gemini5362 said:
If you do not know how to weld and do not have the time, or have a job that does not allow you to take welding classes buy a mig. It is more money but about as simple as it gets in learning how to weld. If you want a stick machine that will be harder to weld with ( I cannot use one worth a flip) but a lot cheaper. You can get a 225amp ( i believe i am quoting the right size) lincoln welder dc version at lowes for around 229.00. For the ac version It is around 459.00 . If you get the Mig make sure to get at least 175 amps that will do most of the light duty fabrication work someone with a small farm is going to do.
Myself and several people have gotten the harbor freight self darkening helmet for 49.00 in my opinion it works well and buying a non self darkening helmet is right up there on the par with beating yourself with barb wire.
4 inch grinder is a must as well as a 2 1/2 inch cut off tool( I hope i got the cutoff tool size right) You also want to look at harbor freight or something along those lines for clamps. there are c clamps, clamping pliers with various size and shape heads. for other things I get the plastic wood clamps that you grab a pistol type grip and squeeze a trigger to ratchet it. If you get them at harbor freight they are cheap. They dont last long but any kind of clamp like that wont last long and the ones at HF are cheap. Try to find a good place to get metal. I noticed someone saying something about scrap metal. All of the scrap metal dealers in this area have started a policy about not letting you into the scrap yard because of insurance reasons. Metal is not cheap so if you go to an auction where they have a bunch of scrap make sure you know the value and wade in bidding. The advice about getting good body protection is pretty valuable I have some nice burns from not putting on protection. I also have learned to wear some kind of hat even though you have a helmet on sparks can fly over the top of it and the awful smell you notice might be your hair getting burned. I do have a lot of fun welding and learning how to do things. I am on my third cut and reweld job trying to make a universal mount attachment on some forks I bought. I had to cut off the old mounts and make the universal one for my tractor to use. I am really learning why you tac weld something and then check to see if it works.
Thomas, did you get the prices confused a bit. Typically the AC/DC Lincoln tombstone (which I have and was made in the USA) is more expensive than the AC model.
To the original poster: Welcome aboard.
Talented and highly experienced welders can do good work with just about any equipment. For the rest of us, a little care in tool selection is a good thing. Nothing will sour you faster on learning a new tool and process than sub par equipment that demands more of you than you have to give in skill and experience.
Paying extra for a name brand AC/DC or getting lucky on Craig's list are both fine ideas. I have both the AC/DC and a small wire feed MIG with which I only use flux coated wire (never hooked up a gas bottle to it although it is set up for one.)
All welders rated for the same amps are NOT EQUAL, and will not weld the same, or as easily. A good "stiff" source is easier to learn on. Another poster said to make sure it weighs 100 lbs. I don't know the minimum acceptable weight but can assure you that comparable quality transformer type rigs (buzz box, tombstone, cracker box or whatever you want to call them to sound like you are one of the "IN" dudes) will weigh about the same because it takes a certain amount of copper to wind a transformer to handle the power and it takes a certain amount of steel to make the transformer core able to transfer the power. If a unit is a transformer type welder and weighs significantly less it CAN'T perform as well as the name brand heavy transformer units.
Do not be afraid to buy a used Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller AC/DC buzz box. They are nearly indestructible. If you buy new and are concerned with the price of AC/DC, consider that the unit will last you essentially forever and can be passed down through the generations. Buying a new AC/DC buzz box will save considerable $ versus buying an equivalent MIG (able to do the same single pass thickness)
Do yourself a favor and in this instance do not buy an el cheapo from HF, an auto parts store, or other purveyor of cheap imported tools. I buy lots of stuff from HF but avoid their welding machines for a good reason.
Gemini is right on with his tool list and again is right regarding the MIG (a good well made MIG, not a cheapo) as MIG is easier to learn, just $$$ for a good one. I stressed stick because you stressed budget.
Good luck, happy hunting for a welder, and again, welcome aboard.
Pat
