Can you modify a welder?

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My welder is a piece of crap long story short.  Im saving my ducks for a new one but it will be a little while.  I still want to practice though.  The machine itself seems powerful enough (125 amp flux core only gasless wirefeed).  The machine is a super cheap ebay purchase I made a while back and has actually already been worth the money I paid for it but the feed system is literally falling apart.  I have a wire and electrode holder for a stickwelder that a freind gave to me.  Could I remove the welding torch/liner altogether and hook the stick electrode up to the machine and use it to stick weld?  Polarity problems?  I know it's probably against safety's sake to do such a thing, and I won't do it if its unsafe but I really want to keep practicing and my machine is not allowing it.  Another question is, are spool guns manufacturer/machine specific?  If I can get the feed system worked out or bypass it I think this welder would do me just fine, but until then I'm really bothered that I can't practice at home, because at my job (welders apprentice), I get a lot more carry steel and go to the hardware store time than welding time until my welds get a little better.
Reply:A mig is Constant Voltage, where as a Stick is constant Current.  Not much you can do there but try to fix your feeder.  You could probably rig a spool gun of some sort, but for what you will pay for a gun and controller I don;t think I would be satisfied with a cheapo welder.  Save your money and look at the Lincoln 140 they now have a optional spool gun for around a $200 bucks. I played with one at my welding supplier ther other day and it seems to be a good machine.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I've looked at the lincoln 175sp (I think it's called) or the 175HD at Home Depot.  599 bucks doesnt seem that bad.  Is it worth it to buy the normal Lincoln 175 unit and not get the home depot unit?
Reply:Unless you're sold on the Lincoln, check out the Hobart HH187.  Same class of machine, with awesome reviews and Hobart's legendary customer service.Here's one by one of the lesser sellers, but for what looks like a decent deal.  There are other similar deals out there, too:http://cgi.ebay.com/Hobart-Handler-M...QQcmdZViewItem
Reply:Or what about a Clarke machine?  Even cheaper and it usually comes with a regular and cart.
Reply:I was just looking at those, haven't heard much about em.
Reply:The clarke is not a bad machine.  I have heard good things about them on this forum.  In my opinion the Hobart 187 is as good a small machine as you can get in the 230 volt machines.  I mentioned the lincoln 180 since you commented on the spool gun.  If you are learning to weld another option is a stick machine you can get a 225amp buzz box for as little as $200 bucks and practice with it.  I personally am not a fan of the 110V machines like your little 125.  I just feels it limits you to much.  Just my opinion.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Hey! If You have room and 220 Volts There are some good deals on older BIG machines I've got an old hobart I can't sell If You are close to Brockport NY Thanks!