Total Noob Question

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Hey guys, I need some help choosing my 1st welder. I've been looking at the Lincoln AC 225 and AC/DC 225 as well as the Miller Maxstar 150 S. I have never welded a thing in my life, but I'm a pretty sharp guy and have always wanted to learn. I will be welding some off-road armor for my Land Cruiser, which will primarily be around 1/4" material with some 1/2" plates. My garage does not have 220, but was planning on adapting to the dryer outlet. So based on my needs, should I just snatch up one of the many AC 225's on CL, wait and spend a bit more for a AC/DC 225, wait a little longer and spend even more with the Maxstar 150S? Or should I be looking at an entirely different set-up? Side note: money isn't an issue, but it's really a small hobby so I'd like to stay in the $500 range.
Reply:An AC 225 would certainly do what you would like to do. The AC/DC machine gives you a few more options in the long run and will most likely run 7108 better than the straight Ac machine will. Using 7018 isn't required, 7014 would work just as well for what you need to do, but 7018 is the go to rod for many things. The Maxstar 150 is a good machine, but I'd skip the S model, Going up to one of the other models would allow you to move into tig later if you choose. Big advantage with the Maxstar is that it will run off a midsize genset no problem if you wanted something for field use.  Lincoln suggests a minimum of a 15KW genset to run the AC225 and the AC/DC version.The ESAB 161LTS is another excellent small stick machine. I'd probably choose it over the Maxstar 150S. Price is a bit over your $500 range, but not by too much. If you shop smart you can probably bring the price down closer to your budget if you look for things like coupons from Zoro and so on. It's another machine that would run off a genset easily.Running either of those transformer machines off a 30 amp dryer circuit will most likely limit you to 3/32" rods, though you may be able to squeak by with 1/8" rods on the very lower end of their range. Starts will be tough though at those amperage's. The Maxstar 150 /Esab on 110v power will probably have the same limitations, but run on 230v power it will burn 1/8" rods no problem. 3/32" rods should be fine for what you want to do on 1/4". Thicker stuff 1/8" would be a better choice if you have the power to run them. If not, multiple beads will give you close to the same results but with more time involved.You might want to add your location to your profile so we know where you are located. Guys often browse Cl regularly and can pass along suggestions that they see that might be good for you to look at. Many times I've seen bigger used stick machines like Dialarcs or Idealarcs go for less than the homeowner grade AC/DC Lincolns go for..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
Reply:My first welder was a Lincoln AC 225. Built hundreds of things with it. I started using it in 1992 and still have it today. My point is they work. That being said DC is SO much better to weld with. I would go for a DC machine even if you go for something like an everlast power arc 300. They can be had for your $500 budget and in my opinion nothing in that price range can touch their performance. I currently have a Lincoln invertec vs-350 pro and it is a heck of machine but it cost me nearly $2000 used.
Reply:Thanks guys...I see many 3 phase Idealarcs for sale. Are those able to be run off a dryer outlet? It sounds from the replies that if going with a 225 the AC/DC is worth the wait. The Maxstar sounds like a safe bet, but can it handle a max of 1/2 inch plate? I really have no need for field-type work. My occupation is a psychologist, but I enjoy working with my hands and simply building/fixing what I need. A TIG welder is much more complex and costly than I need.
Reply:3 phase, no. However Lincoln uses the "Idealarc" name to cover a lot of machines, not all of them are 3 phase. The round top "Idealarc" stick machines are single phase to my knowledge. 30 amps is probably on the lower end of what they may run on. I know they tend to draw more than the homeowner Lincolns, so you may be out of luck on 30 amps. Never tried to run one that way, so I won't say yes or no for sure. The arc is much nicer on the Idealarcs compared to the homeowner units.The Maxstar on 230v power will be able to handle 1/2" plate no problem. To run 1/8" 7018 you usually need to run at about 125 amps roughly, so with a max of 150 amps you are good to go. Same goes with the Esab unit.Your comment on the road armor and Land Cruiser made me think you were into 4 wheeling where a portable machine might be of some use..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
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW3 phase, no. However Lincoln uses the "Idealarc" name to cover a lot of machines, not all of them are 3 phase. The round top "Idealarc" stick machines are single phase to my knowledge. 30 amps is probably on the lower end of what they may run on. I know they tend to draw more than the homeowner Lincolns, so you may be out of luck on 30 amps. Never tried to run one that way, so I won't say yes or no for sure. The arc is much nicer on the Idealarcs compared to the homeowner units.The Maxstar on 230v power will be able to handle 1/2" plate no problem. To run 1/8" 7018 you usually need to run at about 125 amps roughly, so with a max of 150 amps you are good to go. Same goes with the Esab unit.Your comment on the road armor and Land Cruiser made me think you were into 4 wheeling where a portable machine might be of some use.
Reply:The later 250 amp idealars had the flat top and ran off of single phase current.
Reply:If your putting in power in your garage out in an oven outlet which is 50amps instead of the dryer at 30 amps.
Reply:Note: newer oven outlets are 4 prong, not the NEMA 6-50P that is on almsot all welders. Also older 3 prong stove outlets used the "crowsfoot" 3 prong outlets that is different than the 6-50's. I have an adapter cord made up for those times I have to plug my welders into those older hook ups where guys used the old crowsfoot 50 amp range plugs for things..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
Reply:All Idealarc 250's are single phase. Something like an R3R or DC 400 are 3 phase. I think I'd look at Everlast machines myself if I couldn't find a good used Idealarc 250 or Miller Dialarc 250. It's best to wire in a proper welder plug on at least a 50 amp breaker, 60 is better if you want to burn bigger rods. With the new low cost inverters, paying more for a low end AC/DC buzz box is really losing it's appeal. CEP loves his Everlast inverters and he also owns some real top of line machines from Miller and Lincoln so you know you can trust his reviews.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveAll Idealarc 250's are single phase. Something like an R3R or DC 400 are 3 phase. I think I'd look at Everlast machines myself if I couldn't find a good used Idealarc 250 or Miller Dialarc 250. It's best to wire in a proper welder plug on at least a 50 amp breaker, 60 is better if you want to burn bigger rods. With the new low cost inverters, paying more for a low end AC/DC buzz box is really losing it's appeal. CEP loves his Everlast inverters and he also owns some real top of line machines from Miller and Lincoln so you know you can trust his reviews.
Reply:Originally Posted by SANERYeah...I'm confused as to why the Idealarc's list 3-Phase, but can be used as single phase...I guess it's just an option. I'm looking more and more at the inverters and they seem like good options, but the "off" brands are a bit concerning. Any intel on the best of the "non-Miller/Lincoln/Hobart" inverters?
Reply:Originally Posted by SANERYeah...I'm confused as to why the Idealarc's list 3-Phase, but can be used as single phase...I guess it's just an option. I'm looking more and more at the inverters and they seem like good options, but the "off" brands are a bit concerning. Any intel on the best of the "non-Miller/Lincoln/Hobart" inverters?
Reply:What  is your location ? There are two tombstone Lincoln AC/DC near me in Wisconsin, each $199.00. Cheap !
Reply:Is your truck powered by a Briggs and Stratton 10 HP motor? Surely it would be cheaper to power it with one. You might even get it to move! Go for it! In my opinion, a Dialarc or any large transformer welder wants at least 12000 watts for the duty cycle time. A 50 amp circuit can give you 12000 watts . That #6 circuit can legally be overfused based on the peak primary amperage rating of the welder to 200%. Meaning a dryer, on #10 wire, and a 30 amp breaker, can supply less than half of what you will want. A #6 cable, on 100 amp breaker will let you use your welder without restriction.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I am another fan of the Lincoln AC 225, with some thought given to the requirements at hand, is a nice choice for a first machine.  Of course having DC is nice if you can afford it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749It's most likely because a lot of ppl get HIGH VOLTAGE confused with THREE PHASE. A machine can be single phase, and still have transformer tapped windings for supporting high voltage input current in addition to 230 most single phase machinery in non heavy industry runs in. In many cases, when single phase machines are run in locations where 460 three phase current is the main supply for plant power, a leg of the three phase supply is dropped at the connection point where the welder is plugged in, and the machine ran off two legs of the high voltage supply, with the machine jumper linked accordingly.As Dave said, all your Idealarc stick machines are single phase, usually dual voltage input. Lincoln also manufactured an Idealarc 250 multi process DC CC/CV machine which was single phase input power. The only machines today that are going to offer dual CURRENT or phase input are inverter machines. Many of the newer ones also have auto line type voltage input, which uses electronic circuitry inside the welder to automatically link the voltage supplied by the input power without having to change physical jumper links to do the same thing.But, even these type of machines still require the connection of the additional supplied third wire to supply three phase current to it. Most inverters sold today come pre wired from the factory with a power cord with four conductors for such connections as I mentioned above. Two hot wires are used for single phase, with the neutral becoming ground, or three hot wires used for supplying three phase current to the machine, the fourth wire becoming ground.The Idealarc and Miller Dialarc 250 are both proven, reliable stick welding machines that hold their value well and require very little maintenance or attention to keep them running. If you choose to go the inverter route, do your homework and thoroughly research the company you intend to purchase from. Sure, it's cliched often, but Miller, Lincoln, Thermal Arc and Esab all make high quality machines with excellent track records in industry. All have very good customer service departments too, Miller probably at the top of that game.Buy the biggest machine you can afford and can power. As mentioned, even the time tested AC  225 Lincoln buzz box is an excellent choice for a first welder. Many, many millions of people have used them to build just about anything you can imagine. You can purchase 7018 rod that will run on AC current and 6011 is a great stand in for DC only 6010 rod. Buying something simple and reliable would be my choice. Good luck with it man.IMHO of course
Reply:Just keep looking and don't get in a rush to buy anything. That's the biggest mistake a lot of ppl make and end up paying for it in the long run.Again, buy the best and biggest machine you can reasonably afford and power.If you're gonna go the import machine route spend some solid time doing your research and don't make any hasty decisions. There are some good brands out there, but there's also a lot of junk, or companies who make big promises but can't or don't want to deliver when there's a problem.Import isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you generally get exactly what you pay for. Buying machinery from a solid company with a good reputation for post sale assistance and fast problem resolution is a good investment and just good old common sense.A little buzz box would be a great starter machine for you if stick welding is what you wanna do. Easy and hardly any setup. Just buy protective gear and rods. Of course, if you came across a Millermatic 200 for $500 in cherry shape, you would be crazy not to buy it IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:If you re limited to a 30A dryer outlet a transformer machine is not the best choice IMHO. The Maxstar 150 is a neat machine but expensive for what it does and you will be limited to 1/8" rods.You may want to look at the Tweco 201TS and the Lincoln 210MP. Both will burn 5/32 rods with ease. The Tweco includes TIG with high-frequency start; the Lincoln is, of course, a MIG welder and can also TIG, but lift-start only, no HF. Both welders will run at full power on a 30A breaker. They will also run on 120V with limited power. Yes, they are more $$ than the import brands but are backed by large American companies with nation-wide service.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Whelp...It' a done deal boys! I was getting itchy to buy a machine and almost went in over my head on a MIG. Thanks to the advice to be patient, I re-assessed my needs and situation and waited another day, which brought me to exactly what I was looking for in the 1st place. AC/DC 225 that the original owner took very good care of and burned exactly 5 lbs. of 6011 the entire time he had it. He through in a dryer extension and I'm only down $150 for my Land Cruiser projects!