welder for a newbie???

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i am searching for a decent welder for just starting out. I was wondering what you guys might suggest? ive been looking and researching anything from harbor freight to miller..Just not quite sure which would be best for a beginner. Thanks for the advice..
Reply:What type do you want? What power can you run off of? I think a miller 211 might be what your looking for. Its a 110/230 machine.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Wow, so many choices!! What do you want to weld with your welder? What electrical supply do you have available? I personally would say try to use someone elses if at all possible before you buy one, just to get your feet wet and see what direction you want to take your new hobby. If that is not an option, I would vote for a "stick" welder because they are relatively cheap, versatile, and reliable.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:i would use someone elses, if i had that available to me. I only have 110 hook ups. But will be getting a generator in the near future too, so it could run off of that if needed. What brands of stick welders would be some good ones to look into? I want to build a small-medium size steel table or something like that just to tinker around at first. I will be going to Hobart here at the beginning of the year, so just wanting something that is decent i can mess around with and also be able to practice welds with..
Reply:Originally Posted by jfearnowi would use someone elses, if i had that available to me. I only have 110 hook ups. But will be getting a generator in the near future too, so it could run off of that if needed. What brands of stick welders would be some good ones to look into? I want to build a small-medium size steel table or something like that just to tinker around at first. I will be going to Hobart here at the beginning of the year, so just wanting something that is decent i can mess around with and also be able to practice welds with..
Reply:i have one 220 hook up in the house, so i could use that. So i guess i would need something that can go either 110 or 220, something i can practice and use for multiple purposes, and at a decent price..
Reply:Look for a used Lincoln Tombstone and just use the 240v Power you have at the house.You'll need a 12,500 watt genset to power it though.Other than that it is back to the little HF Inverter 120v machines.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:A question that I did not see asked was "how much do you want to spend". There is a lot a price variation between Harbor Freight and Miller. I will assume that you can buy a quality machine if you are considering Miller. My advice would be to AVOID any Chinesse made crap. My personal opinion is that, right now, one of the best buys in a small welder is the MM211. You can use it from a 110V power source and from a 220V power source when it becomes availible to you. If you were to buy a 110V machine you would outgrow it very quickly and be looking for a welder again. You will not likely outgrow the MM211 for a very long time and you would never regret your purchase.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:i am trying to keep it around a grand if at all possible. How much do the MM211 go for used? It sounds like it almost be perfect for me and you're something i wouldnt really outgrow, unless i wanted to just go bigger Thanks for all of the input, i really appreciate it.
Reply:http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...TIC-211/Detail  Ken
Reply:KGIOR thanks for the link!!!Which one would guys recommend to do both MIG and SMAW?
Reply:Originally Posted by jfearnowKGIOR thanks for the link!!!Which one would guys recommend to do both MIG and SMAW?
Reply:ok well im not wanting to put that much into one right now. so i guess i will just stick with something a little bit more affordable for now and build on it down the road..
Reply:Another vote for the MM211 as a great choice. As far as stick, keep your eyes open on CL for an old Lincoln tombstone. I see the AC only ones for as little as $50, though they usually sell for $75-150 used. The AC/DC ones are a bit harder to find, but pop up now and then for $200-300. 220v only, but they are tanks and even in poor shape usually weld fine. A nice addition for down the road..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