Welder?

[John]

Hello I was wanting to buy a welder and I wanted to know the difference between a AC Welder and a AC/DC welder and also I have a choice between a Lincoln and a Hobart not a big difference in price Ive heard good about both ????? thanks for your help.

[R. Nelson]

Originally posted by John
Hello I was wanting to buy a welder and I wanted to know the difference between a AC Welder and a AC/DC welder and also I have a choice between a Lincoln and a Hobart not a big difference in price Ive heard good about both ????? thanks for your help.

Hey John, I'm an Okie too. As for your question, AC welders are just that, there is alternating current flowing from the ground lead and rod, AC/DC allows you to choose the type of current. AC is good for most general welding, you do not have to worry about arc blow, easy start, AC/DC welders alows you to switch to direct current, DC Reverse Polarity, ground negative, rod positive, the current flows from the ground lead to the rod, gives deeper penetration than AC does, DC straight polarity, ground positive, rod negative, generally produces light penetration and works good where burn through may be a problem and is used for hardfacing. Hope this helps some. I do not know what your applications will be. An AC unit will probably do most of your welding. I myself went with the AC/DC unit for the versatility.

[John]

Originally posted by R. Nelson
Hey John, I'm an Okie too. As for your question, AC welders are just that, there is alternating current flowing from the ground lead and rod, AC/DC allows you to choose the type of current. AC is good for most general welding, you do not have to worry about arc blow, easy start, AC/DC welders alows you to switch to direct current, DC Reverse Polarity, ground negative, rod positive, the current flows from the ground lead to the rod, gives deeper penetration than AC does, DC straight polarity, ground positive, rod negative, generally produces light penetration and works good where burn through may be a problem and is used for hardfacing. Hope this helps some. I do not know what your applications will be. An AC unit will probably do most of your welding. I myself went with the AC/DC unit for the versatility.

Well I appreciate the responce!I went a head and purchased the hobart stickmate LX AC/DC it held a better Warranty 5 years Lincoln was 3 plus on the Hobart it has the dial in your amps for better accuracy ?? I was unsure of what I needed really so I asked around everybody said what you did AC would do what I wanted but I got to thinking and said to myself if I get good at this I might want to do a little more so I spent the other $150.00 and got the AC/DC thanks again by the way Im from Mangum ,Ok SW Ok Near Altus AFB... and you???? John

[R. Nelson]

Originally posted by John


Well I appreciate the responce!I went a head and purchased the hobart stickmate LX AC/DC it held a better Warranty 5 years Lincoln was 3 plus on the Hobart it has the dial in your amps for better accuracy ?? I was unsure of what I needed really so I asked around everybody said what you did AC would do what I wanted but I got to thinking and said to myself if I get good at this I might want to do a little more so I spent the other $150.00 and got the AC/DC thanks again by the way Im from Mangum ,Ok SW Ok Near Altus AFB... and you???? John

Okla. City, I think you did the right thing on the ac/dc Hobart

[BillC]

Originally posted by John


Well I appreciate the responce!I went a head and purchased the hobart stickmate LX AC/DC it held a better Warranty 5 years Lincoln was 3 plus on the Hobart it has the dial in your amps for better accuracy ?? I was unsure of what I needed really so I asked around everybody said what you did AC would do what I wanted but I got to thinking and said to myself if I get good at this I might want to do a little more so I spent the other $150.00 and got the AC/DC thanks again by the way Im from Mangum ,Ok SW Ok Near Altus AFB... and you???? John

Good move, John!

My understanding is that you will want to do as much stick welding as possible in DC mode. If arc blow becomes unmanageable then you can switch to AC.

Have Fun!