Stick welder recommendations ?

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Could you please recommend some model numbers and reasonable prices for a used basic DC stick welder that will weld 3/8 - 1/2 steel in one pass (I presume 200 to 250 amps) ?  And also any new model numbers that will fit once you read my application.I have a small farm and will be fabbing small farm implements for my 23HP tractor and doing mods on tractor, etc. I've taken a stick welding course and was cutting and drilling large holes in 1/2 in plate and welding aluminum with an arc welder.  That made me think I should get more proficient at stick welding and get a larger solid used basic stick welder (NOT a crackerbox), and maybe thereafter I would get a mig for lighter work, better cosmetic beads, or convenience if I needed it and as I gained experience. I realize you can do multiple passes with a mig welder for thicker stock.  And maybe I wouldn't be welding as much 3/8 - 1/2 steel as I think and maybe somebody could convince me a smaller mig is the way to go.  But I've seen the kind of stuff on a tractor forum (tractorbynet.com) these guys are doing and have been warned about getting too small a welder.  And I was amazed at what I could do after only one course in stick welding.Just seems for right now a bigger capacity plain ol' stick welder is what I need that does DC in the range I was needing to cut plate, drill holes, and weld thicker plates (3/8 - 1/2), e.g. 200 amps was about my setting on the Dialarcs the school had.  I was planning on spending $800 or less for the welder alone.  So things like the Econotig might not be doable, and some of the mig units I see (and the Econotig for that matter I believe) that also do stick have a stick capacity but only around 150 amps tops which I worry is not enough.Advice ?  Thanks for any.  And remember, I am watching Ebay and auctions now, so specific model numbers would be very helpful.  It seems there are a zillion used model numbers, but I am looking for some basic workhorse rugged unit that maybe has been working 10 years and will work another 20.  Portability is not an issue as I do all the work outside my shed.            Thanks,               Bob
Reply:Can't go wrong with an ol' Lincoln 225 stick welder. They can be picked up just about anywhere. I still have one and use it alot. Can't kill em.Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:Agree, the classic "buzz box", "tombstone" welder.  Inexpensive, readily available used, and bullet proof.You really should not plan on welding 1/2" thick steel in one pass, this would be an excessively large and overheated weld, with associated large heat affected zone (HAZ), grain coarsening, thermal stresses, distortion, etc.  Problems can be reduced toughness and ductility related to the HAZ, as well as cracking and distortion associated with high stresses.  The process of welding thicker joints with multiple narrow weld beads, called "stringer beads", keeps the HAZ to a minimum, refines the coarse grain structure in subsequent passes, and minimizes distortion.
Reply:hi, the only problem with the "BUZZ BOX" is the DUTY CYCLE. Especially when welding thicker material. I just bought the MILLER CST 280 machine strictly for stick welding. This machine is one of the best I worked with. It has the soft and stiff arc setting for 6010 and 7018. Plus the 100% duty cycle at 150 amps.Got it new for 1700.00 . I think the earlier models were CST  250 . These are the inverter  machines and weighs in at 41 pounds runs on single phase 220 volts. Another is the maxstar 200 machine , price difference  of 200.00 for the higher amp 280,. This was well worth it for me.
Reply:Several recommendations I've been receiving say just go with a Hobart Stickmate 235 AC/DC or Lincoln Tombstone and be done with it.But the DC maximum amps I'm seeing is maybe around 160-175 amps.Is this enough when welding with DC for 3/8 - 1/2 inch plate ?  Or would I have to use AC ?I seem to recall mostly using a setting of about 200 when I was in welding class and for sure I needed a little more than that (210 amps I recall) when blowing holes through thick plate with an arc (which I really liked since it seemed to beat the heck out of drilling).What are the limitations of having 175 max amps DC versus a 200 or 250 amp machine ?I also got a response on one of the welding forums that you don't necessarily want to weld 3/8 or 1/2 inch in a single pass anyway due to "HAZ" (large 'heat affected zone') and an excessively large, overheated weld.So maybe when welding the thick stuff 160-175 amps DC is enough.Any opinions ?(And thanks for all the helpful prior posts.  Very helpful).              Bob