250-300 dollar father's day gift idea.

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Hey guys, I am wondering since father's day is coming up what is a good welder to ask for from the wife and baby?  I think she set a limit of 250-300 for me.  Is there a good machine our there or should I look into used on say craigs list.  I want to build bumpers and things like that, so maybe that will help with your opinion.  Thanks.Mark
Reply:At that price range, used will be your only choice.
Reply:New you can get a nice Lincoln Ac tombstone for that kind of money. Used on CL you can probably get an AC/DC stick machine if you keep your eyes open for that price. You can get a used Ac tombstone for $100 on CL usually and have money leftover for a nice grinder, helmet, rods etc to go with it.Mig, You might get a small 110v mig for that kind of money, but I generally don't recomend that for a starter rig and what you want to do. If you can find a good 220V mig in that price range grab it, but I would expect something like that to run closer to say $800 used. Often migs in that range are usually cheap HF POS machines guys are dumping because they got smart and upgraded.You never know on CL however. I missed out on an Miller XMT304 for $300 in Jan on CL. Thats usually an $1100 machine used.
Reply:$300.00 is on the low side. Tell the kid to stop eating so much formula and cough up some more dough for Pop's weldin' machineCL does have some deals out there but still a crap shoot.Where are you located? We can search yer CL and see what is out there.Guy here has a Lincoln 240v Mig machine listed for 450.00 ( Looks like a 215)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:Rather than skimp (unless its gets you an adequate machine based on your needs), any other "toys" you need that fit the bill better?It would be a shame to spend $300 on welder that doesn't do the job and just sits in the corner - just to have a welder.Maybe get some good quality clamps, angle grinders, beer, $300 in a kitty to save towards a welder, general shop supplies, down payment on an OA torch setup, beer....You get the idea...Nice to have choices! Hope you make the best of it!Miller Dynasty 200DXHypertherm PowerMax 45Victor OAIR CompressorLots of blacksmithing tools and other fun toys meant to creatively disfigure, reshape, manipulate and join metal.
Reply:Im in silverdale, WA.  I appreciate the answers, they are exactly why I asked you all.  I took some welding clases in high school and my dad taught me how to weld but that was 10 years ago.  I am sure i can pick it up again but I honestly have no idea where to start.The "crap shoot" on CL is where I am looking but I dont know what is what.  I deff dont want to get a pice of junk and so that is why I leave my possible father's day gift to yall.
Reply:Small world. My folks live out your way.Nothing good on CL right now. Check the Little Nickel, sometimes there's good stuff in there. A good used compressor for your shop is about that price range too. Is that an alternative?We want to see something like this in the signature line:Lincoln Ranger 250Miller Auto-Darkening Elite HelmetLincoln 100Lincoln MigMiller Spectrum 375Craftsman 8 galllon gas powered compressorLongevity 200amp Tig Welder LT-200D
Reply:http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/1213789956.htmlOffer 300.00It sure is not a 800 dollar valuehttp://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/1213629639.htmlUnder 300.00434.00 @ Home DepotEd 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:Just as an FYI regarding the cost of setting up a super basic unit: I got a Miller Thunderbolt 225AC from craigslist for $40.00.  It was a bit rusty so I took it apart, removed all of the rust and paint, repainted it and put new wheels on it.  I then had to run a new line to my panel for it so it would be on a dedicated circuit, 8 gauge wire, conduit, 50 amp breaker, proper receptacle, etc.  All of that cost more money.  Then I bought two cheap HF helmets, gloves, rods, a 4 1/2 grinder and some grinding and cutting discs.   I now have what many would consider the bare minimum setup to do some welding. At first I thought this would be a cheap welder that I could plug into my dryer outlet, but in the end my $40 purchase ended up being a bit over $300.   So my point is if you start with a $300 welder make sure your wife knows that there will be additional costs (unless of course you already have all of that stuff). -Jeff
Reply:Originally Posted by badazzelanoreIm in silverdale, WA.  .
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/1213789956.htmlOffer 300.00It sure is not a 800 dollar valuehttp://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/1213629639.htmlUnder 300.00434.00 @ Home Depot
Reply:Isn't her money also your money?  I would just ask for a striptease and if she insists on getting you something.... "make it a threesome".  Maybe you'll get lucky?  Then just go buy a new welder yourself when you got the money to do so.  Buying a cheap one just to get one isn't the best thing to do.  And is it really necessary for the baby to get you something?
Reply:My buddy says the cheapest part of owning a dog, is the dog. The food, vet bills, collars, etc. are the same no matter which dog you have, so get the dog you want, not just the stray that shows up at your door. Same applies to welders. Hold your money until you find a used, brand name welder with the features you need. For $300, you can get a pretty good welder, but it may take some time. The helmets, grinders, filler, etc. all cost the same regardless of the welder you have. A better welder will help you do a better job and you will enjoy it a lot more.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmIsn't her money also your money?  I would just ask for a striptease and if she insists on getting you something.... "make it a threesome".  Maybe you'll get lucky?  Then just go buy a new welder yourself when you got the money to do so.  Buying a cheap one just to get one isn't the best thing to do.  And is it really necessary for the baby to get you something?
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtMy buddy says the cheapest part of owning a dog, is the dog. The food, vet bills, collars, etc. are the same no matter which dog you have, so get the dog you want, not just the stray that shows up at your door. .... A better welder will help you do a better job and you will enjoy it a lot more.
Reply:I found a LINCOLN 225/125 WELDER for sale on CL for 250 and it is brand new.  I am really thinking about geting this.
Reply:That's the one! (Verify it is AC/DC, some people say it is DC when it is just AC.) That welder would be $300-350+ here.Happy Father's Day!I know the feeling of your first Father's Day. My first grandbaby was born in January, so this is my first GrandFather's Day and my son is just as excited as you are.Enjoy your baby and the welder!  Last edited by wb4rt; 06-11-2009 at 05:53 PM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:thanks wb4rt!  Congrats, on the Grandbaby!    Im  not sure I can get the welder until I move back to Texas in 2 years :-(  I dont have anywhere to plug it in and I cant do any rewiring...  so I will just try to take as many classes as I can in geometry and whatever welding classes I can get into until Im out and I can focus full time on my education.
Reply:In this married man's opinion, getting everything but the welder is a good way to get the wife committed to being okay with the trigger getting pulled when the right welder comes up on Craigslist.  A helmet, jacket, gloves, fire extinguisher, c-clamps, vise-grips clamps, hammer, grinders, brushes, levels, squares, a big tank of C25 (if we're talking MIG).  The list can eat up a lot of money pretty quickly, but it will show her your commitment to doing this safely.