handle some thick stuff.

Looking at the front of the panel on the stickweld pics there are knobs for amps, "surge current" and "arc force". I assume the surge current is the hot start to keep the electrode from sticking when you strike it and arc force is what it says it is. Could someone explain what exactly arc force is?

Also thinking about getting a plasma cutter. Probably one of the cheaper "D" models. Any particular reason I should be looking at the "I" models and not the "D" models? I'm sure the Infineon Inverters are better, but would it be worth it to a non-commercial user?

Well like a lot of things in life it is complicated. Here is a good link from Miller that explains it and a few other things.

Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes

Happy reading

James K0UA

 

[Sublifer]

Well like a lot of things in life it is complicated. Here is a good link from Miller that explains it and a few other things.

Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes

Happy reading

James K0UA

Thanks James. Yea, its complicated. I will probably forget but at least I have a reference to it :thumbsup: