Lincoln 225 buzzbox for practicing?

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I am looking for a welder under $300 that I may find on Craigslist or wherever that I can use to practice stick welding in my driveway on scrap metal. I just want something that will allow me to maintain what I've learned in the case that I don't find work right of of school. I don't want to get rusty as time passes. Do you think I would need the AC/DC model or will the AC be just fine? It would be nice to have a welder capable of tinkering on small projects if the need arises but this would mostly be for practicing. Thanks.
Reply:I say there is nothing wrong with a $100 buzz box.And when you stumble on a better deal you can sell it for what you paid.But, for $300-$400 you can buy a nice used Dialarc 250 AC/DC machine and keep practicing with a high quality machine.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:Good welderLast edited by Bosco99; 12-26-2014 at 02:46 PM.Reason: edit edit
Reply:Originally Posted by Bosco99Good welder
Reply:You can do a lot of work with an AC buzz box. As much as I would like a DC machine, almost everything I've fixed on the farm for the last 30+ years has been with the Forney buzz box. I picked up the Sears machine at a sale because it was so cheap ($40) that I got it for a backup just in case. As noted above, AC machines are plentiful under $150... if you are prepared to spend $300 to $400 around major population centers in the US, you can probably get a decent DC machine. North of the border they'll cost you more.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:Here is a better picture. The entire piece was welded with a Lincoln 225AC buzz box using 1/8 6011's and is 20 feet long.Last edited by Bosco99; 12-26-2014 at 03:28 PM.
Reply:I'm not much into "art" but what is that supposed to be? It sure appears abstract.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Here is one easier to identify. It is my Rocket Car also built using a Lincoln 225AC buzz box with 1/8 6011's and is 35 feet long.Last edited by Bosco99; 12-26-2014 at 04:00 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bosco99Here is one easier to identify. It is my Rocket Car also built using a Lincoln 225AC buzz box with 1/8 6011's and is 35 feet long.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bosco99Here is one easier to identify. It is my Rocket Car also built using a Lincoln 225AC buzz box with 1/8 6011's and is 35 feet long.
Reply:You can't go wrong with a Lincoln 225 buzzbox
Reply:In your price range the Ideal Arc 250 ac/dc is calling you, they are sweeeet.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:I always thought I welded better on AC.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bosco99Here is a better picture. The entire piece was welded with a Lincoln 225AC buzz box using 1/8 6011's and is 20 feet long.
Reply:In the front area where there is an interior room and a spiral staircase overlooking,  is 14 axled automobile rims inwhich the whole piece sits on giving it apearance of floating. One photo shows the interior with a bit of camera distortion. The piece is contracted to an art center but is available for sale Fall of 2015
Reply:Wow that is a really impressive welding sculpture! On another note I found a guy on Craigslist who is willing to trade his lincoln 225 AC only buzz box for my 25 gallon pest control spray rig. I shut my pest business down in Dec of 2013 and haven't had a need to use it. It's still in my truck so I can show a potential buyer that it works but I haven't had any offers on my add. I asked this gentleman if he wanted to trade and after showing him some pics of the rig he agreed. Hopefully I will have it by Friday if he comes through for me. I would have preferred the AC/DC model but I kind of need this welder yesterday so I can practice on weekends and after school is done so that I get better. If it works out this will be the first welder I own.
Reply:Just remember that AC rods are called for. Regular 7018 doesn't run well on a buzz box, buy 7018AC rods instead - it's marked that way right on the box and rods.Also, 6011 is your AC replacement for 6010.6013 and 7014 run very nice on AC or DC (7014 being my top AC choice of the two).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:paid $40 for my AC buzzer.... i still use it on anything i cannot get with wire... i have run many many boxes of 6011 6013 7014 7018 Ni rod & SST.... wouldnt trade it.... however if i would go pick up my SA300 my tune might change. that being said i have gotten so used to running 7018 on AC i have a hard time using DC now... must be a mind thing, or cuz of the cheater box on my buzzer...
Reply:Originally Posted by MISSING LINKpaid $40 for my AC buzzer.... i still use it on anything i cannot get with wire... i have run many many boxes of 6011 6013 7014 7018 Ni rod & SST.... wouldnt trade it.... however if i would go pick up my SA300 my tune might change. that being said i have gotten so used to running 7018 on AC i have a hard time using DC now... must be a mind thing, or cuz of the cheater box on my buzzer...
Reply:I guess it depends on what you need to practice. If you plan on welding out of position pipe a ac machine not the best choice but any welder is better than no welderMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Ha!! Ya Dave i need to be slapped... An sa300 for $300 is a heck of a deal.... just got a new job at one of the local giant sand pits here... now i will have some time to tinker with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by MISSING LINKHa!! Ya Dave i need to be slapped... An sa300 for $300 is a heck of a deal.... just got a new job at one of the local giant sand pits here... now i will have some time to tinker with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopI guess it depends on what you need to practice. If you plan on welding out of position pipe a ac machine not the best choice but any welder is better than no welder
Reply:Again, to quote an earlier post, AC/DC is preferable.  Any welder is better than no welder.Today I read of a guy who made an engine driven welder from an old lawn mower, a car alternator, and a old 12 volt battery.  He has less than $35 invested.It has a 50 amp output and a low duty cycle, but it does weld.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:That Tombstone and some 7018AC will be perfect for practicing your structural welding.HF 98233 Stick/TigHF  95136 PlasmaEastwood TIG200Eastwood MIG250Damn, I cut it twice already and it's still too short!Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave Originally Posted by MISSING LINKHa!! Ya Dave i need to be slapped... An sa300 for $300 is a heck of a deal.... just got a new job at one of the local giant sand pits here... now i will have some time to tinker with it.