Welder Question

We've worn out 2 Lincoln crackerbox stick welders over the past few years.

It's looking like we'll need a new one before too long, and I was just wondering whether most folks would rather spend the $270 or so for a regular Lincoln stick welder or the $380 or so for the same welder with the DC adjustment or would it be better to go to a wire welder??

I've never used a wire welder, so I don't know exactly what I'm missing. We use a fair amount of 7018 rod on certain implements to prevent cracking...

Thanks for any advice!
Howard H.

I have to ask, how do you wear out the Lincoln AC welders? Are they 225's? I thought I used mine hard and have never worn one out. Did get rid of 3 couple of years ago that had some dead spots on the dial but they were 40 years old.

With that said, I would get the AC/DC machine. I have a Miller Thunderbolts, AC/DC and I generally only use them when I need DC work, prefer the Lincoln straight AC for AC work, arc seems more stable. Rule of thumb, if you plan to weld new steel, inside, get a MIG; if most of your work will be painted or rusted metal and/or outside get the AC or AC/DC. Real curious about the wearing out of the welders, though. Wonder about the power feed in, how much voltage drift you are getting, or if neutral may be shorting to ground.