Small Stick Welder - Worth it?

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Hi Folks.Wow - it's been a while since I've had a question here. Been around quite a bit to look at people's project (always love those), but just have not had the need to post anything, until now.A friend showed me a flyer this morning and asked me "is this any good?". It was a small 120V/20A stick welder for $180. The description is as follows:50 - 70A output. Duty cycle of 10% @ 70A, 20% @ 50AI have very little experience with stick welders (and non with such a small machine), so I do not know how to respond. Obviosly, this is not a heavy duty machine , but he would be using it for small house hold repairs like fiixng a gate hinge, lawn mower wheel bracket, etc. - nothing structural.Is a machine like this worth looking at or would he be better off with a small wire-feed welder for these jobs? That's what I would think, but like I say my experience with small stick welders is virtually nill.Any thoughts?Weekend MigBackyard MechanicWelder: DECASTAR 150E, Wire Feed w/ Gas Potential (not currently using gas)
Reply:You can get a used stick welder that will do a lot more for that price. I paid 175 for my Lincoln AC DC 225 --Gol'
Reply:I agree with Go1lum, shop around for a better deal on a used, real stick welder.  That one just doesn't have enough b.alls to make it worth it, in my opinion.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I had a small HF welder I think it was $79 on sale. Yes it works but it is shut off more than it welds. Remember duty cycle is based on 10 minutes so 20% so 2 out of 10 minutes you can weld and the other 8 your not. I gave it to my dad and he uses it with tiny 6011 rods and uses it for tacking stuff on the bench and he likes it for that. If your are truly not going to weld much and dont see yourself wanting to do more it is ok and will "work". If you want to grow with it at all look for a Lincolin ac/dc 225 or a Miller Thunderbolt. These can usually be bought cheap and my dad had had his for 28 or 29 years and never a problem. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:I am not a pro welder but I do know trash when I see it. Spend the extra cash for a name brand in the 200 amp range it will cost you more initially but it will more than pay for it's self in time savings and headaches. Shop around on ebay and search through some online welding supply houses they usually have pretty reasonable prices for used welder.
Reply:good quality used better than new piece of crap.
Reply:Heres a little bit of prices for you this company offers free shipping on it's Lincolns and have some of the best prices I have found. http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p000013.htm Classic "tomb stone" 225 amphttp://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p000012.htm Discount Lincoln 170 amp boxThese units are a little pricey but remember name brand's and warranties are better than no name chinese trash that might do a good weld on a good day.
Reply:Or look on Craig's List classifieds.www.craigslist.orgMM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:If you just do what you mentioned,one would work.But that sounds a little pricey for a 110.I have a clarke I got from welding depot shipped to the house for around a 100.It won't be long and you would want a tombstone or a stickmate though.I have a hobart 125 ez 110 wire welder that has much more capability compared to the stick welder I have and it's 110 also.The clarke 110 wire welders are good too for the money.pro-level dumpster diver                                     Hobart 125EZ
Reply:http://cgi.ebay.com/ArcOne-Mini-80-A...QQcmdZViewItemthose little dc inverters are nice if you do small stuff.
Reply:Thanks for all the helpful feedback guys. My buddy went ahead and decided to purchase the welder, so time will tell how satisfied he will be.As for me, I have a slightly larger, 110v (20A) wire-feed welder. I find it works well for the projects I've done to date. And I like the fact that I can plug it into any wall outlet (although a typical 110v/15A circuit does limit the performance). I will likely be looking for a stick welder for myself at some point, and your comments will certainly be helpful for my search as well.Thanks again.Weekend MigBackyard MechanicWelder: DECASTAR 150E, Wire Feed w/ Gas Potential (not currently using gas)
Reply:Lincoln AC-225 -- $250 at Lowes. Will do anything you want to do, and run forever. I'm a pro and have 2 in my shop. One is almost new and the other is so old it is orange ( I bought the new one and was given the old one). For what I use them for they can't be beat. There happens to be an XMT-304 and Syncrowave 250 DX sitting in there as well, but there are a lot of things you just don't need them for. The other alternative is the Lincoln ProMig 180C. It will do most anything you want to do around the house, runs FCAW or GMAW, and is easily moved around. Only takes a 30 amp 220 volt circuit and will run off a 5500 watt generator if it has 220. We use one with a Coleman Powermate regularly.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.