Help me pick welder

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Hi everyone, I'm a beginner so please spare with me. I'm looking into purchasing either the Hot Max Arc 100 or Stanley 119 welder due to the reviews and price point.Between the two which do you guys recommend. They appear to have similar specs, but I'm curious what you guys think. I already have a my own helmet so that is not an issue. With regards to sticks what do you guys recommend for a beginner?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._cd_al_qh_dp_thttp://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Power-...ct_top?ie=UTF8Thanks
Reply:What are you planning on welding with it? Not so sure about either brand but you can buy a used Lincoln tombstone for around the same price. Are you needing a 110 unit because of no access to 220? Are you looking at those because of portability?Lincoln 210 MPHarbor Freight Plasma
Reply:I'm just a hobbyist so nothing major, doing small repair work around the house and things of that nature. I'm looking for something small and portable that is why i settled on the two. 110v is a must b/c if i travel with it, most homes won't easily have 220 available for the small light jobs. Thanks
Reply:They both look like great door stops to me. Check out the PowerArc 200ST. My brother-n-law bought one almost a year ago. He loves it, he worked all his life as a welder. He is retired now, just builds attachments for his tractor.http://www.everlastgenerators.com/catalog-stick-weldersDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I will take a look thanks for the feedback
Reply:Originally Posted by af88I will take a look thanks for the feedback
Reply:thanks, someone else recommended this brand too but the smaller unit to compare. Since I plan on using this for thin metal about 1/8" -20gauge i think I might pass on stick all together and get a MIG. Leaning towards the Lincoln Electric model they sell at lowes and home depot but I will need to do some research. I need something compact and portable which is key.
Reply:20-GA, I’d be Tig welding that. It’s hard to get one welder that will do everything. This one will come close, but you better hold onto your wallet when you see the price.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I guess I will have to keep doing more research. For a hobbyist do you think a Mig is a good way to go initially.
Reply:Originally Posted by af88For a hobbyist do you think a Mig is a good way to go initially.
Reply:Thanks, i will pass on the stick and look into Mig
Reply:Originally Posted by af88I guess I will have to keep doing more research. For a hobbyist do you think a Mig is a good way to go initially.
Reply:This is a really nice Mig set up. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I actually looked into classes b/c I always wanted to learn to weld, however the times they offer them will not work due to my work schedule, so I'm looking at local welders that would maybe let me apprentice under them on the weekends to pick up the basics. I understand what you mean about the gas vs flux core, I was initially planning on using flux core than move to gas as I get more advanced and want cleaner welds. I've seen a few dozen videos on youtube for beginners and more or less they all mention the same things but unless I actually have some hands on work the videos are only marginally helping. I don't have much room in the garage either so I would prefer a small Mig which leads me back into the pool of options to pick from. I realize the bigger the better but in some cases for portability it just won't work if I have to run to a friends house to help them weld something up.
Reply:CEP- nice setup indeed, but too big for my garage
Reply:Originally Posted by af88CEP- nice setup indeed, but too big for my garage
Reply:If you weld for a living im sure the ROI is quick
Reply:If 110 mig is what you want I'd suggest looking at these 2 Hobart Handler 140 http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...140-mig-welder or lincoln Weld Pak 140 http://t.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Ele...14-1/100670934My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Thanks I will look into both
Reply:Originally Posted by af88If you weld for a living im sure the ROI is quick
Reply:Well you got a hell of a setup for a hobbyist
Reply:Oh I’m just a hobbyist like you!
Reply:Originally Posted by af88Well you got a hell of a setup for a hobbyist
Reply:Originally Posted by skyboltoneAnd you got some pretty long legs by the looks of your avatar there.....
Reply:Check out the TWECO 141i. Around $575 - $585. plus $75 rebate at present.http://store.cyberweld.com/twfa14miw...FcEUHwod23EKAghttp://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIP"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 welderOriginally Posted by CEPThis is a really nice Mig set up.
Reply:Originally Posted by af88Hi everyone, I'm a beginner so please spare with me. I'm looking into purchasing either the Hot Max Arc 100 or Stanley 119 welder due to the reviews and price point.Between the two which do you guys recommend. They appear to have similar specs, but I'm curious what you guys think. I already have a my own helmet so that is not an issue. With regards to sticks what do you guys recommend for a beginner?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._cd_al_qh_dp_thttp://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Power-...ct_top?ie=UTF8Thanks
Reply:I bought my Everlast 140ST from homedepot.com for 260-270 shipped and it is amazing.  Also is dual voltage which will help if you want to weld thicker materials...you can find 220.
Reply:With your requirements, I'd go with oxy-acetylene gas torch.  Inexpensive (when you buy used bottles off CL), very portable (with mid-size tanks), no worries about whether or not the site has electricity.  Can do thin or thick material with the right tips.  Oxy-acetylene is the only process in my shop right now.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:tweco 141 mig/stick/tig , perfect !
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI have a tendency to take things to the max!
Reply:I would keep a watch on craigslist as well. You may find one of the nicer setups closer to your budget.Lincoln 210 MPHarbor Freight Plasma
Reply:I have used a Tweco 252i. Really nice, for mig. I went with a 200a TIG/Stick for home use and haven't regretted it. You might get something welded on your first try with MIG, but you'll learn more with a stick unit. Adding a bottle and a TIG torch later will give you a whole new process, good for 20Ga stainless.I gave my Lincoln weld-pak 100 back to my sister, who wants to preheat 1/8" material?Post your location and we'll look though the battered soldiers on Craigslist for you.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Thanks everyone really good info doing research on all.Reading everyone's comments, I really like the 3-1 combo, tig,mig,stick and dual voltage machine. That is where my focus will be b/c like you guys said as I grow my skills I will probably need to use each for the appropriate scenario.I like this machine but it is missing the 220/110 dual voltage feature. Is there anything out there in this price point with these options you guys recommend? http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIPLast edited by af88; 08-11-2015 at 12:32 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by af88Thanks everyone really good info doing research on all.Reading everyone's comments, I really like the 3-1 combo, tig,mig,stick and dual voltage machine. That is where my focus will be b/c like you guys said as I grow my skills I will probably need to use each for the appropriate scenario.http://www.weldersupply.com/P/849/Tw...catoriFREESHIP
Reply:Will do
Reply:af88I have a Millermatic 211 and it is one of the best welders I have ever used. Like you I am a hobby guy so I don't have lots of experience and I was able to do great sheet metal work with .023 wire and then weld some 3/8 with .035 wire. Miller's mvp plug is great too. If you have a few minutes check out welding tips and tricks on YouTube the channel has a ton of info and great videos.Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPHopefully your eyes stop around the knee area!
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveThat's just the fender ornament... you should see the hood ornament.
Reply:Have you looked at the AHP AlphaTig 200x.  Pretty well rounded for the price and gives you plenty of room to grow.   And Amps/Duty cycle ain't bad either.  Or a used Miller Maxstar str. Love my 140strSent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using TapatalkMiller Bobcat 250Miller Maxstar 140strLongevity 140 migSnapon Muscle Mig/tigHypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:Upon reading all the literature on the Tweco, one thing to keep in mind is that it doesn't use a standard "Tweco" style mig gun. It uses their new gun with Velocity tips. So you won't be able to just stop by any big box or local welding shop and pick up some tips for your gun.   I'm looking at that machine also, but the thought of not being able to pick up a necessary supply at the drop of a hat scares me.  Maybe it's a fear unwarranted because I've yet to wear out a single tip on my Hobart Handler, so maybe its just the prepper in me thinking I'll run out of tips at the most inconvenient time.Good luck on your search.Learning to weld, one arc at a time.
Reply:Tweco consumables will be easily available though. Anybody with a MIG should have extra contact tips, a couple diffusers and some nozzles. If you don't that's just poor planning. Running out of gas is more of problem when you only have 1 cylinder.
Reply:Dave, I looked at the Tweco site and the 141i doesn't use the old screw-in style tips. It uses the Velocity tips that just push in. I guess since they are fairly new no one has these in stock. The only place I've seen them is on he internet.  And yes, running out of tips is just poor planning. But as I said before, the prepper in me fears running out of things.  I stopped going to the range because I don't like breaking into my 10K rounds of ammo. Might run out....Learning to weld, one arc at a time.