All I've used for the past 15 years is an AC stick welder and occassionaly a MIG. I guess over the years I've learned a lot of the ins and outs of using the old AC buzzbox and use it for everything from sheetmetal to tube to thick plate for bumpers. Anyways I've been thinking of getting an AC/DC machine for a couple years now but haven't had any real world experience with using DC, so all I know is what I've read. I'd like to know from some of your real world experience just how much of a difference there is with using DC. From what I understand the arc is more stable and less spatter, but just how much of a difference is what I want to know so I can decide if it's worth the upgrade for me.

Before you say "save up and get a MIG", someday I might but not for a few years at least, call me stubborn I just like the arc welder.

DC positive electrode, minimal penetration
AC mediocre penetration
Dc negative electrode, deep penetration...

i have a ac at home and use dc at work and dc is much easier and makes a better weld. what kind of rod do you use . i found that ac7018 works almost as good as dc 7018.

Originally posted by Booger Weldz
DC positive electrode, minimal penetration
AC mediocre penetration
Dc negative electrode, deep penetration...

This is backwards. My experience is that DCEN gives less penetration, DCEP gives more, and AC is somewhere in between. Supporting statments here, http://www.centralwelding.com/welding_tips.htm, the Miller website, welding.com, etc.

DC is MUCH easier to strike an arc, doesn't stick as much, more stable arc and less spatter as you mentioned. Also seems to respond better to manipulating arc length. You have a wider range of rods to work with; notably 6010 and conventional 7018. I find that DC is better on thin materials, especially DCEN; it seems to heat the surrounding material less and reduces burn-through. I like DCEP for vertical-up; puddle seems more stable and stickier. You've got a wider range of effects to play with to tailor the process to the job at hand. I had AC only for a while also; and have owned a little mig. It sounds like you can run AC stick reasonably well; DC capability will buy you mainly ease of use, some added capability in adapting to the specific job, and the ability to work a little thinner material. It probably isn't necessary since you've gone this long on AC, but it is very nice.

Yep Boogers backwards:flipoff2: can happen to the best of us. Anyways he would be right about the DC's if he were talking about Tig not stick.
Richard

Oh for the origanal poster IF you already have a stick machine even though its AC only dont buy another save up and get a mig;) I know you did not want to hear that but you would be soooooooo happy if you did though it would cut your fab time down so much, and besides spending money on new tools is a "good thing!".

Hey, Richard - thank you for the advice a while back, particularly re. the combination sources. Not what I wanted to hear, but after a lot of research...you're absolutely right. ;) Would've been kicking myself for the rest of my life if I hadn't listened. Someone wanted that generator/AC unit I had really bad, and I was able to get a nice new stick box and a bunch of rod out of the deal, with a little money left over. I'm going with the separate mig and tig units that you suggested.