opinions on small portable inexspensive inverter welders.

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I probably should have titled this "more dumb noobie questions..." so asking forgiveness in advance. Hoping you can help me think this through.   I have been looking at general purpose 140-200 amp dc welders for use around the shop and home.  A unit that can be easily transported by hand seems like a good idea. At this time I do not have a dedicated welding space, so the unit will be brought in and out of the garage.   A combination stick-mig-tig with fluxcore wire seems like a very portable solution.   Once a unit requires a cart, gas, etc, 100 lbs weight difference  becomes less of an issue.  The immediate welding task I have coming up is attaching a strap of 3/16- or 1/4" material to my gate , which will receive a opener bracket. The gate material is galvanized .072"  2"x 2" square tube.  This is outside work, could be windy etc. I have a stack of cut-offs to practice on prior to ruining my gate..... Is something like the tweco 141 or 181 with flux core wire a good choice?  Seems like it would offer the most capability for the least weight.  Or, is this a good job for stick?  Should I get an esab 161 for 400 bucks and just practice on stick?   Or would you folks just get a larger machine like the Tweco 211 (or the new Lincoln) and put it on a cart with a tank?  I could build a cart with big tires to roll easy over gravel. Power available- 120v-20a and 240v-30 amp circuits and can wire in a 50 amp 240.  Also have a 230v-30a inverter type generator on wheels.
Reply:Tweco 181 is a good bang for the buck.You can't go wrong with it...IMO,~John
Reply:The new Linclone is looking very interesting for a dual voltage welder. For some stupid reason I want one @ $999.Last edited by shovelon; 09-29-2014 at 10:23 PM.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe new Linclone is looking very interesting for a dual voltage welder. For some stupid reason I want one @ $999.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleMe too. But it will be on the money matters program so it will be $899!
Reply:Originally Posted by stoneaxeMe three-  like a tweco 211 but less money and less weight.   That is one of the things I am unsure abut- the tweco 181 is 230v only, but to step up to the 211 dual voltage, which would be nice for portability, it is way heavier... any idea when that lincoln will be on the market?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleMe too. But it will be on the money matters program so it will be $899!
Reply:Warehouses full, or cargo containers full? "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 welder
Reply:Buy once and cry once . Spend the bucks up front and you will be a happy camper. As for the gate , IF it will be done in position and using gas 75/25 you may have wind issues . A welding screen or tarp might be need to block the wind. No big deal it's only gonna be a quick weld unless you plan on campin out with the machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumWarehouses full, or cargo containers full?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelon????????
Reply:Coming from overseas is it?Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkCRIME SCENES, COURT DATES, FUNERALS, RIDING THROUGH THE CITY WITH A BITCH THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL IT'S JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumWarehouses full, or cargo containers full?
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Buy once and cry once . Spend the bucks up front and you will be a happy camper. As for the gate , IF it will be done in position and using gas 75/25 you may have wind issues . A welding screen or tarp might be need to block the wind. No big deal it's only gonna be a quick weld unless you plan on campin out with the machine.
Reply:Stick is great for that kind of work. Mig is a lot less flexible and requires more amps for the same job. I'd get a small inverter stick welder. Like the Esab 161 you mentioned. They are a lot smaller and lighter than any mig and it's something you can keep using even if you get a mig and tig later.Mig is good when it comes to thin stuff like sheet metal or thin square tubing or for a more production oriented environment. Around 1/16" is OK with stick but less than that and it's time to break out the mig with some C25 or tig with some argon.If you get a stick inverter with lift-tig you can get invest in a tig torch, a regulator and a bottle of argon down the road if you want to do some tig welding on steel.Last edited by Pete.S.; 09-30-2014 at 05:50 PM.
Reply:I was just throwing a monkey wrench into the works.  Maybe they are made in Mexico, who knows."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 welder
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe new Linclone is looking very interesting for a dual voltage welder. For some stupid reason I want one @ $999.
Reply:Whatever you choose be sure you get the 230 volt option.  You will outgrow 110vac in a heartbeatTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I use 110 for a lot of stuff. It's like anything, you need to realize what it is like using a small lathe or mill.Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkCRIME SCENES, COURT DATES, FUNERALS, RIDING THROUGH THE CITY WITH A BITCH THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL IT'S JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.