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Hi Al-Mike, Basicly a ac/dc machine gives a person more welding rod options to choose from. A/C rods are ok for most welding but as the demand of type of welds increases a DC machine will weld differently with different rods making welding easier. 6011,6013 are the most popular AC welding rods because the run nice on AC. 7018,7024,6010 are three very nice welding rods for DC reverse polarity (electrode positive). 7018 is the most verstial rods around. Runs good flat, horzontial, vertical or overhead. 6011 will also weld this way but not with so much control as 7018. 7024 is great for fast flat or horzontial welds and looks very nice. 6010 is a good choice where deep penatration is needed. 6010 is used to put the root weld in while welding a pipe joint or thick plate joint. 6010 straight polarity (electrode negitive) runs very nice for welding galvanized iron. Electrode refers to the lead that holds the welding rod. Buying a AC/DC machine just gives you more rod choices for anytype of welding. The amount of weld Amps needed is depending on rod size. 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" etc, with 1/8" being the most popular. A 150amp machine will handle 1/8" about 110 to 130 amps needed, very easy and some 5/32" rod. It will also weld 3/32" rod for light gage sheetmetal about 70 to 90 amps required. If your "not" going to produce alot of welds then a 20% duty cycle will be enough. Duty cycle is how long you can weld without letting the machine rest (cool down). The longer the duty cycle the more expensive the cost of the machine. With a DC machine you can also Tig weld. Apperently there are no copper windings being produce on any welding machine, what the guts of a welding machine are made of. Copper windings make a better arc and last longer. For general around the house welding, it's hard to beat the Lincoln AC/DC or AC machine buzz box. I've seen them for around $500 for the AC/DC machine with 230v, 20% duty cycle. If you want to spend $1500 then you can get 60% duty cycle and $2200 for a 100% duty cycle. Now you see where the money goes on welding machines. Hope This helps! T_Bone
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