First welder purchase question...

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Im in the market for a stick welder, for mostly odd jobs around the farm. I am looking at the lincoln 225, they have the ac at home depot for 269 and the ac/dc for 389. My question as a newbie is can i get away with the ac or would the ac/dc be the one to get. Ill mainly be welding angle iron, plate, and pipe(not process pipe just pieces of pipe for gates and things) carbon steelAny advice would be appreciated and what is the major difference in welding with ac vs. dc
Reply:Welcome to the forum. If you can afford it, go with the AC/DC model. Many rods run better in DC. DC will give you more control in some circumstances. DC+ will run deep penetrating rods like 6010 which burn thru rust and paint. DC- will limit penetration and allow rods like 6013 to be used for thinner materials.Some rods only run in DC like 6010 and some 7018 rods. Others like 6013, 7014 will run AC or DC. Ac is basically just flipping from welding DC+ to DC- 60 times per second. AC does have applications where it works better than DC. 7018 will not run DC- but you can run some 7018 rods AC to limit penertation. AC will also weld magnetized steel that Dc won't do well.Don't be scared to buy an AC only machine. Over the years many projects have been built with those AC lincoln tomestones. But if you spend the litte extra now you will have the DC available and not have to go and get another machine later if you grow and keep going.
Reply:thanks
Reply:I would go with the AC/DC machine even though it is more money. You said you are a newbie. I can almost gurantee that after you weld awhile you will use DC for almost everything. AC rods even have a smoother arc on DC.
Reply:The Early tomestone shaped Lincolns were nice. If you are going to get a unit nowadays, better off going to a Miller t-bolt / Hobart StickMate AC/DC
Reply:Cruizer my new tombstone (1 1/2 years) welds almost exactly like my old tombstone (ancient). I used a Thunderbolt (shortly after it came out) a few times in a shop I used to work in when the real machines couldn't reach something. Based on that I wouldn't trade a tombstone for ten thunderbolts. I just hope Miller fixed them. And don't get me wrong I actually like Miller shop machines.AC will do the job and do it well, but you will like doing it with dc better.Last edited by Jolly Roger; 06-07-2008 at 10:38 PM.Reason: Added toThe difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerAC will do the job and do it well, but you will like doing it with dc better.