With a $500.00 budget, you could get a Lincoln AC225 and a Lincoln flux core wire welder for your smaller stuff. Gloves, shield, sleeves, etc aren't that expensive unless you go for those auto-dark shield (which I am not a fan of).
School me on the Tombstone
- Thread starter gabeancounter
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grsthegreat
Super Star Member
the auto darkening hood is the single greatest piece of welding equipment i ever purchased. It has improved my meager welding skills tremendously. No more constant flipping hood up and down.
you'll never pry that hood out of my hands...never i tell you :laughing:
OP
gabeancounter
Silver Member
Yes, I am certian I will purchase one of the auto darking hoods. I remember the only welding I did back in high school trying to shake my head to get it to flop down right and start my arc etc. Not that coordinated or just need a lot more practice.:laughing:
andrec999
Silver Member
I was going to purchase a Thumbstone at Canadian Tire ( Canadian equivalent to Lowes) this week as they bare on sale at 289.$ but after reading the posts I am more confused than ever , cause there alot of different opinions here.
JB4310
Super Member
Yes patience will be needed, I got super lucky though, the first day I seriously looked for an AC/DC machine, I found one on craigslist for a great deal on a nearly brand new machine. A miller Thunderbolt.
But since then I have not seen any AC/DC machines except expensive gas powered portables, great deals on the portables but still expensive.
I have turned down free AC welders as I didn't need another, one was a brand new Tombstone sitting in a ladies garage, her husband bought it and never used it. Gave my AC away as well, so it shouldn't be hard finding an AC for a good deal.
I don't know if I'd call an auto darkening helmet the greatest pc of welding equipment, but it does make things a little easier, one less thing to have to think about. For me I wont go back, I delayed getting one until just last year, now I definitely do appreciate it.
JB
Shield Arc
Super Member
If you buy the PowerArc 200, don't waste your money on a 120-volt flux core wire feeder!
Far as the PowerArc 200, now that is one slick little machine! Most likely the best $300 + you'll spend on welding equipment.
OP
gabeancounter
Silver Member
I was going to purchase a Thumbstone at Canadian Tire ( Canadian equivalent to Lowes) this week as they bare on sale at 289.$ but after reading the posts I am more confused than ever , cause there alot of different opinions here.
I am in the same boat. lol. Every post I read I change my mind.
This afternoon I was positive I wanted a cheap Northern tool 125 amp mig and a lincoln 225, but I am sure I will change my mind in the morning. The $289 is a standard price for the lincoln 225 machine at Home Depot.
Shield Arc,
You think the powerarc can do the light gauge materials as well?
gwdixon
Elite Member
Shield Arc is a good guy to ask about thin material. But remember that he is a pro and can weld things that "normal" folks can't.
I have used 1/16" 6013 with the PowerArc 200 on thin stuff without a problem. Other than it is a pain to get the amps just right to melt just right. That is a weldor problem rather than a welder problem.
I have used 1/16" 6013 with the PowerArc 200 on thin stuff without a problem. Other than it is a pain to get the amps just right to melt just right. That is a weldor problem rather than a welder problem.
rankrank1
Platinum Member
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I would not buy a brand new AC225, as you can find way too many used ones for a third the price or less of a new one. These things a darn near indestructable and your kids will be using this same welder as there is just so little to go wrong on an AC power unit. If it works when you buy it chances are it will continue working for decades to come. Even if you decide you want a better welder later you will be able to easily sell it to recoup your minimal investment - it will never depreciate. Plus, AC is the one area that works best with the Carbon Arc torch anyway so it is worth having for that alone.
Mig is not a bad idea either for thinner metals as a novice can weld much thinner metal with mig, but I would skip the Northern tool and go with an affordable 120 volt Hobart or Lincoln. I myself would buy the Mig unit new as there is much more to go wrong in a mig. (I myself have a Lincoln SP-135). Realistically though, 24 gauge to 1/8" metal as the normal easy working range of a 120 volt unit, 3/16" metal can be done with some beveling and multiple passes, and 1/4" or bigger can be done in a pinch too with beveling and several passes. Mig does not like rusty metal at all. Mig will not work outside either as your shielding gas get blown away. You can switch to gasless flux core and not use gas but then you can not weld as thin as metal with flux core and flux core is terrible for use in autobody work - makes the paint bubble. Going to a 220 volt mig will cost more, but does add thicker metal to the mix.
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grsthegreat
Super Star Member
I'm just a so-so self taught welder that used to have a cheap AC welder, and my welds looked like it. they held, but were ugly.
I broke down about 16 years ago and bought an ac/dc with reverse polarity unit...it wasn't cheap but man, my welds sure improved ... without me doing anything.
Ive actually Had a professional welder friend of mine tell me that my welds do look very good. Nothing has ever split apart.
Mind you, id never trust my welds on a trailer frame, but here around the ranch they are fine.
I broke down about 16 years ago and bought an ac/dc with reverse polarity unit...it wasn't cheap but man, my welds sure improved ... without me doing anything.
Ive actually Had a professional welder friend of mine tell me that my welds do look very good. Nothing has ever split apart.
Mind you, id never trust my welds on a trailer frame, but here around the ranch they are fine.