WELDER RECOMMENDATIONS

[xmoto]

HELLO

I HAVE A SMALL 110V MIG WELDER NOW, I WANT TO BUY A WLEDER FOR THICHER STEEL. WHAT STICK WELDER WOULD YOU RECOMMEND. I DONT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON A BIGGER MIG. THANKS

 

[bjr]

Without knowing how heavy of steel your talking about, it's hard to say. A entry level stick machine with leads will probably set you back a couple of hundred even used. A AC 225 Lincoln is about as entry level as it gets and you should be able to do multiple passes on as about as heavy of steel most home owners can use. bjr

 

[xmoto]

I WOULD THINK THAT I WON'T BE WELDING ANYTHING OVER 3/8.

 

[have_blue]

HELLO

I HAVE A SMALL 110V MIG WELDER NOW, I WANT TO BUY A WLEDER FOR THICHER STEEL. WHAT STICK WELDER WOULD YOU RECOMMEND. I DONT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON A BIGGER MIG. THANKS

Not many things I like to buy used, but welding machines are one of them. There are many good machines on CraigsList, and you can get them for around 1/3 of new prices. That way, you can get a bigger, heavier duty machine for the price of an entry level machine. Unless the machine has been kept in the rain or chewed by mice, it will work as good as new.

 

[xmoto]

AC OR DC STICK WELDER

 

[Wineslob]

The AC 225 "buzzbox" welder mentioned is a fair welding machine. They can be had cheap, and 60XX rod is fairly easy to learn to burn. (6011 is very a commonly used non-contact rod)
They also made an AC/DC machine that looks the same.

 

[easygo]

I would strongly recommend you get a welder that has AC/DC options. I'm by no means a great weldor but it does not take long to be able to tell the difference. I was in the same boat a few years ago and bit the bullet and got an AC/DC Hobart. It works very well for my needs. I weld 1/8-1/2" stuff in my fabrications and it is a good welder for the weekend warrior.
You can find a good used AC/DC Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, Century... etc. welder for $150-400 depending age, condition, brand and last but NOT least length of welding leads.

 

[sizzami]

miller dynamax 185 is a good welder and adding tig capability is easy

 

[bobodu]

Get the AC-DC machine if you can afford it. AC for penetration (root) and the DC makes prettier looking welds for the beginner (cap). Once you're good...it's hard to tell the difference though.
I like 6013 for an all purpose rod.