what welder to choose

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i currently have a stick welder which im finding very hard to make my welds good and strong. so im going to buy a new one im one about a 300 to 400 au dollar budget.here are a few i found on ebay that im might buy. just wanted to see what you guys thought about them.http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....TODAY.m238.lVIhttp://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....TODAY.m238.lVIhttp://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....TODAY.m238.lVI
Reply:I know nothing about those brands. They look like chinese imports but I could be wrong, I don't know what sort of name brand machines they sell in Australia ( I say this since you don't say where you are from but the ebay looks like its from there.) It looks like the 1st and 3rd machines have the same specs as far as power at a quick glance, up to 180amp. The 2nd looks to be a lesser powered unit.What problems are you having with stick? If you are having problems making good strong welds in stick I would bet that you may have a similar problem with a mig. You need to prep your material properly, clean, good fitup, flat or horizontal welds if possible. What stick are you trying to run and at what amp setting? I can usually get better penetration from my stick machine compared to my mig. Out of position welds are hard to learn regardless of your method. A mig is somewhat easier to learn on and will do some things better than stick, say thin materials. But stick is generally preferred for better penetration and heavier metals.
Reply:stick welding is a great way to learn. with little practice you can get very comfortable with a stick unit.what is your stick machine? what rods are you trying to use? what material?
Reply:snoeproe, I see that this is your 1st post welcome aboard.
Reply:Saying that you have a stick welder could mean a lot of things. What do you have for a welder? Unless most of your work is autobody work I'd rather have a used major brand stick welder than a brand new chinese mig any day. If done everything from 16 ga sheet metal to building a car trailer with a used $100 Montgomery Wards stick welder.
Reply:My dad has used the same Monkey Ward stick welder for over 40 years. Great little welder. Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, Thermal Arc and Esab all build good small mig machines but I don't know if they are available down under. I look at welding machines like any other tool and most other things - you get what you pay for, and my experience with most Chinese products amounts to let the buyer beware.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:If you get some good teaching and spend time practicing with that stick welder, you'll become good at it and not have a need for those cheap asian migs.   My advice- save some money and learn to use the machine you have MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:You can get a nice bead out of even the cheapest POS machine, if you turn up the heat and pay attention to your puddle. The better machines make it a lot easier and enable you to do thicker metals though. In my opinion you should invest in a quality used machine, a 235 amp AC / DC Lincoln tombstone can be picked well within your budget. Bring your shield and do a few demo beads before you hand over the cash. Come to think of it, a new one is only $369 at Homedepot.  Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development