any reviews? lincoln ac/dc 225/125

[NepaXJ]

I am just looking for something to practice stick with and some small projects around the house and for friends. I am on a budget and home depot has it for around 390 I think. Thanks in advance for any and all input.

 

[jeeperjohn]

Look on craigslist for a $100 buzzbox.

 

[machinisttx]

I agree with jeeperjohn.


EDIT:
You can do scratch start TIG with a DC capable crackerbox welder.

 

[NepaXJ]

Would I be able to do tig with the Lincoln I mentioned? Just change out the stinger for a tig torch or is there more involved?

 

[machinisttx]

It's DC capable, so yes. You'll have to get a tig torch, regulator, gas bottle, and filler rod, as well as tungsten electrodes. DO NOT buy filler rod intended for oxy/acetylene welding...it won't weld properly. TIG filler rod is "cleaner" and has fewer impurities. ER70 is commonly used for mild steel filler. You won't be able to do aluminum, only steel. It might be ok for stainless too, I don't recall. You'll also need a bench grinder with a dedicated wheel for sharpening tungsten. If you wanted to do aluminum, you'd need a high frequency start box. I just found plans to build one online, buy I assume you can buy them too.

The thing I really hated about scratch start TIG is that you don't have the advantage of a foot pedal to control heat...you have to adjust your speed and/or electrode distance from the workpiece.

I have no experience with this place, but this is pretty much what you need other than a bottle of shield gas. http://www.woodfieldwelding.com/TigKits.aspx Buy the largest amperage torch that will fit the machine. The knob on the back of the torch shown in the pic turns the shield gas on/off. Something else to keep in mind is that most real tig machines are liquid cooled. There's a good reason for that--they get HOT!

 

[xcm]

Get a mig welder...

 

[neversummer369]

Get a mig welder...

yeah what he said