Thinking about stick welding...

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I've been wanting to try and learn how to for years, if my memory is correct I tried it once many moons ago. Don't really know much about it to be honest, I've always welded with a mig. I've been shopping and browsing at stick welders just out of curiosity. Guess its more of a desire than a need honestly. TSC has the Hobart AC stick for 320 and the AC/DC stick for 500. Home Depot has the Lincoln AC stick for 299 and the AC/DC unit for 379 I believe. What's the difference between AC and AC/DC? If I were to pursue one of these machines which would be the better option? Just had to ask, this seems like a good place to start and ask question. Thanks in advance, A.J. Lincoln 3200HD hooked on the bottle.
Reply:AC machines are usually less expensive. DC machines tend to run rods smother than the same rods run on AC. Not all rods will run on AC machines, 6010 being a good example.If you can afford an AC/DC machine or a DC only stick machine it's certainly well worth it.  However on a budget don't be scared away from Ac machines. There have been thousands upon thousands of projects and so on done with AC only machines over the years.I would not go out and buy a new Ac only machine however. Used I se then regularly on CL in the $50-150 range. The less expensive ones are often store brand machines like older Craftsman's. Montgomery Wards and Marquette's with a few Century's tossed in. All these machines are basic transformer machines with very little in them to fail. If they weld, then they will probably do so for decades to come despite abuse. I started out with an old plug type Craftsman I picked up years ago and as far as I know the guy I sold it to is still using it today. I got almost as much money reselling it as I paid for it originally.AC/DC machines used often go for a bit more money, say $250-500, but I've seen them for a lot less on occasion. You can often find very nice industrial machines like old Dialarcs or Idealarcs which are heavier industrial machines in the upper end of the price range. Note than some of these were AC only as well as AC/DC so watch what it says.If you don't use a CL aggregator like Searchtempest, you might want to try it. I usually use "welder" as my search term and then sort the list manually. Often you can find hidden gems when people clean out their parents homes and just list it as an "arc welder" with a pict..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:Nothing really 'wrong' in getting just an AC only stick welder, but you'll have more available options as far as welding rod choices, ease of tailoring the weld puddle and striking the initial arc with an AC/DC model. The DC side allows a much easier arc strike and maintenance since the straight polarity isn't switching the arc off and on at 60 hz a second as it would with AC operation. Makes learning a bit easier.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Thanks guys! I've searched CL and nothing Used honestly. This whole idea is more of a matter of learning another new method of welding.Lincoln 3200HD hooked on the bottle.
Reply:ks chevy whey don't you put your location down in your config settings . perhaps someone will let you try their machine and teach you a few lessons.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:I have the Hobart LX235 (AC & DC 220v) and I love it.  DC is much nicer to weld, AC is an alternative fi you have a piece that is causing arc blow (the arc getting pulled by strong magetic effect) or in some specific applications.I have found stick to be hugely useful - tons of repairs and fabrication done with it around our property on tractors and implements and I absolutely LOVE the process itself.  Robs are cheap, simple, no gas to bother with and very versatile.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Keep searching Craigslist if you aren't in a hurry."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:I agree with all the other posters on this thread that you can get an affordable deal on a stick machine on CL. Here's a suggestion that will cost you a bit more but provides portable capability...I recently purchased a Miller Maxstar 150S and am really impressed. It is a DC only machine. It is an invertor design and is really small (about the size of a large lunchbox). It will run off 110V or 220V, so you can take it with you if you need to help a friend out with a welding project. Used ones on EBAY can be had for <$500. The resale should be about the same.Enjoy your selection process!
Reply:Go with the AC/DC, or DC capability, you wont regret it.I see the Home Depot version of the Lincoln, some of the home depot stuff is made for them and they cut corners, from what I hear.They usually go for $500-600 new. I got mine used on CL for $325 in great shape with 20' leads. I love it, though I am ready to move up when I can swing the cash.I started on the Idealarc 250 at the local Votec, great machine. If you can, take a class, it is invaluabe to get some solid instruction on the basics.If I was in Michigan I might take you up on that unit, 7A749, though my goal is AC/DC tig unit.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:AC/DC for sure. Just in case you MAY want to learn tig too, go for a MILLER SD 180 or a syncro 200. NOW you got two machines for money and a neat toy to play with. CHRISTMAS is coming , put one on your list!!!
Reply:I just got a Century 250 AC/DC on CL for $90. You won't find a deal like that every day but good things come to those who wait...JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by KSChevyThanks guys! I've searched CL and nothing Used honestly. This whole idea is more of a matter of learning another new method of welding.
Reply:Thanks for the input guys! I'm north of KC just a bit.Lincoln 3200HD hooked on the bottle.
Reply:Originally Posted by KSChevyThanks for the input guys! I'm north of KC just a bit.
Reply:I recommend the older Lincoln IdealArc 250, which looks a lot like the little tombstone welders but is quite a bit bigger. I got mine for $125 and it has a duty cycle of 100% when running 1/8" rod and is wound with copper. The little buzzboxes they sell today are wound with aluminum and only have like a 20% duty cycle which means it's really easy to get carried away and do overheat damage to your transformer. For the same reason, I don't recommend buying buzzboxes used because the damaged ones are too hard to tell from the undamaged ones.metalmagpie
Reply:I got a Lincoln AC/DC-225-125 "Buzz Box" for $200 of off Craig's list.  I got it brand new, still in the box!  The guy I bought it from won it at a raffle and sold it to me!  I love it!  I've welded lots of things with it and I personally like using "AC" instead of the "DC" funtion.  Don't ask me why.  I use both, but I just like AC better.  The Hobart Stickmate LX 235 looks really nice.  It has about 10 amps more top end output than the Lincolns, but the Lincolns are just so darn cool looking!  Very unique!  That being said, I plan on getting the new Hobart LX 300 model early next year.  If you do get a Lincoln AC/DC model, you won't be sorry.  They are fun machines and the fire engine red color looks even nicer in your garage with a coat of carnuba wax on it!!! Last edited by SuperArc; 12-15-2012 at 03:25 AM.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:I got a 1952 Lincoln AC180C for $50.  There's an AIRCO 225 locally for $85. - it's a rebadged Miller. Attached Images"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 OldendumI got a 1952 Lincoln AC180C for $50.  There's an AIRCO 225 locally for $85. - it's a rebadged Miller.
Reply:South KC here.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeI bought an Airco 225 new in 1970 for $115 with leads.  Great welder.
Reply:I haven't seen this mentioned so far on the thread, but if you get a cheap AC/DC unit, you can do scratch-start TIG with about $100 in extra gear (not counting the gas bottle and gas). This is a much cheaper way of getting into TIG than buying a dedicated TIG unit. You are missing out on some features that a dedicated TIG unit would have, like HF start and remote heat control, and you can't weld aluminum, but you can still get a lot done. I have a 225A/140A AC/DC stick unit. It is great on anything down to about 1/8". I fantasize that some day, if I was to get a scratch start TIG setup, I could use TIG on anything from about 1/8" on down, and stick on anything from 1/8" on up, and have basically all of my bases covered.
Reply:http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/3480777692.htmlI forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLChttp://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/3480777692.html
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumAirco had a couple different 225s.  One of them was the Miller M-225.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellDang! That extension cord alone is worth $50.