Welder advice

[MattV]

I'm looking to pick up a new welder and I'm getting a little sick of the typical amazon reviews nowadays consisting of "haven't opened the box yet but I'm sure it's nice. 5 stars." I know there are at least of few people here with some knowledge here so I figured why not? Anyways, what I'm specifically looking for is

-a stick welder. I might get a mig eventually, but for now stick is what I want.
-Inverter. I know the transformer machines are going to last longer but I want something small and portable
-dual voltage. I want to be able to run it on 110v.

I don't have any plans to try to do anything much bigger than 1/4" (though that does have a tendency to grow). At the moment I want to put a few pieces of flatbar on my sled trailer and build a small cage to hold a genset on a friend's trailer. Mostly I'd like to spend some time practicing at home (currently 110v service only). Some of the machines available have a tig option which would be neat but isn't make or break. Anyways, I've currently narrowed it down to

-https://www.everlastwelders.ca/products/stickwelders.php/powerarc-200sti.php

Lots of glowing reviews about the performance, 3 year warranty, capable of DC tig, affordable, better specs as a stick welder but....made in china, higher failure rate, some horror stories about warranty wait times. Seems those that get a good unit love them, and not everybody has a bad warranty experience but there's always the chance. It would only be a hobby machine and it wouldn't bankrupt me if I got a lemon, but would rather not go through it. Not sure exactly how common the issues are.

-https://m.kmstools.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22000000_22 130000&products_id=153771

I probably won't have the spending cash to take advantage of the sale, so it makes this one a decent bit pricier. Not quite as powerful as the Everlast and no tig, but it has Millers brand backing and a lot less likely to be trouble. Not sure if I would outgrow it if I ever want to attempt any bigger projects.

-https://www.princessauto.com/en/stickmate-160a-stick-welder/product/PA00087PA00087

I've read it's basically a thunderbolt with a different paintjob, no idea if that's true. Specs are identical. Price falls in the middle. Made in China, but Hobart seems like a decent brand so I'd imagine they've got decent standards.

Any help would be appreciated. Firsthand experience is definitely a plus.

[Nofxkid2005]

Miller or Lincoln honestly is what it would come down to. I wouldn't waste my time or money on anything else. They'll have the best options overall.

Dual voltage? As in you want to be able to run AC or DC? An inverter will usually account for that, and change everything over to DC anyway.. (I have an explanation in one of my theory textbooks).

Honestly, for smaller applications, I'd get something like a Lincoln 120v MIG machine and run Flux Core. That's, of course, if you're only doing small projects. One of the shops I worked at would use one for on-site small installs, and it worked pretty well.

Of course, what kind of duty cycle are you looking for as well? What kind of rod are you wanting to run?

[MattV]

Dual voltage as in able to run off of 110v or 220v. Lincoln doesn't offer an option that fits my criteria in the price range. I currently have a cheapo flux core machine, I want a stick machine for practice as much as anything (It comes in handy at work, could lead to better job opportunities in the future). The Miller and Hobart options I listed seem like they'd suit me and are what I'm leaning towards but the Everlast name has come up a few times and there are reasons to consider one. The models I'm looking at say they'll burn a 5/32 rod, should be as much as I'd need but the duty cycles for the miller/hobart are 30% at 160 amps on 220v and 20% at 65 amps for 120v. I've mostly ever used industrial stick welders, and never done any major work so never really had to take duty cycle into account before.

[Nofxkid2005]

65 Amps for stick is really cold.. and at 20%, it's almost not worth it. Like, 1/8 7018 (IIRC.. its been a little bit. I run all 045 hardwire at work) likes to run in the 110-120A range. I ran all my open root 6010 at like 88A.

Have you considered used? Given you're pointing out KMS, I'm assuming you're West Coast Canadian..

[MattV]

That was my thinking, I think I was running 1/8 7018 at 100-110ish on a miller bluestar at my old job, I don't know if the thunderbolt could really do much even with 3/32 on 110v. The everlast says it has 60% duty cycle at 90amps on 110v and 60% at 160 amps on 220v, which is why I'm considering it. I'm always nervous buying chinese products without at least having the customer support of a good brand.

I've been keeping my eye out for something used but nothing has really caught my eye. I'm in rural Alberta so not much comes up. If a decent old transformer machine comes up for the right price in my area I might bite, but I haven't really seen anything.

[gabe]

Lincoln Square Wave 200 is the easy choice. Does stick (most boxes should do stick just fine) but also is an amazing TIG welder. I'm a big TIG guy so that's primarily what I know. For stick darn near anything will do so I wouldn't be too picky if that's all you're welding.

[Tarsun2]

hobart had some 110/220 and shouldnt break the bank. Miller is nice but is an investment.
I have (had, until it broke after 2 years) a jobsmart Harborfreight POS that did just about everything i asked it to. From push mower repairs, to exhaust work on the cars, even to garden tractor trailer hitches. and even some small BS projects. (it should be noted that i use flux core wire.)

i went cheap at 1st to see if id even like it.
i do, but not enough to justify the cost. My brother enjoys it so he went out and dropped some serious coin on a complete miller mig setup. this was a few years ago. i dont think he even turned the gas on yet. LOL

if you dont know if youll like it, get a little bs flux core welder and see what its all about. If youve welded before and need something serious, go miller, lincoln, or hobart.

[Spider!]

I've just considered the lack of quality and support on Chinese stuff to be part of the price. Some NA equipment is "supported" but maybe not where you are or any more easily. If it's hobby stuff, I don't mind too much. When you have NA companies re-branding Chinese equipment, you really are just paying for support, which can be valuable.

I have an Everlast 161sth. I got it to restart my 30+ year old minimal metal skills. It works very well for my beginner level stuff. The biggest project I've done is a gas bottle cart from an old bed frame. I've used the tig to make some foundry tongs and small stuff.

It came with the front face a little pushed in and out of alignment. I opened it up and pushed it back out. I've been using 6011 rods with the 6010 setting. I've tried out some 7018, but I've mainly been working with ugly scraps and not cleaning completely. I've only run on 240v. I had set up a plug in the garage for 240 previously. The suitcase size is nice. The massive extension cord I use with it is more in the way than the welder. I haven't used any rods over 1/8" yet.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Miller or Lincoln I would not buy anything but. I would buy a used machine before I got anything else. I have Millers the one on my shop is a 220 beast. But I have a nice portable one that travels nicely and will run on a standard 110 very nicely. I have had them for 10+ years and they are used regularly. I use to be a welder by trade. Miller and Lincoln cost more because they are made better with mor convenient features. The new machines you can really dial in your welds. If you are going to be welding a lot invest in a vented welding hood. Make sure the area you are using let’s the gas’s escape because that stuff is toxic.