buy welder to practice for certification

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I dont know what to buyhttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5145_200485145 would this work?
Reply:Can't open the page on my end/Internet slow. If its a big welder it'll be good to practice mig. A stick welder like a DC welder is good for stick and tig. Alot of smaller machine don't usually do the trick (duty cycle) and amperage drawn from the machine
Reply:What certification test will you be doing? Where will you be taking this test?When taking a welding test, you will usually be using an industrial performing welding machine that is quite often running on 3 phase power. Those Northern Tool welders are not what I would call industrial performing welding machines. That machine would be fine for home hobby use however.If your going to be doing a stick welding test, i'd  look for a used Miller Dialarc or Lincoln Idealarc 250. Those machines have the umpf, performance and duty cycle to more closely resemble an industrial stick welding machine.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:im about to take a course on welding. so I really dont know anything
Reply:Can usually find a good ac/ dc transformer on CL for $175 or so.
Reply:What kind of power do you have available to run a welder?"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:Some of the best advice I ever had when just starting was first, "See things as they are rather than the way you'd like them to be" and then answering the questions honestly, "What do you want to weld now?" and "What can you realistically see your self welding in the future?" There are alot of great machines out there that, considering performance specs rather than paint color, really allow you to start the practical aspect of the art and trade and see you through your mid-level work as you move toward your licenses. The trick, as I see it, is to buy a quality machine now that's forgiving enough NOT to discourage you in the beginning yet is also powerful enough that it can grow with you for a while and show its stuff as you grow. If I had it to do all over again, I might have gone with one machine larger like a 211 over a 180 but I bought it for a great price and before I actually found this place.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dustinstichim about to take a course on welding. so I really dont know anything
Reply:[QUOTE=jlames;2970491... buy a quality machine now that's forgiving enough NOT to discourage you in the beginning yet is also powerful enough that it can grow with you...[/QUOTE]Then there's the $40. (new) Speedway 90A AC welder I gave my son when he was pretty young.  Anyone who could strike an arc with that and run what might be called a weld bead was destined to become a great stick welder (or at least cuss like one). I used to hide around the corner and chuckle at his early attempts to light up a stick. "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 Broccoli1Take courseGain knowledgeBuy welder
Reply:If your gonna start out with stick I suggest getting a new lincoln tombstone. AC only machine. When you get good with it, then switch to dc. As far as a multiprocess machine goes....look into thermal arc.
Reply:AC "tombstone" type welders are available in some areas for $50.- $150.  Lincoln, Linde, Century, Marquette, the list goes on.  Some have some accessories bundled in. Have seen AC/DC for as little as $125. Some of the older welders are available for less than the scrap price of the copper inside & the leads.  Saw a couple go for $25. (not near me)."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:Mig certs? Or mig and stick certs?For a little more the hobart mvp looks like a nice choice.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FY9AMgodxj0A7QOr an MTS by a better company than northern tool. The longevity promts200 is pretty popular, as well as the htp mts and then the thermal arc stuff is starting to become pretty popular as well.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:If you're going for your basic 1-4g mig or stick certs you're going to want a machine capable of welding 3/8 steel. If its something you think you'll stick with I'd recommend spending a little more money for a better machine. There has been some very good advice in this thread. Good luckMillermatic 210 & 300Miller 330 a/bp w/Miller coolmate 3Lincoln 225 ac/dc buzz box200amp Hobart 16hp portable welderCarbon arc torch, oxy/acy, plasma cutterCNC plasma table
Reply:Get a sa-200 by Lincoln
Reply:Dont waist your time and money buying an AC stick welder if you want to learn good habits and someday pass a weld cert test. Start off with a dc or ac/dc machine and start learning good habits right off the bat.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Post your location and others here can help you locate something suited to your needs.
Reply:Best bet would be a miller Maxstar 200 with lift arc GTAW as many places are using lift start for pipe welding if that is what you will be getting into.I know there are a lot of haters of imports but if you do not have much money this is a good bang for the buck and about as close as you can get to the Maxstar for under 1K.http://www.amazon.com/EVERLAST-Power.../dp/B0081BF5J6
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeDont waist your time and money buying an AC stick welder if you want to learn good habits and someday pass a weld cert test. Start off with a dc or ac/dc machine and start learning good habits right off the bat.
Reply:Heck my first "real welding job" was with an AC Lincoln tombstone.  I still like them I also like welding on AC about the same as DC.  It's just a little different, not really a big deal.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:First I would like to ask what is your goals for getting a welding machine of any sorts? Are you wanting shop work or field work? You looking for a long term job or willing to travel? Wanting to make over 200k a year or 50k...