First welder advice

[tkappeler]

Trying to make sense of the vast knowledge in the threads and my head is spinning from searching and trying to weed through it all and figuring out what matters to me.

Background:

1) I have done stick welding a long (20+ years ago) time ago but can't say the welds looked as good as what I have seen here. I am not saying that they were bad, just that my memory of them is lacking. Maybe they were ok.

2) I have no MIG experience.

3) I have done LOTS of metalworking when younger: metal lathe, brazing, brass and aluminum castings, milling machines, acetylene work, etc.

3) My needs are related to building some fixtures, some implements, maintenance, etc for our 4 acre land and tractor (hooks, tree spade, etc).

4) I do not expect to weld more than 3/8" to 1/2" thick material.

I am looking to get my first welding setup and can see benefits of stick and mig but funds and overall use/$ value will force me to choose one. Any advice from the experts here would be appreciated.

 

[k0ua]

I am far from an expert, but if money is of a concern, I would suggest you get a good inverter DC stick machine to start, The cost is low and results in making good welds are high. If you have the money to spend, most people consider a good 220 volt MIG easier to learn on and can make good welds in the size ranges you are talking about, but you will need one of the higher end machines to do the 1/2 or consider making several passes. You mention having some stick experience already, and if the money is an issue I would tend to point you toward one of the Inverter DC units. I am very pleased with my Everlast PA160. I also TIG with it. It is scratch start old school TIG, but it is handy to do small work and sheet metal. The good news is you can add it on at any time as money permits. Get some good 7018 sticks and don't look back.




James K0UA

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm far from an expert too! In your case I would look long and hard at Everlast's PA-300, and Longevity's Stickweld 250. Reason being both have adjustable hot start, which makes it childs play to re-start 7018. Both have adjustable arc force, now that is just plain :cool2:

 

[jack707]

you want to welder that has a good duty cycle and DC has better penetration then AC just a few things to look at

 

[speedbump]

I welded with an old Lincoln Buzz Box for years in my Garage. I also welded with Welder/Generators by Lincoln and Miller when I was drilling wells and welding the pipe. Now I have a small Miller MIG welder and love it. Other than when the wire doesn't want to feed. I think my new stinger fixed that problem however. The nice thing about MIG is the ability to weld with wire and gas. No flux to chip off and no flux stuck in the weld where metal should be. And if you want to go over the weld immediately, you can. No Flux to worry about. They do make flux core wire, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Shield Arc]

They do make flux core wire, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Why do you say that? :confused3:

 

[tkappeler]

I'm far from an expert too!

Huh. Could have fooled me. :laughing:

I know that I want DC only given the overall comments here and elsewhere. Never tried it before.

Oh, BTW: my wife is looking forward to learning also. I am perfectly fine with that.

 

[rsallen]

For myself, who is far far beyond (below) a pro I didn't like the flux core because of the smoke and splatter associated with the combo.
However since then I've learned that with the proper amps and gas the flux core wire does indeed have a valuable place in the welding world if the splatter isn't a concern.

 

[Shield Arc]

Huh. Could have fooled me. :laughing:

Nope just a hobbyist!
You'll get more bang for your buck with a SMAW / stick welder. Only advantage to Mig welders are: They are fast, good for production work. Can weld thin material. But as k0ua mentioned you can buy a Tig rig for a stick welder and Tig weld thin material.
Bad things about Mig welders: Guys buy them and in just a couple hours of practice are making pretty welds. Pretty welds to the untrained eye. These same people don't know the difference between cold lap, and undercut. Cold lapped Mig welds can get you killed!

 

[speedbump]

Why do you say that?

Because your right back to chipping slag. At least I think you would be. I've never tried it for that reason. I was trying to get away from chipping slag, so the MIG was perfect for me. TIG I understand is more like soldering. Heat in one hand and a stick in the other. Being in Ham Radio, I solder a lot, but for what I do with a Welder, the MIG works better for me.