Which 110V Arc Welder

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Hi All;New to welding. Decided on 110V stick welder.Gonna' use around farm (bike frames, lawn mowers, snow-blower cages, etc...)Nothing heavy, just miscellaneous duty stuff. (hobby?)There are a lot of choices out there, and I get a little confused.My orientation is toward quality with price a close second.I've been told to stay away from the cheapies (under a 100), and I can't afford the pricey stuff.My questions boil down to these:1. Are there 3 or 4 quality mfg's at the mid range pricing level that I should consider   for light work?2. Are there features that are must have, like ac/dc capabilities, replaceable cables, auto shut off at end of duty cycle? Anything I missed that I should look for?Bottom line: most trouble-free quality for the buck..Thanks in advance for your help.....Denny
Reply:I think you will find it very frustrating to try and stick weld a bicycle frame and expect good results.I hope you weren't referring to a motorcycle frame.  That being said, many people here and elsewhere seem to like the little Harbor Freight 80 amp inverter arc welder.Link:  http://www.harborfreight.com/80-amp-...der-91110.html
Reply:Thanks for the input! I'll take a look at this welder.Do I need both AC and DC??Thanks again....Deny
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966I think you will find it very frustrating to try and stick weld a bicycle frame and expect good results.I hope you weren't referring to a motorcycle frame.  That being said, many people here and elsewhere seem to like the little Harbor Freight 80 amp inverter arc welder.Link:  http://www.harborfreight.com/80-amp-...der-91110.html
Reply:You only need DC for stick welding.  if you are going to be doing thin metal then make sure u get an infinitely adjustable amperage machine and not a tapped machine that has fixed setting.  the 1/16 6013 rods work ok for thin stuff with practice.   if you are willing to spend a bit more u can get a small inverter tig/stick machine. dc tig is great for thin metal. even a basic scratch start without remote current control will work just fine.  the thermal arc 95s is a great choice for a quality brand machine at about 400 bucks.  search ebay/ amazon/google. probably some posts about it here too.  it comes with everything except a tank so its a real good deal.    a 40CF tank of argon can be had new for under $200 or find a tank on Craigslist.Here is a great deal, u can get the stick only package of the 95 thermal arc for $285 delivered new...  I am considering getting something like this myself for mobile use.   you can always pick up a gauge and a tig torch later http://cgi.ebay.com/THERMAL-ARC-95S-...item53e5eb4e40Last edited by soutthpaw; 08-14-2011 at 12:38 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99This is a very good starter welder. I myself own one I have never had any problems with it, Other then if you run it on a extension cord it must be thick wire and very short no more then 5 ft or it will not strike an arc. Sometimes you must also reverse the leads for better results. Welder is very strong and will weld for a long time, Built in fan helps that.Also Rod choice is key in this machine some rods run like crap, You have to experiment which ones are best for you.
Reply:In general no you probably won't need AC and DC capabilities. It's nice, but it will add a ton of cost to the unit. DC will do just fine,About the "best" machines that can be used on 110v power on the Market are Millers Maxstar's and the Dynasty. The Dynasty is close to $4K and is primarily a tig machine, though it does an excelent job running stick. The Maxstars can also do tig, but the lower end units with out all the extra functions are designed prmarily for those that need a small portable stick machine that can run 3/32" 7018 on 110v and larger rods on 240v power. ( it's a dual voltage machine and can use either) On a 20 amp 115v line it will do 100amps @ 35% dutycycle ( It's capable of 150 amps @ 30% on 230v) The units ane not inexpensive. Used I've seeen them for $700-800, but it's a lot of machine and top of the line.The TA95S is another good stick machine from Thermal arc. It will run some 3/32" rods, but it tops out at 90 amps 20% duty cycle.  The up side is it's less than $350 new IIRC.Most small 110v machines don't have the balls to run 3/32" rod. You need to run 1/16" or 5/64" rods. That's somewhat  limiting with stick. The rods aren't big enough to do heavy steel, and the smaller rods are to hot for thin steel. That leaves you with a very small window where they can make acceptable welds.If you want to do thin metal, a  130-140 amp 110v mig would be a better choice. there you can easily do sheetmetal up to 1/8".The best bet is to get a 230v capable machine, either mig or stick. Used AC 230v stick machines are cheap. Usually selling use from $50-150. Several guys here have even managed to get nice older used AC/DC stick machines for less than $250-300. Used 230v migs are harder to find, but are out there if you look hard enough. They usually let you weld sheetmetal thru 3/8" at a minimum.As far as getting 230v power, many here use an extension cord and plug it into an existing 30 amp dryer outlet or 50 amp range outlet. On 30 amps you can't run full power on most older stick machines, but usually you can easily run 3/32" rods and some 1/8" rods thru at least part of the range.If you want to use 110v power, you need to pay to play if you want a good machine with any capability. The lower end units really don't get you much because they simply lack the input power. It takes expensive electronics to get the very most out of the limited input available..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 bought a Maxstar 200DX for $600 off Craigslist.  It was pretty beat up but still worked 100%.  I spent about $150 cleaning it up and replacing the cover + some brass fittings.  It now looks new.Runs 110 like a dream (even after 100ft of extension cord).  Mostly 110Amps and less.  If I have to I can drag out an argon bottle and TIG weld with it.You don't see deals like this every day, and in my case I had to drive an hour, but if budgets were tight, I would start with ebay and craigslist and have patience.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Consider flux core 110 mig welders too.  there are quite a few to choose from in the sub $400 rangeTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Denny,Get yourself a 110/220v capable inverter like one of the ones that Thermal Arc offers. They will out perform the strickly 110v unit when running on the same 110v and also give you the ability to grow with the machine when you later have 220v available.  An inverter on 220v will give you the ability to tackle thicker material to 1/2' and thicker iif needed . I've searched youtube for videos on the 110v inverters and have not found one that does them justice or they are just underpowered. The TA 161s can be found online for around $600 and it also offers lift-start tig. There have been two members on here that have recently purchased these machines and have been really happy with them..
Reply:Hi Everybody;Thanks for all of the great feedback. We oughtta' put this in a book somewhere.Here's where I wound up:1. I'll get the 80 DC  inverter DC stick from Harbor for the little jobs (and give me some    mobility (and easy 110v application). Can bring it up to my farm as needed where    220 isn't available.2. I''ll put a 220 v outlet in the garage (got the right wire and a sub panel), and pick    up a Lincoln buzzbox (AC 225) for cheap, and use that on anything heavy.I don't forsee doing so much welding that I'd  shell  out any more than this, or need any other technique other than basic stick welding. I hear it's a little harder to learn then the other technologies, but, heck, it's been around forever and I know I can't go too far wrong.I'm  sure TIG and MIG  have their advantages, but I really don't want to go beyondbasic stick welding. at this point.Thanks again to all for the great feedback and ideas.Denny
Reply:cool, just be sure to get the extended warranty on it.. prob like $10 more for itTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:If you need to be able to run on 110 and money is tight, you might want to look at the little Everlast or Longevity 140 amp dual voltage machines.  While there are complaints about the Chinese built stuff, the 140 amp dual voltage machines seem to be in a unique new class with regard to price.  If the only other choice is the little Harbor Freight 80 amp machine, these might be worth a look.  The few reviews I've seen seem to be positive as well, and the Everlast even comes with a TIG torch.