Stick or mig?

[hank]

After I asked for info on converting the 460 thunderbolt to 230 all the replies got me to thinking. I was looking at a stick like the thunderbolt to do thicker stuff than I'm able to with my 110v Sidekick. Stick seemed to be an inexpensive solution. That really has not turned out to be the case. All the cheap one's are 20 years old and way to far from me. Most folks won't ship them unless they sell at a premium.

After reading all the replies though I started just to go buy a new AC/DC thunderbolt but that would be around $550.00 plus shipping or tax. Now I'm wondering if I wouldn't be just as well off spending a little more and getting a HH187 mig or 180AS Miller. What do you folks think? The thickest stuff I'd ever weld would be 3/8. More often 1/4 to 5/16. I absolutely can't afford a mm212 or it's red cousin.

[Sberry]

Get a Hobart. right around 400 and some change.

[hank]

You're talking about the stickmate, right? I think TSC has them for about $470.00 plus tax. The 187 is $639.00

[Sberry]

For home/hobby the 157 class mig is hard to beat. Its results you are after and in this world of light materials they work wonders, with wire changes you can do a lot. When comparing cost there are a lot of considerations, none of these machines is what I call out of the box ready. The stickmate requires 50 a service and has short leads, the feeder needs a gas bottle, neither one is really all that portable. If you need stick it makes the Maxstar 150 quite appealing at 700 or so street price its about as ready and convenient as it gets. Not much more than 200 difference between it and a transformer anymore.

[Broccoli1]

TYPO-

Sberry means 187:D

[cruizer]

If you really want more bang for your buck, also look at the ThermalArc fabricator lineup, long 5 yr warranty (they overnight parts, so your never down long). 181, 190 or the 210 series.