Looking at entry level welder

[bsekf]

Wrangler X, I sent you a PM.

 

[WranglerX]

Wrangler X, I sent you a PM.

I responded....

 

[2manyrocks]

I started with a cheapie mig 110v welder that had a light duty cycle. Couldn't weld very much before it shut down. Bought a 220v Hobart Handler 175 ...night and day difference.

These days, inverter technology makes the welders lighter and more affordable. I agree with WranglerX. Buy what you actually need the first time.

 

[BnRidge]

The thing about welding is the machine is never big enough to do the projects that keep getting bigger and bigger

This ^^ seems to sum up my experience. I have a LOTOS LTPDC2000D. 200A DC, yet the open start DC voltage has a hard time doing 1/8 7018. Dang. Need a bigger welder. I was going to do little projects, repairs, then, huh, some of the monstrosities I'm coming up with. It's fine, and doing fine, but now there is a new wish list.
To me, welding was a time consuming, trial and error, make some total junk, then make some better junk, then work on a simple project, read look and listen, practice some more --- then go for it. There are known knowns, and known unknowns, then there are--. Making a one off, from a cold start, right the first time, well designed and functional, with a cheap low capacity (inverter) welder, not sure about any of that. I have a Lincoln 225 ac/dc also. That can get a lot of work done, just not my versatile go to unit.