Do I really need an AC/DC stick welder?

[Matadem]

I am looking for a stick welder
My 2 choices would be a hobart stickmate or a lincoln tombstone

I already have a mig hh210... probably looking for a tig next year

and looking for a stick becuase it's cheaper and faster in some situations

Any help would be apreciated

Thanks

[pault17]

matadem
I am not a weldor by any stretch of the imagination, but I would strongly suggest that you get the ac/dc model of whichever one you pick. you will find the welding easier, and you can plug in a scratch-start tig into the buzz box and work it from there

my $0.02

[HillbillyFAB]

If I was in the market for a stick machine, I'd definitely hold out for an AC/DC machine. If you don't have to have a brand new, just out of the box machine, you can find these machines for dirt cheap. Alot of times you'll find them from someone that purchased it brand new and have used it a few times over the last 20 + years and let it sit in the corner of the garage. I see them frequesntly on craigslist with helmet, gloves, and usually the remains of the first box of rods for around $150, from someone wanting to clean up the garage in my area. Just keep your eyes open.

[moya034]

You want an AC/DC machine as opposed to AC only.

DC provides a much smoother, nicer arc to weld with, in addition to giving you a much larger option of electrodes to weld with.

Another feature you want is a fine, or infinite current control. For example, on the Lincoln tombstone, the current settings are 10-20 amps apart from each other, but on the stickmate they are 1 amp apart. Having that fine current control let's you fine tune your heat much better for your specific application.

I have a tombstone right now and it gets the job done, but I can tell you for sure that as soon as I get myself get a job, I'm getting either a stickmate/thunderbolt or perhaps even a used dialarc.

[cope]

Thousands of weldors have been welding just fine for nearly 60 years on AC machines, only to find that they don't work.

If you can afford it, get the AC/DC, but as I said with tongue in cheek, AC machines have gotten the job done for years.

You definitely want the infinite control, although Lincoln has sold many a tombstone with a switch.

[professur]

What they're trying in their own special way to get across is .... DC is like cruise control and air conditioning in your car. You don't need it .... but is sure makes cuising down the highway a whole lot more enjoyable.

[moya034]

DC is like cruise control and air conditioning in your car.

Don't forget a CD or MP3 player!

[Sberry]

If you are welding flat on the bench it wont make much difference but if you do equipment repair where most of it is out of position then the DC is a huge asset. If I was going to the effort of getting one it would be well worth it to squeeze a little extra out for a DC model.

[EdKing]

I welded with a Hobart Stickmate AC machine for years with no problems, then I got an older AC/DC machine given to me, just had to put leads on it. While the DC does make everything nicer, I could live with the AC only. I would go for the Hobart (better current adjust) AC unit and put the cash you save towards the TIG machine.

Ed

[Wyoming]

Wait until next year. Most TIGs come with the ability to do stick welding.

[ace4059]

Since you want a tig machine, I would get a AC only stick now (a used one) and then the tig machine will have a nice DC stick capibility.

I used a AC tombstone welder (grandfather bought it in 1971 and he gave it to me in 2003) for a few years before anything else. If you learn on AC then when you do get a DC machine, it will make you an even better welder due to the smooth arc. I say get the ac only if you are only going to be using it once in awhile, and only for the thick stuff.
If you want something to run on every weekend, then spend a little more and get the dc, but in all honestly I do Not think you need the DC.

[robsd]

I've had a Lincoln AC welder for years. Needed a second welder up at the farm. Close to pulling the trigger on the hobart ac/dc. Couldn't justify the extra $150+ that could be spend on something else. See below what I have, the AC sticks I use fo rthe large stuff. I use mainly 2 rods for all my stuff, 7014, 6013.

BTW the Lincoln is the better of the 2, just seems to groan less and the arc just seems better.

Good Luck,
Rob

[Sberry]

He might not "need" an AC/DC but in the grand scheme of things the price difference is almost negligable. Someone recently gave me a can of 7018, not sure what one cost now but it made the difference right there. Would have been near worthless with an AC machine. One time long ago an Ironworker said, I spent the extra 100 for a DC unit and never had to buy rod again.

[Jim-Tx]

You will never regret getting DC. I learned on an AC buzzbox and the difference is more than worth the cost difference between AC and AC/DC. Not only can you burn any rod like Sberry said, DC rods run better and will enable you to do a better job. This might not apply here, but AC will shock the sh!t out of you on wet ground where DC won't.

[diverdown]

Ac/dc

used both AC and Dc gas driven welders for years, have a Hobart 4500 now AC only. welds like a hot dam. no problem getting rod. its not the machine thats makes the welder its the guy or gal pushing the rod. the 4500 runs my SIP 25 amp plasma cutter, my miller 180 auto set, my air compressor and cut off saws. love the Hobart Champion 4500 AC. diver down