Thinking of buying a stick welder and flux-core wirefeed.

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Ok. After a lot of reaserch and such, I have come to this decision.I want to learn stick welding. I can already do wirefeed OK, but I really want to start building project motorcycles and stuff, and I dont think wirefeed would be as good.Therefore I want a cheap flux-core welder for tack welds and some other small stuff, but also buy a stick welder for the more important things.I'm upping the budget to $500 for both. What would you recommend?
Reply:A good GMAW machine will be worth its weight in gold if you're going to do frames and want a clean appearance. IMO, a FCAW or SMAW process will leave too much spatter and too much mess. Gas isn't that much and saves much time bypassing cleanup. I think weldingdepot has a great price on the Clarke machine, by itself, and offered in several packages. Check it: http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...er_image=.htmlThey are a great MIG and you can't beat the price and warranty - $309 w/ regulator and gauges and a 10/2 yr. warranty. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Yeah, I thought that stick was just like TIG. But I guess not (after reading some more).I wish I could buy a TIG set-up. Its MIG for now then.
Reply:One question.What would the best 110v MIG be? I dont have the capability of switching to 220. Thanks
Reply:you get what you pay for, i would never get one from chicago electric, the wire feed drive breaks in no time, but lincoln, hobart, and clarke to name a few
Reply:The link I gave you was to the 110v Clarke units. They are great and weld nice...I have one used for my automotive and turbo pipe stuff. The BEST - it depends on what brand you like. Clarke, Hobart, Lincoln and Miller all have great welding equipment. I just about have one of each.  The next thing you do when shopping is compare prices and warranty. That's why I was directly pointing those out to you. IMO, the Clarke package is the best bang for the buck.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Which one? Hahaha.I dont mind brands, I just want something good.
Reply:Clarke - click the link I gave you in post 2 and pick a package.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:esab has a couple of nice multiprocess machines.  i had a mutimaster 260 that i really liked, it was a 220 and just a dc machine  but it was cc/cv- that means mig, tig and stick.  they also make a smaller multimaster.  look into them, there stuff is cheap and surprisingly nice.  500$ budget is going to leave you with alot to be desired.  i have 500$ 120v lincoln wirefeed that i like only for its portability and simple use,  any weld that would need to be sound i use the 4000$ miller.  its all about what you're going to be using it for.  i wouldn't make a bike frame with a 120v wire feed unless you really know what you're doing, and if you really know what you're doing, you won't be using a 120v wire feed anyway.
Reply:I have a Lincoln AC225 and a Lincoln WeldPak (flux-core) 100, both available at Home Depot.***************************************Lincoln AC225 stick welderLincoln HD100 WeldPak flux core wire feed welderThree of the cheapest grinders money can buy
Reply:Originally Posted by Hoff-Man_BMX...I want a cheap flux-core welder for tack welds and some other small stuff, but also buy a stick welder for the more important things...