beginning welder

[mpatalberta]

1 - what is a good welder to get around the home.The previous owner of the house has a 230 service already runnning.

2 - a friend lent me a 20 - 70 amp welder 110 volt. I am using 3/32 fleet e6011 rods. They tend to stick a lot. Is this due to low current or poor technique.

[Cornerstone]

If you are using 110v AC, then you'll need AC rods. Sounds like buddy gave you DC rods?

[Sberry]

He has AC rods but the machine he is using is just junk, I don't usually insult others equipment, its not personal, it just is. It is a little investment but they last a long time and work very well, a 175-211 class mig, is ideal for home hobby. A good one without any bells/whistles, Hobart 187. Roll of 030 wire and bottle of C25 gas, couple spare tips and you are good to go.

[fjk]

Without knowing more details, such as what you are planning to weld, what your level of experience is, what the brand/model of the machine is.... I'd second what sberry said

Frank

[kevin]

3/32 is too big for the 110v machines, if you do get it to burn you will amp it out after a couple of rods, go to the hardware store and look for the forney brand welding supplies, they sell real tiny stick rod, i am not sure of the sizes but smaller than 3/32, since you are familiar with stick welding, i suggest that you research your electrical panel, if you have the room, run a 50 amp breaker and get a name brand buzz box, go for the extra cost and get one that runs dc, you will be glad that you did go for the dc down the road

[mpatalberta]

Ok,

My friend gave a free welder.

Does anyone have suggestion of the type of welder to purchase to learn how to weld that does not cost an arm and leg.

I already have a 3 phase service installed.

Thanks,

Pat,

[elvis]

If you have 3-phase and want to arc weld I would get a Miller CST280. It is a great machine that will run 3/16 rod at the high end. I use mine with 3/32, 1/8 and 5/32 rod. It burns 7018 great and I run a little 6011 with it too. I got one used with 35' leads and 25' tig torch for about $1000. A little spendy, but a great machine. Also, being an inverter it will run on a smaller service than a transformer machine. It runs a tig torch nicely as well.

[Country Metals]

Well what kind of welding do you want to do?

You could get a small stick welder, a medium stick welder, a large stick welder, a very large stick welder, a small mig welder, a medium mig welder, a large mig welder, a very large mig welder, a small tig welder, a medium tig welder, a large tig welder, a very large tig welder, a small stick/mig/tig welder, a medium stick/tig/mig welder, a large stick/tig/mig welder, a very large stick/tig/mig welder, a small stick/tig welder, a medium stick/tig welder, a large stick/tig welder, a very large stick/tig welder.

Then we get into welders that can also carbon arc, flux core, metal core, dual shield, also the portability capabilities, budget, knowledge of welding, effect what you want.

Once you tell us more about what you want from this list, we can start to help you.

Asking us what welder to purchase is the same as asking us what language you want to learn. You have to tell us.

[Country Metals]

Also, I forgot about this. This will help you give us a better area to help you with.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/smartselector/

[elvis]

Hey Country...

That is a pretty good list, but what if the OP wants to gas weld?!