advice needed on picking a machine

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i'm very inexperienced with welding.  i bought a 90 amp Chicago flux wire welder about a year ago and have been practicing.  i do a lot of work on my car (exhaust, supercharger piping, etc...).  i've been using 16 gauge aluminized steel as it's inexpensive and readily available to me.  aside from the horrible amount of splatter i get, i can't seem to get good, neat welds.  and a lot of times, i'll burn right through.  i've tweaked the wire feed speed and high/low amp settings every way i could, i just can't seem to find the one that works.  i was wondering if i would be better off with a different machine.  i've been reading up a lot about them but i'm not exactly sure what would be best for my application.  i'm sure it's something you experienced welders know very well though.  i would just like something fairly inexpensive that will (with practice) give me nice clean welds.  any input would be very much appreciated, thanks.
Reply:Save up your money and find a true MIG welder instead of your flux core rig. Between that bottom-end-of-the-market welder and using flux core you are never going to get a very clean weld. The flux core wire produces the majority of your spatter. Having a gas shielded welding process will clean up your spatter problems right away. Practice will cause improvements as you go along.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:there is a HUGE difference between a flux core and true mig welding. the splatter can also be affected by the mixture you're using.Fairly inexpensive, and good is like trying to mix oil and water. You're better off saving your money to get something good. hands down. It will last longer, be able to do more, and actually pay you back the money you spend on it. where as a cheap model won't last as long, and in the long run because it's not producing a good product it will cost you more in lost time, and materials. not to mention the fact that you've not got to either 1) get a better unit, or 2) pay to have someone fix it.I'm a certified snowboarding instructor, and when I worked in a sporting goods store I explained to all my client that it's in their best interest to buy something that suits the needs of where they want to be. not limit themselves with something that is ment for the ability they have now. a Beginner board will hold someone back, where as an advanced board will not only make them become more proficient quicker, but also not prevent them from progressing in the sport.This same theory applies to welding. You're not going to improve if the tool you're using can't do the job you're trying to accomplish. It's like trying to break up concrete with your kids blow up hammer that he got at the fair last summer. It's just not going to get the job done.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:understood.  but at the same time, i don't feel it's practical for me at this point to really go all out on a unit.  i don't weld for a living or anything, it's just something i would like to be able to do from time to time when needed.  but surely, i don't envision myself doing any real hardcore welding work.  having said that, i was looking on Lincoln's website and they have a fairly affordable MIG unit for about $700.  all of them say "MIG / flux-cored".  i'm assuming that means i can use it as a MIG unit or flux-core (no gas) if i wanted to, like my current unit is.  here's the link...http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...roduct=K2688-1
Reply:first off what budget would you like to stay in ? and what do you envision doing ? there is a bit of difference in what you can do with a 110v machine vs 220 machine the lil 110 machines are going to do short welds and thinner material but lack the umph to handle longer duty cycles and thicker material 350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:Yes, MIG/flux core machines can do both. The cheaper mig or flux core welders are harder to use than a  quality unit.  The cheaper units I have used tend to have 1 "sweet spot" that they will run at. If that spot isn't what you need at that time you're out of luck.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:i'd like to stay within $1,000 if possible.  i'll be using it mostly for automotive purposes like exhaust pipe and stuff.  right now, i've only been working with 16 gauge aluminized steel.  yeah, it'd be nice to have flexibility to handle some thicker stuff but i certainly don't have to go crazy with it and get the most powerful thing in the world.  so if there's something that'll give me some decent looking welds without putting a hole in my wallet, that'd be great.  that's why that $700 caught my eye but obviously you guys would know better than i would.
Reply:under $1000 is a great budget. there are plenty of good machines to choose from in that budget. when we think fairly inexpensive we're thinking you're talking less than $200.  my Hobart Handler 210 was $899 new and I got the spool gun too so I can do aluminum. It'll go from 24 ga. up to 3/8" more than enough for what you're looking to do. and it produces nice welds.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:here ya go mm211  you can use it on 110 for smaller stuff or 220 for larger stuff pluss if ya ever wanna do aluminum  its ready for an affordible spool gun http://www.ebay.com/itm/MILLER-MILLE...item53e5eb6937350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:I 2nd the MM211.  I just got one and Im lovin it.  I dont have anything to compare it to cuz its all I have used, but it really is a great unit for me.Get one before Nov 4 and you will get $75 back from Miller.I got mine at BR Welding for $995.  But who knows, your LWS might match.
Reply:my choices would beThermal arc 181i mig/dc lift tig/stick/spoolgun ready (220volt)...http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18...666131386d6977or hobart 210mvp  (110volt or 220volt)http://www.tractorsupply.com/mig-wel...asedPricingCmd lincoln 180c dual (110volt or 220volt)http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...roduct=K3018-1tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:fantastic, thank you very much guys.  i'll check these out and will hopefully get the results i'm looking for with some practice.