First arc welder?

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Hi,I would like to start welding using an arc welder. A guy from my town will show me, but he first told me to buy a welder. He said, anything with an infinite amp control will do the job to start.I've found a Miller Thunderbolt 225v (like that one: http://dallas.kijiji.com/c-For-sale-...QAdIdZ91890680 ) for 275$ What do you think?Do you have other model to recommend?All the best,Sam
Reply:Well, it's a little pricey for a first welder, but the Hobart Handler 210 is a GREAT unit.  Check it out here:  http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6866_200336866And a review: http://reviews.northerntool.com/0394...89/reviews.htmI personally run the MillerMatic 135 amp, 110 volt machine, and have LOVED it.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:i picked up a thunderbolt 225 for $100 off an old co worker last year. i havent used it yet but theyre good buzz boxes. go for it.
Reply:Those old Millers are nice machines but that one is over priced in my opinion. I'm not 100% sure if the new Lincoln tombstones are infinitely adjustable or not, but Depot sells them for less than $275 new.If that Miller was say $100 or so it wouldn't be a bad price. I've seen them and the Lincoln Ac models sell used from $50 to $150 on CL..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Do yourself a favor and get an ac/dc or dc-only machine, rather than an ac-only machine.  DC is much nicer to weld with.Hobart Handler and Millermatic machines are constant-voltage wire-feed (mig) machines, not constant-current stick machines.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by samueltcHi,I would like to start welding using an arc welder. A guy from my town will show me, but he first told me to buy a welder. He said, anything with an infinite amp control will do the job to start.I've found a Miller Thunderbolt 225v (like that one: http://dallas.kijiji.com/c-For-sale-...QAdIdZ91890680 ) for 275$ What do you think?Do you have other model to recommend?All the best,Sam
Reply:Haha for buzzboxes I picked up an old "Tri Star" AC/DC and can run it from my dryer plug and it runs 6010, 7018, and 7024 quite nicely at around 60% to 70% duty cycle. Anything more trips my breaker but I can get some really nice roots and passes.
Reply:Dittos on getting an AC/DC machine. It is so much easier on DC that I seldom ever use the AC side of mine. I also think that machine may be a bit overpriced for an AC only machine, but you should consider that it comes with 50 foot leads. A new one only comes with some spindly little 9' leads. When I bought my AC/DC Thunderbolt off Craigslist, I paid $200 about 3 years ago with roughly the same amount of leads as the one in your ad. Mine are as big around as your finger, and they are probably worth more than the welder (go price copper leads in a decent size at the store). I like having the long leads, because the welder is very heavy and I can leave it on my back porch and weld in a fairly large 50' radius in my back yard.When I was looking for my Thunderbolt, the going price on CL for an AC only buzz box (Lincoln,  or Miller) seemed to be in the $100 to $150 range, and about $150 to $200 for an AC/DC model with stock (short) leads. These things are built like tanks, and its easy to get parts if you ever need them, so I found no real reason to go with another brand. There are enough posts from people needing to replacing diodes, that it may be something you eventually need, although I haven't. By the way, should you decide to buy a new one, the Hobart Stickmate is the same machine under the skin as a Miller Thunderbolt, but its usually cheaper in the store.I will also say, that once you get a MIG machine, the buzz box will probably just gather dust in the corner for most jobs.Last edited by smyrna5; 11-13-2009 at 08:34 AM.Lincoln 175HD Miller AC/DC ThunderboltSmith AW1, Dillion (Henrob) Mark III, & Smith LittleTorch
Reply:Thanks for your reply! I'll probably go for a brand new miller ac/dc. I want to be sure that I won't be bothered with malfunctioning equipment. Hope to post some pictures of my project soon All the best,Sam
Reply:I am just finishing up my first semester at welding school so I am far from being an expert, but if I were to choose a stick welder for my own use,(and I hope to very soon) it would be the AC/DC Miller Thunderbolt. The infinite amp adjustable machines are the way to go in my very humble opinion. I weld better with them so tend to avoid the "clicker" machines. After four and a half months of school doing SMAW and GMAW on Miller machines I must admit they seem to be high quality. I think it wise to spend a few extra dollars and get the new Miller. All the local welding supply shops here sell mostly Miller with just a few Lincoln and Hobart machines thrown in. The college I attend uses all Miller machines and they have held up to our "abuse" very well. I am hopeful that in the near future a Thunderbolt will be sitting in the driveway for the neighbors to envy....... :-)