Difference between an AC stick welder, and AC/DC welder?

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I'm looking at the two different "tombstone" stick welders Lincoln offers, one is AC and the other is AC and DC.  What is the major difference between welding with DC current and AC current.  The price difference is about two hundred bucks.  We basically need to replace the old stick welder we have in our shop, we weld a lot of stuff around our farm.
Reply:DC is smoother and nicer to weld with.  Try it, you'll like it.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:i agree...i would buy the ac/dc welder
Reply:With an AC machine the arc goes out briefly every time the polarity switches from DC+ to DC- and then back. Thats why a DC machine welds smoother. Some rods run better on DC (7018) or are DC only (6010 and some alum rods). Also some rods can be run on thinner metal on DC- vs the same rod on DC+.  The only real advantage of AC other than price, is if you weld magnetized steel like drill rod. AC cuts down on arc blow. It's not something most people encounter on average, and with an AC/DC machine you still have the AC option. Given the choice I would suggest the AC/DC 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:Another vote for DC  capability.
Reply:i have a MOT welder as well as my mig.    a learning/experiment welder.   would putting a rectifier diode bridge on it smooth the arc out?    the rig aint quite powerfull enough for big steel but when it feels like keeping its arc for a while its decent on thinner sheet.  its just a pain to hold its tiny arc.  last i checked its running about 160 amps at 13 volts AC.  but the arc is ungodly unstableRealgear 140 MIGMore DeWalt tools that I prolly needDIY 160 amp 40 OCV MOT Stick Welder
Reply:DC weld current is so much nicer for out of position welding.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:The AC/DC machine is the one I vote for. Was this a democratic vote? City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverThe AC/DC machine is the one I vote for. Was this a democratic vote?
Reply:Arc Gougging and TIG for Steel and Stainless are two for DC. JGSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:looking into a Hobart stickmate or a lincoln ac/dc tombstone right now
Reply:I would list in order of preference would be miller, hobart, then lincoln.  The lincoln is a tapped machine that only goes up to 125 on the dc side.  I have one in the garage and while it is nice, I would love to have more on than the 125.  These three are all in the same ballpark as far as price is concerned.
Reply:Just found a local guy selling a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC stick welder for 325 bucks.  Says he bought it in 1996 and never took it out of the box so its new in box.  I think it's a good deal considering that welder is around 600 bucks new.
Reply:I'd say thats a decent deal. I have one that sits at my buddy's shop in case we need to fix the plows there instead of at my place. They are tanks and keep on going for years and years..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:That is a great deal.
Reply:Picked this baby up this morning for $325.  Brand new in the box, the guy never used it.  Welds really nice.  Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC I'm going to make a little cart for it tommorrow
Reply:Good deal! You'll find the need to have both AC and DC if you weld long enough.SPARK...SPARK...SPARK...SAPARK...SPARK...SPARK...LawrenceA & E Welding ServicesBaltimore, MarylandWelder-Artist-MachinistD1.1 Structural Steel CertifiedAWS 6G Pipe CertifiedRanger 250Hobart Beta Mig IILN-25
Reply:I just realized in the first pic you can see the old century stick welder i had been using in the background.  looks kind of sad back there, like it's been forgotten.
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidI just realized in the first pic you can see the old century stick welder i had been using in the background.  looks kind of sad back there, like it's been forgotten.
Reply:I think you did really wellI have all Lincoln, but wouldn't really mind having Miller.  You have a great machine there.I dunno if the DC side of the Miller is heat protected, you might want to read the literature on it.  I think my Lincoln is protected on the DC side, but not protected on the AC side.Just watch your duty cycle and you'll be fine.YOU'RE GONNA LUV DIS MACHINE"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Made a cart/stand for the welder today.  So far it has cost me nothing, i had all the angle and tubing lying around in the scrap pile, and my old man had the wheels from an air compressor he never used.  I even found a can of Rustoleum Royal Blue spray paint to paint it with.Here's what I've got so far, I just need to secure the welder to it and make some sort of handle, then paint it up.
Reply:Hey, FluxCoreKid!This might give you an idea for a handle: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=36893.Go to my Post #7. I like the handle on the first one better. Use 1" angle iron and angle it back, with a 1/2" rod or 1/4" pipe for a handle between them. Works good. You will enjoy that welder. What a deal!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Thats a great idea for a handle, I will be "borrowing" that idea for sure. I like how you have the little brackets for holding the cables.
Reply:Good morning, FluxCoreKid.I'll be glad to send a better picture of the handle and give you the measurements that I used if you need them. The handle works well and the hangers for the leads are essential.I found another Thunderbolt 225V AC only on Craigslist and I think I will try to buy it and fix it up. Won't be new, like yours, but will be fun to restore.  Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Hit me up with those pics or dimensions, here is my email address:  [email protected]'ve been scouring craigslist now for more good welder deals, I want to find a good used 220v MIG.  It's the last thing I should be buying, but I'm becoming obsessed with weldingIT'S CONSIDERED EXTREMELY BAD FORM TO BUILD THE NEW CART FOR THE NEW WELDER WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE NEW WELDER(I see the wire feed gun layin' there.  Ya can run, but ya can't hide) Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Yeah... what's up with that?????  Foul!  Illegal procedure... Sweet deal on the welder.  You're gonna like DC.Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:haha, yeah, i felt a little weird using the MIG to build the cart for the stick, especailly since my MIG is a Lincoln.  Sort of like trailering a Ford with a Chevy.
Reply:Hey FluxCoreKid.Sorry it took so long. The handle is made of 1" x 1/8" angle iron. It measures 30" from the floor to the 45 degree joint. Then 8" on the 45 degree. I used a 1/4" black pipe for the handle between the uprights, or you could use 1/2" rod.The hangers are 1"x 3.5" square tube with 1" x 3" flat to hold the lead on the hanger. Hope this helps!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidSort of like trailering a Ford with a Chevy.