good buy?

Mean Jean · Feb 20, 2011

I know bugger all about welding.
I know that I've been given the go ahead from the boss (wife) to buy one.
Wanted for minor repairs, no serious fabricating.
Is this one worth $200?

http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-Stick-Welder-W0QQAdIdZ261081140

Thanks for the advise.

rankrank1 · Feb 20, 2011

Do you have 3-phase power at your house? The link states that welder requires 3-phase power input. In the U.S. typically only large businesses have 3-phase power so a homeowner would be required to buy a phase converter to use this at home - which can be prohibitively expensive. Hence, The 3-phase power requirement would drastically affect the value from a homeowner perspective.

That said, that appears to be a lot of welder for very little money if you are lucky enough to have the 3-phase input power needed to run it. I doubt you would ever outgrow it from the welders capability perspective as it states a welding output of 375 amps which is huge and capable of running extremely big rods which most homeowners will never be welding metal that thick.

Mean Jean · Feb 20, 2011

I do not have phase 3 power at home.
Sounds like it has more jam than I will ever need.
Thanks very much for the advise.
The hunt continues.

gwdixon · Feb 21, 2011

You can look into a used Lincoln AC/DC on Craigslist. I'd recommend something with DC welding capability but AC only is far cheaper for occasional farm use.

If you want to buy new a Everlast PowerArc 160 or 200 can be bought very reasonably. They are DC, 220V, and light as a feather (comparatively). Very easy to learn on and put down gorgeous welds with just a little practice.