what the heck, ac mig welder

[deereman75]

I was looking at princess auto's website, and I saw that ALL of the powerfist mig welders had an ac output. This was strange, because almost all mig welders (except princess auto and harbor frieght) are dc. Also, I recall hearing ac mig welders wont work properly, so would the powerfist and chicago electric mig welders work, or are they a compleat waist of money.

 

[whateg0]

Except for the 130A TIG from HF, I consider all of their welders to be pretty much a waste. Everybody who I have ever heard of owning one has had nothing good to say about them. Don't know about the Powerfist stuff, but I would imagine it is pretty much the same. I have often wondered about the Northern Tool welders, but never really see much info about them.

Dave

 

[deereman75]

the powerfist weders are identical to the harbor freight ones, made in the same factroy.

 

[Scooby074]

I was looking at princess auto's website, and I saw that ALL of the powerfist mig welders had an ac output. This was strange, because almost all mig welders (except princess auto and harbor frieght) are dc. Also, I recall hearing ac mig welders wont work properly, so would the powerfist and chicago electric mig welders work, or are they a compleat waist of money.

Save your money on the PA crap,

Go for Miller (my choice) or Lincoln. I wouldnt buy a Air Liquide house brand (Italian) either. If you know the guys at AL personally, they'll tell you the same.

If you dont want either of those brands, Esab would be an option, but they are comparatively rare... especially in the smaller machines. Ive never ran a "small" ESAB... but the CaddyMig 200 looks "interesting". Have to see one in the flesh and read some long terms before recommending a new model like that especially considering the "features" on it like the display and being an inverter machine. It would have to prove itself to get a recommendation over the Miller that is known to be a tough machine.

 

[deereman75]

Ya the guys at air liquide said the air liquide welders are crap. I am not in the market for a mig welder yet, the next one I get will be one of the everlast stick welders. (need a dc stick welder) Then I might get an old lincoln sa-200 as a restoration project.

 

[Shield Arc]

Then I might get an old lincoln sa-200 as a restoration project.

Now you're talking! :thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

Here's another one.

 

[cdaigle430]

It really depends on what your going to use it for. I have the 90 Amp Flux Wire Welder SKU 98871 Brand Chicago Electric Welding Systems from HF. Had it for 4 years-never had a problem-welds great. I just need it for around the house and to mod my tractor here and there. I have built a couple of trailers-I paid $120 bucks for it and it's paid for itself 30 times over.

Sure I could spend alot more money on alot better machine-but, why? I would have to be in the business of welding and I'm not going back to that-the IT fields is much healthieer and pays alot better.

Bottom line is get a welder that suits your needs-it doesn't matter if its dc or ac output if it's for around the home.

If you were a pipe fitter or submarine welder......thats different

 

[deereman75]

If I ever got a wire feed welder, I woud just use it to tack pieces before stick welding. I think I will just stick with my lincoln for now, and if when I am a bit better welder, I think a dc would be nice, I will get an everlast.

 

[Transit]

AC mig, no such thing. mig is DC, gas or flux core. Keep your money in your pocket and buy the real thing. AC mig = mouse milk.