What stick welders are you guys using?

[NitroRClover]

Just curious. I use a lincoln 225 AC/DC at home. It works alright, but it is a piece of shit compared to the lincoln Multiweld 350's at school. It seems like the Multiweld just arcs better and everything, which makes my beads look better. Why is this? Is this just because it's a higher end model? I thought all stick welders were pretty much the same, in the way that it's just electricity flowing around :flipoff2:

What are you guys using? And no, I haven't jumped onto the MIG bandwagon yet :flipoff2:

[rockreligious]

Hobart ac/dc

[Brad]

All the stick machines at work are Lincoln Idealarc 300/400/500/1000 machines. Could it be the AC/DC machine you have verses the DC machines at school thats the difference?

[64Trvlr]

I use my Miller 180 TIG.

[System-f]

25 year old Sears and Robuck A/C buzz box. this welder was OK until I upgraded the service at the house, now it welds very good.

I also use a 100amp Ford alternator welder which works very well.

[geargrinder]

My 30 year old Lincoln AC tombstone, and my Miller Econotig.



:)

[ghettojeep]

cuz its a DC way more stabil arc and heating then the ac/dc.

[kyle_22r]

if you want a cheaper buzzbox, go for the miller thunderbolt ac/dc. has infinitely variable amperage controls unlike the lincoln tombstone. for a small package, go with the maxstar -- only downside is it's more expensive and doesn't put out as much juice as the thunderbolt

[Pin Head]

I use a lincoln 225 AC/DC at home. It works alright, but it is a piece of shit compared to the lincoln Multiweld 350's at school. It seems like the Multiweld just arcs better and everything, which makes my beads look better. Why is this?

High end welding power supplys have a number of things that make them better than home style buzz boxes.
The DC current is purer and free of 60 cycle chop because they have filter chokes. High end welders usually have infinite current control so you can find the right heat range. They also usually have a higher open circuit voltage which makes it easier to keep the stick lit when whipping it.

If you get one of those humongous 350s, you will find that there is another advantage: your friends won't ask to borrow it.

[JeepAddict]

I inherited a Campbell/Hausfeld 225 AC welder that I've been using for a short time. Probably not a great welder, but it seems to stick metal together pretty good even with my limited skill. I wish I could compare it with others, but it's the only stick welder I've used.

[unimog]

I'm not a welder I'm a metal burner. My tool to attempt to stick metal together is an old antique Marquette. To change amperage you pull the lead and stick it in another hole. It does hold a nice steady arc and if everthing is perfect it works. My best move was to give my $1200.00 recovery sand blaster to my welder fabricator friend and do all his printing for free in exchange he does all my welding and fab work. I don't have to use that old dinosaur very much now.

[bronco75]

my back up welder is a marquette 180 welder that is from the late 50s early 60s I got it from my Dad and he had got it used from a construction site he guarded back in the late 60s it got lot of tools from there in trade for working
it still works great other than power switch is bad

[DozerDan]

25 year old Sears and Robuck A/C buzz box. this welder was OK until I upgraded the service at the house, now it welds very good.




X100

I have the same unit, old beat up S&R and it wont die. I just went out and spent all this $ on a Mig that doesnt work right (used) yet every time i plug the stick welder in it does what it is supposed to.

Damn thing was worth every penny of the $40 I spent on it

[maddog]

Only use my Lincoln AC-225 when there are spots my Miller 185 mig nozzel can not reach.