advice for "new" welder

[Farmerboy]

My old century welder sounds like things are not working as it should, (it has a add on DC converter), I tried to do tig with it, one time and had a add on high frequency unit as well,
(i had little luck with the tig), (one of the other problems with the century welder is with the DC unit is the power is cut down so much, so the 295 amps is reduced to nearly 180 tops),

So I may be in the market for a "new" or at lest new to me, welder,

I bascily do stick welding, I bought my son a small Hobart wire feed, (I used one back in very early 70's) but for the most part I like my old stick welder,

but I have seen boxes that are supposed to be able to be used as a stick welder, a tig, and even a wire feed,

Cost is a factor, but would be willing to get something good.
but would like suggestions on what to look for in the used market as well new,
(I have three phase, 220 delta),

(I had a guy offer me for a very reasonable price a old lincon (what I call a "fire plug" welder), should I pick that up? (I think they were a good welder in there day),

any suggestions, thank you in advance,

[smyrna5]

Originally Posted by Farmerboy

My old century welder sounds like things are not working as it should, (it has a add on DC converter), I tried to do tig with it, one time and had a add on high frequency unit as well,
(i had little luck with the tig), (one of the other problems with the century welder is with the DC unit is the power is cut down so much, so the 295 amps is reduced to nearly 180 tops),

So I may be in the market for a "new" or at lest new to me, welder,

I bascily do stick welding, I bought my son a small Hobart wire feed, (I used one back in very early 70's) but for the most part I like my old stick welder,

but I have seen boxes that are supposed to be able to be used as a stick welder, a tig, and even a wire feed,

Cost is a factor, but would be willing to get something good.
but would like suggestions on what to look for in the used market as well new,
(I have three phase, 220 delta),

(I had a guy offer me for a very reasonable price a old lincon (what I call a "fire plug" welder), should I pick that up? (I think they were a good welder in there day),

any suggestions, thank you in advance,

To get much good advice here you are probably going to have to tell us what you intend to weld with it.

When I was looking at sticks recently (before I decided to go mig) I thought the Hobart Stickmate was the best value for the homeowner. (About $230 for the AC version and $400 for the AC/DC). I also saw lots of old Lincoln "breadboxes" on Craigslist and ebay for about $100, which is a good deal too if you get one in good condition. You do need some paitence to find a used one for the right price.

EDIT - I just noticed you have 3 phase. That is another kettle of fish that some of the real weldors here will probably have to address.

[Skipper]

If you have three phase already wired to your shop then ebay has alot of good deals on three phase welders. The market/competiton doesnt seem to be as big as the 220v machines therefore they go for alot less than the 220v equivalent. Whats your price range? You want a buzz box or stick/tig or multiprocess. Theres alot to choose from and the decision can be tough, but go with a good brand name a you will be happy. I like my synch 200.

[hankj]

I'm with Skipper - do some searching. You're likely to find a good, 3-phase, multi-process power source for less than the price of a HH187 nowadays! Look on e-pay, Craigslist, and call all your LWS guys. Be on the lookout for auctions at county corporation yards and the like.

Hank

[Farmerboy]

we use the welder seriously, when we use it, it is not just for hobbying and minor repair,
we build a lot of items,
examples: goose neck trailer (26' Dove tail, steel deck), some farm equipment, currently building a loader for one of the tractors, and about 90% done with a backhoe for the same tractor, those are just this last years projects,

I was thinking I would like to replace what I have with an industrial type welder, not a farm or hobby welder.

As far as price range I would like to keep it under $1000, a lot depends on age,

I would be willing to go over a $1000 for some thing new or newer, but that is near my limit,

does any on have any model numbers to suggest?

I know my son ( he is an excellent welder) would like to have the wire feed attachments or a wire feed welder of adequate amperage,
and I would prefer to keep to stick welding but would like to be able to tig weld also,

would a multi purpose be better or get two units, a wire feed and box that one can stick weld with and tig as well?

[hankj]

Millermatic 210. Thermal Arc Fabricator 251. HTP Mig 200. Hobart Ironman 210.

Do an internet search on MIG welders. There are a lot of new units in your price range that are industrial rated.

Hank

[Sparkeee24]

Howdy Howdy!

Here's a great machine for ya. It'll work great as soon as you get it hooked up. Then, if your son want to wire feed, all he neads to do, is get a used wire feed cabinet to go on top, just about any basic Lincoln feeder will work. This unit is a Multi Process, and will do stick, tig, and mig. it is a CC/CV machine for DC only, so the only thing you can't do is aluminum, unless you wanna wire feed that with a spoolgun, which it will do, if you get a used spoolgun setup. This machine is DEFINATELY industrial, and has alot of great features. http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-IDEALARC...rocess-Welder-

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-IDEALARC...em270093197810


Theres one for ya to consider. Brian Lee Sparkeee28

[Sparkeee24]

Howdy Howdy!

this ones also a good one, and it has a feeder. Better price too. Still 3 phase and multi process. Has a 4 drive roll feeder as well. Can do tig stick and Mig. Esab makes great stuff too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Esab-452cvcc-pow...em200082080449

Good luck! Brian Lee Sparkeee28 P.S. Wish I had 3 phase! You lucky farmer!

[Farmerboy]

Thank you for your responses
if anyone else has suggestions please post,