Just bought a welder but did I get the right one?

admin

I just bought a Lincoln AC-225 welder, but was thinking should of I got the AC/DC 225/125 welder? The one I have is a A/C only or should I of got the ac/dc? Btw it will be for mostly welding metal no stainless etc.
Reply:Welcome 2_wacko,    The DC would be a little more versatile. It all depends on your welding plans and budget.Whatcha' wanna weld?Good Luck
Reply:I think you'll be fine with the AC. I have a 1956 Forney AC box, and ive done a lot with it from car frames, trailers, custom bumpers, exercise equipment, and ive recently been doing 8" 1/2 thick pipe to practice for pipe certification.Dont know what your plans are, but you could make some money with the ac, and buy a nice stick/tig
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepWelcome 2_wacko,    The DC would be a little more versatile. It all depends on your welding plans and budget.Whatcha' wanna weld?Good Luck
Reply:There's been a lot of projects built over the years with AC stick welders. The newer AC rated rods run almost as good as their DC counterparts. There are a few minor issues with AC only but as a newer welder I doubt you would notice them.As said what do you plan to weld? Your answer is a bit vague. An Ac stick machine will definitely weld a trailer and a fence. Sheet metal is a lot tougher with stick in general but doable with the right rods and skill.I think you will be quite happy with that machine vs an AC/DC model.
Reply:I think you'll like the straight AC machine.  I learned how to weld on one(if you call what I do welding), and used it for years.  I loved it.When I finally got a DC capable machine I loved it even more.  I think I appreciated it because I learned on the AC, and AC is a little harder to weld with, so the DC was like a dream.The money you saved can be put to a lot of other uses.  Lots of stuff needed to work with metal, and it's all expensive"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:The advantage of AC is that it doesn't suffer from Arc Blow as bad and heat control is more balanced.   The disadvantage is that the AC can force slag into the weld and that the arc isn't as smooth.  There ARE no advantages to have an AC only machine other than cost.  The DC addition is great for learning how to weld the way the pros do it.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:If you bought it new and can return it with no out of pocket expense, I would. I'd definitely get a AC/DC rig. I grew up with an AC only machine, granted it served us/me well on the farm/shop etc., with that being said I knew I wanted a DC machine the first time I used one in AG class in highschool.
Reply:IMO you'll do fine until you're ready to step up to an engine drive for fence gates and moble work. The AC/DC225 has lmited power on D/C . It almost has enough power but then the duty cycle at top power is something like 30%. OK for fitting and tacking but when you're tacked together and ready to get busy a 30% duty becomes a PITA.Tough as nails and damn near as smart