You want a engine drive or a line powered shop machine ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Not engine driven or anything to big as I want it to be portable. Use at home mostly but take with me every once in a while. My buddy works at a yard and every once in a while he needs stuff welded nothing too big.

 

Well the two best transformer type AC/DC welders that are available used on Craigslist and such are Lincoln Idealarc 250 and Miller Dialarc250 machines. They are 350 lbs and need 50 amps to run correctly. $300-$700 is the used range depending on leads and such. Or you can go with a new inverter type machine that is much lighter and can be run off a medium sized portable generator or 110/230 volt 20amp line power. These are out in the used market now and might be perfect for your use. I have a Miller 140STR that welds great and weighs about 10lbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I was looking at this one ( https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/tig-stick/powerarc-140-sti ) would that be a good one?
What about for MIG what would be ideal? I was also looking at this also ( https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/power-i-mig-200 )

 

I think either would be good. I assumed you wanted a stick machine. Both are inverter machines.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

How much are you looking to spend and are you going to be welding indoors or outdoors?

 

Im just looking at the best options. To have one machine with both rather than buying a stick machine now and buying a MIG down the line. The only thing i was curious about is the 120v that can run out of a house type outlet correct?

 

It would be used outdoors for the most part, and the budget part idk probably around 700-800.

 

I would suggest a stick machine. On a 120v outlet, a regular house outlet, you will be able to use 3/32 7018 or 1/8 6011. Between those to rods you should be able to weld most projects. Mig is not going to work outside and flux-core tends to take a lot of practice to get a decent looking weld. Get a stick machine and spend the rest of your budget on rod. If you want to switch processes later it will be much easier if you already can stick weld.

 

I can fabricate more with a a Lincoln AC225 than most here can dream of.It's connecting two pieces of recycled hot rolled garbage 3/8" or usually 1/4, 3/16 or 1/8" with a 3/32 6013 or 7014, That's it. It's that easy.

 

Well I can do all 3 lol. I work for a Waste Management company so I have to mig weld hoppers and containers and flux-core weld the floor panels and stick weld when I have to go out in the field for repairs and also I took my classes and test for all 3 processes, but yeah I was looking into a stick welder but I know I will prob end up wanting a MIG as well down the line.

 

In that case it really comes down to weight of the machine. You shouldn't have a problem with Everlast. A stick machine is in the 10-15lb range while a multi-process machine will be in the 45-50lb range. If you have to move it all the time and are always welding stick outside the multi-process machine will be a pain to carry around. If you are welding in one location the added Mig functions will be a real asset. It really depends on what you want to do.

 

this is what you need

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/powermts-211si-tig-package

 

If this thing is in a fixed place in the shop ? Get a Thunderchicken AC/DC or a Lincoln 225/150 and forget it. It you need dual volts and ability to carry to various job sites ? Get the the Everlast inverter guys ( formerly NEVERlast) because merkins are idiots and don't think anyone else can make a decent machine. WRONG , as usual.They have proven themselves.............repeatedly.
NOTHING beats a transformer. The Inverter guys are Ali Vs Foreman. The boys are really close the last 3-4 years.We shalll seee.........in 20 years ( My transformers will be a strokin'===no doubt)

 

i would go with small inverter stick machine that you can run on a standard household plug.
very portable, light, cheap and small enough to tuck away on the shelf. grab a selection of electrodes to cover most things.

even if you get a mig, still keep the stick as its so handy. its just so much more portable than a decent mig.
leave the mig for the garage/workshop where you can setup better power for it.

 

Keeping your budget and needs in mind I would look into the vulcan omnipro 220 from harbor freight. About 750 via coupon, if the coupon isn't available just wait a bit, another will come along shortly. Their warranty is truly no hassle (1 year base 3 year for sale). it does mig/mag, dc tig, dc stick. 120/240v, inverter based, and is about 50 lbs without wire. A friend of mine has owned one for a few months, about 3 or 4 arc hours a week, and it has been solid. remotely powering it is a different issue but on that note harbor freight makes excellent generators. We use them extensively for *ahem* horticulture and they too are solid. bought about 5 used 8750 watt units through offerup from different people for ~$400 and none have failed so far, save for one leaky tank. run everyday for 8+ hours avg. over 2 years. attach a cheap/used car muffler to quiet them down.

 

That's where the no questions asked warranty comes into play. I would try to break it through non abuse before the 3 years is up. I agree the setup is far from ideal but I feel fairly confident it would not only suit his budget and needs, but would last longer than the 3 year warranty. Used engine drive welders are either near retail or completely overpriced for what they are - I've been looking for a long time. i'd give less confidence in the upkeep of a used unit around here (unless completely overpriced) than I would to a new unit with a 3 year hassle free warranty. BTW every single thing run in a house has been run off our HF 8750 watt units at one of our locations and nothing has broken thus far in a few years. I understand how much noise the signal must have but again everything from cheap/expensive TVs, computers, appliances, pumps, compressors, welders, power tools and chargers run everyday, air conditioners, microwaves, etc etc etc has run without issue. Time will tell if my plasma TV outlasts my old Zenith tube that ran for 17 years screen-on time according to the on screen timer. Just my .02 cents

 

I would say, don't burn through your whole budget. The AHP 160ST. Will run 1/8 7018 with great duty cycle. You can add a rig torch for lift TIG. Will do 3/32 rod on 120 V. Weighs 11 lbs.

 

I’ll look into the Vulcan, didn’t really look into it since it was a harbor freight welder, but I’m thinking of doing what was suggested of getting a stick welder then down the line a mig one.

But I will look into the Vulcan one. Is it suppose to be better than the everlast machine I posted as that machine is a whole 150 dollars less?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The vulcan is untested as it's been available less than a year. Most of the reviews are really good, and based on some beta testing a member was involved in they seem to be pretty dang decent. AvE did a tear down of one and found no real fault. Everlast has a great reputation for quality these days, and a decent reputation in terms of durability that seems to be getting better, but finding a local dealer can be difficult.