best type of welder to cover my needs

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i am in the market for a welder having never used one the more research i do the more i flip back and forth as to what to get as far as mig or a stick and plasma machine.the projects that i intend on building would be some fireplace grates probably 1/2 to max of 3/4 steel square stock.also fireplace doors made with 2 inch x 3/16 or 2inch by 1/4 steel flat bar i do intend on welding some small barel hinges on the fireplace doors and want nice small clean welds on the hinges ,the two other things are i would prefer to grind some of the welds to a clean smooth finish wasnt sure if one process was better than another or if it was more the wire or stick used i was looking at either mig or a stick/tig combo machine was hoping to know what machine people would choose that are familar with all types if they where going to build  the above projects any input would be appriciated thanks
Reply:If I were you I would take some welding classes first so you can get an idea of what system will work best for you.With that said if it was up to me I would buy an Ironman or 210 MVP with spool gun. One of these welders will pretty much cover what most people will need to weld.They will weld thick,thin, aluminum and stainless along with flux cored which is similar to stick welding. I would get the biggest welder you can afford because at some point you will need to weld something thick and it's always best to have more power than not enough.
Reply:Good choice Originally Posted by kctgbIf I were you I would take some welding classes first so you can get an idea of what system will work best for you.With that said if it was up to me I would buy an Ironman or 210 MVP with spool gun. One of these welders will pretty much cover what most people will need to weld.They will weld thick,thin, aluminum and stainless along with flux cored which is similar to stick welding. I would get the biggest welder you can afford because at some point you will need to weld something thick and it's always best to have more power than not enough.
Reply:I'll second the Hobart 210.  But.... The Miller 211 has a prettier blue paint job.  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:Welcome ! I would post your location, there maybe a member nearby that would let you test drive a machine. Do you have craigs list by you ? I would look for a used AC/DC  MILLER Thunderbolt stick machine which is 230 volt power source. Great machine and will do your thicker metals. Stick 6010 rod is great too for old dirty metal on repairs. You can use a stick rod where a mig gun would be kinda hard to fit. I do not like a three in one machine.    For mig I like the MILLER 211 which is in the current rebate program until end of MARCH. This would work well too and is awesome for lighter gauge metal or art work if you decide to play with that too. It is also 115/230 multi volt power source.  http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/   Whatever you do stick with MILLER, LINCOLN, and HOBART. Hobart is the least expensive with MILLER and Lincoln being closer in price. You must look at all the features too. There are differences by manufactures just to confuse the buyers and making price comparison challenging .   Shop local and get a package deal and you'll save some money. Online prices are sometimes only a few bucks less than local. You'll need a gas cylinder if you go mig.  Just tell us how much of your money we can spend .
Reply:There are some good deals on Craigslist in Washington State.Here's a Miller Dialarc for $550.00http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/tls/4366628106.htmlMiller DialArc 250 setup for stick welding now but can be used for Tig as well. Bought the welder to complete a job in my sheet metal business, retirement is the only reason for the sale. Works great, has less than 100 hours on machine, has been in my shop all its life. Comes with power cable and stick leads. This is a AC/DC machine. See picture for whats included. And here's a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC for $350.00 in Spokane.  Looks like it's in great condition.http://spokane.craigslist.org/for/4348935810.htmlReally heavy, but portable! $350 firm. Very good condition, everything works. For more info call (509) 326-0933 - David (barbershop place) Lincoln Precision TIG 185.Flex-Loc 150 torch.Super-Flex hose.Lincoln MIG 180.Victor Oxy/Act torch set.DeWalt Bandsaw with SWAG stand
Reply:"...nice small clean welds..." = MIG or TIGI would think something in the 175-200 Amp class would do nicely.  Hobart 187, 190, 210, Lincoln 175, 180, Miller 211, Thermal Arc/TWECO 181i, 211i.Last edited by Oldendum; 03-09-2014 at 08:53 AM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:These guys are nutz.Just go get a used 225 buzz box.Red or Blue.If you become a freakazoid nutjob , like most of us, you can begin the collection later. If you are a normal, sane individual; with a real life, a buzzer will do most of what you need to do for the rest of your life.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeThese guys are nutz.Just go get a used 225 buzz box.Red or Blue.If you become a freakazoid nutjob , like most of us, you can begin the collection later. If you are a normal, sane individual; with a real life, a buzzer will do most of what you need to do for the rest of your life.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeThese guys are nutz.Just go get a used 225 buzz box.Red or Blue.If you become a freakazoid nutjob , like most of us, you can begin the collection later. If you are a normal, sane individual; with a real life, a buzzer will do most of what you need to do for the rest of your life.
Reply:Agree with Burpee ,scratch start tig for alum. or a Hi Freq box. I have a TM -500 ac/dc can weld and gouge anything made. Subarc, gouge does it all.
Reply:If I were you and wanted to start welding I would go to Eastwood's website and order the mig/plasma combo their great for the home hobbyist and are cheap. I do recommend a welding class though like at an adult school or something that can teach you the basics and safety.http://www.eastwood.com/mig175-and-v...utter-kit.htmlLincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:thanks everyone for the input i was leaning toward a mig set up just wanted to make sure it would do what i needed was thinking hobart 140 or longevity 200 something mig an stick machine ..now maybe have to check out the more powerful stuff just a bit more than i was hoping to spend.
Reply:Most of the 120 volt machines max out on 1/8'' or a little more. Not much more to go first class and you only want to buy it  ONCE RIGHT ? Save a little longer and choose wisely.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbI respectfully disagree with your assessment, try welding aluminum or thin sheet metal with a stick welder. It can be done but the aluminum looks like sh*t and the thin stuff takes lots of experience and practice. Just my 2 cents from my experience.
Reply:For the material you want to work with, a stick welder will work great for you.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:A good dc stick welder will also tig weld via scratch start. Nice option for welding thin steel/stainless material.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Don't discount a TA211i.  Multiprocess.  Can stick, mig or tig with the same machine.  Get great reviews.  Around the same price as a Miller 211.  Not sure if dual voltage or not.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Here's just the one you need, it is even trailer mounted for easy transport.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?271831-Sae-400Have fun with it. You should have plenty of power to do those projects you are wanting to tackle.