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I would like to start off by saying I have never welded an inch in my life. NOTHING.

But I do have 220 wored to my barn and I think it would be a very hand thing to own.

My cousin advises me to get a used stick welder. He, like me, is a cheap bastard.

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you fellas may have for a guy who has never welded and wont do a lot of it, but would like to be able to fix an implement or make a steel target now and then.

As long as the 220 going to your barn is 50 amp, you are golden. Get an DC/AC welder. AC buzz boxes arent worth your time or money. Also make sure you at minimum get a 200.

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Tomkat wrote:I would like to start off by saying I have never welded an inch in my life. NOTHING.

But I do have 220 wored to my barn and I think it would be a very hand thing to own.

My cousin advises me to get a used stick welder. He, like me, is a cheap bastard.

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you fellas may have for a guy who has never welded and wont do a lot of it, but would like to be able to fix an implement or make a steel target now and then.

I've been researching this for a while too, TK. I'm getting this one-



$299 at Home Depot, or I can get a used one for $250. Probably just get the new one, though.

You got 220 wores in yore barn? YEEhaw!

I need a 1-inch long crack welded on my jon-boat. Once you get welding aluminum perfected...let me know. K?

assateague wrote:

Tomkat wrote:I would like to start off by saying I have never welded an inch in my life. NOTHING.

But I do have 220 wored to my barn and I think it would be a very hand thing to own.

My cousin advises me to get a used stick welder. He, like me, is a cheap bastard.

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you fellas may have for a guy who has never welded and wont do a lot of it, but would like to be able to fix an implement or make a steel target now and then.

I've been researching this for a while too, TK. I'm getting this one-



$299 at Home Depot, or I can get a used one for $250. Probably just get the new one, though.

AT, thats only an AC welder. You are going to kick yourself in the ass for not getting a DC

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Out of curiosity, why?

I can't remember the exact mumbo jumbo, but I know that when using different sticks for welding different thicknesses, types of metal and cleanliness of metal, some use DC and others use AC.

assateague wrote:Out of curiosity, why?

AC rods are sloppy and look like shit. You want to be using 7018 with DC. With a DC welder you can use any rod out there. You will be limited to about 2 rods with the AC and it will be crap in the end. The only time i use AC is on old rusty farm equipment for temp welds until they can take the time to do it right.

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Eric are there any brands to avoid?

Aunt Betty, bring it on up, be happy to practice on your boat.

Just get a Lincoln. Hard to beat em.

Welding, AC welders are ok around the farm, but are somewhat limited. I used 6010 and 7018 rods with the AC. The 7018 rods will run but will probably gut your AC welder. THey do run pretty though. DC welders, give you a lot more versatility and will make the novice welder look like he knows what he is doing. THen there is the MIG, my favorite. Clean metal and simplicity it can't be beat. You can weld thinner stuff with it and adapt it to aluminum. If you are going to weld mostly aluminum, go with a TIG. They are the cats ass of welder and should be capable of running DC with rods as well. Good machines are expensive. Lincon, Hobart, and Miller are all good machines. Get as much machine as you can afford it will pay off in the long run. I would buy a machine at a welding supply shop that will stand behind your purchase not a box store.

Assa, I would look for a AC/DC welder as well instead of just the AC. Much more versatile.

And fellers, none of those welders are worth a shit if you don't keep your welding rods stored in a warm dry place!

MuddyWaterWarlock wrote:

And fellers, none of those welders are worth a shit if you don't keep your welding rods stored in a warm dry place!

x100000

Find an old junk fridge, mini ones work best, and rig it up with a light bulb on the inside.

MuddyWaterWarlock wrote:Welding, AC welders are ok around the farm, but are somewhat limited. I used 6010 and 7018 rods with the AC. The 7018 rods will run but will probably gut your AC welder. THey do run pretty though. DC welders, give you a lot more versatility and will make the novice welder look like he knows what he is doing. THen there is the MIG, my favorite. Clean metal and simplicity it can't be beat. You can weld thinner stuff with it and adapt it to aluminum. If you are going to weld mostly aluminum, go with a TIG. They are the cats ass of welder and should be capable of running DC with rods as well. Good machines are expensive. Lincon, Hobart, and Miller are all good machines. Get as much machine as you can afford it will pay off in the long run. I would buy a machine at a welding supply shop that will stand behind your purchase not a box store.

Assa, I would look for a AC/DC welder as well instead of just the AC. Much more versatile.

And fellers, none of those welders are worth a shit if you don't keep your welding rods stored in a warm dry place!

Thank you Warlock. That is the kind of overview I was looking for. It sounds like I would do well to get a DC and call it good. And I was wondering about a welding supply store. How often do they go out? Repair problems? I am going to be a light user at best, me thinks.

Tomkat wrote:Eric are there any brands to avoid?

Aunt Betty, bring it on up, be happy to practice on your boat.

nuh uhhh. I said when you get perfect at it. I WANT PERFECT. plus.....I think a welder is easier to haul than a boat.

Tomkat wrote:

MuddyWaterWarlock wrote:Welding, AC welders are ok around the farm, but are somewhat limited. I used 6010 and 7018 rods with the AC. The 7018 rods will run but will probably gut your AC welder. THey do run pretty though. DC welders, give you a lot more versatility and will make the novice welder look like he knows what he is doing. THen there is the MIG, my favorite. Clean metal and simplicity it can't be beat. You can weld thinner stuff with it and adapt it to aluminum. If you are going to weld mostly aluminum, go with a TIG. They are the cats ass of welder and should be capable of running DC with rods as well. Good machines are expensive. Lincon, Hobart, and Miller are all good machines. Get as much machine as you can afford it will pay off in the long run. I would buy a machine at a welding supply shop that will stand behind your purchase not a box store.

Assa, I would look for a AC/DC welder as well instead of just the AC. Much more versatile.

And fellers, none of those welders are worth a **** if you don't keep your welding rods stored in a warm dry place!

Thank you Warlock. That is the kind of overview I was looking for. It sounds like I would do well to get a DC and call it good. And I was wondering about a welding supply store. How often do they go out? Repair problems? I am going to be a light user at best, me thinks.

Welders are like appliances. If they survive the first week they will probably last a very long time. Why I said welding shop over box store is as we all know if you have trouble what happens at the box store, they tell you tough or send it in for a very lengthy stay. Usually not good for us if we want to use it. Some will take care of you so to be fair it depends on your store and your area. A good welding supply store, may in fact be able to repair it or warranty it right there and get you going, not always, but once again it is about your area and the stores there.

As far as a light welder, most are, however I bet if you look around there are a lot of things that could use a little TLC that a welder and torch could repair! Trailer tongues, side rails, boat blinds, ramps, tractor and implement repair, yard ornaments, fences, tools, ................

If you have never welded anything in your life, a wire welder with flux core wire would be easier. That being said, a 220 stick welder will make a much stronger weld and would be worth learning especially with fixing implements that have thicker metal.

Tomkat wrote:Eric are there any brands to avoid?

Aunt Betty, bring it on up, be happy to practice on your boat.

Stick to Miller, lincoln, Hobart. There are other but those are the ones that are easiest to come by.

Any good welder will be able to take a TIG kit, but they are around 1500 for the miller set and being a light user, you would never need it. TIG is my favorite but it is pretty expensive to get going on. Stick to arc and you will surprise yourself.

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Check out
http://m.cyberweld.com/

I have used them for a few things including my mig welder. I brought their price to my local shop and asked them to at least come close to their price. They told me to buy it there. I try to buy local whenever possible but not when they were $500 apart.

TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Lacrosse are over priced. Just get the cabelas, they have a good return policy.

Mornin Beef wrote:Lacrosse are over priced. Just get the cabelas, they have a good return policy.

When did they start making welders?

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assateague wrote:TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Thats a good one for the money. Whats the $$$ difference between the 235 and 250?

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Stick welders are the way to go. IMO they are easier to use and the welds are stronger.

Eric Haynes wrote:

assateague wrote:TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Thats a good one for the money. Whats the $$$ difference between the 235 and 250?

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About $170

assateague wrote:

Eric Haynes wrote:

assateague wrote:TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Thats a good one for the money. Whats the $$$ difference between the 235 and 250?

Sent from my H866C using Tapatalk 2

About $170

That's a bigger chunk of cash than I expected, but I think I would do it if the choice was presented. I know you are thinking "hey, I'm just learning so why would I need all that?" but it will last a lifetime...guaranteed. I went to vocational school for welding(metalworking technologies) and I learned on a Miller 250 from the 60's. There was not a bit of difference in those old welders and the brand new ones. In fact, they still have them today, and we are talking about 60 kids a year giving these things hell, 180 days a year.

You will need a 50 amp power source to run it so that could be a problem if you have a lower amp panel in the barn, but I honestly couldn't recommend any less than what I have. You don't want to go cheap than realize you should have just got the real thing..and as I said, they last forever and keep their value.

assateague wrote:TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Amazon is usually real good on shipping!

assateague wrote:

Tomkat wrote:I would like to start off by saying I have never welded an inch in my life. NOTHING.

But I do have 220 wored to my barn and I think it would be a very hand thing to own.

My cousin advises me to get a used stick welder. He, like me, is a cheap bastard.

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you fellas may have for a guy who has never welded and wont do a lot of it, but would like to be able to fix an implement or make a steel target now and then.

I've been researching this for a while too, TK. I'm getting this one-



$299 at Home Depot, or I can get a used one for $250. Probably just get the new one, though.

I have welded a LOT of shit with that welder, ne'er used a dc

jehler wrote:]
I have welded a LOT of shit with that welder, ne'er used a dc

You don't know what you are missing.

Thanks AT. I wish I had the jack for a wire feed. I think a stick welder is in my future. There is a lincoln distributor in Topeka I am going to check out.

Eric Haynes wrote:

assateague wrote:

Eric Haynes wrote:

assateague wrote:TK, I found one, but according to the site, there's only one left. I'm not buying til I get my fur check, which won't be for a few more weeks, so thought I'd put this here. From reading reviews, this looks like a good one (although some on here would know better), and the price is cheaper by far than most other sites I found. Plus, the shipping is only $20 for a 100 pound welder, which is pretty damn cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500421-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGH

Thats a good one for the money. Whats the $$$ difference between the 235 and 250?

Sent from my H866C using Tapatalk 2

About $170

That's a bigger chunk of cash than I expected, but I think I would do it if the choice was presented. I know you are thinking "hey, I'm just learning so why would I need all that?" but it will last a lifetime...guaranteed. I went to vocational school for welding(metalworking technologies) and I learned on a Miller 250 from the 60's. There was not a bit of difference in those old welders and the brand new ones. In fact, they still have them today, and we are talking about 60 kids a year giving these things hell, 180 days a year.

You will need a 50 amp power source to run it so that could be a problem if you have a lower amp panel in the barn, but I honestly couldn't recommend any less than what I have. You don't want to go cheap than realize you should have just got the real thing..and as I said, they last forever and keep their value.

It's already got a 50 in there where the farmer used to have his welder, so I'm good to go.