Welder Selection - Stick or Flux Core

[Fix Until Broke]

Hey everybody - Looking to help my dad pick out a welder and need the collective wisdom of the group here.

Here's the requirements:
- 90+% outside welding (in Florida)
- 1/4" thick steel max
- 120v 15A required, but has 8kW 240v (~30A) generator available if necessary
- Size and portability are key, so looking at inverter units.

Probably never wire welded before, but grew up on a farm/business stick welding with the classic red Lincoln AC tombstone. Probably been 30 years since he's welded anything, but generally very handy, mechanically inclined.

This machine won't see more than 25 hours of arc time in it's life so no need for an "investment" quality machine. Probably something in the $500 range?

He won't hire it done or take the pieces somewhere to get welded (though there are 10 welding shops within 10 miles of him )

So - Stick or Flux Core?

Stick options I'm considering
Everlast PowerArc 200STi

Harbor Freight Titanium Stick 225

Wire Options I'm considering
Everlast Power I-MIG 200E

Harbor Freight Titanium MIG 170

 

[liliysdad]

For me, a flux core machine with the capability to run gas. I would likely look for a used Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller, but the HF Titaniums are getting good reviews. 220v is always a better choice, but a good 110v machine can get a lot done.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Here's another stick option I found

ESAB Miniarc Rogue ES 180i

 

[Noworries]

Were I going to be doing what you are doing id be going flux core... since you are thinking inverter already there are many multi process machines so you would have both available to you.

 

[so2315]

https://www.harborfreight.com/Titanium-Easy-Flux-125-Amp-Welder-56355.html

You can thank me later......

 

[Fix Until Broke]

ssdave - those are all very good points. This will get used, then put away for 2 months to 2 years and then used again. The fewer things to go wrong, the better. With stick, worst case is you have to buy another pound of dry electrodes.

 

[gorilla]

A stick welder allows you to use many different electrodes such as SS'T rod and Ni rod for cast iron. You can;d do this with a MIG.

 

[sberry]

Everlast stick inverter, dvi, we'll under 300$.

 

[wayne55]

One of both.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You are never going to weld 1/4" steel on 120V !

Stick takes practice. Lots of practice. Once you learn it, everything is easy.

 

[woody6904]

You are never going to weld 1/4" steel on 120V !

Haha thats funny.

Anyways the HF titanium 125 fits your needs. Can be had for $150-180 with coupon. These little flux machines really work good, first thing I tested it on was 1/4 to see what it would do, easily penetrated it, heated all the way through. And I didn't even have it turned up all the way. Love the size of it. Only thing it needs out of the box is a better ground clamp.

This coming from someone that has bigger welders at his disposal...