Cheap stick welder? Waste of money?
#1
Cheap stick welder? Waste of money?
I have a small Lincoln MIG but once in a while I need to weld some thick stuff, I saw some stick welders at the Harbor Freight website for $100-120 and I am wondering if they work well, and if any of you have and experience with them? It would be for occasional use around a small property. Will the cheap ones do more than my little MIG? Is 230v much stronger than the 120v? Some say AC and DC, ?? I'm not experienced with anything other than the old Lincoln "tombstone" I learned on in school... Id love to have one of them but $400 is the best price I see and thats not happening right now..
Any info appreciated.
Here are the :specs" on one of them, there are a few others..
AC output produces less arc blow and easier starts. DC current for less sticking, spatter and better control on thin work. Includes electrode holder and ground clamp with leads, wire brush/hammer combo and welding face shield.
Input: 230V, 40 amps at max. power, 60 HZ
Open voltage current: (AC operation) 48A/22V to 130A/25.2V adjustable; (DC operation) 25A/21V to 99A/24V adjustable
Duty Cycle: 10% @ 130 amps AC; 15% @ 100 amps DC
Welding current: 47 to 132 amps AC; 25 to 200 amps DC
Thermal overload protection
Dimensions: 26''L X 13-1/2''W X 19''H
Any info appreciated.
Here are the :specs" on one of them, there are a few others..
AC output produces less arc blow and easier starts. DC current for less sticking, spatter and better control on thin work. Includes electrode holder and ground clamp with leads, wire brush/hammer combo and welding face shield.
Input: 230V, 40 amps at max. power, 60 HZ
Open voltage current: (AC operation) 48A/22V to 130A/25.2V adjustable; (DC operation) 25A/21V to 99A/24V adjustable
Duty Cycle: 10% @ 130 amps AC; 15% @ 100 amps DC
Welding current: 47 to 132 amps AC; 25 to 200 amps DC
Thermal overload protection
Dimensions: 26''L X 13-1/2''W X 19''H
Last edited by packrat56; 01-26-2007 at 11:26 PM.
#2
I'd be a little hesitant to buy one at HF. Sometimes their stuff can be a great bargain and other times a complete waste of money. I can't believe the old Lincoln's are that expensive now. The AC only model works fine for me with 6013 or 6011 rods. Whatever you get make sure it's 240V to get the job done. I bought a small Craftsman MIG welder and it was about the biggest waste of $300 I've ever spent.
#4
Those Crapsmen migs are definitely junk, made th4e mistake of buying one myself, gotta say the LIncoln that replaced it is a wonderful welder, nothing like the Crapsmen... they maybe should stick to hand tools...
Anyway, shop around for a stick burner. If you don't need it much, just get a straight a/c welder, while ac/dc welders are nice, you don't have to go that route. I got my Hobart from a local farm store for $231, Tractor Supply Co had a Lincoln for about $15 more. The thing I didn't like about the Lincolns is the setting control seems to like to get hard to turn. I kept mine well covered all the time, and it still stuck. I lost it in a fire, so I had to get a replacement. My dad had the same Lincoln, but left it out in the weather, and it darn near took a wrench to move the setting... the Hobart is nice in that you aren't locked into specific settings, it is a crank type, so it will fine tune...
Anyway, shop around for a stick burner. If you don't need it much, just get a straight a/c welder, while ac/dc welders are nice, you don't have to go that route. I got my Hobart from a local farm store for $231, Tractor Supply Co had a Lincoln for about $15 more. The thing I didn't like about the Lincolns is the setting control seems to like to get hard to turn. I kept mine well covered all the time, and it still stuck. I lost it in a fire, so I had to get a replacement. My dad had the same Lincoln, but left it out in the weather, and it darn near took a wrench to move the setting... the Hobart is nice in that you aren't locked into specific settings, it is a crank type, so it will fine tune...
#5
What about something like this:
Clarke 131E Arc Welder — 120V, 130 Amp, Model# WE6519
The Clarke 120 Volt Arc Welder is the ideal professional welding kit for DIY and home workshops. It's simple to operate and completely portable. This feature-filled welding kit has a 10-year limited warranty on the transformer and 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
Operates from standard 120V circuit
Single phase
AC output only
Infinite amperage control and variable heat settings
Automatic thermal safety switch to prevent overload
Handles electrodes 1/16in. up to 3/32in.
Weld thickness up to 1/4in. mild steel
Duty cycle 20% @ 75 Amps
Maximum peak amps 130A , Continuous output 90A
Includes 5ft. 4in. 400 Amp ground clamp, cable, chipping hammer/brush, face mask and 8ft. electrode cable with holder
10-year limited warranty on transformer
Model WE6519
Clarke 131E Arc Welder — 120V, 130 Amp, Model# WE6519
The Clarke 120 Volt Arc Welder is the ideal professional welding kit for DIY and home workshops. It's simple to operate and completely portable. This feature-filled welding kit has a 10-year limited warranty on the transformer and 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
Operates from standard 120V circuit
Single phase
AC output only
Infinite amperage control and variable heat settings
Automatic thermal safety switch to prevent overload
Handles electrodes 1/16in. up to 3/32in.
Weld thickness up to 1/4in. mild steel
Duty cycle 20% @ 75 Amps
Maximum peak amps 130A , Continuous output 90A
Includes 5ft. 4in. 400 Amp ground clamp, cable, chipping hammer/brush, face mask and 8ft. electrode cable with holder
10-year limited warranty on transformer
Model WE6519
#6
It's hard to screw up a basic transformer stick machine, and I wouldn't worry too much about it being cheap built, but you stated that you wanted something heavier when you weld something bigger. The output specs seem a little on the wimpy side for a 240 volt machine, so that would be my main concern.
#7
That's because it is a 120v unit he posted... I have been told that I wouldn't like a 120v unit because it wouldn't perform the way I would want, but I do get above 1/4" material as well... I never have run a 120v stick, only 240, so I can't compare there, but have run 120v wire feed as well as 240, even up to 480, and there is a world of difference between how a 120v unit welds vs. how a 220v unit welds.
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#8
#11
You got that right, the "Power of Blue" Miller.
Went thru 11 different welders before I got
what i'm happy with.
If you ever get the chance purchase a Tig
machine as it will also do stick, Tig's a whole
new world to explore.
Check your local welding repair facility to
see what used machines are available, better
risk than any "as is used" in the surprise not
working or broken department.
Miller Synchrowave 350 Tig
Miller Millermatic 251 Mig w/30A spoolmatic
Went thru 11 different welders before I got
what i'm happy with.
If you ever get the chance purchase a Tig
machine as it will also do stick, Tig's a whole
new world to explore.
Check your local welding repair facility to
see what used machines are available, better
risk than any "as is used" in the surprise not
working or broken department.
Miller Synchrowave 350 Tig
Miller Millermatic 251 Mig w/30A spoolmatic
#12
I'm on my way to an all-Miller shop, they are far superior to Lincolns. I have a Dynasty 200DX for TIG and stick, and I'm waiting on cash for a Millermatic 210. I run one of those all day at work, and love it. I would like it more if it had infinite control instead of pre-set stops, but I can't justify the extra $800 for a 251 just to get a fancy digital display and infinite controls.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I found a miller 200 at the bone yard. Took it home and found that it was impossible to use as all it would do was arc and stick. Took it apart and cleaned it up. It runs 7018 OK but dose better with smaller rod. Have done 1/2 inch. Bevel edges and build from both sides. Works excellent. Just got ta warm it up on a piece of scrap. And weld away.
Got a wire feed as well that a friend has been storing in my shop for 5 years. Have to go look but i believe it is a 400 Miller. Has both aluminum and wire feeds. Got two argon bottles also. It works like new as I have only used it twice. Or should say had others that know how to run it use it for me as I have no flipping idea how to use it. Suppose I could get the numbers and down load an operators manual for it? Or maybe start a thread on how to use it as I need to weld up the torn front bed sides on my 250?
Got a wire feed as well that a friend has been storing in my shop for 5 years. Have to go look but i believe it is a 400 Miller. Has both aluminum and wire feeds. Got two argon bottles also. It works like new as I have only used it twice. Or should say had others that know how to run it use it for me as I have no flipping idea how to use it. Suppose I could get the numbers and down load an operators manual for it? Or maybe start a thread on how to use it as I need to weld up the torn front bed sides on my 250?
#14
Not too long ago another FTE member purchased
a Miller Econo Tig real cheap. Mor of a stick machine
than a Tig but he has something to weld with.
Over in my area there is a Miller repair and they
have sold a few welders to friends of mine at a
great savings.
Punch in Millerwelds.com they have owners manuals.
Ford_Six; Miller lists their 210MM at $1,683, 251MM at $,2,342, a difference
of $659 not your difference of $800. I ended up at $1,490 for 251, $825 for 30A Spoolmatic, $2,315 before tax a few years back. Later welding aluminum dock ramps, glad I had the power plus the infinite control adjustments, no fancy just function.
If you go to Cyberweld they have the MM210 for $1,335, MM251 $1,857 or only $522 difference.
a Miller Econo Tig real cheap. Mor of a stick machine
than a Tig but he has something to weld with.
Over in my area there is a Miller repair and they
have sold a few welders to friends of mine at a
great savings.
Punch in Millerwelds.com they have owners manuals.
Ford_Six; Miller lists their 210MM at $1,683, 251MM at $,2,342, a difference
of $659 not your difference of $800. I ended up at $1,490 for 251, $825 for 30A Spoolmatic, $2,315 before tax a few years back. Later welding aluminum dock ramps, glad I had the power plus the infinite control adjustments, no fancy just function.
If you go to Cyberweld they have the MM210 for $1,335, MM251 $1,857 or only $522 difference.
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; 01-28-2007 at 01:35 AM.
#15
Just another though on your approach to this... I have a mig setup as well and obviously it's not going to weld 1/2" plate any time soon.
You might consider instead of a cheap arc welder, an oxy-acetelyne torch "kit". While a little more than the arc welder, the kits usually come with multiple sized tips for welding/brazing/soldering as well as a cutting torch, which will allow you to cut thicker steel easier, more curved if you want, and you can put your sawzall away. Try cutting out a 6" diameter circle out of 3/4" plate with a sawzall and you'll fall in love with a cutting torch.
You might consider instead of a cheap arc welder, an oxy-acetelyne torch "kit". While a little more than the arc welder, the kits usually come with multiple sized tips for welding/brazing/soldering as well as a cutting torch, which will allow you to cut thicker steel easier, more curved if you want, and you can put your sawzall away. Try cutting out a 6" diameter circle out of 3/4" plate with a sawzall and you'll fall in love with a cutting torch.