Little help,,,,,,, Please?

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Hi new guy asking the same question I'm sure every one ells asks and with complete understanding your sick of If am in great need of a welder but I have no idea what I need. I have spent some time searching the thread and other sites but figured I would cut to the chase and ask the pro's.The welder would be in a landscape construction shop fixing.SteelGrass cuttersTrailersSnowplowsShovelsSawsand so on, and so on,Just a bunch of odds and ends no NASA space space walk stuff. As usual money is not what I would call ample, but never less looking for suggestions on my first welder purchase.Appreciate it,Eric Schultz
Reply:You need a welder that operates off 220 volts in order to have the power for proper equipment repairs.  A 180 or 200 am stick welding machine would be the cheapest way to go however welding thin material such as guards and covers is difficult.   A 250 amp wire feed welder would be a great way to go but very expensive.  Check out Miller and Lincoln web sites.
Reply:get a mig it's very easy to use you can get one that uses flux core wire so you have to bother buying gas all the time you can get a ok kinda good one for around $400-800  or go on ebay you will find something there.110v is good for thin stuff 220v will go up to 1/4"
Reply:So I should look for a wire fed, mig welder with 220 VoltsThanks for the help, should I get one with gas also?
Reply:Hey, is this one any good? or do you have any other suggestions?http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...73&R=200310073Or this one looks to be a bit less http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ml?id=FGU4TTSbOr maybe this one?http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ml?id=FGU4TTSbThanks guys,EricLast edited by Grass Busters; 02-03-2006 at 07:38 PM.
Reply:the hobart is a good one  you can get the gas or just get flux core wire but you will get better welds when useing gas
Reply:Check the descriptions carefully.  If you are going to use bare wire you need a gas solenoid in the machine.  Sometimes the solenoid is optional on cheaper units.  Is there a regulator/flowmeter for your gas bottle??  Check the duty cycle.  If at a certain amperage it says 40 percent that means you can only weld 4 minutes out of ten or risk overheating the transformer.   If you buy a 250 amp machine that only has a 40 percent duty cycle at full amperage that is not a great concern because most of the time you would be running at a lower setting that would allow you to run continuously.  If you buy a 150 amp machine that is 40 percent a full amperage it will limit your ability to work continuously.       If you are only welding sheet metal a little 150 would manage but if you suddenly want to repair a loader bucket you will need at least a 250 amp machine.  If you keep your machine clean and don't overload it , it will hold its price.
Reply:Howdy Howdy!  Basically, your looking for an efficient tool to get the job done right.  job being, repairing and maintening smaller equipment, but (I would not think) limiting out loader bucket repair and such of say the kubota sized tractors or CUT's.  You DO nead a 240 volt machine.  You SHOULD get a wire feed, for the largest variety of thicknesses to be welded, with the easiest operation and high quality output without much skill.  I suggest a "get r dun" welder from Hobart, Miller, or Lincoln.  hobart specializes more for this market type.  Miller specialices MORE for professional welding shops, and Lincoln does well (but not superb) in all aspects of the business.  i guess lincoln has the consumables market licked, next to Hobart.  I'll give you a few links of MY ideas.  Also, have many friends from several forums with these Hobart refurbished machines and they are a very good deal.  i'll try and post a couple links for ya.  I'm trying to keep your original info in mind, but may expand on it to include a larger machine or two just for kicks.  Try these...
Reply:Howdy Howdy!  Might lose power soon here, storm a comin in.  SO!  These are some machines to look at.  The Handler 180's have a nicer arc then the newer 175's do.   The handler 210 is really the size I would recomend, but if you'r going to do bucket/backhoe/ grader repair i.e. anything greater then 3/8" thick, then the 250 machine would be better. All these machines are excellent price, guarunteed functional.  With minor surface scratches and such.  They're last years product demo's basically, then refurbished. The only real problem, is if you nead it today you might have to wait a week or two.  if you have some patience, then this is an ideal way to go. http://www.toolking.com/productinfo....roductid=10929http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=6249http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=6250http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=6253    Good luck!  Brian Lee  Sparkeee27   Bye the way, I have a Lincoln Invertec V-350 pro advanced Process model, puts out up to 425 amps.... very very cool, don't nead it all today, but i might one day   Prices are only going up!