Should I buy a stick welder?

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I am thinking about buying a miller 115 stick welder.It will be my first welder and I am looking to build small production jobs.Please let me know.I am going to be doing steel only
Reply:I couldn't find the Miller 115 stick welder on the Miller web site. Do you have the model number.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlitI couldn't find the Miller 115 stick welder on the Miller web site. Do you have the model number.
Reply:Get the STL, better bang for the buck.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Unless you're really in love with stick welding, you might have more fun building your projects with a Millermatic 140.   It's wire-feed (mig) that runs on 115v and cost around $600 I think.   They make for a great first welding machine.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:With or without autoset?It is around $800. I might purchase one this weekend. I am excited.What kind of breaker do I need? Can I ran this one a standard household outlet?
Reply:Also, I have welded with mig before but don't know all the facts about mig. Mig is the quickest and the easiest I know this. Also, what can you weld with mig? Can you weld tube stock? Tubular and square? I am just curious. Please let me know.
Reply:Pyro, look around for a better deal on the Millermatic 140.  My neighbor got a new Millermatic 180 last month for under $700 at Airgas.I believe all the 2008 Millermatic 140's are Auto-Set.  The 2007's had 2 models, one with, one without.  The auto-set feature can be defeated though so you can adjust the volts and wire feed speed seperately like a normal mig, so no big deal.The 140 will run on a 15 amp breaker.   To run it at max, you may need a 20 amp breaker.   Yes you can connect it to any normal household 115v outlet.  It is best used on a circuit where only the welder will be on during welding.I agree, mig is the easiest process to learn and become good at.  It is also clean and fast.Yes, you can weld tube stock, or stock of any shape, as well as plate, sheet, grate, or just about any metal configuration with MIG.  You can weld any mild steel with the mig process with CO2 or argon/CO2 mix shielding gas with solid wire, or no gas with gasless-flux-core wire.   Stainless can be welded with stainless wire and argon gas.  I don't think I would try welding aluminum with  that machine, but aluminum can be welded with the mig process with the right equipment.   I weld aluminum with mig every day at work.Have fun with the new welder if you get it!Last edited by DesertRider33; 12-20-2007 at 09:51 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Pyro, look around for a better deal on the Millermatic 140.  My neighbor got a new Millermatic 180 last month for under $700 at Airgas.I believe all the 2008 Millermatic 140's are Auto-Set.  The 2007's had 2 models, one with, one without.  The auto-set feature can be defeated though so you can adjust the volts and wire feed speed seperately like a normal mig, so no big deal.The 140 will run on a 15 amp breaker.   To run it at max, you may need a 20 amp breaker.   Yes you can connect it to any normal household 115v outlet.  It is best used on a circuit where only the welder will be on during welding.I agree, mig is the easiest process to learn and become good at.  It is also clean and fast.Yes, you can weld tube stock, or stock of any shape, as well as plate, sheet, grate, or just about any metal configuration with MIG.  You can weld any mild steel with the mig process with CO2 or argon/CO2 mix shielding gas with solid wire, or no gas with gasless-flux-core wire.   Stainless can be welded with stainless wire and argon gas.  I don't think I would try welding aluminum with  that machine, but aluminum can be welded with the mig process with the right equipment.   I weld aluminum with mig every day at work.Have fun with the new welder if you get it!
Reply:Also, I looked on ebay and you can get it for around $630 dollarsI might be purchasing this for a good christmas present.
Reply:That sounds like a great Christmas present.   You won't be the only one buying yourself a welder for Christmas this year...Yes, some the difference between the 140 and the larger (212 and 252) machines is amps output and duty cycle, as well as the ability to plug in a spool gun for welding aluminum without any extra control box to buy, a bigger heavier machine chassis on it's own wheels that can hold a full size gas bottle, digital volt/amp meters, better wire drive mechanism, heavier duty torch, etc.   There isn't much difference between the 140 and the 180 though, other than amps output and 220v versus 115v power input requirements.  Torches and machine chassis are the same, wire drives appear to be the same too.   Both are good little machines.   If you only have 115v power, the 140 will do you fine.   If there's access to 220v, the 180 would be my choice.Last edited by DesertRider33; 12-21-2007 at 09:08 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I'll put a plug in for the MM135.  Might be the predecessor to the 140 autoset.  Good machine, I've ran about 400 lbs of .023 wire through it.  Welds what I want it to... and if I can't, the Dynasty can.