miller ac/dc thunderbolt

My book shows the 460v model only is available in 460v.

There is a 230/400v model available and a 115/230v model.

I bought my son this machine new at $425 a couple years ago at my local Miller dealer. Nothing to right home about as I would compare it too a DC opperated AC buzz box. Good enough for home shop use but it sure isn't a stable arc machine of higher quality.

I agree, take a Vo-tech welding class as then you won't pick-up any self taught bad habbits you will need to get rid of latter on. Some of those bad habbits are very tuff to get rid of if your wanting to be a good rod burner.

T_Bone

There's no better way to learn to weld than to take a class at the local community college, voc-tech, or high school. You'll be a more discriminating shopper after you use a variety of equipment, and you'll buy yourself time to let a better deal come along.

Stick is my favorite welding process for a number of good reasons, but that puts me in the minority these days. You may want to give yourself the chance to use GMAW (MIG/wire feed), which is the overwhelming choice of new welders before you decide what to buy. You might even find yourself in the select company of those few who find that GTAW (TIG) best suits their tastes and needs.

All the best, Stan

As for price, I believe those machines go new on the order of 400 to 450+ depending on size - one model is like 200 amps, the other about 230.

Do a search for on-line welding suppliers for new price comparisions, and look at the Miller web site RE: converting to 230 volts.