Which type of welder would be best for my needs?

[sdef]

Good day. I am envisioning a need for a decent welder to modify and repair small farm equipment, but am in a quandry about which type would be best for my purposes- a wire feed/MIG or a stick. I am considering the Everlast PowerArc 200 stick and the Hobart 500559 MIG.

Welding is not a current skill I have, but I am a quick learner and mechanically inclined.

My goal would be to repair damaged equipment like buckets and box blades or to attach heavy duty mounting points, etc. I am thinking about adding probably 1/8" - 1/4" thick metal and potentially repairing 1/8" - 3/8" metal (and possibly limited 1/2"), all mild steel.

I do not currently have a 220VAC 50 amp or so spare circuit in my current home but will have plenty of power in my new home a year from now. However, I currently have a 8.5K generator that should run any welder I would be purchasing.

It would also be nice to be able to weld thinner materials, but this would be a secondary objective.

I have been investigating this subject for some time now, am stuck at this point and am not able to afford two welders at this moment. I have a new tractor and implements coming and am purchasing bolt-on doodads, such as grab hooks for the bucket and would rather have weld-on items.

Experienced advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance to all who respond.

 

[Shield Arc]

Mig / wire feeders are great for production work. But a lot of things can go wrong with them. Stick welder is about as simple as it gets. For now you can buy a good DC stick welder, and a air cooled scratch start Tig torch for the thinner projects.

 

[k0ua]

If you want to weld on some bucket hooks or repair a broken implement a stickwelder will certainly do that. They are simple, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it. And they make Strong welds. I have a little PA160 and it does all I have wanted.. I TIG with it too for thin metals, steel, copper, brass. No Aluminum as it is just DC. I have repaired a lot of things with it in the last 3 years.

James K0UA

 

[gwdixon]

Shield Arc gives good advice as is his norm.

MIG welders have many disadvantages on the farm in my opinion.
>Needs sparkly clean metal
>Can't be used in any wind
>Difficult to haul around
>Lots of moving parts to cause mechanical difficulties
>Unless talented, MIG welds can be iffy
>Less adaptability to the conditions/materials - with stick you just switch rods and amps
>More expensive to buy and maintain

Stick
>Inexpensive
>Adaptable
-like hardfacing implements, welding through rust and debris, deep penetration (think bucket hooks), and so forth
>Lightweight (Inverters)
>Your generator should work

I have the PA 200 and it works quite well.

 

[Lou66]

Here what I use,, had it for about ten years,, 10k watts and welder,, tractor supply,, I fab the trailer myself,, hook it on the back of the gator and pull it anywhere I need it.. Lou

View attachment 334043

 

[sdef]

View attachment 334037View attachment 334038View attachment 334039View attachment 334040View attachment 334041View attachment 334042

If you want to weld on some bucket hooks or repair a broken implement a stickwelder will certainly do that. They are simple, cheap and easy once you get the hang of it. And they make Strong welds. I have a little PA160 and it does all I have wanted.. I TIG with it too for thin metals, steel, copper, brass. No Aluminum as it is just DC. I have repaired a lot of things with it in the last 3 years.

James K0UA

James. Really nice looking weld on that grab hook. So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

 

[sdef]

Here what I use,, had it for about ten years,, 10k watts and welder,, tractor supply,, I fab the trailer myself,, hook it on the back of the gator and pull it anywhere I need it.. Lou

View attachment 334043

I like that trailer and had not considered it as an option. Hmmmm.

 

[sdef]

Each of you have expressed opinions I have been considering and the stick was heading up my list. Thanks guys, I will get a stick and not look back.

 

[Shield Arc]

So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

I would go with the PA-300, or Longevity's Stickweld 250. That way you get adjustable hot start, and arc force!:cool2:
What ever you buy, don't go through Amazon! Buy it here.

 

[aczlan]

James. Really nice looking weld on that grab hook. So 160 amp stick is all I may need. Nice since the 200 is currently unavailable on Amazon.

If buying from Everlast or Longevity, PM them here and they may beat the price on Amazon...

Aaron Z

 

[buickanddeere]

As previously stated. If the welder doesn't produce DC , you are limiting your options and making it harder to lay down a good weld. Just about anybody can make a decent flat weld with DC and 7018 rod.
As the shop lacks 50amp 240. How about a motor welder that also makes 120/240AC. Odds are you don't have a generator for power outages either. Handy for welds in the back 40 or out in the yard.
Either one of the 190's look good.

WDC Series Welder/Generators - Wallenstein

 

[sdef]

I would go with the PA-300, or Longevity's Stickweld 250. That way you get adjustable hot start, and arc force!:cool2:
What ever you buy, don't go through Amazon! Buy it here.

Thanks Shield Arc. I will investigate these two models you suggested. Pricing is also a driving force on a welder as all of these new CUT equipments and current mods and options have about tapped me (and the bank) out

How do I go about getting better pricing on TBN for welders?

Greg

 

[aczlan]

How do I go about getting better pricing on TBN for welders?

For Everlast, send Mark @ Everlast a PM (link).

Aaron Z

 

[sdef]

As previously stated. If the welder doesn't produce DC , you are limiting your options and making it harder to lay down a good weld. Just about anybody can make a decent flat weld with DC and 7018 rod.
As the shop lacks 50amp 240. How about a motor welder that also makes 120/240AC. Odds are you don't have a generator for power outages either. Handy for welds in the back 40 or out in the yard.
Either one of the 190's look good.

WDC Series Welder/Generators - Wallenstein

I am a prepper and do have an 8.5k generator. So I should be able to run a welder until I get into my new house with 400 amp. service and shop.

 

[gwdixon]

Everlast used to give a 15% discount to TBN members. Maybe they still do. Contact Mark@everlast.com.

Go to the "Welding" section of TBN and both Everlast and Longevity have a sponsorship. Mark has a phone number to call if you check the Everlast forum.

Welding

You can also go to the Everlast website and "make an offer".

PowerARC 300 - Plasma Cutters, Welders, Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipment, Multi Purpose Units, Diesel Generators

If cost is an issue check out the PowerArc 200. It is more basic than the PA300 and less expensive. The 300 is probably more than you'll ever need. Pros like Shield Arc and others can better utilize and appreciate the fine tuning type of adjustments on the PA300.

 

[Shield Arc]

I like that trailer and had not considered it as an option. Hmmmm.

A buddy of mine has one of these. Member here, weldermike just bought one too. Few months ago I got my buddy set up with an LN-25 to run Mig. I've run stick, and Mig with his machine, very impressive welding machine!

Rangerｮ 305 G EFI Engine Driven Welder (Kohler)

 

[sdef]

A buddy of mine has one of these. Member here, weldermike just bought one too. Few months ago I got my buddy set up with an LN-25 to run Mig. I've run stick, and Mig with his machine, very impressive welding machine!

Rangerｮ 305 G EFI Engine Driven Welder (Kohler)

That is a really nice avatar/picture or whatever it is called in you signature box. Pretty cool.

 

[deereman75]

If you are considering longevity, give simon a call or email.
He is real nice to deal with.
Im sure everlast would be good as well.

I just know that if you talk to simon directly, you get BY FAR the best service, and the best price.
An example, longevity had forgot to send my plug back, and he sent me the money from his personal paypal to get me back in action faster! I cant imagine the owner of lincoln doing that..... LOL

I know my stickweld 250 burns 7018 and 7024 very well.
It will work with 6010, but not nearly as well. It runs 6011 like a dream though.

 

[deereman75]

One other thing, if you do not have a torch, I recomend it first.
It can cover most jobs, and is by far the most versitile tool since the hammer.
Cutting, brazing, soldering, bending, heat shrinking, removing stuck nuts, welding, gouging, weld removal, fixing cast iron ect
With a bit of practice, they can do some very nice welding too.

What other tool can go from cutting foot thick steel, to brazing very thin sheet metal, to welding 1/4" steel, with just the change of a tip?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Just checked on stock on PA 200. New PA 200ST's will be here in 10-12 days. This will be an improved model with stick/tig function. Supposed to have greater arc force control, hot start etc. However, it will be rated at a lesser duty cycle of 35%. Not bad, but not like the old ones. BUT with that said, these units have had a lot more rigorous testing than previous models. Unit weight and design has been streamlined. Still will be 6010 capable and though I haven't tried one, I've been told it is better than the older units with 6010.