Is there a "FarmBoss" welder?

[Slippy]

I am new to the welding field and looking to buy my first welder. I know a fair amount about chain saws, and the Stihl FarmBoss is known as an overall good chain saw for farm use. Although, I don't own one as I have more advanced saws with special features for different uses.

I obviously don't enjoy the same level of knowledge when it comes to welding. I broke the weld on the wheel brace of my rotary cutter this weekend and had called a bunch of places to get it fixed. No one wanted to mess with it. So, I called a friend of mine who has a Lincoln 100 and he used flux core wire and welded the brace back on and added a couple of more braces. He welded 1/4 inch steel with it. He said the welder was maxed out, had it on the hottest setting and around 2 for the feed.

When he looked around and saw my large trailers and other equipment he suggested that a 120v might be too small.

I will be self taught, don't know anything about welding patterns, etc. From reading the posts here, it seems to me a welder that is set up for 120v but had an adapter to use 230v would be ideal. Make it small and hand portable, with the option of using 230v for the occasional heavy stuff, and 120v for the small stuff which is probably what I would be doing the most of.

I have a box scraper that needs some welding on it of 1/2 steel that according to what I read, the 120v may not be big enough, however with proper welds it might be.

So, my question is: Is there a FarmBoss type welder? If so, is there one that can use 120v and 230v? If there is not, which of the largest 120v welders will do the best job, such as Lincoln, Hobart or Miller?

I have been looking in Northern Tools cat. They carry Hobart and Lincoln. I have seen others talk about the Hobart 140 Mig Handler as a good unit.

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[gwdixon]

The Everlast PowerArc 200 is 220V single phase stick welder that will do any farm repair on implements you can come up with. Five year warranty and 30 day trial.

I have one and it works great.

Mark from Everlast should be here any moment to clue you in.

Powerarc arc welders plasma arc

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

If you want a MIG, we have the Power I-MIG 200 and 160 that easily performs to the level of some of the top level migs in the industry, with stick and MIG features. Its a suitcase size and portable with 11 lb capacity.

If you want a stick unit, then either the PowerArc 200 or 160 would be a good idea. But just because the price is low, don't put your expectations there. They do perform at the industrial level, and many pipe and construction guys have them doing just that. But quite a few farmers find that they ride side saddle right on the seat in the cab.

Anyway, we have a new sale going on. Call or PM me if you want any details or if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help.

 

[Slippy]

I suppose that is my problem, I don't know what I want or need. It just seems that in my experience I end up getting the bigger stuff later on, but not sure about welders. Started with a small 5' trailer and now have a 20ton tag...small truck, now large dump, etc.

I have read as much as I can on the net and here. Seems most say that mig or flux core is preferred over stick. The guys I know now pretty much only use mig.

I know I will not use it that ofter, but go in sperts. So I want to learn fast and make the re-newed learning curve short.

I will check out your site.

 

[k0ua]

My 2 cents. I have the Everlast PowerArc 160 and really like it, I also have an Lincoln AC225, I have had for many years.. I prefer the 160 for its smooth arc and better results.. that said, since the are both stick welders, I dont think you are going to just pick it up and make great welds at first. it takes some time, practice and rods to get better, I am getting better all the time. Everyone says that Mig or FluxCore is easier to learn on. I don't really know, as I have only tried Mig once a few years ago. and that was just for a bead or 2. A lot of guys say the Miller or Hobart or Lincoln 140 class 120volt machines will do all you need to do, others say "not enough penetration for things over 1/8 to 1/4. "
take your pick. of course if you weld light guage metal, I am sure they will do all you need. Mig cost more and is more complicated than stick by far. Stick is simple and cheap and works well, but requires more skill.. Mig makes prettier welds than stick, especially in untrained hands. Mig does not work outdoors in any kind of wind, (blows sheilding gas away). of course most migs will do flux core to get around that problem. then the welds are not a pretty, but penetration is better. It is all a trade off. For now I am "sticking" with my stick welder. But if you go stick I recommend a good DC welder that runs on 220-240 volts with some power when you need it. Like I said at first I aint no expert, but I have burned a few dozen pounds of rods, and will continue to learn, but it has not been a fast journey for me.
James K0UA

 

[Scooby074]

Closest thing to a "farmboss" would be the ever popular lincoln toumbstone (stick) welder or the miller thunderbolt. Both tried and true US made designs, Pretty much bulletproof in that they can sit in a old barn for 10's of years and still fire up when needed.

Have to ask what your going to weld? If its "farm stuff" hard to beat a stick. Most power for the cheapest price.

If you want mig it'll cost you alot more to get the same penetration as a cheaper stick.

As to good welds in a short time with a mig, thats a bit of a loaded queston. Mig welds can be made to LOOK good in a short time, but a truly strong, good looking mig joint takes time and practice. You can NEVER have too large a mig welder.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Someone was telling me about a stick welder powered by a tractor pto but I can find it on the net anywhere. Any one heard of one or know where I can find one? I have a lincoln mig/stick welder out here and love it, use it mostly for aluminum, but it was 4 grand 20 years ago not sure what it would be now. Needed a cheaper stick welder for a few months every winter in oregon, thought a tractor mounted one would be nice, portable u know.

 

[Slippy]

Welding farm stuff. D rings on trailer, broken welds on bat wing mowers, tractors, box scrapers, etc.

Which method is easier to learn, stick or mig. The mig looks pretty slick with the spool fed flux core wire.

 

[gwdixon]

My advice would be to go with the stick. It is not that hard to learn and the welds are pretty much guaranteed to hold.

I've never done MIG but from reading hundreds of posts, the metal has to be perfectly clean, no wind when using gas, expensive, lots of settings and equipment to fool with. The welds can look great but be extremetly weak. It is great for fabricating something in a shop enviornment in skilled hands.

On a farm with rusty metal and parts a stick is hard to beat. With a generator it can be quite portable especially with the light weight and compact inverter welders.

 

[gauthier]

Go stick,go welder generator that puts out dc current,they got them kinda small and they got them really big,miller or lincoln.Miller would be my choice.

Duty cycle is important when chosing any welder,,get a stick welder that will run about 120-130 amps at at least 60 percent duty cycle,that means you can run a 1/8th rod basicly all day,,,more is better,but the ones that have 100 percent duty cycle at 180-200 amps will be big. But they will also produce more aux ac power.

Don't get a welder/generator that welds just in ac.

Many of the bigger welder generators will weld both stick and mig[constant current and constant voltage],if your looking at doing both down the road,,but unless your planning on welding aluminum or sheet metal,you won't need a mig.