Don't have a welder or a torch...

[torchea]

Hi, i was wondering what kind of welder is the best? cant get one right now due to no money but i want to learn. All i got is a grinder and my own tool set. I got welding jobs to do for my tractor that im trying to fix and patch up.

[Roger]

Sberry you should let sprout use one of your welders.

[Roger]

Need more information before anyone can post anything really helpful. What kind of metal and thickness. Cheapest welder for welding repair around a farm is a used arc welder that uses stick electrodes. This type of welder with AC welding current output can be found for less than $100 used. Better to buy one with AC and DC output . Check out prices for these on Ebay and Craigs List.
Hobart Stickmate welders are good examples of these welders.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/stick/

[usmcpop]

AC/DC is nice. Saw a nice Lincoln 225 AC-only unit (with wheels) on local Craigslist for $95. asking price, including 3 small boxes of rods. Hard to beat that for a learning unit.

[mikecwik]

i sold my ac buzz box on wheels for 50 bucks . nobody was interested in it. im sure to regret it when my dynasty goes boom.

[Blacksmith]

If you have the space (and we'e all challenged in that respect) keeping the old thing as a back up makes sense. Usually can't get what you paid for it, and when you need it, it's priceless.

As to the OP question, and again, little info about the tractor (or other needs), but usually most tractors are heavy gauge, so finding someone who ignores my advise and is selling a stick welder, preferably AC/DC capable cheap is a good bet.

[torchea]

Well it's one of those lawn tractors. And the metal is deffintly not thick enough for stick welding.

[old blue]

Another vote for stick.. with DC a plus.

New or used, unquestionably the most bang for the buck.
Best process to learn on as well.

After your latest remark I'll add a question:
Will you ever build anything out of 1/4"?

[torchea]

Yes i will. Does any have an extra something that they are getting rid of?

[Thegratenate]

I got my red AC/DC unit for 150 and had to run over and pick the thing up during lunch to beat the line of other guys wanting it. As for the best unit for you it all depends on the effort that you are willing to invest in getting it right. Stick takes a little more practice and once you get it the results are top notch, while a guy can pick up a flux core gun and bird poop two or three pieces of metal together right now. I have a feeling that it's actually harder to get structural quality welds from a wire feeder than a Stick welder because of how easy it is to get welds that look OK but in reality are weak. So if you want a versatile maching that produces strong welds get a Stick, if you want an easy to use machine that may eventually produce good welds get a wire feeder. Either way check out craigs list and see what the market is in your area, you may be suprised.

[usmcpop]

Look at your electric service and see what you can feed. We got a Miller DialArc 250 for $300 and then a SynchroWave 250 for $850 but they are pretty hungry as far as the input amps. One is on a 50 Amp breaker and the other is on a 70. A buzz box is a lot better than nothing.

[canoecruiser]

I started out with my Lincoln tombstone when Tricky D1ck was President and it's still a go-to machine, especially for outside use. With 5/64" 6013 it welded in sections of a car hood to replace a rusted-away floor in a 1970 3/4 ton Chevy I got for cheap. It also handled 3/8" steel with 1/8" 7018 for antenna supports. Welded lots of rebar with it (oops did I say that?). It was $300 new and you can't beat that for Total Cost of Ownership. Craigslist in the DC area has buzz boxes almost every day and if you don't like it you can get your money back. But you will like it. It was fine for keeping my old Cub Cadet lawn tractor going and there's no reason a basic buzz box won't do the same for you.

Usmcpop mentioned the Dial-Arc 250. The local CC had Dial-Arc 250 machines when I was taking night classes. The arc was so smooth, handled so nicely that it was noticeably easier than the tombstone for vertical and overhead and I can't explain why, but the difference was not small. I saw one on Craigslist for $375 which wasn't the best deal but the place is full of toys so I reluctantly passed on it; two stick-capable machines are enough........until the garage goes up next year.

[Blacksmith]

Try to hold out for a DC unit. It's smoother and by switching polarity and practicing you can weld sheet metal. If you can only get one, AC/DC stick will be your best bet.

[Roger]

For your little John Deer lawn tractor a Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder would work. Better to buy a MIG welder powered by 220V like a Handler 187 or bigger that you might not out grow.

[mike landrich]

I'd just buy a cheap 110v flux-core unit. It will do what he needs now and he can always pick up a buzz box later on for the bigger jobs.