Stick, Mig or Tig

[Shield Arc]

If you can possibly swing it, I'd look long and hard at Lincoln's 305-G. A buddy of mine has one, it has a really nice SMAW arc. He runs an LN-22 on it. I'd suggest buying this machine, and latter pickup an LN-25. You can kill four birds with one stone. A fantastic SMAW machine, a very good GMAW machine. You can even pickup a scratch start Tig torch, and have a fine DC Tig. And a 9,500 watt generator.

In my opinion, (I know, nobody cares:laughing it's very hard to beat a Mig with .035 wire for general fab work.
Innershield is great for general fab and repairs outside. If I only have a couple minutes of welding, I'll generally grab one of my stick machines. Anything longer than that I grab one of the Migs.
Lets see, I have 2-Mig machines, with 1-push pull and 1-LN-25, 2-Tig machines, 7-stick machines, and I'm only a hobbyist.

Ranger 305 G Kohler

 

[JB4310]

For those that use all or at least two which method is your go to welder?

Thanks

I have a 135 amp mig and an AC/DC stick. I use the stick 95% of the time.

JB.

 

[Chilly807]

I have both a 180 amp MIG and an AC/DC stick. The stick gets used the most because it's quick, strong, and simple. The MIG gets the nod for repetitive fab work, pretty welds, thin material, or aluminum.

Both have their place in farm work, neither will do everything well.

Sean

 

[jmanatee2]

I have all 3,.... I started with a AC buzz box... I did a LOT of welding with that. I bought a 180A MIG (miller) I now have a hard time taking out the buzz box unless I am welding something heavy (3/8" +)

I bought a TIG because I wanted to try it. I confess I am still not good with the TIG and if there is anything important I grab the MIG or ARC.

I bought a spool gun for the MIG for welding aluminum. That is very cool.

Another cool piece of equipment to get is a plasma, I love mine.

If I was to do it again I would start with the MIG, Spool gun and Plasma

 

[flusher]

For those that use all or at least two which method is your go to welder?

I've practiced with Mig and it seems pretty straight forward. I've have a very long way to go and the advice here has been helpful. Now I am trying to figure out what to buy for first machine, used of course.

Thanks

Try a DC stick welder with 7014 and 7024 drag rods before you make your welder choice. These rods are easy for a newbie to learn with since you don't have to worry about the arc gap (just angle the rod at 30 degrees and drag it along the surface). Use the recommended amps for the rod and workpiece thickness and practice controlling your speed--most beginners move the rod too fast to allow the edges of the puddle to tie in properly with the workpiece.

Burn at least one 5lb box of these simple to use rods to get the hang of stick welding. Then try more difficult rods like 6011 and 7018.

 

[rankrank1]

If you can possibly swing it, I'd look long and hard at Lincoln's 305-G. A buddy of mine has one, it has a really nice SMAW arc. He runs an LN-22 on it. I'd suggest buying this machine, and latter pickup an LN-25. You can kill four birds with one stone. A fantastic SMAW machine, a very good GMAW machine. You can even pickup a scratch start Tig torch, and have a fine DC Tig. And a 9,500 watt generator...

Actually this might be the best recomendation of the bunch since the OP was going to power from a generator anyway. Machine such as this covers the generator and almost every welding process available - leaving it pretty hard to outgrow.

 

[Haywire]

Except the generator he's looking at is 15-20KW and the welder is only 9.

Ian

 

[automech]

Lemme understand what you are doing here. You are going to buy a big generator to use for all your power needs at the site or are you just buying a generator to power a welder? If you just want to weld and have some power I would agree with the earlier suggestion of a gas powered welder. You buy the right one and you can add a wire feeder package later if you want. If you are going to buy a genny anyway I would consider a decent size mig that you can add a spool gun to later if you want. If money is tight get a buzz box, they work good and are very affordable.

 

[LD1]

I also vote for a stick with what you are wanting to do, for reasons already mentioned.

As for me personally, I have Mig and Stick both at my disposal.

For just the typical repair on old rusty farm equipment (usually outside as well), I go to the stick. Easier to repair old farm equipment with it. Many times, cracks and breaks form in places that are hard to get to to grind off dirt, paint, rust, etc. Plus, with a full rod on the stick, you can ususally get into tighter areas.

The Mig is usually my go-to when dealing with clean steel and indoors. Like a new project starting from scratch. Or when air/water tightness is necessary. Like building a lawn roller, or a hydraulic tank for whatever.

But thats just me.

 

[Sulla]

Enough people have recommend stock to start that my decision is easy. Now an old buzz box or a fancy new multiprocess unit. I checked out the Lincoln, I like this unit. Pricey for a novice's welder,reasonable for a generator. I will eventually need a much bigger generator (property is off the grid) but this unit should do me for at least three years. I especially like the diesel but at $9000 plus, that's not happening.

Is the diesel unit that much better?

Now if I can just find a used one.