which welder

admin

Hobart stickmate AC/DC 225 or longevity stick weld 250 for general welding around farm
Reply:Couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to run a Longevity Stickweld 250. Really nice arc with 7018, maybe even better than my V350-Pro. Not quite as good with 6010 though. The adjustable hot start, and arc force are nice, but don't have a lot of range. For the price, very nice machine!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I think inverters are great machines as long as they don't break down. I have an inverter that will cost $1800 to replace the circuit board and it's only five and a half years old. I have three old transformer welders with the oldest being made in 1960 and the newest ( idealarc ) was made 25 years ago. I have never had a problem with the transformer welders, I'm on my second inverter in less than 8 years.This is my experience with inverter welders. Some people have had much better luck than I and are completely happy with them.Good luck
Reply:+1 on the Dialarcs.  They are and probably always will be my favorite shop machine. we have two at work i use almost every day. one was used as a jobsite machine getting pounded by bobcats for 20 years then tossed under a tractor trailer. I yanked it out, hosed it down ( the mud is still stuck to it) and put it right back into the shop. It looks like a run over tin can,but damn if it doesn't weld like a new one.   the beat up one i use has a wonderful Scratch start Tig arc i use for stainless often.  for cheap, you'd be better to find a used miller thunderbolt ac/dc ( same as the stickmate,but more plentiful on the used market)  they show up on craigslist everywhere in the universe for 100-250 bucks are are great little machines. and much much more mobile than a dialarc or other large shop machine.  I have an ac only from the 70's and a modern ac/dc and have nothing but good to say about both.
Reply:Yeah it's going to be very interesting to see how long these inverters last. I got an old Lincoln that is 65-years old. I won't live long enough to see if my inverters will last anywhere near that long.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I like the Non inverter type.  I like the Stickmates and the Miller Thunderbolts.  Basically same machine, just a different paint job.  To me, a H E A V Y transformer based welder is like a big, smokey D I E S E L truck engine!!!!!!!. You know, "MAN" tools!!!! Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Though I don't own the Hobart and given the two choices from the OP, I'd pick the Hobart.  It's probably more reliable and can take more abuse than the inverter.  This is just an assumption and opinion of mine only, based on working with transformers vs sensitive computer CPU mother boards over long periods of time.
Reply:While Superarc is fantasying about his man tool, I recommend the 250.   As you will never want to use AC once you have welded on DC, you get twice as much output on the Longevity as opposed to the hobart (or lincoln) 250 amps DC vs 125 amps DC.   Hot start is a great feature on any machine and really cuts down on the stick part of stick welding...  5 year warranty too. will only require about 1/2 the input current of the Transformer style Hobart machine..Its much more portable for around the farm and if you are using a generator, you will need a much bigger one to run the Hobart than the LongevityTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawWhile Superarc is fantasying about his man tool, I recommend the 250.   As you will never want to use AC once you have welded on DC, you get twice as much output on the Longevity as opposed to the hobart (or lincoln) 250 amps DC vs 125 amps DC.   Hot start is a great feature on any machine and really cuts down on the stick part of stick welding...  5 year warranty too. will only require about 1/2 the input current of the Transformer style Hobart machine..Its much more portable for around the farm and if you are using a generator, you will need a much bigger one to run the Hobart than the Longevity
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcActually, I fantasize about you Southpaw.
Reply:While soutthpaw does make some good points, just know that you might find yourself in a situation where having the option to use AC is a godsend. Like if you have 7014, 6011, or 6013.
Reply:Originally Posted by jweldjarrardHobart stickmate AC/DC 225 or longevity stick weld 250 for general welding around farm
Reply:Originally Posted by VydunasWhile soutthpaw does make some good points, just know that you might find yourself in a situation where having the option to use AC is a godsend. Like if you have 7014, 6011, or 6013.
Reply:Originally Posted by VydunasWhile soutthpaw does make some good points, just know that you might find yourself in a situation where having the option to use AC is a godsend. Like if you have 7014, 6011, or 6013.
Reply:Don't sell a DC only machine short. I played with some 10-GA aluminum Tig welding with that Longevity Stickweld 250. Used my Tig rig, without a remote it is hard to control the heat once the plates get hot. But in a pinch, you can do short welds. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by Kelvin... How many milligrams of Magic Smoke does it contain? ...