Some general questions from a noob - welder/generator

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Ok, a little background. I'm pretty new to welding. I've done a little mig but not much. I've gotten a little unexpected bonus from work and looking to splurge and buy a welder. I'm going to throw a lot of questions and comments so here I go. I've been reading a lot of info so if I get crossed with my facts as far as the tech stuff please let me know. What I want to do: I have several hobbies. One of which is bbq'ing. I want to build a bbq pit (3/16 in) and was thinking of doing this with a stick welder since I understand its the easiest to learn. I also have started getting into home brewing and at some point know I am going to want to build some custom equipment (copper or stainless steel).  I also helping a friend restore an old car.  I only have 110v outlets in my garage. So first option really is power. I can either install 220v in my garage or go with a generator. I'm leaning generator since I'll get some use out of it (tailgating...etc) but since i'm really not knowledgeable on power requirements i'm not sure what I could get. So I guess first question is what do I need to look for in a generator that will power for example a miller maxtar 150 I'm think I'll end up getting one of the northstar ones from northern tool if I do this. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...tors+portable-generators+northstar I really want to get a miller welder but I'm confused on which ones I should consider. Based on reading here I do know I want DC. So an AC/DC or DC.  I don't mind spending a bit more for something versatile and that I can grow into. The Maxstar is one I'm considering but also looking at the tig welders. So I guess one questions is there a difference in tig welders that also do stick and stick welders that do tig?I'm sure I'll have more questions but lets start wit that.
Reply:Originally Posted by boon I really want to get a miller welder but I'm confused on which ones I should consider. Based on reading here I do know I want DC. So an AC/DC or DC.  I don't mind spending a bit more for something versatile and that I can grow into. The Maxstar is one I'm considering but also looking at the tig welders. So I guess one questions is there a difference in tig welders that also do stick and stick welders that do tig?.
Reply:Ok thanks a lot for the info. So another question is do tig machines do stick just as well or do they sacrifice anything. I'm thinking of maybe getting a tig but only doing stick until I learn a bit more but I can at least grow into a capable tig machine.As far the the generator...not really concerned with the noise. At my house I would put it on the other side of the wall to my garage and no near neighbors to worry about. I really end up doing both. I"m not sure how much it costs to put in 230 in the garage but i can't imagine its that that much. I don't really like messing with electrical. I do think I'll need a generator....for various things but the rebuild we are working on at a buddies house is in the backyard and he doesn't have 220 at all either. so syncrowave might not be doable in the sense as the damn thing is heavy. 238lbs...wow.So these are my options (all considering either installing 220 (30amp) or going with a generator )MaxStar 150 STL (tig machine. around $1100) http://store.cyberweld.com/mitigwema150.htmlits DC only so no tig alum welding which is probably is less of a concern. I thought I read somewhere you can stick aluminum,  just doesn't work very well. I'll worry about that if I ever need to.MaxStar 200 SD (tig around $2200)  http://store.cyberweld.com/milmax200sd.html (200 amps...what does that mean in real world).Next option is  Dynasty 200 SD (tig around $2800 ouch) http://store.cyberweld.com/mildyn200sda.htmlHere I get AC/DC so I can do tig alum welding. Am I getting anything else with this besides that vs the maxstar?Here lies the question. can I do everything i need to do with 150amps (at most 1/4 inch steel)?My options for STick machines are:Maxstar 150S ($825) stick only. At this point I would probably go with the above Maxstar 150 STL and get be able to tig for a ~275 more.There is the MaxStar 200 STR for around $1800. Scratch start tig. This goes back to what am I getting with that extra 50 amps. I can list more but if you guys have thoughts on what I have above please let me know.
Reply:Also, this might matter as well... what generator would I need from the ones I linked for a 150amp max type machine and what for a 200amp
Reply:A few things on your pricing that will skew things a bit. The Maxstar 200 and Dynasty 200SD are both bare machines as linked. You will need to add the ground lead, tig torch, stinger ( if you want to do stick), a pedal, reg and hose, and gas cylinder. Tack on roughly another $1000 to your numbers and you are starting to get in the ball park... You can lower the cost slightly by selecting the right components, but that's a safe number to get started.Not sure from the link if the Maxstar 150 is the bare machine or package or not.Yes the Syncro 200 is heavy, but you get a lower price to go with that weight. If you need a portable machine, you get to pay for that option, and if you want a portable AC/DC tig, you get to pay dearly for it.As far as the 150 vs the 200, depends what you will be doing. The Maxstar 150 will not run 6010 rods well. If you need to do code quality pipe, this can be a big issue. The 200's both the Dynasty and Maxstar are supposed to not have this issue. 150 amps will do  a bit over 1/8" with steel in tig. 150 amps will run 1/8" 7018 no problem. However keep in mind these are running the machine at max. Duty cycle will be low at these amps, and these numbers would be running the machine on 230v power. On 115v power, figure your max at 90 amps. That lets you do roughly 3/32" with tig on steel, and will let you run 3/32" rods with stick with some limits, as some rods top end amps is higher than 90 amps for 3/32". Again figure duty cycle will be low when pushing max on limited 115v input.The 200's are better machines, and it's reflected in the price. Things that are good heat sinks like copper or alum will need the extra top end amps compared to steel and stainless. 1/8" steel usually needs 125 amps roughly while 1/8" alum wants 150 amps.I'll dig up the genset numbers later. My computer is having issues and I can't pull up the manuals.Last edited by DSW; 09-19-2012 at 07:23 PM..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:You mention using stick because its easiest to learn...not really.  And tig is not that easy either.  If I were you I'd look into a mig machine like the Miller 212, Lincoln Powermig 216, or comparable.  You will need 220v coming into the garage but mig is the easiest to learn and is very versatile.As for a generator...I'd stick with in house electricity.  It will be easier in the long run.Just my two cents.Matthew MortonTexas A&M '06Logsdon Seminary '13"Who Dares Wins""AFTF""WH2PH"SA 200 (Code: 5337)TB 302CP 302 w/22A Wire FeederMillerMatic 200Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 252BurnTables 4x4 CNC MachineHypertherm 65
Reply:The cost of adding a 220 receptacle in your garage will depend on how far from the main circuit breaker you want the outlet, and whether or not you have both physical room in the panel for the additional 2 pole breaker and the ampre capacity in the panel.Have an electrician look at the job.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I agree, for the new welder MIG is the easiest to learn, But all 3 processes are great to learn. For your immediate needs I would also say MIG will easily do the job. Miller 212 or better yet 252  will set you back some though. Good used machines can be found. The electrical hookup is not that involved, but if you are not qualified or not confident have an electrician do it. You may be able to do some of the rough work yourself and have the electrician check it and make the final hookup.    As far as generators go, they are really nice to have, But if you are going to do welding, and may want to do portable welding, why not buy a Gas drive welder, Most of the gas drives today put out over 6000 watts and some as much as 11,000 watts. That's a pretty substantial power plant for back up power and you can also weld with it.  Once again, check the used market, EBAY of CL plenty out there for a grand to 1500.     If you will be welding in the evening, you don't want the generator running, get the power hookup in the garage, Then you can get a nice compressor as well LOL, but that's a whole other post."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400