Why use wire or stick?

[Industrial Toys]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

 

[MoArk Willy]

If I could only have one, I'd have a TIG welder

Hmm....perhaps I should have included that choice....but I don't weld enough to buy one.

 

[MoArk Willy]

So far all of the answers have been helpful...except yours.

 

[k0ua]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

I won't guarantee you will be a better welder or even weld upside down, but your welds will rapidly improve with a DC stick welder and some good dry 7108 rod. And you will have a lot less spatter/BB's to clean up. It just seems you can "get into the groove" better with DC. It is just smoother. Not saying you can't make good welds with an AC machine, but it sure seemed easier to me the first bead I laid with my DC machine. I sold my AC machine soon after.

 

[4570Man]

I'd like to see you (or anyone else for that matter) butt weld 2 aluminum pop cans together with a MIG or a broken tape measure together with a MIG. Won't happen because you cannot dial the weld current down that far and you cannot control wet out sufficiently to not burn through. Can a MIG weld copper or copper alloy" Of course not. Only TIG plus with TIG, weld appearance is always excellent. Why I like it.

One thing the Linclon Tombstone is excellent for... Migrating earthworms out of the ground for fishing....

I don’t recall ever having a need to do either of those things. Most of us here are welding equipment related stuff not watches.

 

[gunny0628]

Depend's on whether I will haul it in a Chevy or a Ford. But you didn't specify that did you?
You also didn't specify what it will be welding.
Nor how many amps or volts will be available.
Nor if beads will be laid outdoors in wind and rain or elsewhere.
Nor if machine will be expected to moved 3 times every day.
Nor what kind of budget.
Nor,,,,,,,,,,,,,, So an answer would be totally meaningless.

There’s always one

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have never used a DC stick welder, but did not too bad on my SEARS Buzz Box. I still can't weld up and down or upside down with my MIG. I'm curious if I could with a DC stick machine.

Any type machine; get the fundamentals down then practice a lot. I an not a MIG welder but vertical and overhead should be easier with MIG as you are not carrying as big a puddle. Get a copy of the Lincoln arc welding manual, lot of good info to get started and refining your technique. What works for me may not work for you. For me horizontal is the hardest posistion as the upper side tends to undercut the base metal.

Ron

 

[ruffdog]

I grew up using a AC stick. Learned aluminum TIG from expert. MIG was used in shop for all fab work and most repairs. Stick DC was used in shop for specialized repair/fab when doing dissimilar metals etc. TIG was used for aluminum repair/fab and for steel die work. DC stick welder (gas engine) was on crash trucks for repair work. Could also pull MIG unit out for larger repairs. For home I have a simple AC stick for the small amount of work I do.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can BRAZE great! Not much ever said around here about it and it's stronger than most people realize.

 

[metalbender]

Have all three. All have their pros and cons. Nice thing with stick on heavy material, hold a long arc without rod transfer to heat metal prior to welding. AC buzz box will let you use a carbon arc torch for heating, brazing.