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Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

precision tig 225. i like them.... that is what i learned on...

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Miller acdc tbolt. Love mine

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

I can't say I've ever run a Tombstone. You just don't see many of them on heavy civil construction sites.
If the price was right, I'd buy a used Everlast PowerArc 200, or better yet a PowerArc 300.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Pony up and spend the extra bucks to buy new if you go with a Chinese welder. No warranty on used. There is a high enough failure rate that you want the warranty. Plus the newer stuff from Everlast is better than the old stuff. Used I would suck with Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, HTP etc. IMHO

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

I'm on the other side. I suggest a used Everlast based on my direct experience---and I have two stick machines by Everlast, excellent products, durability, and customer service! But I have used a friend's 225 tombstone and it was durable too. Good luck with your choice!

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by HeavyHaul

Hey everyone I'm new to the site and am also looking for a stick welder to practice on in my garage. While my goal is to get into pipeline when I graduate I also have a wife and a house to pay for so the bigger rigs are a bit out of reach. I've seen some of the old Lincoln 225s and the Everlasts on craigslist, etc but was wondering what would be the preferred smaller rig. Based purely on the reputation I would guess the Lincoln but I figured I'd ask you guys since you've got a lot more experience with em.

For pipelining you're gonna need a generator welder. A lot if guys seem to like the Lincoln SA 200 but for learning the 225 is a good machine. Don't buy a used everlast they are good new but they don't last that long.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Hey everyone I'm new to the site and am also looking for a stick welder to practice on in my garage. While my goal is to get into pipeline when I graduate I also have a wife and a house to pay for so the bigger rigs are a bit out of reach. I've seen some of the old Lincoln 225s and the Everlasts on craigslist, etc but was wondering what would be the preferred smaller rig. Based purely on the reputation I would guess the Lincoln but I figured I'd ask you guys since you've got a lot more experience with em.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by Agape Guy

I've had mine for about a year, and I love 'em. Terrific customer service, too, if you ever have a question or issue. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just gotten a more powerful (<210 v) dual-voltage machine. I don't really need two stick welders.

Good to know. Thanks for the imput

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by lighttekku

I was considering getting one of those at some point. How long have you had it?

Originally Posted by Agape Guy

I've had mine for about a year, and I love 'em. Terrific customer service, too, if you ever have a question or issue. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just gotten a more powerful (greater than 210 volt) dual-voltage machine. I don't really need two stick welders.

The PA200 I have only gets minimal use.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

I've had mine for about a year, and I love 'em. Terrific customer service, too, if you ever have a question or issue. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just gotten a more powerful (<210 v) dual-voltage machine. I don't really need two stick welders.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm still in the process of getting some money saved up for a welder weather it be new or used. But anyhow i appreciate it alot! I'm about to post another question i have for people in the general houston area! Again, thanks!

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

If you can't weld with a 225AC Lincoln you only "THINK" you're a welder.
I still smile when I hook up my fancyascz kwik connecors, plug in a 6011 and drag the cables out front.
Rednecks have been doing this since Teddy was president.
Don't learn who makes the best toy. Learn how to weld.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by CEP

Yup. Paid $250.00 for this one.

I'll give you $275.00 for it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Thanks
That's where I'm at right now too.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

“Have you had any problems with it”?
Not a one, I've had the PowerArc 200 for 4-years now.

“Can you get support if needed”?
I hope so! I'll only deal with Mark Lugo, I think he is a man of his word.

“Does it perform to your expectations”?
For the money I'm very impressed! The PowerArc 200 is a strange duck with 6010. You have to hold a real close arc length. But it runs 7018 like a dream.
The PowerArc 300 is fantastic with 6010. But it doesn't wet out with 7018. So I'm a little disappointed with that.

“I guess what I'm asking is would you be afraid to try an Everlast plasma cutter if you were in the market for one”
Boy that is a tough one to answer! I just don't know. Just don't know if I would gamble with one of their Tig, Mig, or plasma cutters. I gambled with the first SMAW of theirs, and was very pleased. But come on what can really go wrong with a simple stick welder? I'd have to try one of their Tig, Mig, and plasma cutters before buying.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Have you had any problems with it?
Can you get support if needed?
Does it perform to your expectations?
Don't want to create a survey for you to complete, [emoji3]I guess what I'm asking is would you be afraid to try an Everlast plasma cutter if you were in the market for one?

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by Excalibur

CEP, give me the truth about that green machine you have there.

What do you want to know?

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by CEP

I paid $200.00 for this Lincoln SA-200. Paid $294.00 for the Everlast PowerArc 300. The PA-300 with stack 6010 every bit as nice as the SA-200, but it won't run 7018 as nice as the SA-200.

CEP, give me the truth about that green machine you have there. I was cosidering a green plasma cutter but was afraid to try one.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by Agape Guy

Yes, I have both the PA140 & PA200. The 140 (using 220v) is a good training machine to burn 6010/11 or 7018 rods. I've used it for a few projects. This suitcase machine will give you beautiful arcs. It also comes with tig components, but I haven't used them.

I was considering getting one of those at some point. How long have you had it?

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Yes, I have both the PA140 & PA200. The 140 (using 220v) is a good training machine to burn 6010/11 or 7018 rods. I've used it for a few projects. This suitcase machine will give you beautiful arcs. It also comes with tig components, but I haven't used them.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by Agape Guy

From your starting point, I'd go with a dual-voltage stick machine to get up to speed with skills. But my only direct experience is with an Everlast PowerArc 140ST that makes beautiful welds with 6010 and 7018 rods, so it's a good training machine and affordable. Anyway, good luck with your decision!

Do you own one?

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

From your starting point, I'd go with a dual-voltage stick machine to get up to speed with skills. But my only direct experience is with an Everlast PowerArc 140ST that makes beautiful welds with 6010 and 7018 rods, so it's a good training machine and affordable. Anyway, good luck with your decision!

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by texas_angler

Haha thanks guys for all the help! Sorry I've been really busy, but I think I'm going to buy a Hobart stick mate lx235 when I get the money. Unless I could get a welder for free (which lord knows ain't about to happen)

I sold one of these earlier this year for $350. See if they'll take $300. Very good machine to learn on and build with.
http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4740502367.html

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by texas_angler

Haha thanks guys for all the help! Sorry I've been really busy, but I think I'm going to buy a Hobart stick mate lx235 when I get the money. Unless I could get a welder for free (which lord knows ain't about to happen)

Check with CEP in a PM to see if he can hook you up with one of those $200-250 Lincolns, be a better overall machine for what you are wanting to do.

Re: Best stick welder for a newbie

Originally Posted by texas_angler

Haha thanks guys for all the help! Sorry I've been really busy, but I think I'm going to buy a Hobart stick mate lx235 when I get the money. Unless I could get a welder for free (which lord knows ain't about to happen)

Sorry I hijacked your thread. I've heard a lot of good things about Hobart welders