Welding for a beginner?

I spend about $150 a year by taking the broken items to a welder.

If I were to purchase a welder, what would you recommend? I have no experience, but can learn, read instructions, and follow directions. If I had a welder, it would probably get used once a month.

In this situation, would I be better off just skipping the idea of buying a welder and learning how to properly use it; or should I go ahead and buy one? If you think I should buy one, I'd like to keep it under $300.

Thanks.

for

I recomend a stick welder. Like Century or a licoln. They dont work as well on light stuff. But hey we cant weld that crap any way.
They dont cost much and you can weld just about any farm related item.
Here is a photo of my 1st welding project with my century welder.( please excuse the mess)
Came out pretty good and have hauled my H and my 400 on it, Delivered hay and many Auction finds.
Great Farm welder and easy to learn.

Mark

I always liked the smaller rods around 3/16, 1/4 max, which could be run at lower currents (not over 150A). This helped me get the job done as the welder was duty cycle limited and had to be watched so it wouldn't overheat.

After lotta years and the kids getting on their own, I decided to give the welder to a son and upgrade. First was a 200A Miller ac/dc stick which produced beautiful welds with the 7018 rod ($300). I could weld sheet metal with this rig if using the 3/16 rod which is what I used on almost all but the most demanding welding. (Bigger rods are just sitting in the cooler).

Was in TSC one day and they had their MIG type wire welders on sale for $200 which did not require bottled gas. Used flux in the wire like flux core solder for (radiator or electronics repair). This is real handy and can almost weld paper but not pretty. I think you need to upgrade to a gas unit to get it pretty. What I like about it is I don't have to wear the helment required with the other welder. In the summer time that is great. It uses a hand held shield for your eyes.

I like both. Could have done without the wire but like it and use it. I bought the last stick the dealer had and that was 5 years ago. Don't know if they make them anymore.

You can teach yourself to weld or get a book.

Hope this helps,

txblu

40 years ago I took classes on stick and Oxy/Acetylene welding but never used it enough to become good. Had a neighbor that had made his living welding for MF combines with stick welders. He has switched to a MIG with gas about 12 years ago.

My 2 cents
JB

After about 20 years of that, a smart elic neighbor raised on a farm in Iowa blew off about the 7000 series. I settled on the 7018. Will not go back ever for any welding job.

txblu

They make two types: regular for DC applications and 7018AC if you only have an AC machine. The regular 7018 used with a DC machine is the best. Run your heat up or down depending on material thickness but 90amps is a good starting point.

Then tell me which rod is "the all purpose" rod. Not only because of weld consistency and smoothness, but sheer strength especially on flat, thin mower decks that like to crack or anything else with a lot of vibration where 6011 falls flat on it's butox. Not that it won't weld practically everything else; flat vibrating decks are the challenge. Course you could always weld a gusset over the crack which is what you really should do anyway. Then it will hold for sure..... maybe even with the 6011.

Mark

May amaze some old timers.

Somehow we survive.

But I would wrap it up in a cotton tarp or something to keep the water out and dirtdobbers out of the fan.

Best of luck

Mark