Stick versus Flux Core, decent end versus low end

[Flexibel_kampfe]

My budget is highly controlling on this matter, and in my warez noticed one thing: I can get a 220v 235AC Tombstone(Hobart Stickmate; I believe this is what everyone calls them) for about the same price, within 10bucks, of a low end, 120v 125AC Hobart Handler 125.

I may be less intelligent in this kind of stuff than most, but one things for certain... 235 is much greater than 125...!

I have access to a 220v(I assume, Ill post a text pic in a sec) so thats not an issue: It looks like - |
. (I know, bad) or - -
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I am willing to learn, so thats not an issue. But as for purpose: Could stick be used to do something such as one might find on a go kart(I plan to do a work bench too.) And how thin of material can it weld, for a newbie...

I want penetration, bang for buck, and relative ease of use(I know stick is a tad more difficult)


Or should I just take the gloves off, and get a cheap o' HF 90amp Flux Cored Welder... for half the price of both... lol

 

[modelengineer]

I would steer clear of the flux core only MIG welders. At some point you will want to use gas because it is just so much nicer.

Since you have 220v I'd be looking at ebay for a nice second hand MIG machine (even though I have a TIG machine I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner).

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I would steer clear of the flux core only MIG welders. At some point you will want to use gas because it is just so much nicer.

Since you have 220v I'd be looking at ebay for a nice second hand MIG machine (even though I have a TIG machine I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner).

What about stick? Is that good to learn on?

A 220v Mig is a tad too pricy right now... Since I really am just looking for a taste... to do a project, and not use JB Weld.....

It seems like its more useful.... but can it handle sheet metal/ bed grade angle iron?

Thanks

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Tombstone for sure, if you get a AC/DC model you can use it as a mig/tig power supply.

 

[modelengineer]

Well I made my entire first buggy with just an AC stick welder and it worked fine. If you're going to go stick welder then I'd get a cheapie, there's not much that can go wrong with them. Mine cost $99 AUD new (in the US most things are cheaper), and did a whole buggy and many other projects before it bit the dust.

 

[motor_head]

for thin metal mig is great but stick will be just as easy on thicker metal.
sounds like you have either a 15 or 30 amp 220 plug, you'll need the bigger kind like for an electric stove

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

sounds like you have either a 15 or 30 amp 220 plug, you'll need the bigger kind like for an electric stove

You CAN run a 50 amp welder on a 30 amp plug, just not at full capacity. Worst case you will pop a breaker, in which case you need to run downstairs and reset it so the cooling fan keeps running.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

You CAN run a 50 amp welder on a 30 amp plug, just not at full capacity. Worst case you will pop a breaker, in which case you need to run downstairs and reset it so the cooling fan keeps running.

The breaker is in the garage..slash my workshop... so no running there...

Turns out the shop teacher has no idea how to stick weld(hes woodshop, but hes a family friend) So Flux/Mig it is...

Now I just need something that will get me few some projects, maybe a couple a year, with on and off use for smaller "Aw s@$! this snapped" moments. It dont need to be pretty, it wont ever use gas(I am frightened, both emotionally and financially, of storing 2000psi tanks in my garage....because guess who is ontop of it... non other than yours truely) but it needs to work, doing things such as welding things when they break(obviously this doesnt include building skyscrapers), building a work bench, maybe doing a go kart, And It needs to be cheap.

Now saw that the HF ones are about $90 now(sale) less a 20% coupon. So about $60-70. Would that work? I dont want a $70 door stop either.... but I dont really want to spend $300 on a Hobart if I dont have to.

If I get it, I plan to get a spool of wire, 2lb, because I hear the one included is as greasy as a sprocket, a A/D Helmet(HF Special), and a pair of gloves, to keep those warm moments from occuring where a few thousand degree piece of metal lands on you.....

That should bring me to about $180 +/- a few bucks. Where as with a Ho, the cheap kind , would cost about $400, after tax (about 7/100)..

Sound any good?

The link.. http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-94056.html




Also, question about the hot tip...: Does that mean that if you put it near the metal, its going to arc on you, such as a stick welder, or does that mean if you touch it, you are going to feel a tingle?

Thanks

 

[redsox985]

You pay taxes on Ho's where you live???? Just kidding.

As for your fear of mig tanks going...don't worry they're inert non-flammable gas and if they go it'll be the regulator or valve blowing the tank into the ground or sideways over they won't missile into and through the ceiling.

As for the hot tip, I haven't used a mig/fluxcore welder with one but I'd assume that you shouldn't touch it but it won't arc unless you touch it to a piece of grounded metal. It would be like a stick welder so I guess you could touch it safely but just shouldn't.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Mig, tig, fluxcore and stick run at similar voltages, I forget the exact number but its below what it takes to break dry skin, soaked in sweat however, skin resistance drops enough to get a good poke. The only time you can get really shocked(like grabbing a spark plug wire) welding is from a HF starter pulse.

 

[DirtTrackRacer_07]

if you got 220 definetly go with one you will like it better in my opinion speaking of a hobart they got a small ac/dc stick that 235 amp for $500 a friend of mine has one and i think it does really good compared to cheap stick welders (not disn the cheap welders i got one i gets things done) but you can weld bout anything you could also get a wire feed and i would go with a dual purpuse so you could use flux or solid core i personally like the wire feed but i hate the short cords the max i have seen was a 15' lead cord thats y i like my old stick welder 50' of cord can go bout anywhere lol but ive seen my old 225 airco welder blow through a inch plate of steel not even all the way up

 

[jmauld]

Skip the harbor freight welders. Watch the tools section on your local craigslist and pick up a used Lincoln or Hobart. Just get whichever one of those that pops up that you can afford. If it's a flux-core only, you can sell it and upgrade to a mig capable welder at a later date.

 

[MTU4X4RY]

I may be a littlle late in this post, But as a professional welder, I can tell you that you DO NOT want to build a kart with a stick A/C welder! the flux core mig wire will be dirtier than mig, but for anything thinner than 3/16 (especially for a person with little experience in welding) the wire feed will be unbelieveably more convienient! The only time you may run into problems with the smaller welder is on single pass, 1/4" or thicker welds. I have seen and used Lincoln 110V wire feed welders which work pretty nice for not much money.

 

[DustinWolfe]

hot tip is constant current to the wire. the trigger only controls the feed.