First welder?

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Looking to get my first welder, just as a hobbyist.  Hoping to be able to farm rig some things, build a bracket here and there, maybe a winch mount if I get really ambitious.  I am not sure which process makes the most sense for me but I am really thinking of getting one of the multiprocess welders in the $1000-$1500 range.  Is there any real benefit to the Tweco 211i over the Lincoln 210 power mig?  From my reviews it looks like the Tweco has higher stick output.  I am a bit gunshy over buying a new model but maybe the Lincoln has some benefits over the 211i I am missing?FWIW, I am completely new to welding and could be missing something really obvious, so please don't be shy about saying something that seems to you to be not worth mentioning!
Reply:I believe the 211 has more features on DC tig such as downslope. I have the 181 I and was very impressed in how it functions. I believe that both machines are about 200 amps max on stick. Either should do fine with 5-32 inch 7018.
Reply:I looked at the user's manuals for both of them and the Lincoln shows only 175 on stick.  Also, the 211i shows some settings for welding 3/8 with MIG or flux core and the Lincoln does not.I am having a hard time figuring out why everyone is so excited about the new Lincoln.  Is Lincoln generally regarded as a much higher quality welder than Tweco?  Maybe there is some other advantage to the Lincoln that I am missing.
Reply:There's not much advantage with the Lincoln- people are just Lincoln loyal. Same with Miller.Tweco is a solid company.But the $999.00 is a good priceEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Yeah I will have to see what the local place will let the 211i go for and decide where to go from there.  The extra 25 amps of stick for the Tweco seems useful to me since I sort of expect myself to slap a bunch of junk together with 6011.
Reply:What's your location ? Pricing varies by location.Tweco has a rebate for that machine and free hood. Get a $75 mail-in, cash back rebate AND FREE TWECO auto-darkening welding helmet from Victor with the purchase of a Fabricator 211i welder. Offer expires 12/31/14.Miller has rebate programs too. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html I prefer separate machines for mig and stick. If you are going to do more stick look for a AC /DC buzz box and get a dedicated 220/110 volt mig machine. Stick is great for 3/16 and up while mig is awesome for thinner gauge like 1/8''. Mig can be fussy with dirty or rusted metal while stick will burn right through it.Get prices on a complete package for CASH. Machine , tank, wire, rod etc. Machine prices maybe pretty competitive but there maybe better pricing on tank and goodies. Staying with name brands is pretty safe. I'm a Miller guy and others are Lincoln or Hobart. If possible sample what you want to buy and go from there. There might be a member near you that could offer a free test run. Search here and talk to suppliers for their input. You want to buy once and go with quality as a long time investment. Once you get hooked and you will it will be a never ending adventure to do more and buy more.
Reply:Originally Posted by i82muchYeah I will have to see what the local place will let the 211i go for and decide where to go from there.  The extra 25 amps of stick for the Tweco seems useful to me since I sort of expect myself to slap a bunch of junk together with 6011.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshop5/32" 6011 runs about 140 amps.....
Reply:Yeah I saw the rebate and helmet deal for the Tweco and that is part of why I am not so sure the new Lincoln is the better deal.  Plus if there are problems in the early run I can't even weld well enough to know if something is wrong.  Re: separate machines, I can't see that for myself just yet.  If I get proficient and start doing a lot, sure but for now I want something that can do it all for a reasonable price.
Reply:Originally Posted by i82muchThis is where I get confused because, truthfully, I don't know what the heck I am talking about.  Maybe your statement implies that, regardless of the amp rating, I cannot run larger than 5/32's anyway so it is all academic?
Reply:I have not used either, but a few things popped out at me when I looked at the specs.They don't seem to be "ready to TIG" as delivered.  Neither comes with a TIG torch.  Neither come with a pedal.  Neither do AC, so not great for aluminum.   For that mater, neither have HF start.  One has 'Touch start' and one has 'Lift start'.   Those may be the same thing once you remove the trademark.     I did not find a pre/postflow argon control for the either unit.  There are a lot of things that my TIG welder has that these do not have.   My assessment is that neither of these is really meant to be a TIG welder.The duty cycle is similar;   Tweco:  230V:  210A / 23.5V @ 20% Duty Cycle            115V:  110A / 19.5V @ 45% Duty Cycle Lincoln:  230V: 200A/24V  @ 25% Duty Cycle            120V: 100A/19.0  @ 40% Duty CycleThe output range is a little broader with the Tweco.  It goes down to 10 amps which may be nice for light gage sheet metal.   The lincoln's lowest output is 20 amps but it's highest is 10 amps higher than the Tweco.They are awfully similar.   If I were choosing between the two based on price, I'd include the cost of the TIG accessories in the equation.  Based on features, I'd be more tempted to go with the Tweco simply because it has a wider output range, and every once in a while I try to do stupidly thin parts.Dan
Reply:Are you looking to mig weld? If stick only there are other options. Also with mig what gas would you use? With the cheaper Co2 the TA machine would be be my choice because of the higher voltage output.
Reply:I don't know which gas I would use.  I would imagine I am not likely to tig, just mig, flux core, or stick.  As for gas, I don't think the pricier stuff would kill me since I don't anticipate doing a ton of welding.
Reply:Probably not much cost difference that way. I use Co2 on my 181 because I wanted a small cylinder for portability and since Co2 is liquid I get more column with it than mix gas with the same size cylinder.
Reply:To me, the biggest difference between the two is size and weight. The Lincoln has 90% of the power of the Tweco but is about 2/3 as large and heavy.  I am getting the Lincoln to replace an aging 120V MIG because portability is important to me. If you anticipate using the welder mostly in the shop and not for portable use, the Tweco would be a good choice.The Miller Multimatic 200 is also quite nice but the price is much higher than the other two.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedTo me, the biggest difference between the two is size and weight. The Lincoln has 90% of the power of the Tweco but is about 2/3 as large and heavy.  I am getting the Lincoln to replace an aging 120V MIG because portability is important to me. If you anticipate using the welder mostly in the shop and not for portable use, the Tweco would be a good choice.The Miller Multimatic 200 is also quite nice but the price is much higher than the other two.John
Reply:I am a hobbyist welder too and I do repairs around my hobby farm.  I am not an expert by any means compared to the people in this forum.  The advice given to me was to start with an AC buzzbox or an AC/DC buzz box if you can get one, I've seen them used for around $60.  Stick welding is really versatile and the units can last many years, it's a great place to start and affordable.  You could always upgrade later.I have a lincoln 180 and a hobart generator welder, I got them both for very cheap but if I had the amperage available in my barn I would've definitely started with a buzzbox.Just my thoughts,Matt
Reply:For farm use you will hardly ever find anything that needs more the a 5/32, if you do I wouldn't mess with it. I use 1/8th in 7018 for almost everything. You cab weld 1/8in-1/2in in a couple passes.
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedTo me, the biggest difference between the two is size and weight. The Lincoln has 90% of the power of the Tweco but is about 2/3 as large and heavy.  I am getting the Lincoln to replace an aging 120V MIG because portability is important to me. If you anticipate using the welder mostly in the shop and not for portable use, the Tweco would be a good choice.The Miller Multimatic 200 is also quite nice but the price is much higher than the other two.John
Reply:Hey all - still researching, mostly because the Lincoln 210 isn't in stock yet.  Anyway, question for everyone - the Lincoln 210 shows a rated 220 amp mig spec and the 211i shows 210 amps.  But the 211i manual shows a setting for MIG welding 3/8 mild steel, while the Lincoln manual only goes up to 1/4 inch.  How is that possible?
Reply:Originally Posted by i82muchHey all - still researching, mostly because the Lincoln 210 isn't in stock yet.  Anyway, question for everyone - the Lincoln 210 shows a rated 220 amp mig spec and the 211i shows 210 amps.  But the 211i manual shows a setting for MIG welding 3/8 mild steel, while the Lincoln manual only goes up to 1/4 inch.  How is that possible?
Reply:As soon as you get past the boundaries of truth anything is possible.
Reply:Originally Posted by i82muchHey all - still researching, mostly because the Lincoln 210 isn't in stock yet.  Anyway, question for everyone - the Lincoln 210 shows a rated 220 amp mig spec and the 211i shows 210 amps.  But the 211i manual shows a setting for MIG welding 3/8 mild steel, while the Lincoln manual only goes up to 1/4 inch.  How is that possible?