looking for a stick welder...

[chrisdvorak]

I have just started welding and currently own a MIG welder, and I am looking for a stick welder to weld up to about half an inch or 6010 rod. I do not have much money to spend so i found this welder on northerntool, Lincoln Electric AC-225 Arc Welder, Model# K1170 | Arc Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment it seems to have good reviews and I was just wondering if it will burn 6010 rod and will hold up.

-thanks chris

 

[EddieWalker]

I grew up with an AC arc welder. It's what I learned on by trial and error, and then taking metal shop in High School. It will get the job done, but it is also a real pain in the butt to get the rods started, and to get a really clean weld. There is also a lot of splatter.

Later on, I used a friends DC arc welder and was very impressed with how much easier it was to weld with, and how much better my results were. When I decided to buy an arc welder, it had to be a DC welder.

I didn't want to spend the money for brand new, so I waited until I found a used one in good shape. They never wear out, and are pretty much indestructible.

Search Craigslist, Ebay, the local free classifieds papers and whatever else you can come up with. I've even seen them at auctions and garage sales!!!! I spent $200 for mine with a crappy helmet and some old welding rods. I bought a new helmet and tossed the old rods out.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[shaley]

Chris, for that price you can get an Everlast DC inverter welder. It's more portable and has beter arc control. Look at the PowerArc 200. Several of us here at TBN have one so feel free to ask questions.
PowerARC 200 - Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipment, Plasma Cutters, Multi Purpose Units, Welders, Diesel Generators

 

[JB4310]

I would look for used, nothing wrong with AC for your first machine, I got by with one for 30 years., but you should be able to find a deal on craigslist on an AC/DC like I did recently.
or at least get an AC cheaper.

I gave my old AC away and I know of at least a few others who have as well.
I got my old AC thunderbolt for free off the side of the road, it was beat up but I cobbled it back together and it lasted 30+ years.

Good luck, JB.

 

[k0ua]

Well a couple of things, 6010 is really a DC rod, 6011 is made for AD or DC and is more suitable for the AC225.. I have one, it is a good old reliable tough dependable welder, and I havent struck an arc on it since I got my Everlast PA160 DC welder.. DC is much better, The results look better and are better, Your results will go up a notch just by getting the welder. If you want to stay with Lincoln, get the AC/DC model
James K0UA

 

[jdonovan]

I am looking for a stick welder to weld up to about half an inch or 6010 rod.

First 6010 is a DC rod, so the AC only machine you have found won't run that rod properly. 1/2 single pass is some fairly heavy duty welding. A 225 amp machine is just barely up to the task.

it seems to have good reviews and I was just wondering if it will burn 6010 rod and will hold up.

Lincon makes good machines, but you would be pushing this one at nearly its max, and you'll only get a 20% duty cycle. Burn a rod or two and the machine needs to sit and cool for 10 minutes.

We need to know about your intended use... Do you need to do a few inches of 1/2" weld once a month? Or are you building something that will have the need for feet of 1/2" weld?

 

[davygp38]

Chris, for that price you can get an Everlast DC inverter welder. It's more portable and has better arc control. Look at the Power Arc 200. Several of us here at TBN have one so feel free to ask questions.
PowerARC 200 - Arc Tig Mig Welding Equipment, Plasma Cutters, Multi Purpose Units, Welders, Diesel Generators

I just now made an offer on the power arc 200, from Everlast. The price was $349.00 I offered $300, with free shipping. This welder has a setting that is optimized to burn 6010 rod, and a setting for 7018 rod. I already bought a Plasma cutter from them, using the make offer feature, and I was very happy with the price, and the machine works great. I don't know if I will get as good a deal on the DC welder, but I gave it a shot. I will post later when I hear back on my offer.

 

[Shield Arc]

Chris personally I wouldn't drag that machine home if it was free! But I may have higher expectations of a welder than most guys here.

There was a discussion on another forum about the differences between AC and DC. I couldn't even remember the last time I ran a bead with SMAW on AC, so I went out to the shop and gave it a try. Right now I only have one machine hooked up in the shop that is capable of running AC.
I too bought a PowerArc 200 from Mark, I just love that little machine!

The first picture is a fillet weld I did on AC. I used Hobart's 1/8-inch 335A 6011. Soon as I struck an arc I was shocked at the sound, forgot all about the sound AC makes.:laughing:
The second picture is ESAB's 1/8-inch 10P-Plus 6010 on DC

 

[JB4310]

The first picture is a fillet weld I did on AC. I used Hobart's 1/8-inch 335A 6011. Soon as I struck an arc I was shocked at the sound, forgot all about the sound AC makes.:laughing:
The second picture is ESAB's 1/8-inch 10P-Plus 6010 on DC

Your AC weld looks excellent, you are an experianced welder. I guess the point is for inexperianced welder DC is easier, at least that's what everyone says, though for me it was not like night and day. That said I wont be going back to AC only any time soon.

Yeah that was the first thing I noticed about DC, alot quieter and smoother.

JB

 

[k0ua]

Yeah that was the first thing I noticed about DC, alot quieter and smoother.

And the 2nd thing I noticed, was less spatter, and less slag inclusions.
James K0UA