Thinking about buying a stick welder.

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I just started getting into welding and so far I've really been enjoying it.  I purchased a Hobart 210 MVP but now I'm considering a stick welder also.  I know alot of people are against the china made welders but I'm trying to keep the price realistic and possibly get a dual machine.  I really like the Everlast Powerarc 200 and the 160 sth but I also like the Hobart Stickmate.  If I purchased the Hobart I'd want the ac/dc version so that bumps up the price.  If I buy the Everlast unit I can have the added option of tig (it would be extra for the 200) but I would still be lacking the ability to tig aluminum.  I can buy the spoolrunner for my 210 and be able to weld thinner aluminum so that may help also.  My main objective is to turn this into a retirement/career in about 5-7 years (I'm 50 and have been in the same business for 30 years).   Any input would be appreciated.  I know the inverter units are not time tested but I don't have a problem with newer technology.
Reply:Get you feet wet with something like a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125, or an old Sears/Wards/Century welder.  They are often available for very little money, $150 - $250.   If you have the electrical service to support one, the Miller Dialarc or Lincoln Idealarc 250 welders are the cat's meow.  Depending on your location they run around $300. used and are relatively bulletproof.  I have a Dialarc and an Idealarc and the combined cost was $650.  Also have a TA 161STL inverter I got on sale new for $650.  Got the old Syncrowave 250 AC/DC for $850."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:Recently bought an Idealarc 250 AC/DC from Burlington, Ontario, Canada without cables. Machine is 10 years old and works great. I used the cables off another machine I have. They are from a rental outfit. Shipping and taxes(I'm in Canada) were almost as much as the machine though it weighs 350 lbs. Search Lincoln Idealarc on evilbay Canada. As Oldendum says depends where you are, its a bonus to find something local.---Meltedmetal
Reply:As mentioned look for a Lincoln tombstone or a Miller Thunderbolt  AC / DC . Where are you located ? Check craigs list too. I got my Miller SD 180 syncro complete for $ 800.00.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumGet you feet wet with something like a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125, or an old Sears/Wards/Century welder.
Reply:I'm in Houston
Reply:As several others have mentioned, there's nothing you can't learn on an older transformer stick machine, and they are dirt cheap. You can still do basic scratch start tig off a DC machine without all the fancy add ons. It's done every day in the field.A machine you want to do tig on vs stick is a bit different. If you are looking for a dedicated tig machine, you want to look for a few things different than you would for a basic stick unit. either will do the basic job of the other, but there are a few things that make a dedicated tig machine a bit "better".Nice thing about most basic transformer stick units used, is that if you buy smart up front, you can always sell it later and recoup the majority of your investment. That's not always true with a new machine or low end inverters..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:My newest Inverter is a 1997 Powcon SM400. My oldest is a 1991 SM300. American made. Inverters came about in the mid 70s. Don't buy cheap china schitt. You decide welding isn't for you, you wont get your money back out of it. Get an ac/dc machine if you think your going to tig weld aluminum in the future. Otherwise a dc machine with a spool gun will work well. Buy something you can "trade up" with when you get ready to upgrade. Don't forget that the purchase of a new welder or welding attachment is for the wife so you can build her things. Originally Posted by mliebsI just started getting into welding and so far I've really been enjoying it.  I purchased a Hobart 210 MVP but now I'm considering a stick welder also.  I know alot of people are against the china made welders but I'm trying to keep the price realistic and possibly get a dual machine.  I really like the Everlast Powerarc 200 and the 160 sth but I also like the Hobart Stickmate.  If I purchased the Hobart I'd want the ac/dc version so that bumps up the price.  If I buy the Everlast unit I can have the added option of tig (it would be extra for the 200) but I would still be lacking the ability to tig aluminum.  I can buy the spoolrunner for my 210 and be able to weld thinner aluminum so that may help also.  My main objective is to turn this into a retirement/career in about 5-7 years (I'm 50 and have been in the same business for 30 years).   Any input would be appreciated.  I know the inverter units are not time tested but I don't have a problem with newer technology.
Reply:Originally Posted by blawlessMy newest Inverter is a 1997 Powcon SM400. My oldest is a 1991 SM300. American made. Inverters came about in the mid 70s. Don't buy cheap china schitt. You decide welding isn't for you, you wont get your money back out of it. Get an ac/dc machine if you think your going to tig weld aluminum in the future. Otherwise a dc machine with a spool gun will work well. Buy something you can "trade up" with when you get ready to upgrade. Don't forget that the purchase of a new welder or welding attachment is for the wife so you can build her things.
Reply:Lincoln AC/DC 225/125........hard to go wrong with that option or even an ac model.
Reply:Go with an old Idealarc or Dialarc.  Or even an old Syncrowave.  You do mention turning it into a business.  You're gonna wanna buy a tough machine once.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I got a brand new Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC a couple of years ago for 30% off list price, which made it comparable to a used machine. Got it at Tractor Supply, it was marked "damaged, sold as -is" but honestly its a transformer, there's not much to break. Mine had some minor sheet metal dings and welds fine. With all the Christmas returns going on now, you should cruise your local retailers for a deal.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Wanna do business? Get serious gear. Idealarc, Dialarc, Miller 330 or 340 and many others fill the bill for "buzzbox" money.  Buzzboxen are cool (still have my Lincoln AC/DC-225/125) but there's no substitute for horsepower.Also look out for older machines to buy for the leads. I just picked up a Hobart T 300 with 180 feet of good, still-supple 2-guage leads for 300 bucks. I bought it for the leads but after trying it out I see why people liked those old AC-only beasts for production.  Nice arc and runs well off a 50A breaker though larger would allow more capacity.  I'll probably keep it since every electrical outlet should have a welder nearby.
Reply:Got an Idealarc 250 for $350. with cart and two 100 foot 1/0 leads, one of which is almost new."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:Found this, is this close to you ?  Guy wants $90, offer $50. Get some 3/32'' 6011 rods and try it out. This could hold you over until you find a AC/DC .http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4257383902.htmlreply  x flag  Posted: 4 days ago 220 stick welding machine - $90 (LaPorte)I have a Montgomery Wards stick machine for sale. It has all its leads and cords. I will even through in a pair of welding gloves and welding rod to boot. Come try it out works perfect. Located in LaPorte buy the high school. Leave a # and I will call you back
Reply:Originally Posted by mliebsI'm in Houston
Reply:That Monkey Wards welder is no doubt made by Century.  Get it for $50. and play.My $50 welder ...Last edited by Oldendum; 12-27-2013 at 08:35 PM."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:Originally Posted by mliebsI'm in Houston
Reply:Originally Posted by mliebsI'm in Houston
Reply:That Miller Two Fifty isn't a bad price at all for an industrial AC/DC stick machine. I'd like to see it slightly lower, but it's not unreasonably priced..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThat Miller Two Fifty isn't a bad price at all for an industrial AC/DC stick machine. I'd like to see it slightly lower, but it's not unreasonably priced.