Another newbie with questions here!

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I've been lurking here for a while and finally have some questions as I'm ready to buy a welder.  I have never welded a thing in my life, but I've always been interested.  From everything I've read, I shouldn't buy one of the 120 volt welders.  If I were to buy one of hte 230 volt welders, where do I plug it in at?  I like the Lincoln welders at Home Depot.  I think I'd prefer a wire feed welder.Here's what I want to buy a welder for.  I have a school bus that I am converting into a camper that I can take to dirtbike races and take hunting with me.  Also, other small projects around the house like building a tree stand/dolly thing and who knows what else.  I have a 20% off coupon to use at Home Depot, so I'd like to get something there.  I could even order it if I have to.  On my school bus, about the thickest thing I would need to weld would be a bed rail which is about 1/8" thick, but I'd like to be able to weld stuff that is at least 1/4" thick should the need arise.  I would like to stay under $600 for a welding setup.  Home Depot has the Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 175HD, 208/230-volt Wire Feeder Welder for $599.  It says it comes with everything I need to weld mild steel with.  With my 20% discount, that would make the welder $480.  It looks like a welder that would serve all of my needs.  How hard is it to learn to weld basic stuff on my own?  Thanks for any info!Last edited by KC10Chief; 12-31-2006 at 04:42 AM.Matt in OKCLincoln 175HD
Reply:It looks like a welder that would serve all of my needs. How hard is it to learn to weld basic stuff on my own? Thanks for any info!
Reply:Or just plug it in to your dryer or oven outlet.
Reply:It's been asked before, and the general concensus was you can absolutely use an extention cord from an existing 220v outlet as long as it's overkill for the amperage to be carried. Course if you can run a 220v outlet for the welder that would be better...but not necesssary. And welcome to the forum!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:Originally Posted by KC10ChiefOn my school bus, about the thickest thing I would need to weld would be a bed rail which is about 1/8" thick, but I'd like to be able to weld stuff that is at least 1/4" thick should the need arise.