AC or DC?

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Im thinking about buying a AC arc welder for practicing some pipe welding. What do pipe welders use?, AC or DC? If I were to use a AC maching would there be a big difference from the two? Thanks
Reply:DC! Most welding processes Stick, MIG or TIG use DC Welding Current. If you buy an AC welder your choice of electrode will be fairly limited.
Reply:DC is so much nicer to weld with.   Both the Miller and Lincoln buzz boxes are available in the next higher model with ac and dc output.  It will be well worth the extra couple hundred bucks spent.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I agree, I had thought about getting an AC only buzz box at one time...  I'm really glad I saved a little more money and stepped up to the next model...Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:An 220v AC/DC rig is a beautiful thing    In particular I think the Miller Thunderbolt/Hobart Stickmate is the better choice due to finer tuning ability of the welding amperage versus set points on the comparative Lincoln.       A DC buzzbox can also be set up to run a gas cooled scratch start tig with the proper equipment in place.Miller ThunderBolt AC/DCMillermatic 130XPDewalt 4 1/2Dewalt RecipCE Chop Saw3rd Period Boilermaker ApprenticeLocal 454, Chattanooga TN