Welder

[jeffinmalvern]

What kind of welder do you have? I'm considering one, but have to make a choice. I've used them quite a bit, but now that I'm buying I can't decide what to get. I'm thinking an old "tombstone" would be good, but don't know weather it's worth it to get a dc version or not- or maybe find an older ac unit and add a converter?

what do you have, and how do you like it?

[retire2$]

Depends on what your needs are.

I started with an oxy/acet set up because I needed to braze/weld metal away from electric. Gas setup is also good for cutting metal. I have also bought a Miller 220 volt AC welder. I bought this at a sale and it serves my needs (welding on bushhog, tables, etc.). DC would be nice but the AC meets my needs and I purchased it at a good price. I also have electric metal cutting saws and grinders that I use to cut metal when close to electric. Gas is now a backup.

If you go to the American Welding Forum you can read recommendations from people who do a lot more welding than I do. They can recommend their favorite brand but you will have to decide what will meet your needs.

[Junkmanme]

I have an ancient old "Forney". It's a good "crackerbox". It's better than the new "crackerbox" Lincolns and about twice the size.
What would I like?
I'd like that old 2 cylinder gas-powered Lincoln that my Dad had on a 2-wheel trailer. If you cranked it wrong, however, It could bust your hand! It was a VERY SMOOTH and efficient welder. Musta been made about 60-80 years ago.
Some of the bigger new stuff (like Miller or Hobart) is great....but very pricey!
If you go for the Lincoln "crackerbox" you might as well get the AC/DC model. It's not that more expensive than the straight AC Model.

just my 2 centavos worth,
Junkmanme

I've been doing a little bit of mig welding the last few weeks and think I'm really starting to like it better then stick welding. It seems a little easier to use. I'm thinking of taking a evening welding class so I can learn a little more on its use and the plasma cutter which I definitely like better then the old gas cutting torch.

[agmantoo]

I have an old Lincoln AC that in later years converted to DC. The conversion was a nice improvement. I weld a lot of ag equipment that is rusty and I use 6011 rods that are very forgiving.

[Boleyz]

An OLD Lincoln arc welder. 220v AC...I use 6018 rods mostly. I can generally get it to stick, but some of my verticle welding looks more like someone sneezed a load of snot on the seam.

I like to weld things that will be buried in concrete...you know, I-beam supports and such...

[HermitJohn]

I suggest looking around for an old copper wound buzzbox. Its the kind you cant lift. Gives more stable arc in my opinion. DC is nice but for most farm chores it isnt necessary. Saying all that, the welder I use most is an old alumininum wound Miller Thunderbolt I got super cheap at an auction long ago, gets used lot mostly cause its handy sitting out in yard with a wash tub over it. Fan quit not long after I bought it so I took cover off and its stayed that way. Never got around to putting another fan on it. Switch broke so I just touch end of one wire to the other to activate it. Yep, class act all the way. And all time I have two nice copper wound welders in shed, one an ac/dc. And I have a mig. They just dont get used that often, well the mig if I got to weld thin metal.

Oh and take a look at the Zena stick welders. Looks like an old Delco alternator (you mount it on car, tractor, etc) , but I got to use one and it is surprisingly pleasant to use. Amazing what it can do for its size. You can get a buzz box lot cheaper though. Depends on your needs and wants.