Mig or Stick for up to 1/4" mild steel?????

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I am looking at building a winch bumper for my truck. I have some experience welding with both stick welders and mig welders.After reading several different posts on here, it appears that there are mixed reviews about what type of machine to use.I am interested in the Lincoln tombstone machine at Lowe's, but not sure how good of a decision this would be.I will also be modifying trailer rails to accept the front tires of a few motorcycles.Any help you guys can provide, I greatly appreciate it! Awesome site BTW! I am learning tons more just from reading everyone's posts.*****Guess I should have also said, I can make a good looking puddle with a MIG, my stick puddles usually look a little rough. Although, I presume I should be able to remove a little of a stick weld to make it look much better...Last edited by chaz3882; 04-30-2009 at 11:42 AM.
Reply:Bummer, can't edit a post more than 30 minutes after posting, guess I won't worry much about keeping my post count low...I forgot to mention that what I am looking at is the Lincoln AC225 tombstone machine. I looked at the AC/DC225 at Home Depot, but hard to justify the extra $200 on something that is not going to pay back for itself anytime soon...Any suggestions....
Reply:Any decent 230v MIG or stick could handle the job, but if you are worrying about the cost differential between an AC vs AC/DC stick, you won't like the price of a 230v MIG. I would steer clear of a 120v unit if bumpers and frames are what turn you on.I think you will be much happier with an AC/DC, instead of an AC only stick. What I did when I decided to add the stick to my stable is to buy a used AC/DC machine off Craigsist. There are usually a lot of older Lincoln, Miller, and/or Hobart AC/DC machines listed and you will pay less than buying a new AC unit from Home Depot. I paid $200 for used my Miller AC/DC Thunderbolt, but it came with about 75 feet of heavy copper leads, as opposed to the skimpy little 10 feet of skinny wire on the new ones. I have seen them for between $100 and $200. There isn't really much inside these stick machines to go wrong. So, if it works when you buy it, it will probably work another 50-100 years.Last edited by smyrna5; 04-30-2009 at 12:56 PM.Lincoln 175HD Miller AC/DC ThunderboltSmith AW1, Dillion (Henrob) Mark III, & Smith LittleTorch
Reply:a lot of projects have been built using the ol cracker box they will last for a lifetime  ac is good to start out with ,ac/dc is able to use a wider range of rodsmyself like using dc it seems to run smoother but first welder was the ol red tombstone ac/225 have had mine  for over 33yrs
Reply:The "Tombstone" Lincoln is one of the prevalent welders. Lots of them in garages and shops across the country. They are limited, but if your not planning on going commercial, it will suit your needs. Stick provides better penatration, though, when done correctly. My .02.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:I don't intend to go commercial for quite some time, if ever.It is a lifelong dream to open an off-road fab shop one day.I got the welding bug in high school and have done some nick-nack welding since. I am extremely interested in getting back into the hobby, and if I manage to relearn the art, maybe I'll be able to have my shop.I appreciate all the help!Now, next question, should I hold off looking for an AC/DC unit or will it really make much difference for me in the foreseeable future? Being as there is about a $200 swing between a new AC vs AC/DC unit, don't think I have the patience to wait for a good used unit to become available within reasonable driving distance.Thanks again for all the help!
Reply:Buy the best you can. IF all you can afford is the AC unit, then get it.  If you get the AC/DC unit,  you will like it better.  Like said above, don't mess with 110v units, they are not big enough for what you want to do.  Stick or Mig?  What ever you are most comfortable with.  Both will do the job.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.