Posted by JRSutton on June 24, 2014 at 09:20:05 from (98.110.209.42):
In Reply to: welding posted by wbond on June 24, 2014 at 07:31:55:
I use a cheap, well used Lincoln "tombstone" for stick welding anything over 1/4".
And I use a Hobart 140 mig welder for everything 1/4 or under".
I'm very happy with that arrangement, and I can't see where it would need much upgrading in my lifetime.
The Hobart runs on 110 and is great for thin stuff - plus it's very portable seeing as how I can plug it in pretty much anywhere. It's a pleasure to use.
If I could ONLY have one - I'd go with the Lincoln because of it's ability to do thicker stuff.
If money's a concern, I'd have to recommend doing the same. Those old Lincoln's are tough to kill and they're cheap. Keep your eyes open and you can probably find one for around $150 - $200. It'll cover all your needs except sheet metal.
Then just learn to use it.
I don't think stick welding is all that much different than mig welding.
In fact, if you're like me, you spend more time breaking off mig wire that you accidentally ran out of the gun than you would unsticking a welding rod when stick welding.
If I were to have gone with a bigger mig welder, I'd have lost the portability (although I do believe Hobart makes one with dual power options, 110/220). I do a lot of haying on other people's property, so local power is much more available at the 110 level. Nice to have a welder in the truck for repairs on site.
One good thing about a stick welder is changing rod types for various applications is as easy as picking up a different rod.
On a mig welder, you're kinda stuck with what's in there. It's a pain in the butt to change it out. Not really hard to do - but enough work to make you say "screw it, what's in here is close enough".
You can go real cheap on a "mig" welder and go flux core - that doesn't use the shielding gas in a bottle - instead the gas comes from flux in the wire itself. Problem is, if you're welding sheet metal, flux core tends to burns hotter. So if you ever plan to weld sheet metal - go with a REAL mig welder (with gas).
I do think everybody you ask will agree with this next point: No matter which type of welding you do - you have to practice, practice, and practice.
And that's just to do the easy stuff. If you want to get fancy, you really need some instruction.
You can get good with either approach pretty quickly. But you have to want to learn to do it. And you have to be patient enough to pick up and learn all the little nuances that turn bird crap welds into nice professional looking welds.
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