Arc Welders

[Bob_Roller]

I was looking at an '84 LS last weekend  the seller was having a garage sale, he lost his job back in March, and his life was pretty much on sale .

I noticed he had a couple of arc welders for sale, don't remember much about them, but they didn't appear to be continuous feed type, looked like you needed a welding rod with flux on it .

Anybody have any recommendations on types of welders, brands, and a general price category for used welders .

It didn't occur to me until I was about halfway home, to do any inquiring about them, and I know absolutely nothing about them .  

[montmil]

Bob,   Unless you're going to start manufacturing trailers or work on farm equipment, I'd pass on the arc welder. Check out the latest continuous feed welders, particularly those that will accept a shielding gas bottle. Many operate off 120V/20A circuits if you don't have 220V service. Most big box DIY stores carry them in several brands. My Soldier son bought one awhile back and it's a sweet machine.

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Thanks Monte,

I don't have too much use for an arc welder, but when you need one, it makes life easier when you're into a project, and then have take it to a welding shop .

My thought was, if I could get it cheap enough, it may be worth it .

[Ed Miller]

I think I got my Lincoln buzz box for about a hundred dollars at a garage sale.  I still haven't hooked up a cord for it that will fit my 240V outlet....  

I recently saw a winch bumper made from stainless steel which was welded up with a $400 Harbour Freight TIG (or ARC) welder, the 240V version.  It's a nice piece of work.  The builder is a professional welder and says he likes the HF one as well as the Miller/whatever he uses at work.  I may have him build the bumper for my '58 Chevy when I'm ready to install the PTO winch on it.  

[Justin B.]

One thing you need to look at on the cheaper/lighter units is duty cycle.  The lower the percentage the less time you can weld before having to let it "rest"...  I would say that for somebody that rarely welds possibly a wire welder with flux-core wire might be a quick and dirty way to get started.  Most of them have provisions to hook up a gas bottle if needed.

[Motu]

I got some rods for my little arc welder the other day - I might start using it again.

I have a near new Electro-Beckum 200 MIG welder,and a gas plant with a sheet metal torch and gas axe,and Henrob torch.Now I don't have a business account anymore - I can't afford the set up fees for gas bottles.With a business account here you pay a monthly fee,and then for gas used.For private use you have to pay a refundable deposit for bottles,then pay for gas used.At nearly $500 per bottle deposit,there is no way I can afford $1,500 just to weld something once a month maybe.

So an arc welder is looking useful again.I just hate a gasless MIG.

[beemer]

I don't do enough welding to warrent a Mig welder,but get on just fine with my oiled filled Oxford welder that i bought used years ago,so maybe a oiled filled, used one might be a good choice?

[Lucky_Lou]

I have a dual voltage arc welder 230/415 which i use proffesionaly i got rid of my mig as i was mostly welding heavy plate rsj;s ect and the cost of gas was getting silly
unless your wanting to do body repairs an arc welder is your best bet you can get very small gauge rods for delicate jobs.One tip though make sure what your welding is clean!!and dont try to weld underwater.
Lou