noob (ish) choosing a welder

[u3b3rg33k]

looking at a SUPERULTRA 206SI - price point is manageable, and the multi-process options are very appealing (TIG/Stick/plasma). I've got some SMAW experience (DC tombstone), a bit of gas welding and brazing.

questions/comments/concerns/recommendations?

 

[Road Wrench]

That's a chunk of money for a few entry level machines combined into one unit. You mention you have stick welding experience, are you planning to learn and utilize tig a lot? What do you plan to use a welder for the most? That unit is dc only, which rules out using for tig aluminum work. It doesnt mention 6010 capability, so may not run them (many wont). Has a 26 tig torch instead of the more common 17. You can get decent dc stick lunchboxes for less, or get an esab 161 stick/tig for similar money and it will run 6010. There is the lincoln 210mp to look at as well which is stick,tig and mig. Tons of other options too, I just wouldnt put a bunch of barebones minimal eggs into one unit that doesnt do any one thing well.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Manual says "6011 is permissible (DC+). No 6010 capability. The unit works well and is designed for use most other types of electrodes."

ever since I discovered DC welding I don't think i've flipped the tombstone back to AC, except a few times when we were playing with a carbon arc setup and just wanted to crank the amps to the max.

TIG seems to have a lot more flexibility to it than MIG does (not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with MIG). the plasma cutter is a strong plus for me.

lincoln 210mp looks nice, but is about twice what I have available to spend on average.

I am also looking at the eastwood option (Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder), any thought on that? for now I don't have much need/desire for aluminum, and it's got no plasma.

 

[bad_idea]

What are you welding? I am welding auto body, frame work, jeep bumpers/suspension components, and misc projects (weld table, work benches, fixtures, artsy **** for the wife, etc). I have two machines. A Miller Thunderbolt - 150 amp DC / 225 amp AC stick welder and a Hobart Handler 187 - 185 amp MIG welder with shielding gas. I use the MIG for most anything up to 3/16" thick, it will do 5/16" but the stick welder does it better. I use the stick for everything else. Use .023 wire with 75/25 for auto body, .030 for everything else. Use 3/32 and 1/8 7018 for the thicker stuff. Can weld thicker stainless with the stick just by changing rod. The MIG is relegated to just steel as other metals cost much more in consumables and aluminum would need a spool gun.

I am restricted to just steel for the most part. For home use that hasn't been much of a problem. Aluminum is expensive to do it right. I am fortunate that I work in a fab shop, so aluminum projects get fit up at home and I have one of the welders weld it for me at lunch or after work. I honestly don't have a need to weld much aluminum though.

I suggest you buy quality single purpose machines and build up a collection. Good stick welders (assuming you don't own the tombstone you have) can be had on CL fairly cheap. A quality MIG welder can be had for around $900 by the time you get the machine, bottle of gas, and first roll of wire. There's a reason the cheap stuff is cheap.

Most of all, evaluate what you need to weld now and buy for that. Tomorrow will sort it's self. One day I will buy a TIG welder, when I have a need and the money is laying around. MIG is so much more user friendly, simple, and quicker than TIG.

 

[Bodj Built]

Honestly, buy each unit separately. You make far less compromises in what you get/the ability of the machine (vs what it's advertised to be able to do), and if one machine goes down you're not in as much of a bind.

 

[sberry]

Read post 4 again. You already have a DC stick machine, skip the tig for now and get a 180-210 class wire feeder.
I have 10 machines, still use those 2 for 99.5% of it.

 

[bczygan]

read post 4 again. You already have a dc stick machine, skip the tig for now and get a 180-210 class wire feeder.
I have 10 machines, still use those 2 for 99.5% of it.

this!!!

 

[u3b3rg33k]

buying each unit separately would require more cash than I have available, I'm looking to maximize bang for buck, and trying not to make a mistake on a unit that's not worth the time.

re: separate machines, I've got a 240V Hobart Mig coming my way shortly from a family memeber. I think it's a Handler 190.

While I have access to the DC stick welder, it's quite a drive away to get to it, and not available to take off-site.

 

[Bodj Built]

Yes, more money than you currently have available. Buy something new every few paychecks. It's worth the wait. Start with a lincoln 180 or 140 from home depot. They work great. Build up from there.

Edit: didn't see you have a hobart on the way.

 

[bczygan]

buying each unit separately would require more cash than I have available, I'm looking to maximize bang for buck, and trying not to make a mistake on a unit that's not worth the time.

re: separate machines, I've got a 240V Hobart Mig coming my way shortly from a family memeber. I think it's a Handler 190.

While I have access to the DC stick welder, it's quite a drive away to get to it, and not available to take off-site.

So you have MIG covered. That's what you'll use the most.

Then save up $780 for an AC/DC TIG/Stick like the AHP.

Bill

 

[sberry]

I would consider a Everlast 160 maybe. Being able to field weld in 120v is super handy and the machine cost about 250$. It can tig. If you have a 190 coming forget about the rest of this **** for a while. I can really do most/all the things I really do with that and it is VERY GOOD machine. I believe its spool gun ready for future additions. The only reason I have other machines is I am a career welder and do some contracting, not as much as I used to but did manage to use a big feeder the other day but it was the kind of thing most homebody types will never face.
I have a tig, I can use it, havnt turned it on in 15 years. Havnt used it since I got a spooly for little Hobart.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I've been eyeing the spool gun for the 190 - apparently you can DCEP with 100% argon and a spool gun but not TIG the same? this confuses me greatly.

then again anytime someone puts out a blanket statement like that there's usually exceptions. I don't have plans for aluminum, but might not be bad to learn it.