miller Thunderbolt XL 225/150 AC/DC or Lincoln AC/DC 225/125

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hey there so i've been taking and welding intro class for the last 3 past months or so an lately ive been looking at these tow stick welders and trying make up my mind any ideasAngel
Reply:Both great choices and relatively bulletproof.  You'll need the input amperage for them though, so figure on a 50 amp circuit of 220V.The Miller will have better resale value if you decided to part with it someday.  Consider the cheaper Hobart version of the Miller as well.  Same machine.
Reply:whichever you choose get a machine that has fine tuning current control. the tombstone is a good machine but lacks the infinite adjustment a machine like the thunderbolt offers.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderwhichever you choose get a machine that has fine tuning current control. the tombstone is a good machine but lacks the infinite adjustment a machine like the thunderbolt offers.
Reply:If you ever move on to scratch start TIG, you will want the Miller or Hobart unit with infinite control.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I'm not a "red" or "blue" guy but like both because of the quality and ability to get support if you ever need it.With that said, go with infinite adjustment.  More experienced welders can adapt to the amperage easier than rookies (like me).I recently saw a Thunderbolt AC/DC on CL in the Houston area for $120 with no leads.  I didn't buy it because I already have one (that was my excuse to myself).  I'll probably be kicking myself one day for not jumping on it.  That's about as cheap as they go around here.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:well heres what i came up with so far linconl makes 7018 and 6010 electrodes to not stick but idk if the miller machine has that ability also the miller has more amperage and ways less
Reply:You can use any brand electrode with either machine.  They are not machine specific.  The Miller has more amperage on the DC side.Not sure what else you were talking about in the last post...GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:The Hobart is over $200.00 less than the miller in my area, makes no sense as they are the same machine. Also, the Hobart/Miller are better for scratch tig like someone mentioned above.
Reply:Originally Posted by arocha49hey there so i've been taking and welding intro class for the last 3 past months or so an lately ive been looking at these tow stick welders and trying make up my mind any ideas
Reply:I've welded lots with both and honestly prefer the Hobart Stickmate/Miller Thunderbolt (same machines, I brought the Stickmate because it was a decent bit cheaper). Both are great, great welders for the hobby welder. I went with the Stickmate/Thunderbolt because it had a slightly better duty cycle at the top end (IIRC) and also because of the infinite adjustment vs. the tapped outputs of the LincolnYou wouldn't be making the wrong choice with an AC/DC Tombstone by any means though.Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Find an older round top Lincoln Idealarc AC/DC 250. With the big hand crank wheel on the front.
Reply:AK i know the fundamentals of welding oh and BTW im subscribed too chucky 2009Angel
Reply:I bought a Miller Thunderbolt, AC/DC for a third machine on a 36 slip sail boat project. We would weld with it, one rod after another for hours, way, way past it's duty cycle. Eventually you would strike an arc and the machine would growl at you, really loud. It would be really hot and would need to cool. I would leave the machine on and go take a leak and get a drink and start back in again, That went on for 5 months. I gave the machine to the younger hand that was on the job as a bonus. He still welds with it today. That is one hell of a machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by arocha49AK i know the fundamentals of welding oh and BTW im subscribed too chucky 2009
Reply:AK as a matter a fact im having trouble with 7018 and 6010 1\8 it sticks on me too much sir on a 1\4 flatbarAngel
Reply:Originally Posted by BobI bought a Miller Thunderbolt, AC/DC for a third machine on a 36 slip sail boat project. We would weld with it, one rod after another for hours, way, way past it's duty cycle. Eventually you would strike an arc and the machine would growl at you, really loud. It would be really hot and would need to cool. I would leave the machine on and go take a leak and get a drink and start back in again, That went on for 5 months. I gave the machine to the younger hand that was on the job as a bonus. He still welds with it today. That is one hell of a machine.