Looking for a low cost flux core

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About 8 years ago I got one of those $200 sears flux core wire welders.  For what I needed, its done pretty good.  The rollers needs to be replaced, where the tip screws into the gun, that part is stripped out, the whole gun needs to be replaced,,,,,,,.  So instead of putting money into fixing the welder, I thought it would be better to buy another one.One of the machines I'am looking at is the Lincoln Electric  Pro Core 125 Welder - it cost $419 and is from Lowes.The other machine I'am looking at is a Craftsman MIG Welder with Cart - its on sale for $394.38, regular price is $459.99.  Sears item # 00920569000 |  Model#  20569.  This one comes with a stand, which might be nice, but I work outside a lot in the grass and dirt.  So I dont know how well the stand is going to roll in the dirt.Duty Cycle:Lincoln Pro Core 125: 20% @ 90A Craftsman Welder Duty Cycle:  40% @ 60ABetween those 2 welders, which one would you suggest.  Or do you suggest something not listed?My welding experience - I went to work in my first welding shop in 1986, we built ASME certified pressure vessels.  In 1987 I went to work for one of the Heat Exchanger shops in the Southeast Texas - Southwest Louisiana where we built ASME Section 8 certified Heat Exchangers and some vessels.  Between 1991 and 2000 I moved around in the welding shops of  Southeast Texas - Southwest Louisiana.  I worked mostly as a fitter, but I have been certified on carbon steel flat and vertical and stainless flat. For about a year and a half I worked as a MIG welder in a structural shop.   I have been out of the welding field for about 10 years - I now work on computers.Budget - My budget is about $400, plus or minus a little bit.Welder is going to be used for - Mostly stuff like building barbq pits, welding up a hole in the exhaust or my truck, welding a bumper on my jeep,,,,,.Picture of my pit I built with the $200 welding machine.Last edited by ~kev~; 09-30-2010 at 09:40 AM.
Reply:In that budget, I would look for a used Millermatic 135 or 140 or equivalent Lincoln (Pro Mig 140).   You will also find some 220v migs used starting at the upper limit of your budget.  If you can swing $500-600 and have 220v power available, the small 220v migs (Millermatic or Pro Mig 175/180) are a much better buy than any of the 110v machines.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op