Rand/chef. BXI-100 stick welders on eBay

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Looking at buying one of the cheap 110v stick welders off eBay as more or less a toy and to atrempt stick welding. Anyone ever use one?  They're about $75 and are adjustable from 40-100 amps.Lincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:Just understand the limits of the machine. With a max of 100 amps, you will be limited for the most part to 1/16" and 5/64" rods. You may be able to run some 3/32" rods at the lower end of their range, but my guess is duty cycle will be extremely low with the machine maxed out. How well larger rods run will be dependent on the machine. I wouldn't bet on them running well from what I've seen of other low end inexpensive 110v stick machines.Small stick rods will limit what you can accomplish with that machine. The rods will be hard to keep from burning thru on thin sheet, yet lack the power to do thicker stuff. I'd guess you will be limited to 1/16" to 1/8", possibly  3/16" max with rods under 3/32".$75 in the range of a decent used 230v AC buzz box. I see them listed on CL for $50-$150 all the time. You'll get a lot more output and be able to easily run 1/8" or larger rods depending on the machines max amps..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:I have one of the low end inverter stick welders.  They are limited as to the size and type rod they can use.  They are also difficult to start an arc with compared to a buzz box.Mine is very portable and runs well on a small generator and I use it primarily in hunting camp to fix things until we get them to the shop.
Reply:Wish I had 220 in the garage, I own a slab built 2 story townhouse, and the panel and laundry room are diag across the house from the garage . Would be serious drywall cutting to do it. I am a hobby welder and dont do anything over 3/16" really. Here is the duty cycle from the eBay auctionAnd the eBay auction listing number. 390377755822 RAND Powerweld BX1-100B Duty Cycles: 40A=45%, 60A=20%, 85A=10%, 100A=intermittantLincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dereks RAND Powerweld BX1-100B Duty Cycles: 40A=45%, 60A=20%, 85A=10%, 100A=intermittant
Reply:thanks for the info...my apologies if my questions are dumb ( just starting out welding)Lincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:Your question isn't dumb. Lots of new guys simply don't understand WHY guys make such a big deal about the better machines and WHY it's usually so important to get a 230v unit as opposed to a 110v one. The comparison of duty cycles between the unit you were looking at and the other two should help you understand why you pay so much for a better machine that will run on 110v power.You can have cheap, 110v, or lots of output. Pick any 2 of the 3...Cheap and runs on 110v = low output amperage and duty cycle.Cheap and lots of output = you have to give up 110v power and go to a 230v machine like a Tombstone or Thunderbolt.Lots of output ( relatively speaking) and 110v = an expensive top of the line inverter like the Maxstars/Dynasty's etc.Understanding duty cycle and max amps will tell you what size rods a machine will run. Usually you can pull up the manual from a good manufacturer and get the info you need, like in the links above. More more you understand about what and why they list in these manuals, the better you are about making decisions about whether or not a machine will fit your budget and intended use.Too many new guys immediately rule out 230v units because they think it's "impossible" to use them. I ran an old 230v stick machine in several apartments I lived in over the years. I had a long extension cord with the appropriate outlet/plugs. In one place I ran the cord across the basement from the dryer and out a window and welded halfway down the drive. In another I used the range outlet and ran out the kitchen door to weld in the back yard. I still have my "short" extension cord and use it at my buddies place to get my old stick machine outside his barn where we installed a 50 amp 230v outlet to work on his equipment.I'm betting there's a way you can use a 50 or 100 foot extension cord to run a 230v machine at your place if you put your mind to it. Granted a cord running thru the house might not go over well with the misses, but the small cost of the extension cord would be outweighed by the ability to run a much more powerful, possibly less expensive machine. A few thought to mull over..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:a buddy of mine was cleaning out his garage and came across a old Campbell Hausfeld 110v 70A arc welder...definatly has its limits...15% @ 55A and 10% @ 70A...but price was right (free) and something to play with.  Was wanting a arc welder as basically a "toy" welder.  Love my Lincoln weldpak125, easy to use   tried out the arc for the first time tonight, took me about 5 mins to get the hang of starting an arc and not sticking the rod, but keeping the rod at the right distance as it burned down is not easy!!!DSW i see what you mean about cheap welders and their low duty cycle...this thing doesn't even have a cooling fan it it, would it be worth adding one to it?  but it'll serve its purpose as a "toy" till I move up to a real arc welder (and as a side note...girlfriend was not impressed with the new "toy" even though it was completly free lol)Lincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:A fan can't hurt as long as it's not sucking in stuff like grinding dust and such which wouldn't help electronics. However a fan isn't the only thing that will limit duty cycle. Some machines use caps to help store up energy and "boost" the output. When the caps are drained, you loose that "extra" power and weld quality drops off. Probably a bit over simplified depending on exactly how they have the electronics set up, but you probably get the idea.I'd run 1/16" rods with that machine for best results. You might try 5/64" rods if you can find them. Tractor Supply has a variety of both available. You might get 3/32" 6011 to work since it's got the lowest amp rating of the 3/32" rods on my chart, but I wouldn't get a ton of rods that size until you give them a try. You'll be pushing that machine at that point..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:I did open it up...basically just a big transformer sitting in the middle of the case...didn't seem to really be any electronics at all (well no circuit boards that is)  the few rods I burned tonight were 1/16" 6013 and was running them on the low setting and seemed to do ok.Lincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:Ok I was thinking it was one of the newer inverter units rather than a transformer..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:The TA95 is a great little machine.  It has a built in fan, and it's even better if you have a 20 amp circuit.  I got a great deal on one that was in new condition.  It's become my go to machine for small repairs cause it's just so damn easy to set up and use.  I've done a few substantial project with it and have never hit the duty cycle or saw the overheat light come on.  I've even burned 1/8' 6011 with it at 90 amps with no problems.  I usually use 3/32 6011 or 7018 with it. You could probably pick one up without the tig option, used, for a few bucks more than the cheapo Chinese unit you're considering.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The Thermal Arc 161S has both 220V and 110V capabilities and might be a good choice for you.  I have one and it is a great welder.
Reply:I'll check into the thermal arc units...I"m sure i'll upgrade eventually, but figured this little thing should provide some entertainment at least...basically just learning to weld as a hobby (and for another excuse to hang out in the garage  )Lincoln weldpak125 flux core welder. 30gal craftsman 6hp compressor.  $h!t load of HF air tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWOk I was thinking it was one of the newer inverter units rather than a transformer.
Reply:The old transformer stick machines I've had open all pulled the fan off the 230v input just after the switch. A lot of guys have added small computer pancake fans to migs. I'm sure one of the electronics guys could point you towards a fan that would work either off the 110v AC input or what ever. Option 2 would be to have some sort of secondary power source to plug the fan into, that way you are not drawing anything off the limited input you already have. You have to plug in the fan separate from the welder. For awhile I had an aux fan like this for my old Thunderbolt. I had a new case made up and used an old table fan to blow air across the transformer to cool it because the original fan was smashed when I got the machine. I simply had to remember to plug in the table fan when I plugged in the welder.Much more than that I can't really say. I stopped trying to deal with basic electronics back in the mid 80's when I tried to take a HAM radio class and had to stop due to other commitments. One of those things I'd wished I'd pursued more at that time.Last edited by DSW; 02-05-2012 at 11:05 AM..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