Welding Questions

[CMXX001]

Hello all,I have some questions for you all that may be simple or silly.After 27 tears in the gas end of this business,my company sent me to a 2 day Welding 101 class.Hands on and some theory with O/A cutting,Plasma machines,Stick,MIG and TIG.I really liked the MIG welders.It almost looked like I knew what I was doing.Anyway,I really enjoyed it but I don't really have a reason that would require me to buy a new welder.However,I would like to buy a used welder,something small .I figured I would stay simple and basic and learn to stick weld.Any suggestions? What can break on a stick welder that I should watch for if I buy used? As I said,totally new and wouldn't know if it was me or the welder if it didn't work right.As someone else on here said,I need to learn to crawl before I walk.Being so old is only gonna make it harder.Any advice or opinions appreciated.

[Sberry]

Buy a new Hobart Stickmate XL AC/DC or a Miller Thunderbolt.

[CMXX001]

Thanks for the advice Sberry.We used the Miller Thunderbolt in class,it is a nice machine.My concern was spending that kind of $ on something that would get minimal use.I will have to see what kind of pricing I can get and go from there.Appreciate your input.

[Franz]

You buy a good machine, you only have to buy it once.
Over the course of time, the machine will repay you.
If you buy a hunk of crap, you'll be sorry a lot longer than you remember how much of a deal it was.
You can't polish a TURD.

[CMXX001]

Thanks guys, I know thats the same advice my dad would have given me too.Understand what you're telling me and I'll take your advice.Thanks again