What welder to get with a $500 budget

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I was recently given a Century 100amp AC stick welder and last night it stopped working. I have a budget of $500 to spend. What would you suggest as a replacement? I was thinking either the Hobart Stickweld 225/160 LX or a Longevity Tigweld 200D.I am not sold on either one so please make suggestions.Thanks in advance.
Reply:I had the Hobart Stickmate AC/DC as my first stick machine. Nice little welder with continuous current adjust and can be had for a decent price if you look around. Mine was a customer return at my local Northern Tool and the manager discounted it nicely for me. I'd still have it had I not stumbled onto an old Idealarc (my profile pic) that needed a new home and some serious TLC.The Hobart machine is the same as the Miller Thunderbolt. They are both produced by Illinois Tool Works.Good luck,PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Personally if I was looking for a nice stick machine with a $500 budget, I'd hit CL and look for a nice AC/DC Idealarc or Dialarc myself. Both have a much nicer arc than the lower end machines like the AC 225 Lincolns, Hobart Stickmate and Miller Thunderbolts. Both the Idealarc or Dialarc are industrial class stick machines, are built like tanks, and will probably out last your great grand kids. You can usually find those machines used on CL in the $400-550 range. You can even find some nice older stick/tigs in that range on occasion if you look a bit. I've seen a few of the Airco rebadged 330A/BP's in that range or less..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:R u wanting new or considering used too?   How many amp power outlet do u have and do u need portable.Tiger 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:If you want TIG capability, and you have:1) the power to feed it (100A would be nice), and2) the room to house it (it's about 3/4 the size of a refrigerator and 850#)then consider a Miller 330A/BP.It's a big old transformer machine, so it stick welds real nice like a Dialarc or Idealarc, but it also has HF for TIG, and a gas solenoid and water solenoid for TIG, and lots of head room (up to 460A output) as well as AC TIG (up to 435A) for aluminum.
Reply:Where'r you at Jay?what other tools do you have?Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWPersonally if I was looking for a nice stick machine with a $500 budget, I'd hit CL and look for a nice AC/DC Idealarc or Dialarc myself. Both have a much nicer arc than the lower end machines like the AC 225 Lincolns, Hobart Stickmate and Miller Thunderbolts. Both the Idealarc or Dialarc are industrial class stick machines, are built like tanks, and will probably out last your great grand kids. You can usually find those machines used on CL in the $400-550 range. You can even find some nice older stick/tigs in that range on occasion if you look a bit. I've seen a few of the Airco rebadged 330A/BP's in that range or less.
Reply:An old Dialarc or Idealarc is great if you have the electrical service to support it.  For a new DC-only unit, I'd consider an ESAB MiniArc 161LTS.  I've seen them for $480. plus shipping to $525. delivered for the stick kit.  You can add a TIG torch later. Small size and dual-voltage can come in handy."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 OldendumAn old Dialarc or Idealarc is great if you have the electrical service to support it.  For a new DC-only unit, I'd consider an ESAB MiniArc 161LTS.  I've seen them for $480. plus shipping to $525. delivered for the stick kit.  You can add a TIG torch later. Small size and dual-voltage can come in handy.
Reply:Agreed with the "old" Idealarcs or Dialarcs, as mentioned by some of the really experienced welders here on this forum.  I personally don't own one, but my brother bought an Idealarc and I've gotten to play with it at his house on numerous occasion.  I'm envious!!!  Had I followed the same advice given here, I would have passed on buying my current Lincoln AC/DC-225/125 model. (Then again, I got it "used", never-taken-outa-da-box, for under $200.).  Now, If you want brand new with a warranty,  id seriously consider the Hobart LX 235/150. You can find it brand new for around $500.00.  It is exactly like the Miller Thunderbolt XL (ac/dc model) but retails for almost $200.00 less.   If you want the blue paint job, "Miller" decals and pay about $200 more than the Hobart, then buy the Thunderbolt XL AC/DC model By the way, "Illinois Tool Works" owns both Miller and Hobart.   FWIW,  they also own Smith (torches)  and Bernard (mig guns) too.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThat welder is pretty cool I must say Dave J.
Reply:Anyone know anything about the Everlast 160 STH? I can get a brand new one shipped form the factory for $450 including shipping.
Reply:Go with the recommended used units before the cheaper new one, you won't regret it. Those old millers can just about get kicked out of a airplane and when they hit the ground be plugged in and still weld beautiful.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmanjayAnyone know anything about the Everlast 160 STH? I can get a brand new one shipped form the factory for $450 including shipping.
Reply:Originally Posted by sbchp355go with the recommended used units before the cheaper new one
Reply:Depending on what part of the country you are in, my first thought was I paid less then that for both my sa200s but it takes some looking.Bruce DeLaetHeavy Equipment Mechanic and Welder1948 SA-200 short hood1949 LincWelder 1801963 SA-200 red faceMiller S-32-P
Reply:So far, I've stick welded with the following machines:TA 95, 161, 300 ArcmasterMiller Dynasty 200 and XMT304Lincoln AC/DC 225 and Idealarc 250 AC/DC Roundtop.  If I had the space, the Idealarc would've never left my garage.  Absolutely the smoothest and easiest of all of the above to use.  Not fully describable, the arc is just soft and forgiving but strong and smooth.  Others that have used it will understand.I got mine for $200 (?150) on CL with 150 feet of 2/0 leads.  Was in the back of a barn, unused since the death of the woman's husband.  Not used in over 20 years.  Took it home, peeled off the cover, evicted one mouse family, blew it out, lubed the gears and plugged it in.  Fan worked, damn thing welded like a friggin dream.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tWhere'r you at Jay?what other tools do you have?
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmanjayI am down in Mission Texas. I have a 4 inch grinder...
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmanjayAnyone know anything about the Everlast 160 STH? I can get a brand new one shipped form the factory for $450 including shipping.
Reply:Well you miss the point of why the chicom machines are looked down uponThat old lincoln or miller are still running that sweet arc years and decades laterNow tell me how many posts have there been about the chicom machines that have failed out of the box  to within a few monthsHow many posts about their bad customer service and other problems people have hadAnd when they ship you a machine they know has problems and then they send you parts and instructions on how to fix it your self you know the product sucks...And i for one am not paying to beta test a machineBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwell when you can get a $3000 arc out of a $300 machine, that has to give you pause for thought.
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Well you miss the point of why the chicom machines are looked down upon
Reply:Well I just paid for the Everlast 160 STH so we will see what happens.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmanjayWell I just paid for the Everlast 160 STH so we will see what happens.Originally Posted by shovelonArgon Flowmeter,   Calibrated in LPM.Maybe they sell the an optional CFH glass tube. Otherwise they can advise the LPM flowrate. Personally I don't want to dick with LPM. I would grind graduations into it if I had to.
Reply:Here's a screenshot of the table. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellHere's a screenshot of the table.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonArgon Flowmeter,   Calibrated in LPM.Maybe they sell the an optional CFH glass tube. Otherwise they can advise the LPM flowrate. Personally I don't want to dick with LPM. I would grind graduations into it if I had to.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeIt's cheap enough to buy a flow meter from HTP.  They're calibrated in SCFH.
Reply:Ironman, you can always come to my place to try the iTig 200t, and if you give me a heads up, I can have my buddy bring over his 160.  Im in Harlingen
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellHere's a screenshot of the table.
Reply:Yeah, well, as much as I love my Everlast welder, I can't really argue with you there. "Curling butt"? I have no idea. I just get my TIG setup from the Miller weld calculator, and then divide by 2 to convert gas from CFH to LPM.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!