Which is Best ac/dc stick welder?

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In the near future I'm planning to expand my welding equipment to include a stick welder and after some reading have decided that an ac/dc welder would be the best choice.  First, am I right? There is an ac Lincoln 225 at Lowes for under 300 dollars, but would I be sorry afterwards because I didn't have dc?So if the ac/dc is the best route, what's the best welder?I did some searches using ac vs dc but didn't come up with anything; I'm sure this has been discussed a million times here but I couldn't (or didn't know how) to find it.Any help appreciated.SteveLincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:i sure like my 330 a/bps for ac/dc stick welding, but it is not very portable at nearly 1000 lbs.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by turki sure like my 330 a/bps for ac/dc stick welding, but it is not very portable at nearly 1000 lbs.
Reply:Actually they can be had for relatively cheep (about $700) and you will find allot of hobby guys picking them up because they are basically bullet proof and have nice smooth arcs._______________________OF COURSE I DON'T LOOK BUSY... I DID IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
Reply:I always liked the Miller XMT 304's but I don't think they do AC.  Then again, you never really should need AC for stick welding.   You can also use that welder to drive MIG and TIG processes.
Reply:As far as basic AC only  stick machines like that Lincoln, you usually can find them on CL for $50-150 on a regular basis. AC/DC machines are a bit harder but out there also. Old Idealarcs, and Dialarcs as well as Thunderbolts can run you about $400 or so used on CL. Most of these machines are tanks and there is almost nothing that goes wrong with them. If they weld when you buy it, it will probably still be welding when your grandkids get it. There are also any number of bigger machines like the 330 A/BP mentioned that will give you tig as well for $700-800.Do you NEED DC? For the average hobbiest.. no. For most projects a hobbiest will do you can do just fine with an AC machine with the right rod selection. However most rods run nicer on DC than AC and almost everyone will run rods on DC if they have the option. Also some rods for special purpose welding will only run on DC. Some hardface rods, alum rods, 6010 and so on. There's thousands of projects, big and small, that have been built with AC only machines over the years. If you have to choose between an AC machine and an AC/ DC one you will have more options with the AC/DC machine. If price is a big issue, go with a used AC only machine and chances are in a few years you usually can sell it for the same $50-150 you paid for it when you upgrade..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the comments, but one of my origional questions was, do I really need dc as a hobby type if a Lincoln 225 stick welder is available at lowes for under $300.00.  If I want to weld, lets say, up to 3/4"would an a/c be ok?Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:The XMT is an awesome machine, and yes it will not do AC. It's not exactly a hobbiest machine however and they are probably out of the price range he's looking at..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWAs far as basic AC only  stick machines like that Lincoln, you usually can find them on CL for $50-150 on a regular basis. AC/DC machines are a bit harder but out there also. Old Idealarcs, and Dialarcs as well as Thunderbolts can run you about $400 or so used on CL. Most of these machines are tanks and there is almost nothing that goes wrong with them. If they weld when you buy it, it will probably still be welding when your grandkids get it. There are also any number of bigger machines like the 330 A/BP mentioned that will give you tig as well for $700-800.Do you NEED DC? For the average hobbiest.. no. For most projects a hobbiest will do you can do just fine with an AC machine with the right rod selection. However most rods run nicer on DC than AC and almost everyone will run rods on DC if they have the option. Also some rods for special purpose welding will only run on DC. Some hardface rods, alum rods, 6010 and so on. There's thousands of projects, big and small, that have been built with AC only machines over the years. If you have to choose between an AC machine and an AC/ DC one you will have more options with the AC/DC machine. If price is a big issue, go with a used AC only machine and chances are in a few years you usually can sell it for the same $50-150 you paid for it when you upgrade.
Reply:i think i only gave $100 for my 330 and it came with a watercooled torch and a spoolgun.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:If you don't already use one try a search engine like Searchtempest.  http://www.searchtempest.com/ to look at other CL's around you. I usually set my search to cover about 50-100 miles from my place..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I would look into getting a little inverter like the Miller Maxstar 150s or the new one from Thermal Arc the 161s($624 online).  The nice thing would be portability and being able to use both 120v and 240v. The Thermal Arc does have lift start for tig and that allows you to have a very basic tig machine.  I don't know where the 161s is made but I do have a TA 185 and in stick mode it has 160 amp at 40% duty cycle and will handle 5/32" 7018.
Reply:Yeah, I was kind of being an *** by making the XMT comment.  But, with a stick welder, while many units will list AC as a feature, it's really not.  Most cheaper welders are transformer welders and their power output starts as AC.  Then they pass it through a rectifier to make DC.  So to make AC is easy, the welder just bypasses the rectifier.  But you can weld for 10 years and never come across a situation that will require AC.  Once you break into inverter welders, their primary output is DC and it takes compilicated electronics to change that back to AC.  Again, for stick welding you'll never need AC.  But, most inverter welders, with some extra controls, can weld TIG and AC is a must for TIG welding aluminum.  So, with inverter welders, AC is actually a feature.
Reply:I picked up an Lincoln idealarc AC/DC machine used for $600 Can used from a school. ( with an air cooled tig torch ) the machine is built like a tank. here is a link to the model I have. Payed a little more than a new hobby type lincoln and have one that will still be worth 600 dollars 5 years from now.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/Catal...et.aspx?p=2496
Reply:Got my Lincoln AC/DC for $175 on CL. If you go the route of an Inverter, try the Thermal Arc 95s. Cheap as hell, and gets good reviews. If you want to weld 3/4", be prepared for grinding, and multiple passes, even with 5/32 rod.I like the Inverter type for hobby, compact, and versatile. Can run Lift TIG too.AC is ok, If your Tigging Aluminum...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:I bought a $75 AC tombstone off of craigslist... And i thought it was great until i started welding classes and tried a DC machine for the first time at school. I was pretty much in love. The arc feels alot smoother, its about half as loud, and it feels to me like the rods burn slower, and get better penetration. Two years after i got my tombstone, they are going on craigslist for twice what i paid for mine, so im going to use the crap out of it, sell it for twice what i paid for it, and put the money towards a nice new miller tunderbolt ac/dc. Also, the lincoln buzzboxes done have infinite adjustment. Once you've done some welding, 5 amps will make a ton of difference to you, but the lincoln has notches for adjustment, every 10-15 amps. Its nicer to just reach down and turn the knob a fraction of a turn by feel, as opposed to the notch system. Good luck!! :-)[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by stevenstiltsIn the near future I'm planning to expand my welding equipment to include a stick welder and after some reading have decided that an ac/dc welder would be the best choice.  First, am I right? There is an ac Lincoln 225 at Lowes for under 300 dollars, but would I be sorry afterwards because I didn't have dc?So if the ac/dc is the best route, what's the best welder?I did some searches using ac vs dc but didn't come up with anything; I'm sure this has been discussed a million times here but I couldn't (or didn't know how) to find it.Any help appreciated.Steve
Reply:The original poster should have written "what's the best welder that I can buy without lifting a finger to get a decent deal for myself". In my opinion, that guy absolutely deserves to pay $300 for a tombstone AC welder from Lowe's. If he decided to spend a little more time looking, maybe stop by the local technical college and chat with the welding instructors or stick a 'wanted' note up on their bulletin board, spend a few weeks watching his local craigslist, though, he could certainly get an enormously better welder for quite a bit less money. I bought a Lincoln IdealArc 250-250 recently in Seattle for $150, complete with long leads and a bunch of 6010 rod. In the portable buzzbox (also 20% duty cycle) category I like the slightly older Miller Thunderbolt AC/DCs because you can remove the leads to store the machine more cleanly. I used to buy those welders, upgrade the leads to 25', swap the power cord for about 20' of 10SO3 with a proper welding plug, and build a small cage for them with crossbars at the bottom drilled and tapped 1/4-20. I'd bolt the welder down to the crossbars through its bolt-down points. Then I'd make a small plywood table that fit on top, and fit the cage with casters. Made the welder enormously more portable. You can see the little welder in its cage in the background in the pic.metalmagpie Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by stevenstiltsone of my origional questions was, do I really need dc as a hobby type if a Lincoln 225 stick welder is available at lowes for under $300.00.  If I want to weld, lets say, up to 3/4"would an a/c be ok?
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPMy first question to you is, why do you even think you need AC? Do you encounter a lot of arc blow?
Reply:Originally Posted by stevenstiltsI haven't done any stick welding since high school, which for me was 35 years ago, and just got into welding as a hobby with a mig. It's not that I "think" I need one or the other I'm just trying to make an educated choice about which to buy when I decide to add a stick welder to my shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by metalmagpieThe original poster should have written "what's the best welder that I can buy without lifting a finger to get a decent deal for myself". In my opinion, that guy absolutely deserves to pay $300 for a tombstone AC welder from Lowe's. If he decided to spend a little more time looking, maybe stop by the local technical college and chat with the welding instructors or stick a 'wanted' note up on their bulletin board, spend a few weeks watching his local craigslist, though, he could certainly get an enormously better welder for quite a bit less money. I bought a Lincoln IdealArc 250-250 recently in Seattle for $150, complete with long leads and a bunch of 6010 rod. In the portable buzzbox (also 20% duty cycle) category I like the slightly older Miller Thunderbolt AC/DCs because you can remove the leads to store the machine more cleanly. I used to buy those welders, upgrade the leads to 25', swap the power cord for about 20' of 10SO3 with a proper welding plug, and build a small cage for them with crossbars at the bottom drilled and tapped 1/4-20. I'd bolt the welder down to the crossbars through its bolt-down points. Then I'd make a small plywood table that fit on top, and fit the cage with casters. Made the welder enormously more portable. You can see the little welder in its cage in the background in the pic.metalmagpie
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseI bought a $75 AC tombstone off of craigslist... And i thought it was great until i started welding classes and tried a DC machine for the first time at school. I was pretty much in love. The arc feels alot smoother, its about half as loud, and it feels to me like the rods burn slower, and get better penetration. Two years after i got my tombstone, they are going on craigslist for twice what i paid for mine, so im going to use the crap out of it, sell it for twice what i paid for it, and put the money towards a nice new miller tunderbolt ac/dc. Also, the lincoln buzzboxes done have infinite adjustment. Once you've done some welding, 5 amps will make a ton of difference to you, but the lincoln has notches for adjustment, every 10-15 amps. Its nicer to just reach down and turn the knob a fraction of a turn by feel, as opposed to the notch system. Good luck!! :-)
Reply:Steven,If money is an issue, go with a used AC unit. If you want a unit that you won't be swapping out in a year or so, find a used DialArc 250 or IdealArc...HF if you think you might want to try your hand at TIG. While there are many reasons to go with a stick welder, these days it usually...and I did say usually...boils down to the ability to provide some serious power at a low price. Second major reason would be to utilize non-standard rod combinations...low hydrogen, nickle for cast, etc. Most of them you could do with MIG but not as easily or as cheaply as buying a handful of rods instead of another roll of specialty wire. Those stick machines don't have a lot of downsides other than being hungry on electrical demand. Most used units will last until your grandkids get sick and tired of moving them around. Start pounding the pavement locally and see what is available used. Sure, most people weld down in your area, but that doesn't mean they don't get short of cash and need to sell their machines or wish to move to a different location...found my DialArc 250 from a guy moving out to Oregon. Personally, unless you are darned short on cash I wouldn't bother with an AC only welder. Fact of the matter...if you're that short of funds I'd just stick with the MIG. For a used machine you are looking at maybe a $100 or so difference...go with a machine that will meet your needs down the road.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoySteven,If money is an issue, go with a used AC unit..Steve I bought one of those Everlast PowerArc 200 from lugweld a couple months ago, I've used it just about everyday since, I love that little machine! It welds just as good as any of my SA-200s, stacks iron with 6010 like any of my shorthoods, runs 7018 like any of my Red Faces. Believe it or not it welds SMAW better than my Dynasty 300. For $350.00 and a 5-year warranty, how can you go wrong?Before you ladies jump on me, you better have your facts straight, and be able to prove to me Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart use 100% USA made products! Because we all know they don't!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSteve I bought one of those Everlast PowerArc 200 from lugweld a couple months ago, I've used it just about everyday since, I love that little machine! It welds just as good as any of my SA-200s, stacks iron with 6010 like any of my shorthoods, runs 7018 like any of my Red Faces. Believe it or not it welds SMAW better than my Dynasty 300. For $350.00 and a 5-year warranty, how can you go wrong?Before you ladies jump on me, you better have your facts straight, and be able to prove to me Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart use 100% USA made products! Because we all know they don't!
Reply:I had my doubts, I come from the transformer, generator ear. My Dynasty is the first inverter I ever owned, so I figured if Miller could pack 300-amps into such a small package, maybe Everlast could pack 200-amps the same way. I'll tell you tho I was shocked when I took it out of the box, dam my lunch box is bigger!  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:Originally Posted by stevenstiltsDoesn't sound very cheap and hobbiest oriented either.  Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI had my doubts, I come from the transformer, generator ear. My Dynasty is the first inverter I ever owned, so I figured if Miller could pack 300-amps into such a small package, maybe Everlast could pack 200-amps the same way. I'll tell you tho I was shocked when I took it out of the box, dam my lunch box is bigger!
Reply:7 1/4-inches wide, (across the face). 12 1/2-inches deep, (front to back). 12 5/8-inches tall.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEP7 1/4-inches wide, (across the face). 12 1/2-inches deep, (front to back). 12 5/8-inches tall.
Reply:The "best" ac/dc welders are not your entry level machines like the Lincoln 225/125 or miller Thunderbolt/Hobarts stick mates. They are good hobby machines with the best ac/dc welder price. The "best" ac/dc welders are more expensive industrial machines with higher duty cycles and welding amperage outputs. The best deal for a machine in this catagory would be a Miller dial arc or lincoln idealarc 250 ac/dc. They are larger transformer based powersources, not verry portable but they weld like a champ with high duty cycles and will also scratch start tig weld on steel with excelent results. You can pick these up used for verry reasonable prices.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Got an Everlast Powerarc 200 coming. Thanks for all the input, I'll be back with some stick welding questions soon!Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200