what to buy for $500?

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Hi all,Total newbie here:  did about 5 passes with a Lincoln stick welder years ago with my great uncle.  Now I'm a stay at home dad and need a winter hobby with winter coming quick here in ColoradoSo my main question   is what welder to buy to start out with?  I bought a Hobart 1/12000 AD hood months ago as a way to get my juices going.I'm looking at 2 and wanted to get opinions pleaseHobart handler 140 from Northerntool   OR   a ThermalArc 95S ?   My opinion is to go with the 95S.   Would be nice to have the stick part of it for thicker stuff and also the TIG part for everything else.  And from what I've read,if you know Tig you can Mig but not necessarily vice versa.And I have PLENTY of time to practice.Any help????Thanks, RKY
Reply:If you can swing it, try an ESAB 161LTS.  Dual voltage, more power when using 240V. http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servl...LTS/Categories"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:What do you plan on welding?Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:the budget is firm at 500 so eliminates ESAB and Miller.not sure what I'm welding at this point.  Just scrap I'm guessing as my practice stuff.  Just want a machine that would be easy to use,, setup and 110V too.  I'll be running it off a generator since garage is only wired for 110 that I don't trust going more than 10 amps on since there is a fridge already in the garage. Plus lighting, fans, etc.  Thanks for all the responses!
Reply:You can do okay on 110v power, but at only 10 amps, you're not going to be able to do very thick material at all. Typical draw wide open on a 150 amp inverter is about 25-30 amps at 220-240 volts. On 110 power you might hit 90 amps output pulling 15-20 amps from the wall. That is just barely enough to run any 3/32 rod and some 1/8 rods if the stars align. At only 10 amps draw, you will be down around 45-60 amps output, which maybe will run 3/32 E6011, but you're really limiting yourself is all I'm saying.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!
Reply:If you want to mig at 110, look on craigs list. Seemslike everybody buys the 110 volt ones, play with it for a couple of hours, and there it sits. Then they sell. You may find one cheap it depends on how quick you are in finding it with cash in hand ready to buy. If its cheap, others will jump on it too. Normally for me it is in another part of the state. Good hunting.
Reply:my bad joshua.  i'm using a generator because my garage will be overdrawn on it's circuit.  it could only handle maybe 10A. so i have plenty of 110 from a 6500 watt genset.
Reply:I'd go for as cheap a stick unit as I could find used, you can do scratch-start  tig later, and save $400 for when you decide what you want to pursue.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Can you stretch your budget to a extra $95 for a 3 in one machine from Thermal Arc?  BrandX post a link lately but the asking price was $639, I found the same machine for $595! This is a a Thermal Arc Fabricator 141i sold under Tweco brand take a look and you may change your mind http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/me...tegory_Code=MWLast edited by OldSkull; 10-12-2013 at 01:57 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:The Handler 140 is a good welder and service is excellent.  Best new prices are around $450. - 500. A factory refurb Hobart $140. is $400. direct from them.http://www.hobartweldshop.com/servle...ers/CategoriesNo matter what stick/TIG you might get, you'd have to add in the cost of a cylinder of gas.  With the MIG, you could get by with fluxcore wire initially.  For that matter, you could get the ESAB stick package at $480. and add the tig torch, regs and gas at a later date.  I guess it depends on which process you want.The TA 95 is nice, though limited in output.  IOC is generally one of the least expensive suppliers, and they want $436 for the stick/TIG package.  Global Industrial has it for $406. at present, free shipping ($320 for stick-only).http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/pl...welding-system"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:Let me add one more thing:What methods would you like to learn and in what order?  So start with X and then Y etc............THanks!
Reply:Incidentally, don't buy a welder like a Lincoln AC225/125 and expect it to perform well on a smaller generator.  Lincoln recommends a 15,000 Watt generator just because of the nature of that old transformer welder.  http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ze-detail.aspxDon't overlook used stuff.  Awhile back I got a Clarke 130EN MIG welder with a 5 pound CO2 tank, flowmeter reg, about 5 spools of wire in a nice case, a Thermal Arc 85 Dragster stick welder with two sets of leads (one unused in a case) and a few boxes of rods for a grand total of $135.  That was the older gentleman's asking price and I didn't argue. Got to test everything and had a nice chat to boot."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:Thanks for all the responses.  Decided on a new Hobart Handler 140 from TractorSupply for $449.  Was thinking about a refurb unit for $399 but for the extra $50, I get the 5-3-1 warranty vs. 2-1 for the refurb. RKY
Reply:Lots of people start with a machine that size - it will work fine.If you use solid wire with argon/co2 shielding it will be a nicer learning curve than flux-core.Have fun Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Stay away from Harbor Freight!!!!!!Big F**king HammerJumper cables & 2 marine batteriesJaws of life
Reply:Originally Posted by rkymtnmanThanks for all the responses.  Decided on a new Hobart Handler 140 from TractorSupply for $449.  Was thinking about a refurb unit for $399 but for the extra $50, I get the 5-3-1 warranty vs. 2-1 for the refurb. RKY
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Oh well.The ESAB 161 for under $500 woulda been a better choice IMHO.  I have a TA161 (similar machine in terms of output) that's just great.  Run it on 120 volts off a 5000 watt Honda generator with zero problem.  Can run up to 110 amps.  I plan on rigging an extension and running it on 230v in future off same Genny, as well as tigging a mount on the generator just for it.  It basically changed my old Genny into a "Bluestar 161".Also much more fun to stick weld and much more portable at around 20#.  Can run as long of a lead as I want and don't have to lug around a mig full of wire and a tank when I need to do repairs on my property.  For ANY type of repair or outside project, I always grab the stick welder first.
Reply:My TA works just fine. I have read that the type of generator actually makes a difference.  I run a HONDA brand generator, not another brand with a Honda motor. They are supposed to make the cleanest power out there, hence the fact that they are upwards of five times as pricey as cheaper brands.  Have mine for 12 years now and still runs strong.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:All Honda produce nice and clean 50 or 60 Hz sinewave, that's the secret of a good generator, always check the sinewave output of the generator you want to use with your inverter welder using a oscilloscope, some Chinese gen are total Junk! Scope are so cheap today, you can get one for less then $100 on Ebay, easy to use even for a rookie Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:That's good info, thanks guys.  My gen is a chicom, so I won't be using it for external power to my inverter welder.
Reply:Not all Chicom unit are junk! I got a Chinese Kipor IG2600 inverter generator producing clean 60Hz sine wave and stable voltage under load, my other unit is a Japanese Mitsubishi AVR technology unit and it's good too. read this link to learn a bit about inverter generator, just general stuff nothing complicate...http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST%2...einschmidt.pdfMiller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Originally Posted by OldSkullAll Honda produce nice and clean 50 or 60 Hz sinewave, that's the secret of a good generator, always check the sinewave output of the generator you want to use with your inverter welder using a oscilloscope, some Chinese gen are total Junk! Scope are so cheap today, you can get one for less then $100 on Ebay, easy to use even for a rookie
Reply:Originally Posted by OldSkullNot all Chicom unit are junk! I got a Chinese Kipor IG2600 inverter generator producing clean 60Hz sine wave and stable voltage under load, my other unit is a Japanese Mitsubishi AVR technology unit and it's good too. read this link to learn a bit about inverter generator, just general stuff nothing complicate...http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST%2...einschmidt.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by rkymtnmanwhat to buy with $500?
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcAmmo!Originally Posted by shortfuseWHERE?????Any time I inquire, the answers are one of two:  "We can't get the ammo ourselves (retail sales)", or "Sorry, the employees are buying it as soon as it hits the store"  I actually had a Cabela's sporting goods department guy tell me that!  That REALLY p*sses me off!!!  Really getting common.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Not a better buy out there for your money as far as US based companies go.We use three of them up at the farm & haven't had a single issue with one yet.We have two 252i's & a 181i we use on a regular basis. The 181i is under a grand. Great deal for what you get.If one shops ChiCom, that's up to the individual. Sure, not all their stuff is junk by far. Still, you take your chances with them.IMHO of course