Lincoln welder, Generator vs 230v ext. cord

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Hi guys, I'm brand new to welding and to this forum, although I've been lurking here doing my research for some time now.  The posts here have been very helpful so far, so just wanted to say thanks for that and thanks in advance for anyone who can help me out with these questions.  1 - I'm looking to buy a stick welder.  I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5113_200435113 - because of its great reviews.  I've only used a battery equipped DC welder in the past and I am leaning towards this one because it has the DC option. New battery equipped welders that will run off 110v seem to be out of my price range.  If I go DC I would like to have 110 amps or more.  I'd love to save the $200 with the AC version, but I'm worried I won't like AC as much.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?  Is this a good first buy or should I save the $$ and go AC?  2 - I have a Generac 9101-3 gasoline generator.  It's probably about 15 years old  It's a pretty big mother with a twin Briggs motor in it.  Runs great.  Here are the specs: Volts 120/240, Amps 66.6/33.3, Watts 8000, Ph 1, Hertz 60.  Can I run the above welder off this generator? 3 - My other option for juice is to run a 230v extension cord out to my back yard from my washing machine hookup in my basement.  The extension cord will have to be about 50', and they are quite expensive.  Is this or the generator a better option?  I just had new 200amp service put in my house, but I would rather not spend the $$ to have a 230v line run to my back yard.Thanks again.Ryan
Reply:The generator will be just fine and you won't have any voltage "Drop" from using more cord than you need..The closer to the power source the better!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:OK!  Good to know.  Thanks!
Reply:120/240, Amps 66.6/33.3, Watts 8000, Ph 1, Hertz 60
Reply:I'd shop CL before I go new. You can find AC only units for $50-150 all the time. AC/DC units are a bit harder to locate, but I see them as low as $250 semi regularly. For the kind of money you are looking at new, you can get a really nice industrial quality Dialarc or Idealarc AC/DC machine used.Transformer style welders are very inefficient when it comes to power usage. 30 amps on 230v will run them on the lower end up to say 90 amps so you can run most 3/32" rods. As far as the genset, you are borderline of power at best. Also keep in mind many of those smaller generators are rated in surge, not continuous wattage. If that's the case, you won't have enough power to do anything. Lincoln actually suggests at least a 15 KW genny for that machine to get full usage. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ze-detail.aspx.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:deleteDave 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:The Lincoln will struggle on genset power.30amps is different on shore power compared to genset power and as DSW mentioned the 8000watts on your genset is probably PEAK.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thanks for the info.  So am I better off running the extension cord from my 220v house outlet?
Reply:Have you considered something like the ESAB Miniarc 161LTS?  They are pretty power efficient, portable, dual-voltage and have lift arc TIG capability.  Should have pretty good output using a 30 Amp dryer outlet.  WeldingSupply lists it for $478."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:No I haven't, but I will now.  Thank you.  I am welding 3/8" steel bars together to build frames for furniture, so as long as I have the juice to work with that thickness steel, I'm good.
Reply:Despite the immediate expense, running a 230V line outside would be your best investment. Generators have a limited life span, and they cost a lot more to run than a welder powered by the electricity coming out of your wall.The ESAB mentioned above (Thermal Arc makes a similar unit) will run off your generator, which may be a good option if you need portability. If you're just working in your yard, run a 60A circuit (6 ga. cable) and you can run pretty much any welder you find on CL.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Another vote for running a cable out to the yard.  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:No-go on the generator.  If you're running 1/8" 7018 rod on DC, you'll want to run that welder on 125 DC+.  The "125" setting is the highest setting that machine pegs out at for DC and more than likely, it's going to pull the full 50amp draw.  I would agree with others about buying a used AC/DC machine on Craig's list.  I bought mine brand new in the box at a used price.  It didn't take me that long to find that deal either.  I also have an opinion about AC only welders.   I for one, love welding on AC.  I know, I'm weird, but I really like it.  The extra spatter comes of with ease with a flap disc and if done at the proper settings with the right rod, the extra spatter is negligible at best.  So if you can buy an AC/DC welder, do it.  If you can't afford one now, but you absolutely must weld like,  NOW.....  then by all means, get an AC only buzz box and be happy.  I personally prefer a heavy, old fashioned, old-technology, transformer based, "new" stick welder.  They work and work nicely.  There is no solid state circuitry to fail and most importantly....  The transformer based buzz boxes tied into an "old school" big generator will still work after China drops EMP's over us!!!    TAKE THAT ESAB!!! .Last edited by SuperArc; 03-01-2013 at 01:40 AM.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:You can buy a Hobart stickmate Ac/Dc on ebay for $539 with free shipping I think it's 235ac 160dc and has variable adjustment I think it is a better buy then the LincolnSent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2Last edited by Grtpain; 03-01-2013 at 03:10 AM.
Reply:Cool.  Thanks.  Appreciate all the input on the welders and the power source.  That Hobart unit has great reviews as well.  If I go new it will be between that ESAB and the Hobart.I'm thinking I want to have a DC option to cut down on splatter and keep things as clean as much as possible (it's furniture after all). That said grinding off a little spatter won't kill me. Craigslist does have some damn good deals on AC units....  -http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/3646863592.htmlIf I just buy that, I can certainly afford the extension cord..
Reply:Plus, with the extension cord, you don't need to listen to a generator screaming in your ear.
Reply:Originally Posted by GrtpainYou can buy a Hobart stickmate Ac/Dc on ebay for $539 with free shipping I think it's 235ac 160dc and has variable adjustment I think it is a better buy then the LincolnSent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Reply:I had the same problem with the same welder.I only have a 5000 watt genny.  I couldn't lay down more than an inch of bead at any setting without popping a breaker.  The DC Tombstone needs the whole 50 amps.  When I was tigging off it at 125 max, I even blew a 50 amp breaker with it.The TA 161S can be had for around $450 and will run off much less input power.  You can even run it at 110 amps on a 110 volt 20 amp outlet.It's DC only, but you will rarely if ever need AC on a stick welder.  It also weighs around 20# as opposed to 125.Kinda crazy these inverters.  15 less amp output DC than the Lincoln can be done with 10 amps of 220 as opposed to 50 Amps.Last edited by Drf255; 03-02-2013 at 06:58 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum