Thinking about Stick welding

[Shield Arc]

No intent to criticize your welding SA

Oh no Gary, I did not take it that way at all! You were only speaking the truth, as usual.
That picture of the MIg weld was just me playing around with the new V350-PRO, and spool gun. Trying to figure everything out, especially the pulse.
I have no intentions of making money in my shop. I never have drank or smoked. All this is just entertainment. Beats watching the boob tube:laughing:!
But come to think of it, it might be cheaper to take up drinking.

 

[dstig1]

Sorry - I was crossing back and forth between welding web and here and mixed up screen names for SA

 

[undercut]

Well this has been informative. Clearly Aluminum welding is out of my budget in the short term ....

 

[Sublifer]

If you are thinking about getting into stick welding and only have experience with mig wire feed, for less that double the price would the Miller Thunderboltｮ XL 225/150 AC/DC be a better choice? More specifically, will it compensate more for lack of operator experience?

No, a thunderbolt wouldn't be any extra help. Something like the Everlast PA200 with automatic hot start and adaptive arc force would make it easier for a beginner though.

PowerARC 200 - Stick welders, Plasma Cutters For Sale, Welding Accessories, 135 Welder

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Thanks for the response. That clears up a bit of confusion I had.:confused2: Looks like you have to spend a whole bunch of money to get any help from the Miller machines, which for a limited user like me does not make good sense.

So, is the PowerArc 200 the better choice than the PowerArc 300 since the Arc Force Control is auto regulated on the 200?

 

[Groo]

well, I am bidding on a bare Miller 3 phase DC TIG inverter machine that I think I can convert to single phase fairly easily.

 

[Sublifer]

I got the pa300 myself because I wanted the extra control. I haven't tried thin gauge yet but I suspect the automatic hot start and arc force might not be best on thinner materials which is why I wanted manual control over it.

Groo, I would do some research on the model because some industrial units may not be capable of single phase.

 

[Shield Arc]

So, is the PowerArc 200 the better choice than the PowerArc 300 since the Arc Force Control is auto regulated on the 200?

NO! Spend the extra money and get the 300, with adjustable hot start, and arc force!

I got the pa300 myself because I wanted the extra control. I haven't tried thin gauge yet but I suspect the automatic hot start and arc force might not be best on thinner materials which is why I wanted manual control over it.

You have to really be paying attention to even know they're there on the PA 200.

 

[Sublifer]

NO! Spend the extra money and get the 300, with adjustable hot start, and arc force

So I've been wondering... why did you get the PA200 instead of the 300?

Just wanted an inexpensive model to play with since Everlast isn't as well known?

 

[Shield Arc]

So I've been wondering... why did you get the PA200 instead of the 300?

I screwed up! Didn't even see the 300. If I would have bought the 300 instead of the 200 I most likely would not have bought the V350-PRO. I wanted a machine with hot start, but didn't want to spend too much money just to try something I've never used before. I could tell the 200 had hot start but it wasn't enough for me. I found a used V350-PRO, oh my God! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Welp I knew it was a matter of time before my 1980's Mig machine was going to give me trouble, so I ordered a new V350-PRO with pulse and a spool gun. Sold the Mig machine for a $350.00 profit, and the used V350-PRO for a $100.00 profit. See how much money I would have saved if I would have done a little research?