New To Welding, Bought 2 welders! Have I picked the right ones? and gas type / size?

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Welder Choice, are these Good welders?Im new to owning welders but Have welded with my father in laws Hobart 140 and his stick wleder, I am hooked..I Bought a Lincoln 175HD weldpack 220Volt new in box  ($470) on clearance at Home Depot from $629 down to $470.. .I was set on gettting a Hobart of the equivilent but I found my 175 HD forIt was $150 cheaper than the hobart and had similar specs..So I went with it instead.I tried to support my locl welding shop but was kinda ignored when I walked in even though I call everyone sir..Did I get a good deal on these you think? Are these good welders or should I pay full retail for another brand?Then I got to thinking If I ever Want to weld for my family or freinds Im limited to them coming over due to them not have 220v outlets..So (i kinda feel like an idiot) but I bought another lincoln Wedlpack 3200 110v welder for use "on the go".. It was also on clearance New in box from $529 to $369..Should I return one?I really only am a hobby welder and hope to get alot of experience welding for freinds,family,church etc..Gas tank SizeI currently own a 50cf tank of 75/25 Argon/Co2 mi I bought today...I have a small bottle of co2 (unsure of size but its 18" tall.)  Has a Different adapter so it wont fit my regualtor the welding shop is willing to switch out for free minus gas charge or upgrade charge for a larger tank.Is the 50cf tank last quite a while.? I dont mind paying for a larger tank upgrade if this 50cf tank is gonna keep me running to the Welding shop every few weeks for my occasional use? Of course i think the next few weeks  Type of gas I should OwnI am unsure of what type of welding I will be doing in the future, but will the 75/25 mix be ok for all welding types including steel,stainless & aluminum? Or should i use this opportunity to get a different type of gas? Also can I use the same regualtor that cme with my welder?Sorry for the long post, but I feel more details you guys can get, the  more accurate suggestions you can give..ThanksLast edited by Mr..Plow; 08-05-2008 at 04:10 AM.
Reply:so far my 175 has been great when dialed in. im new as well, and have only used it with flux wire. i dont think have BOTH machines will bring any negetive to you, other than maybe your bank account. Though, you seem to have gotten a 2 for 1!
Reply:oh and as for gas, get the largest you can possibly live with and lug around at home. It's not a big jump in price between any of the sizes at my LWS.
Reply:As far as I am concerned you got a good deal on both and I would keep them. My first mig was a 110 machine which served me well. I now have a Miller DVI2 which is the same as both of yours put together. It's a daul voltage unit which cost me over 1,200.00.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I would return the 3200 and use the money towards the Gas or other tools: Metal Cutting Saw, Couple grinders, Hammers, Vise, Welding Table etc.Friends and family can bring the stuff to you or start looking for a 5000w genset for "On the go" welding as it will power the 175....of course this does require a Pick up truck or hatch backOnce you get a feel of how much Portable work as well as the type of work you will actually do, then look for a portable solution.If the Church needs a fence/gate repaired you will most likely be a ways from Power anyway and need a genset to power the 3200- the 120v machines suffer in performance when run on a long extension cord. 50' about max, although I have run mine on 100' I feel the 3200 will just collect dust.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Mr. Plow - as for what a good welder is, it's all based on your requirements.  As for good brand names, anything that's been around for years is good.  There's a reason they've been around.  So any Lincoln, Hobart, Miller, etc, is going to be a good brand.As for your shielding gas requirement, for stainless or aluminum you'll need straight argon.  For mild steel stick with C25 (argon/co2).If you *really* want 110v portability, but 220V also, look into an inverter.  Lincoln (and I'm sure others) have inverter welders that can use either 110 or 220 (much more expensive than a transformer type welder though, but a fraction of the size and weight).As for how long a bottle of gas will last... depends on how much you use it At work I'd go through a big bottle (110cf ??) about twice a week."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by GrantHoh and as for gas, get the largest you can possibly live with and lug around at home. It's not a big jump in price between any of the sizes at my LWS.
Reply:I'd keep em both...You got a super buy on both The 3200 is a great 110v unit and the 175 will handle heavier stuff should you need the power.Set the 175 up in the shop and get a spoolgun(think it's spoolgun ready) for aluminum and use the 3200 for your tote around welder. A 110v unit is just too handy,but you will always want more power which the 175 can provide. I'm a tool hog though...can't have enough tools to get things done. If you find later that you don't use either one much you can always sell of the least used one.I'm setting my HH125 up for gas(sheetmetal) and a new C/H model up for flux only and looking for a 220v unit for heavier stuff when I find a good used unit.
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugone....Set the 175 up in the shop and get a spoolgun(think it's spoolgun ready) for aluminum
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1No Spoolgun for the 175sHave to get the newer 180s
Reply:We have a Weldpak 155 in the shop w/C25 for the lighter stuff and it is fantastic on ornamental iron. About two years ago I bought the Weldpak HD because it runs on 110v and is a whole lot easier to wag up and down stairs at apartment complexes. It is really good at that, but not really much else. Well exhaust pipes, tailer fenders and expanded metal. You certainly got a good price on both of the units. Whether you return one or keep them both is up to you. I personally own 5 welding machines and can only weld with one at a time, lol. I'm not getting rid of any of them though.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.