What do you think of this stick welder?

   / What do you think of this stick welder? #1  

Haywire

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
1,025
Location
Central Kentucky
Tractor
Tractorless :(
A Lincoln AC-225 stick welder. HD has it for $289.

I'm not a welder. I've played around just little bit with a light duty 110v wire welder.

I'm looking to try a stick for the versatility and the extra capacity in steel thickness for a cheaper price than a comparable mig.

How long does it take to learn to put down a decent weld? I say 'decent', which to me means structurally sound, but not visually perfect.

I have read the recommendations for getting an AC/DC unit, but I'm not willing to lay out the cash... the same unit in AC/DC is $546.

thanks,
Ian
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #2  
Haywire,
This is a frequent question here on this board about that particular welder. Its an OK choice at best. Not your best that is for sure. DC is always going to offer superior welds and be overall a more enjoyable welding experience. I represent a company that sells welders. They're from China, but many guys have bought them here on tbn. They're DC and offer a lot more than the unit you are looking at in the same price range. They're inverter based and a lot more smooth running than that unit. DC doesn't require the same amperage to get the same job done either. You're limited on the type of welding rods you can use with an AC only welder also. You'll want DC if you ever try it. AC will get you by on a spot repair, but its definitely better to use and learn on DC.
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #3  
That would be what most people in my area refer to as the "tombstone" welder. (Because of its looks).

It is a decient welder. There's not much to a stick machine, and not much to go wrong. It is pretty easy to pick up on IMO.

I would suggest browsing c-list though. It's not uncommon to see those welders go for $75-$100. And like I said, theres not much to go wrong.

I would also reccomend getting 6013 or 7014 rod to start out with.

Too may of the "pros" want to tell you that you have to root pass with 6010 or 6011 and finish out with 7018 blah, blah.

But those rods are more difficult to get a good weld with and more difficult to learn. It can discourage one pretty easially.:mad:

I have welded a ton of stuff ranging from 1/8" up to 3/4-1" plus with the 6013 and 7014 rods with great success. But lets face it, when building 3PH stuff, trailers, average farm welds, etc, I dont need x-ray quality welds. PLUS, a good weld with 6013/7014 is stronger than a bad weld with 7018.

But remember, whenever you get a welder, be sure to post some pics of projects:thumbsup: or even just some practice runs:thumbsup:
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #5  
A Lincoln AC-225 stick welder. HD has it for $289.

I'm not a welder. I've played around just little bit with a light duty 110v wire welder.

I'm looking to try a stick for the versatility and the extra capacity in steel thickness for a cheaper price than a comparable mig.

How long does it take to learn to put down a decent weld? I say 'decent', which to me means structurally sound, but not visually perfect.

I have read the recommendations for getting an AC/DC unit, but I'm not willing to lay out the cash... the same unit in AC/DC is $546.

thanks,
Ian

The Lincoln AC225 welder is good backyard shop type of welder. That said, I would not buy a brand new one. You can shop Craigslist and pick one up in good shape for $75-$150 or so. The AC225 is a tank and darn near indestructable so if it works when you buy it your grandkids will likely still be using the same welder.

If you are the type that simply has to have brand new then look at the Hobart Stickmate AC/DC which is about $100 bucks cheaper than the AC/DC Lincoln and actually has some good features of its own. DC is nice (so I hear - I have an old AC225 myself) but is not mandatory for a backyard shop. AC works just fine and there is less to go wrong with an AC unit - 6011, 6013, 7014 rods all work well (7018AC rods work too, but I do not use due to the rod storage issues that 7018 requires).

FWIW: I think any backyard primitive farmshop should have an AC225 (or Hobart equivalent) type welder as it can serve as more than a welder alone. Add twin carbon arc torch to the welder and you have a nearly free source of intense heat that can be used to heat metal for bending, brazing, silver soldering, flame fill welding, and it can even be used flameless style to heat frozen nuts which is great for sensitive areas where a flame could damage paint. The Twin carbon arc torch can be made for almost free or you can buy a used factory one for cheap and the carbon rods are cheap and last a long time. You will be hard pressed to find a cheaper source of heat that can burn up to 1000 degrees hotter than oxy/acet can - no expensive tanks or gas to buy - all you need is the AC welder. AC power actually works best for Twin Carbon arc as the two rods consume evenly. Twin Carbon arc will NOTcut metal but your welder still can be used to cut metal or to pierce holes by simply inserting 6011 into the stinger and cranking up the amps. Granted the cuts will not be plasma quaility, but can be cleaned up easily enough. You will be hard pressed to find a cheaper method of cutting metal and remeber we are talking backyard shop here.

If you pick up a used AC welder for say $100, you will never lose any money on it as it has depreciated as low as it ever going to. If you decide later that you do want DC capability to your arsenal then you can always pick up one of the Everlast Inverters like Mark mentioned. AT 200 amps output it will have much more capability than the Lincoln or Hobart will on DC power. (A used Lincoln AC 225 and a brand new Everlast Inverter would still cost less than purchasing a brand new Lincoln,Hobart, or Miller AC/DC unit - and you would have more DC amps available with the Everlast). I like the small size and lightweight capability that the Everlast inverter technology provides, but will the more senstive computer chips and circuit boards still be working 40 years from now like the Lincoln transformer unit will be - especially if your storage shop is an old damp barn with dirt floor like mine which is less than ideal for sensitive electronics, but does not hurt the old transformer one bit.

In short, You can do a lot with a $75 to $150 used Lincoln AC225 as a starter unit - You can weld with it, heat metal with it, and even cut metal with it so it is very versatile. Personally, I have a Lincoln AC225 and a seperate Lincoln SP-135 mig that I use on thin metal. If I ever decide that I need DC capability then I will pick up something like the Everlast. Regardless, If I could have only one welder it would be the AC225 as I can do more with it and do it cheaper too. Really it is worth the $60 that I paid for it used even if I only use it for the Twin Carbon arc torch power unit.
 
Last edited:
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #6  
The tombstone is a good basic choice. How long does the sale last? If you got time, go to several places and price similar machines and ask a lot of questions!

I have mine in case I have to go out into the field and make a weld that I cannot get to the shop, Then I load it up in the farm trailer with the generator, Instant welding truck.:laughing:

I have had to weld a 2 thick strap back together and it did just fine! Is the machine designed to do that, NO!:p But if you had to and did your prep and took a lot of time and many passes it can be done. Was not fun!:ashamed:
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
but will the more senstive computer chips and circuit boards still be working 40 years from now like the Lincoln transformer unit will be - especially if your storage shop is an old damp barn with dirt floor like mine which is less than ideal for sensitive electronics, but does not hurt the old transformer one bit.

Mark... what do you say to this? It would be stored in a barn, although with a concrete floor. Your prices are interesting..

Is there anything that the AC unit can do that the DC only unit would have trouble with?

Ian
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #8  
I check my local Craig's list about three times a day looking for good deals. I see these Lincoln AC machines all the time. Wow, they are priced all over the board, some people have the nerve to ask half again more than they sell new!

With so many of these for sale used I have to wonder if people buy them thinking they'll pickup welding in a day or two. But get frustrated and quite. Then try to recover the cost of the machine. :confused:
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #9  
Haywire I don't have a heated shop, I do have concrete floors. I've only had my Everlast PowerArc 200 for a few months, with no problems at all! Another thing, I have a Miller Dynasty 300 I'd guess is way more technical than the PoweArc, it's been in the same shop for 5-years without any problems too.;)
 
   / What do you think of this stick welder? #10  
A good ole tomstone, be it Lincoln or Hobart has served many for years and will for many more to come.
It is all in technique and practice.
Heck, you can weld with 2 12 volt batteries!
Many a farmer made welders with surplus 24volt aircraft generators and their welds held up.
While the term 'tombstone' is commonly used, generically it refers to any or most 220vac driven AC output in the 200-230 amp range, which for all practical purposes are but a HD transformer generally having about 70 or so volts open line output and weld at 24-30 VAC while working.
DC is easier to start a weld and makes a smoother bead but with practice that is all possible with AC as well.
The big thing is with AC (or DC) stick you get GOOD penetration which is not possible with the lower priced wire welders.
I have even welded thin metal stock with thin AC rods (3/32 6013) at low amps. Not pretty and grinding needed but it did the job.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2017 Ford F-150 (A48561)
2017 Ford F-150...
Trash Combo Trailer (A45336)
Trash Combo...
2007 PARK MONORAIL (A47001)
2007 PARK MONORAIL...
2014 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck (A46684)
2014 Ford F-150...
2014 UTILITY 53X102 DRY VAN TRAILER (A45677)
2014 UTILITY...
2019 Ford F350 DRW XL CC Crew Cab 4x4 Service Truck (A45336)
2019 Ford F350 DRW...
 
Top