Starter welder?

[Butch2112]

OK I haven't welded anything since I was an apprentice electrical worker a LONG time ago, Ans was wondering what a good and if possible an inexpensive welder would run me. Mostly I will use it around the house and some light farm type stuff. The only thing I ever used in the past was an old lincoln stick welder, Any suggestions?

 

[Shield Arc]

If you could find one of these on Craig's list, or you local penny saver. They are bulletproof, very nice smooth arc. :thumbsup:

 

[Jeepnford]

Unless you're going to be welding thin guage steel I would do like stated above. Find a Lincoln tombstone AC/DC stick welder or something similar.

 

[grnspot110]

I agree, unless you plan to weld quite a bit of sheet metal, a used stick is the way to go! I have both, a 50+ year old Marquete 180 amp stick & a used 135 amp Lincoln wire welder for the sheet metal. ~~ grnspot110

 

[MBDiagMan]

Actually, if you have some welding experience, no matter how long ago, you can use 5/64 rod and learn to weld sheet metal. I welded so much sheet metal with my old tombstone that I got to where I could weld it sometimes better than heavy stuff. It's just practice, practice, practice.

I had no money for a MIG welder in the old days, so I had to use what I had to work with. If you need to weld sheet metal and a tombstone is all you got, you will adapt.

 

[Soundguy]

OK I haven't welded anything since I was an apprentice electrical worker a LONG time ago, Ans was wondering what a good and if possible an inexpensive welder would run me. Mostly I will use it around the house and some light farm type stuff. The only thing I ever used in the past was an old lincoln stick welder, Any suggestions?

well.. if you don't want to spend alot.. then an old tombstone will do ya.. sometimes you get lucky and can find a dc machine.. but if noting else.. and old 225ac buzzbox will sure weld lots of metal together.

I use a hobart xl235ac at my farm. so far it's been an awesome machine and makes good welds.

soundguy

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, my tombstone as AC only. I learned to weld with it. After learning to weld with an AC welder, when I got my hands on a DC welder with 7018 there was nothing holding me back.

 

[Stampeder]

After 30 some years I still have my AC only tombstone and it still gets used A LOT...:thumbsup:
I also have a mig which I use when I need to weld thin material. But when I'm dealing with pipe fencing, etc. out comes the old red machine and in goes 6011 into the stinger.

Inexpensive, rugged and forgiving. Great beginner's machine.

You can't go wrong with a tombstone.

Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. I burn more 6011 rod than anything else.

if I need something to look exceptionally pretty.. Iusually burn a 6011 to make sure it's glued together, then burn a 6013 on top of it...

have access to a mig at work as well as a dc buzzbox.. but I like my hobart ac buzzbox at home. so far it's done anything I need it to do for stuff above 1/8 for sub 1/8 I have a lil 30/70a CH stick welder and some 5/64 and 1/16 rods...

soundguy

 

[gavinol]

If you could find one of these on Craig's list, or you local penny saver. They are bulletproof, very nice smooth..

 

[mojoinco]

An old Ac box shouldn't cost over a $100. I have an old Monkey Wards that I will be selling (I hope) for $75. I see them regularly for $50 (ac models). DC are usually $150-$250.

 

[flusher]

Get yourself a good AC/DC stick welder. Mine is a Hobart LX Stickmate--about $375 at Tractor Supply. Watch for the sales at TSC.

Hobart Welders - Products - Stick - Stickmate LX 235 AC / 160 DC

 

[MESSMAKER]

I just picked up a 220 volt HF mig welder. I am very,very happy with it. I think 1/2 the neighborhood has used it in the last year. I always struggled and cussed when I would have to use a stick welder. I was not very good and did not do it very often. I hear bad things about the 110 models so I got the 220v and am glad I did. I broke my Bushog soon after and it paid for itself that week.

 

[Soundguy]

get good with a stick, then you will be awesome on mig..

soundguy