which stick

admin

Time to add to my welder experience. I'd like to get a stick welder for around the ranch, primarily for repairing 3" oil field pipe that our larger corrals are made out of, heavy tractor parts and the like. The pipe wall thickness is 3/16" but the tractor parts and other things around the ranch can be up to 1/2". Any suggestions?
Reply:We will need more info I think.Plug in or engine drive?If it's plug in, do you want it big and stationary, or small and portable?If engine drive, do you want the ability to power the house during power outages too or just enough to power grinders and drills?Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Oh, and thumbs up for wanting to stick weld!! Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:If I understand your question correctly you're asking about an engine powered welding machine for field welding. That's a very loaded question, as the answer covers a lot of territory. 349 posts, so i'm sure you're aware of the opinions for Lincoln vs. Miller vs Hobart etc. Everyone has an opinion which one is the best one & why. Just stick welding? I prefer the SA 200 DC welder. The parts are getting pricey now compared to a few years ago but they're not any more expensive than Miller, & depending on the age of a Hobart, downright impossible to find. They all make a smaller machine that welds both AC/DC too, but I find the electronic boards in them too expensive to even contemplate buying one, although many use them w/o problems. Basically you're looking for a machine to run Lo-Hi (7018, 8018) & 6010, 7010 for the pipe & machinery repair in sizes up to as big as 3/16". 200 amp or larger machine. The tractor repairs can usually be done in the shop unless broken in the field  & can't be moved until repaired.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Hey- Thanks Dave. Kinda caught the bug when I threw the Weld-o-Rama bashes and got to stick weld for the first time. Of course I caught the TIG bug too from Terry but right now, the stick makes more sense for us with the ranch. Anyway, portability is the key. I need to be able to throw it in the back of our Gator with our generator to reach the chutes, corrals and the like on our 80 acres like I do my MIG. It needs to plug into our portable generator which is a Honda/Black Max 7000w constant / 8750 surge with 110/220 output.
Reply:Yep Giz, I've read all the posts  but I thought I'd get some direct responses to my specific needs like the one you just provided. They help me make a better, more informed decision. As Terry and Hector, Julie, Wes and the rest of them will tell you, I'm no professional weldor having just gotten into welding with my first MIG a few months ago because so much breaks around the ranch with the horses and cattle and such that I figured I better learn to be able to fix most everything or I'd go broke calling mobile repair all the time. And, as for the big machine, if anything major goes wrong, I can always load it on the trailer and truck it to the local John Deere guy who's a good friend. But things like I just noticed that the weld between the center bucket hook on the top ridge of the bucket of our tractor had such poor penetration that it started separating from the bucket. I'd like to be able to fix things like that. I'll never be good enough to do structural but doing non-structural fix-its are all part of retiring to a ranch. And thanks for the response and your help.
Reply:Ah - that narrows the field a bunch.You are looking for a smaller inverter stick welder.  Many will run on the power your generator makes.I've not had a larger inverter (I have a 110 volt one I bought just to try them) but many on WW have them.I'm thinking you will want one in the 200 amp class.  Many to choose from based on price and brand loyalty.Maybe even the miller maxstar 150S or 150STL or 150STH would be in the class you want.http://store.cyberweld.com/mima150sstwe.htmlDave J.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 08-04-2013 at 12:54 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Thanks. I'll look at those. I bought my Lincoln 180 before I found this place and have learned so much that, knowing what I know now, I would have made a different choice; not so much from a manufacturer's perspective but certainly from a power perspective and I don't want to make the same mistake again. From the small things like tapped versus continuous to the larger things like power, I want to buuy something I can grow into rather than out of. So thanks for helping.
Reply:Then I go back to the 200 amp class inverters.Not much growing in the 150 amp class.  Nice little machine though from what the others here have said Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Exactly what I'm looking at now. So much to learn about this form of welding before making a decision!!!
Reply:Maxstar 150STL. Theres not allot of growing into it but the portability is hard to beat. If you don't mind multi pass beads on large things its great to use. I have been using allot of 1/8" 7018 around 125-130 amps and it hasn't had any trouble keeping up. With 150 amps you could use 5/32" but I haven't tried them on this machine so don't know for sure it would run them. It doesn't like some 6010 but runs 6011 ok. It also tigs really well and can use a foot pedal.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I'm looking at the stats on it right now.
Reply:Hi Jlames.........I don't know if this is appropriate for the forum but I could recommend the plasma welder I use that will weld anything you can name and works off 240 volts 15 amps, weighs 20 lb so is ultra portable and doesn't need special welding rods, wire or gas.If you are at all interested then maybe I can give you a pointer that will ease your needs.....give me a PM if you want.....nothing ventured nothing gained.BTW, if you look for and read the posts by Flatlander on the forum, being one of your own countrymen perhaps you could get some first hand info as to whether or not it bears a look-see.....maybe even a hands on try out.Ian.
Reply:Another possibility is the Thermal Arc 201 TS.http://store.cyberweld.com/tharc201tsti.htmlIf you can get by with 160 Amps, the ESAB 161 LTS is hard to beat for the price:http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servl...S-Stick/DetailLast edited by Oldendum; 08-04-2013 at 04:39 AM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:As mentioned because you want to power it off a small generator, you will be limited to an inverter. many of the good inverter stick machines in the 150-200 class range often also have the option to do DC tig as well. Keep this in mind while looking at machines if you have caught the "tig bug". It might pay to spend a bit more now to have some tig options available later in the future. For example not all machines come with the capability to run a remote for a pedal. You can certainly learn to tig without a remote, but think about whether you might want that option later.The Maxstar's are nice little machines. I've been very happy with my Maxstar 200 that I picked up used. It stick welds quite nicely and the tig functions are better than those on my "dedicated" tig machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:How about "Upgrading" the generator?Buy an engine driven welder with a 10,000 watt output, mount it on a small trailer to pull with the Gator? Then you could power the MIG from that and whatever else you normally power with the Generator.
Reply:iwouldnt use an inverter  if youre gonna bounce it around in a gator. get a small ac crackerbox .give you 125 amp output ..plenny for what you want..
Reply:Lincoln says their AC225 needs a 10kW generator."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:James my house is on 87acres in the country, and I will tell you honestly that a engine drive is the way to go. I did the welder generator gig for a while and it gets old quick. Nothing worse than being at the other end of your property and something breaks that makes your machine immobile and now you have to walk all the way home to get your gator, load it up, go out and do the repair, so you can finish working all day, and once your home with your tractor now you can about face and walk out to get your gator, I know your wife is injured so she can't be doing any lifting by herself, but with a simple cell phone call she can just get in your truck and drive out with the drive in the back. If your by yourself a lot it's still a chore, but still easier by a landslide. Even if you called a buddy and he drove your truck out or whatever. And you know the gig, multipurpose for house power yadayada and all that stuff. Just my opinion bro but coming from experience. Don't wanna see you spend your money twice, although I do like having a lot of machines they all do serve there purposes. My maxstar generator set up was great in a pinch, but my Yamaha generator would overload and trip after 8 seconds, but was light as a feather. And my other generator could handle anything but I could barely lift it by myself. Gets annoying quick, but will get you through a job, just adds a little more frustration to the day. I would say pick whatever color you want, that's another topic and go for the engine drive bud. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininHow about "Upgrading" the generator?Buy an engine driven welder with a 10,000 watt output, mount it on a small trailer to pull with the Gator? Then you could power the MIG from that and whatever else you normally power with the Generator.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumLincoln says their AC225 needs a 10kW generator.
Reply:Oh I don't know much, but from my experience on a farm or ranch you would be better served from an engine drive welder even if it is one of the smaller units like Miller Blue Star or the Lincoln WeldanPowers.
Reply:Hey James i know a guy who has a 180 or 200 amp AC/DC buzz box cheap like under a hundred bucks Runs on 220 ac with leads....he doesn't use it anymoreBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThat machine is a transformer power supply, not an inverter.The Invertec v155 is the machine he wants in red color.
Reply:Hey Mike,Call me Jonathan. Everyone mistakes my username JLAmes for James but its really just my first two initials and last name so it sounds like James but it's actually Jonathan. Besides, in this forum, 99% of the people really should be on a first-name basis because it feels like we're all next-door neighbors. Anyway, Terry really did a great job introducing me into TIG. After WeldoRama, his words "More pedal. More pedal. MORE PEDAL!" echoed in my dreams for weeks so wouldn't be great if I cold find a TIG, Stick generator all in one; specially if it let me plug my MIG into it for power. Your post has me looking right now. We already have a 1000watt portable for small things and a 2500watt for those occasions when the power goes out and we need to temporarily power the television, refer, aquarium pumps and various lights, both obviously 120v so having an integrated unit does make sense. I wonder if a truck like ours with two batteries and a huge generator could  be rigged with an inverter  to output enough power to run a 220 welder?Hey Kill. Seems like that'd be a good buy for me in the interim if its under a hundred bucks. What do you think?
Reply:PM sentBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Hey James i know a guy who has a 180 or 200 amp AC/DC buzz box cheap like under a hundred bucks Runs on 220 ac with leads....he doesn't use it anymore
Reply:For a learning machine it's great and the price is right I think he wanted 50.00 bucks for it he bought a SA-200 years a go and put the buzz box to collecting dust AC/DC output will run every rod he will ever need around a ranchJust need to blow it out and check itIt's an old MonkeyWards PowerKraft transformer machineand those last forever and take a bit of abuseAttachment 442981Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesHey Mike,Call me Jonathan. Everyone mistakes my username JLAmes for James but its really just my first two initials and last name so it sounds like James but it's actually Jonathan. Besides, in this forum, 99% of the people really should be on a first-name basis because it feels like we're all next-door neighbors. Anyway, Terry really did a great job introducing me into TIG. After WeldoRama, his words "More pedal. More pedal. MORE PEDAL!" echoed in my dreams for weeks so wouldn't be great if I cold find a TIG, Stick generator all in one; specially if it let me plug my MIG into it for power. Your post has me looking right now. We already have a 1000watt portable for small things and a 2500watt for those occasions when the power goes out and we need to temporarily power the television, refer, aquarium pumps and various lights, both obviously 120v so having an integrated unit does make sense. I wonder if a truck like ours with two batteries and a huge generator could  be rigged with an inverter  to output enough power to run a 220 welder?
Reply:Nice machine Mike...Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Weldermike, PLEASE tell me you have a ''BLUE '' cover for the machine. The beer is ok, it's BLUE.  Get a engine drive like Weldermike said. Here's how I set mine up if you  are interested.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=163241
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Weldermike, PLEASE tell me you have a ''BLUE '' cover for the machine. The beer is ok, it's BLUE.  Get a engine drive like Weldermike said. Here's how I set mine up if you  are interested.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=163241
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeHey BD1 that's a cool set up! Why does it look like your exhaust took a Viagra? Or did it just get a look at my Lincoln  Don't worry pal you know i'm still blue on the inside, just have to throw in the blue towel and say uncle once in a while. I made up for it by buying a new syncrowave 210 yesterday. LWS said it should be here by wensday! WOOH HOOH
Reply:Since your Ranger picture posting I've been looking at the various engine drivens and boy howdy would I love one of those. Red, Blue, I don 't care; those things are great. Reminds me of the one Al has on the back of his truck; a Trailblazer I think. But you're right; priorities. Right now that $5k will go towards a much-needed, new to us truck; an '03 F250 7.3 diesel truck if we can ever find one.Last of the bullet-proof ranch trucks.
Reply:Hey jlames, does 2nd-unit.tv ring a bell?  Once you said Jonathan and when I saw the XDCAM HD camera from the weld-o-rama, it clicked.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Wow. That was like 6 years ago or 7.
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesWow. That was like 6 years ago or 7.
Reply:Correction to my earlier post:  Lincoln recommends a 15,000 Watt generator to run an AC/DC 225/125.  Wow.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ze-detail.aspx"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11For a learning machine it's great and the price is right I think he wanted 50.00 bucks for it he bought a SA-200 years a go and put the buzz box to collecting dust AC/DC output will run every rod he will ever need around a ranchJust need to blow it out and check itIt's an old MonkeyWards PowerKraft transformer machineand those last forever and take a bit of abuseAttachment 442981
Reply:I had a Montgomery Ward stick welder. The diodes were bad when I bought it, so it only worked on AC. cost about $70 to replace them. The other problem was it had a 20% duty cycle over about 100 amps, which I'm sure I exceeded at least a few times.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!
Reply:Found out a neighbor has a 250 that I'll try after feeding this morning on the pipe that makes up our corrals. Seems there are a number of them around here that just don't die.
Reply:Since you have such a large generator, why not get the Miller 211 and use flux core wire??? You can pretty much weld everything around your ranch that you need to with that set up.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:In  considering everything everyone has to say here, I'm actually thinking of an engine driven like a Ranger. As someone said, all I'd need to do is throw a compressor and plasma cutter in the gate with something like a Ranger from Lincoln and be done with it all. Most people think I tend to over-analyze things but there's a logical way to build a system I can put in the shop and then throw into the Gator when I need it out on property, and a financially responsible way to do it. Thank you all again for your input. It's really helping me make and defend a decision.
Reply:Don't rule out a Hobart Champion Elite which can be had cheaper and is made by the same people that make Miller machines. A bit more affordable and has good support like the red and blue brands. Generator on the newer model is rated for 11KW. PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Yes jonathan it would be advantages to have a portable setup for a ranch long ago i did portable welding for a lot of ranchers/farmers around herethat how i got started in the biz most of them only had a buzz box of one kind or another but no portables..so if it broke in the field they were in trouble So i bought a little lincoln 180 and put it in the back of my 68 el camino and made money...capitalism gotta love it...god that was when i was still in high school ..i was 14 or 15 didn't even have a drivers lic yetA friend of mine had a ranger 8 and i did welding on his machines with it before i got my setup long ago it was a real nice machine...he was an owner/operator but he could not weld for #@$%Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:As a reminder, MILLER REBATE is still active until end of month and the BOBCAT is on it. http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
Reply:As for Hobart and the Blue rebate special, I'm not ruling anything out. Al gave me a great idea about a small trailer for the Gator and it makes so much sense. You know, I was thinking; there are so many people like me, over 50 and retiring and looking at welding as an avocation or an adjunct to their semi-retirement lifestyle like welding will be to mine that this site would really be a God-send to them. Did you know the "Boomer" generation, basically anyone born between 1946 and 1964 like me in 1957, will be 70-million strong by 2014 and welding is a wonderful way to spend your time whether it's TIG welding art as a hobby or MIG/Stick fixing fences and equipment because we can't afford mobile welding service every time one of our cows or horses (or in my case, sheep because my welds are so bad!!!) breaks a chute or corral or pen. I hope this site continues to grow. You guys (and girls, Julie) are great.