Cheap Welders and DC recomendation?

[Bedlam]

Specifically I'm interested in going with the ac/dc model.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...eId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=100053881

Only the AC model is available from my home depot and also Lowe's.

This model is available online from my HD but with shipping is a problem.
Its avaliable from this source on e bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRI...dZViewItemQQptZBI_Welders?hash=item45edaf0431

It claims to be BRAND NEW and shipped from the factory.Does anone have any experience with this particular company?

I presently have a 'buzz box' from the 70s from sears still going strong , but Ive heard that the DC would be a great upgrade..
Also wondering will DC allow better overhead welding such as on exhaust pipes?
Thanks

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Exactly which welder are you looking at. The link you posted is for the sellers store not an individual welder.
Bill

 

[Bedlam]

My apologies I corrected the links and worded it hopefully a bit easier to understand.If you can take another peak and let me know your opinion thanks
I got to anxious to ask LOL

 

[Scotty370]

Bedlam- Read this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/136062-lincoln-225-ac-dc-welder.html

My first post tells it all! It's the 1297 AC/DC Lincoln, That I saw on line for 389-, and they sent it to my nearest store free! Good Luck! You'll love it! ~Scotty

 

[Soundguy]

for your money, get the hobart stickmate xl 235ac/180dc model ( or is it 160 dc? ).. it's usually less than the lincoln.. TSC carries them.. I have the ac only model and love it. it will burn some rods REAL good on the farm.


soundguy

 

[Bedlam]

Soundguy thanks I hadnt thought of TSC. I also see the same model on Northern too.Ill have to consider that option as well. Thanks.

Just did some looking around and that Hobart looks ike a nice unit.I am surprised that Harbor Freight doesn carry either this one or the basic lincoln ones..

 

[Travelover]

Watch Craigslist, too. I saw that Lincoln DC tombstone welder for $50 the other day in Metro Detroit.

 

[alltoys]

Bedlam, you don't need a DC stick machine with good AC rods you can achieve excellent welds. Hobart has a 7018Ac rod that works excellent on AC, 6011 is an excellent scratch start rod with the same properties as 6010 rod. 6013 is also a good starter on AC. For flat or horizontal welds 7014 works the best on AC.

I have a Miller 300 amp AC/DC machine that will put out 300 amps on single phase so I can use an Air Arc. I find myself using the AC side about half the time as I do the DC side. I am a licensed welder and like the versatility of different rods for the work I do. But for the average home user AC machines work very well.

You say you want to weld exhaust pipe together. Try using a 6011 rod with the flux broken off as a filler rod and a 6011 in the stick as if you were gas welding. You can weld surprising thin material with a stick machine this way. Give it a try!!!

 

[mbohuntr]

I too was a welder,and until I read the part about using filler rod I was going to suggest this was a perfect application for a mini mig...Probably the only one I could think of that wouldn't need a large duty cycle.

 

[easygo]

I bought a Hobart AC/DC from Northern Tool (free shipping) and it works very well with 1/8" or smaller electrodes. It has a decent enough duty cycle that for most home use it will not even come into play. I think the Amp setting is nicer on the Miller/Hobart then on the Lincoln, but all of them would be fine.

www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_384175_384175

 

[Soundguy]

I think the duty cycle at 90 or 100a on my 235a hobart is 100%. plus witht he hobart yuo have darn good control with that small spin adjuster, vs the preset notches on the lincoln ( though not knocking the lincoln... good basic machine ).

I've welded alot with my hobart buzz boz... I actually bought it to fix my batwind mower when a wing hinge broke... mobile welder was 500$ to come out and fix it.. I got my welder for near half that... thus it paid for itself after a half an our burning 6011 rods using some rebar and flat stock to glue the wing hinges back on... must have done a good job.. they havn't lket go yet and it's got a few years of use on it now..

soundguy

I bought a Hobart AC/DC from Northern Tool (free shipping) and it works very well with 1/8" or smaller electrodes. It has a decent enough duty cycle that for most home use it will not even come into play. I think the Amp setting is nicer on the Miller/Hobart then on the Lincoln, but all of them would be fine.

FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Stickmate AC/DC Welder — LX235 230 Volt, 235 Amp, Model# 500421 | Arc Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Bedlam]

Alltoys, I never thought of using any sort of filler rod . Ill definitely give that trick a try.I'm waiting on a call back from HD to see what kind of a price they can get for me. For some reason the HD computer in the store wont let them view the same HD site as I have.Ive been looking into soundguys recommendation with allot of interest also. I hadn't thought of the TSC store . but one recently opened near here.
thanks