Best Stick Welder For Newbie

[dsgsr]

Want to learn to stick weld. Going to be for around the farm (no animals yet but have the tractor and many implements) I've read enough to know I can't afford a mig welder big enough for what I want to do. I took welding in my senior yr. in HS '79, don't remember much (don't stand in water when welding ) Will be running it with a generator. First projects will be a small trailer 6X9 or so to put the welder and gen on and as a work table. Then the big project, Power screen for loam, gravel and of course many other things. I don't expect to be welding much over 1/2" and most will probably be 1/4". The screen will be mostly 3 or 4" box with 1/4" wall.

Opinons appreciated,
David

[Sundown]

Best deal for the money IMHO is the Hobart Stickmate LX 235AC/160DC. The Miller version is the same unit with a different color and a bit more money. And not to forget a big welcome to you ...

[TomVeatch]

Greetings from another Newbie!

I recently picked up a used Thunderbolt XL 235AC/160DC which, I think, is the type that Sundown referred to. I have no regrets whatsoever. All I can say is that it's a much better welder than I am a weldor. It will be a good long time before I've outgrown that machine.

If he is correct that the Hobart is the same machine with a different paint job, I'll enthusiastically second his recommendation.

[Sundown]

Greetings from another Newbie!

I recently picked up a used Thunderbolt XL 235AC/160DC which, I think, is the type that Sundown referred to. I have no regrets whatsoever. All I can say is that it's a much better welder than I am a weldor. It will be a good long time before I've outgrown that machine.

If he is correct that the Hobart is the same machine with a different paint job, I'll enthusiastically second his recommendation.

They are the same off the same assembly line, just depends on how much you like blue ... either one is a good choice.

[dsgsr]

Thank you

Thank you Sundown for the Big welcome and thank you both for the information, I will look into that machine. I would like to have a welder/generator but couldn't afford it unless I could sell both of my generators. Semper Fi TomVeatch, I'm an ARMY man myself but have the ut most respect for all you Leather necks

David

[Sundown]

Thank you Sundown for the Big welcome and thank you both for the information, I will look into that machine. I would like to have a welder/generator but couldn't afford it unless I could sell both of my generators. Semper Fi TomVeatch, I'm an ARMY man myself but have the ut most respect for all you Leather necks

David

Army huh, well double welcome from a retired USAF guy.

[dsgsr]

Well, thank you again Flyboy. I looked at those two machines or the Miller 225and Hobart 235, they are only $1.00 diff. I could'nt find the Miller 235 on their site, is the 225 the same machine?

David

[Ray C.]

The Stickmate. Make shure you get DC and not just AC. Another one you might want to look at to run on gen power is a Miller Maxstar 150S.

[Sundown]

Well, thank you again Flyboy. I looked at those two machines or the Miller 225and Hobart 235, they are only $1.00 diff. I could'nt find the Miller 235 on their site, is the 225 the same machine?

David

The difference is advertizing I spose, if you will notice the DC duty cycles are the same at 150 @ 20% on 60Hz. You are right in that the suggested retail is only $1 difference, but I think you will find the street cost difference is greater between the two. Ray's point is well taken about being sure to get AC/DC vs. just AC as the cost difference is well worth it IMO. The Maxstar 150S is real nice if you need something portable at 13 lbs, it is DC only (probably wouldn't use the AC side much anyway), runs on 120V or 240V automaticly, will probable cost a few hundred more $'s, but if you plan on running lots of 6010 electrodes I would opt for the Stickmate as long as weight and power consumption is not a problem.

[TomVeatch]

...
I could'nt find the Miller 235 on their site, is the 225 the same machine?

(Oops! ) Yes, it is. I know I said 235/160, but the only thing worse than my typing accuracy is my proofreading. Seems the spell checker doesn't catch numerical goofs.

This is the one I have (225/150 version). Looks like online prices are currently running right around or a little over $500.

I've built a couple of things with it, and am very pleased with it. Clarification - Pleased with the welder, not my welding. Going to take a stick welding class at the local Vo-Tech beginning next month to see if I can turn that chicken poop into something that I might not be ashamed for someone to see .

[jfsmith]

No one has said anything about the stick welder that many of us grew up on, the Tombstone.

Jerry

[dsgsr]

(chicken poop) LOL never heard it referred to like that, Laughed so I almost spilled my BEER. I will look into the other machine, but weight is not a problem. I can lift a ton on my forks and I plan on having the welder and Gen. on a trailer. A poster on another site did point out that my 10K gen, (My OLD 10K gen) may not run a good welder of this size. He said a welder would run about 48 amps X 220 volts which is a bit over 10k. I'm not really sure which way I should turn. My 10K gen needs some adjustment to use, I have a 5k gen. thats too small, I also have an Old Lincoln Welder/Gen that I bought just for the 3 cyl. Perkins Diesel engine. The Engine Runs nice but the welder/gen doesn't work. I want the Engine as a power plant for my Screen. I have been thinking of setting the Engine up with a PTO to run a Gen. and a Hydraulic pump (not at the same time) to run the screen. If that is the case I would need a larger Gen however I do it. Sorry for the lonnngg wind, any Opinions?

David

[TomVeatch]

No one has said anything about the stick welder that many of us grew up on, the Tombstone.

Jerry

No denying that it's very, very popular. Quick web search shows the AC225 is going for mid 300's to 400 and the 225/150 AC/DC in the mid 4's to low 5's with Home Depot being about 100 less than that. Can't comment on the Lincoln as I've never used one. Besides, ain't it the wrong color for this forum?

[Sundown]

No one has said anything about the stick welder that many of us grew up on, the Tombstone.

Jerry

I will, the tombstone is a great welder and is bullet proof as many here can attest I am sure, however while I prefer a taped mig welder I like the dial in amperage of the Miller and the Hobart ... of course thats just my mileage, other will vary. If I want to SMAW it will be with my Dynasty anyway.

[TomVeatch]

...
A poster on another site did point out that my 10K gen, (My OLD 10K gen) may not run a good welder of this size. He said a welder would run about 48 amps X 220 volts which is a bit over 10k.
...

I may be way out in left field with this, and if so, hopefully someone will set me straight, but I don't think the welder would draw that much current unless you had it cranked all the way up to max amperage. You might do that with big rods on thick material, so...

I've not used anything larger than 1/8 rods so far at about 1/2 max output. Haven't tripped a breaker yet, but it's a 50amp circuit so I wouldn't expect to. I have an 11KW PTO driven generator that I expect to eventually use with this welder - when I get it figured out how to pull a trailer while the generator is on the 3pt hitch. Think maybe there's another welding project in there somewhere?