Small inverter stick welders?

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So I am looking for a welder just to practice Vgroove and fillet welds on stick. The only dryer type outlet I have is on my small back porch and I don't want to weld out there because there is so much wood to catch on fire. I have a concrete pad outside but the wife doesn't want me to have an electrician install a new outlet out there because we are renters. I noticed the small inverters can run on 110. Something like this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2004_200632004  I have gotten mixed reviews about these small units and thought I would ask about them here. Would this be enough just to allow me to practice once in awhile? Are they a total waste of money?
Reply:practice toward what end? if you are training in school for pipe welding and such, then no the little inverters are going to be no help. If you are just a hobbyist, they may be more applicable, but still not great.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:If you have a 30 Amp, 240V dryer outlet and can use maybe a 25 foot extension cord to get the work away from the porch, then something like this ESAB 161LTS may suit you.  It will also run on 120V, but at maybe 95 Amps.http://www.bakersgas.com/ESA05580119...FQkkgQodq0wAQA"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 OldendumIf you have a 30 Amp, 240V dryer outlet and can use maybe a 25 foot extension cord to get the work away from the porch, then something like this ESAB 161LTS may suit you.  It will also run on 120V, but at maybe 95 Amps.http://www.bakersgas.com/ESA05580119...FQkkgQodq0wAQA
Reply:Not all "small" inverters are created equally. Most units don't run 6010 well at all, especially in whip and pause. If you want a machine to do this, that seriously limits your options. I believe the Esab 161 LTS is one of the few "lower" priced inverters that will run 6010 decently. My Maxstar 200DX will also, but not the Maxstar 150 machines. My Maxstar is much more expensive than the Esab is, but the Easb supposedly isn't designed to do tig like my Maxstar 200 is either.Small inexpensive inverters often leave a lot to be desired. The mid priced ones start to be quite useful especially with 3/32"7018, but max output is often limited and the majority will not run 6010 well in whip and pause. The higher end units give you the most options and output..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:Why do you want to practice V groove and fillet welds? It seems odd to me to buy a machine just to practice with. Are you looking at getting into welding or something else?
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveWhy do you want to practice V groove and fillet welds? It seems odd to me to buy a machine just to practice with. Are you looking at getting into welding or something else?
Reply:I finally managed to get a chance to look at the link in your 1st post. I certainly wouldn't recommend that unit if you are serious about learning and want to make a career out of this.A better unit might be the TA95S. It's 110v only and does a decent job of running 3/32" 7018, at least at the lower end of the rods specs. It will NOT do 6010, though some report it isn't too bad using 6011 instead. Price isn't all that bad.The Esab 161 suggested earlier is an even better choice but more expensive. If I wanted a machine to practice stick with, it's probably the best little inverter I've seen for the money.A used Maxstar 150 would also be a good choice, but again you can't run 6010 well with it.You get what you pay for with inverters. Low end inexpensive inverters simply don't do a good job converting input power to output power. While they may say "90 amps", all the cheap units I've used don't weld like they are tuned to 90 amps. They weld like the amps are set a lot lower. 3/32" rods are often a stretch with these machines and smaller rods are a better choice. These aren't really the thing to use to learn to weld professionally though. Better machines don't seem to have this issue. Usually this starts at around the $400 price range or so.Also just like most 110v machines, what you feed them is critical. A 15 amp circuit will not get you optimal output from the system. You really need to use a 20 amp or better dedicated circuit and a 12 ga or better extension cord if possible..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:Ok well I can spend around $500. I have looked for used around here but no one has any decent welders in my price range. Would the Lincoln 225 AC/DC be a better choice for that kind of money? I suppose I could use this http://www.amazon.com/gp/huc/view.ht...7CPRY3O548%2C1 instead of running a new line.
Reply:The Esab 161 is a great little unit.  It runs 6010 with no problem.  1/8" 6010 will run fine on 110.  I've even ran 3/16 6010 just to see if it could and it did very well.  It also runs 7018 (3/32 and 1/8) fine as mentioned earlier.  I have no doubt I could pass X-ray on pipe with this machine.  I love both Lincoln and Miller and think they are tops, but I think the Esab is a great option for a hobbyist to play with.Last edited by matt002; 02-08-2015 at 08:58 PM.Lincoln Vantage 300Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln LN-25Lincoln MiniflexMiller CST 280MillerMatic 180Hypertherm Powermax 45ESAB 161LTS
Reply:Looks like they still have the sale on them. I agree a good little welder from the playing that I've done with mine. But for anything other than 3/32" 6010 or below I believe you'll really need to be hooked to 240v to make it work well. http://www.bakersgas.com/ESA0558011934.html  Just don't be to surprised at what it comes in. I got a second one in for a customer and panicked when I saw the box inside the shipping box.  But turned out alright in the end since it really was a 161 in there.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumIf you have a 30 Amp, 240V dryer outlet and can use maybe a 25 foot extension cord to get the work away from the porch, then something like this ESAB 161LTS may suit you.  It will also run on 120V, but at maybe 95 Amps.http://www.bakersgas.com/ESA05580119...FQkkgQodq0wAQA
Reply:Originally Posted by matt002The Esab 161 is a great little unit.  It runs 6010 with no problem.  1/8" 6010 will run fine on 110.  I've even ran 3/16 6010 just to see if it could and it did very well.  It also runs 7018 (3/32 and 1/8) fine as mentioned earlier.  I have no doubt I could pass X-ray on pipe with this machine.  I love both Lincoln and Miller and think they are tops, but I think the Esab is a great option for a hobbyist to play with.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixit  Just don't be to surprised at what it comes in. I got a second one in for a customer and panicked when I saw the box inside the shipping box.
Reply:I remembered your box when this happened. For a moment I was rather taken aback by it though. But then they didn't get mine completely right either. I ordered the SMAW version and that's what was on the box. But the TIG torch and flowmeter where in the case as well. I'm not complaining (I like free stuff) but it does make you wonder just how well they're checking these shipments.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Nice torch and flow meter too - even nicer when free Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfusematt, I often run 7018's on my ESAB 161.  Beads are fine with 3/32" rods but are a bit cold with 1/8" rods and 110amps.  I doubt seriously they would pass X-ray!.  Best to be in the 120 amp range which would require 220VAC input for that welder.
Reply:I agree that it's a real nice torch a pretty good flow meter. Much better than I would of expected for a small welder like this.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by matt002I never said it could run 1/8" 7018 on 110v.  I was talking about xx10 series rod, not 7018, with the X-ray and on 220v.  I could have been a little more clear.  I have no doubt you could pass an API1104 X-ray with the Esab.
Reply:That ESAB 161 looks like a nice little machine. I sold my Maxstar last year Oh well, if I replace it, I think it'll be with a Yellow machine. Be a first for me. Too poor to do it right now, but you never know down the road. I may actually get a welding job in!! Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by matt002I never said it could run 1/8" 7018 on 110v.  I was talking about xx10 series rod, not 7018, with the X-ray and on 220v.  I could have been a little more clear.  I have no doubt you could pass an API1104 X-ray with the Esab.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitIt does run 1/8" 6010 on 120v fairly well though I've managed to blow two different 20amp breakers doing it. But I think it does a much better job of running it on 240v input. In my testing I got real aggressive with the whipping trying to make it go out just to see what it would do. On 120v input it would snuff out occasionally (though it restarted instantly so really didn't affect the weld much) but I never had it hesitate one time on 240v input.   I've still got to get another breaker so I can get my 30amp 120v outlet back up and running to give it a better test of the high end on 120v. But that's not really the problem here. I believe that if a guy was trying to do real welding practice on a standard 15amp outlet wired into a house he'd be stacking the deck against himself. Just not enough power available in that situation.
Reply:The esab 161 is a good machine.miller maxstar have a solid rep as well.the everlast 140 or 160 would run on a 30 amp outlet but none of these will run 6010, some will run 6011 but that's it.If you had a 40 amp line that opens things up much more For duty cycle and running 6010 rods. What were you wanting to spend.I had zero luck on CL for smaller machines. I could get industrial ones for reasonable but not the amps to run them.Lincoln ac tombstoneeverlast powerarc 300ST
Reply:I think the Lincoln ac/dc would be a very good welder for you. If you could come across an Idealarc 250/250 on CL, they are fine welders. And on the Northern Tool deals, they have the 200amp version of that welder too.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52