stick or mig/flux?

[FrontCC]

I want to buy a welder to learn on and build some bumbers and junk with.

dont plan on making anything more than 1/4" thick, and have no welding experience.

i understand mig/flux is easier to learn on - so to get me started should i get a little mig box? Not looking to spend more than $450-500 and there seems to be some lincolns, both stick and mig, that fit my budget.

any opinions or recommendations - help a newb out :smokin:

[Buddha's Ghost]

If you have the choice between MIG and stick get the MIG.

Personally, I've never cared for stick.

[rolled1]

I just got a lincon 135 mig.
Love it
costs between 375 & 450 depending on where you get it

[D60]

Get stick. You'll be a better welder for it.

[BrettM]

you can't get a MIG for under $500 that you can get good welds on 3/16" or 1/4" unless you are very experienced. if you can up the budget, get a decent 220v MIG (Hobart 180 is good for a budget mig). If you really need to stick to the budget get a 220v AC/DC arc machine and practice, practice, practice. Starting out with arc or O/A will make you a better welder anyway for when you do move to a MIG.

[Dead Sled]

I would sugest a mig that you can upgrade later with a gas kit

[4rnr]

Im also a beginner welder, I just got a Lincoln 100HD and I love it I have used a Miller 175 and a giant airco, they are better, but for what I do mostly 1/8 in DOM, it is awesome. I will get a bigger one some day, but for now this will do.

[maddog]

I would suggest and I'm saying it from my own experience. Get a mig, 220v that has the capabilities to be upgraded to gas. Once you weld with gas you'll never turn back to flux. Mig is a whole lot easier to learn on for good penetration welds than stick. Not to say stick welding is bad, you can achieve stronger welds (depending on which rod you use) with stick. It’s just more difficult to become really proficient with stick.

[kyle_22r]

i can weld anything with stick, but flux core is growing on me. haven't tried welding vertical or overhead with flux though, so time will tell.

[nmscout]

If you are ever planning on welding thinner material (exhaust) get a mig otherwise I would buy a stick (Lincoln AC/DC Buzzbox 225) because it is more welder for the money. Just get some low hydrogen rods (7018) and practice until you can throw some nice beads.

[FrontCC]

at the moment exhaust work does not sound like something i will be doing, no tube bender so...

bumpers, skidplates, sliders, maybe a long way down the road a flat bed...

anyone know the duty cycles on the welders?

[cybergeek23851]

at the moment exhaust work does not sound like something i will be doing, no tube bender so...

bumpers, skidplates, sliders, maybe a long way down the road a flat bed...

anyone know the duty cycles on the welders?


It depends on which welder you are looking at. :confused:

Now for me, I prefer stick because it is what I licensed with. Mig welding is something that I have had a little bit of experience, but not enough to run picture perfect beads. However, I recently have crossed back into the dark ages of welding. I recently learned the art of gas welding. Man, was it sweet to just switch out just the torch heads for that task :grinpimp: .

[Butt_Ugly]

If you can hold out to save a little more money, I would get a 220v 180A mig machine as mentioned above. I ordered one day before yesterday for $589 shipped to my door. Only thing I need is a bottle now, and I will make a cart for it. If you really like tinkering around, you will eventually find something that will take more than a 130A machine.

Hobart 180A machine: http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/handler180.html

Best price I found for new machines: $589.00 No shipping charges
http://store.cyberweld.com/hobmigwel.html

You can find refurb machines here for $479.99 plus shipping charges. It will almost be the same as the new one above. http://www.toolking.com/shop/oos.asp?id=5632

Don't forget to put aside money for a hood, gloves, slag hammer, grinder, etc...

If you don't have a hood yet, I would go with a HF hood. I have read allot of good things about these hoods this week. Granted they will not be as good as the Miller auto hoods, but I am not welding every day as a profession.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91214

Edit: Fixed my link screw up.

[FrontCC]

where are the refurbs at? i have that same link twice and i dont see it on that site.

[NitroRClover]

Get an AC/DC stick welder for about $200 or less, and spend the rest of the money on welding classes at the local community college.

[maddog]

Get an AC/DC stick welder for about $200 or less, and spend the rest of the money on welding classes at the local community college.

Where can you get the AC/DC combo for $200. I know the Lincoln AC-225 buzz box runs about $220 but the cheapest AC/DC I've seen are around $400 give or take a few bucks. Of course thats a Lincoln as well.

[NitroRClover]

You can get em that cheap used. I paid $120 for my Lincoln AC/DC buzzboz, welds great.