light weight (non inverter) stick welder

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Are there any light weight portable stick welders that I could useon the farm for steel welding material up to 1/4 inch.I would love to get the Miller 150 inverter, but it's hard to justifythe expenditure since I have two complete oxyacetylene outfits,one with large cylinders and the other with 40cf cylinders. I alsohave a Millermatic 175. If something has to be welded, I have theequipment to get the job done, but like lots of others on theforum, I want to get into another process.In addition to the weight factor, I would appreciate some inputon AC vs DC stick. I know AC is good for magnatized steel, butwhat about the quality of the weld? I've read alot about theadvantages of DC stick (Miller's web site). Is DC stick a big stepup compared to AC? I know the cost for an AC/DC unit is doublethat of a straight AC unit. Most of the stick units (i.e. Stickmate)are heavy for a heart patient like myself.As you can see, I'm looking for another toy. I think you guysunderstand.Thanks,Don
Reply:I bought the Miller Maxstar 150 STL. If your just looking for a stick welder their 150 S model can be had for about $590 delivered. All I can say is that when they say the word portable this is what they meant. It has a carry strap to put over your shoulder. 13.2 pound is easy on the back and heart. I can throw this unit in the truck and go anywhere with it. Then the only problem is power availability. It will run on a 20 amp 120V or 240v single phase power and the unit automatically determines power source voltage. I took it over to a friends house to play a little with the TIG. He was having problems TIG welding so we did some training welds. Now he wants one. If I was looking for a portable welder to do what you want then I would easily justify the price. I justified the price and I only weld as a hobby.
Reply:Yup, it would be the Maxstar in that case. Either that or get a stickmate and unload it so you didnt have to move it or put wheels on it. DC is quite prefferable for welding steel especially in all position and has a greater selection of electrodes, AC is cheap and the only time I would use it was for nickel work on cast iron.www.urkafarms.com