New guy, LOTS of questions

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Hello I am new here and I have zero welding experience. About a year ago I was going to start my own business (side biz) making Jeep bumpers and skid plates. I jumped right in and purchased a $2200 Esab plasma cutter and was going to follow it up with a $1500 Lincoln Welder. Well I got busy at my day job and never got around to start my business. No that things have slowed down I want to start up again however, I realize that 1) I can't afford the welder anymore and 2) I bought WAY to much plasma cutter. (I only need to cut 3/16ths at most). So I have decided to sell the Esab and but a much smaller plasma cutter and small welder. Basically I bit off more than I could chew. I am leaning toward the Licoln 180 and Lincoln ProCut 25.I am not biased toward Lincoln by any means but for what I am going to start doing I thought this would be a good starting point. Lincoln seems to have a great product and great price. The Millers I looked at were just seem a little more in price.I am way open to suggestions so pull no punches.I also figure I could get about $1500 or $1600 out of the Esab. Hell I never used it its still in its box.Any help would be greatly appreciated!Oh yeah... when I say I am new it means I have NEVER welded! But I am willing to do anything to learn!Carmen
Reply:Carmen:Have you done a search yet to see if any existing threads address your questions? http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663387    (plasma cutters)http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663390  (bumpers)http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663394  (new business)
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardCarmen:Have you done a search yet to see if any existing threads address your questions? http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663387    (plasma cutters)http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663390  (bumpers)http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=663394  (new business)
Reply:Being that the ESAB is still in the box, it might be worth talking to the place where you bought it and see if you can do some horse trading towards equipment that you need.Rex
Reply:The went out of biz. The getting rid part is easy there are plenty of people ready to take it off my hands at a discount. Basically all I need to know is what is best process to learn and what is the best welder to use while learning. (I understand that there 1 million and 1 opinions I just need a general idea.
Reply:As in all of life the best is a myth.Learn oxy/fuel first it is cheap. The rig (cylinders torch and hoses will serve you for the rest of your life and will hold their value for nearly as long.
Reply:No reason to get rid of that ESAB cutter. Its resale is less than 'downgrading' to a lesser unit. Many years ago I bought a Sync 250 and its capabilities were way over my head. But I've never been sorry that I bought it and I still have it. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I can't imagine being without an oxy-fuel set up. Definitely not the most used tool in the tool box but it is one of the most important ones. I ran out of oxygen wedsnesday night, been working late, no time to get to the LWS, been paranoid the whole time. It's my security blanket, just knowing it's setting there.
Reply:I agree with Craig- don't sell the ESAB so long as you own it outright. If someone wants to give you 2000 for it, then okay, I'd say sell it. But not for less. Fat Bastard makes a great point; once you learn with O/A, you can easily step to other process' with little hangup. A torch set becomes invaluable quickly; when you need to roll, move, bend steel, heat helps tremendously!! For the easiest, most economical welder for your bumper projects, I would suggest a 180 Lincoln or Miller mig welder. They have that extra power over a 110v mig for some thicker material, and are still under 1000. For production typre bumpers, tig is too slow for anyone but the most experienced welders, and truthfully, you won't find many who will pay for the added cost of the labor involved with the tig welding.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Some great advice on equipment guys but I also think some $ towards learning to weld would be a priority investment here as well.  If you have a local tech school they most likely have some sort of night school where you could pick up some of the basic skills.  They will give you access to a bunch of different processes and an instructor who can help you along. Best of all most of these night courses are usually relatively inexpensive, I just enrolled in a machinist course for $113 for 10 weeks (one night a week).  Best of luck in your new enterprise!- If you can jump across it you can weld it!  - anonymous old boilermaker
Reply:Hey I really appreciate the advice. I just got of the phone there is a community college north of me and they have classes starting in about 2 months so I am going to enroll in that.Again I appreciate it, thanks