The Texas BBQ Forum

See the poll- I only get 1 shot at this I think...

I voted for torch but only because every shop that works with metal needs one.
You should put wait till I have 800.00 and buy a decent AC/DC stick welder. I would not waste 300.00 on a welder unless it was a good used one. I doubt you will find a decent AC/DC welder for 300.00.

Thanks for the replies-
Except for this project - making a pit - I don't really need a welder.
Maybe I get the bug and make more pits, sell them, etc. after a few of those I can upgrade...

Stick welder I saw:
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electr ... /100041326

Should be good enough for 1 job.
Maybe some stuff for a gate at my in-laws
Maybe I make a log rack for my fire place before I start to weld all the pit pieces together..

I also saw some stuff on Craigslist...

That welder is AC only and if you are not completely comfortable welding stick the erratic current will severely test your patience. I have been welding stick for over 30 years and I have never rolled my machines to the AC side.

Well... Shoot.
How then do I get this project done?

BladeRunner wrote:Well... Shoot.
How then do I get this project done?

Save your money and wait till you can buy an AC/DC machine. If and when you get ready to sell your chances of recovering your investment are far greater. AC machines are a dime a dozen at low prices on resale sites for a reason, they are not a desirable machine.

Yeah, I hear ya. I wasn't 100% into building and selling. I guess I thought the machine would get me through the first pit (for personal use) and then see what happens.
I have a friend with a welder (as mentioned in another post). He's just always busy

I guess if I can get through the summer with what I've got, I can get a pit built at the high school. We do live in Texas.
Thanks for the input.

I'm a fan of MIG/wire welders. They work best for what I do (building smokers, deer feeders, furniture, etc). My Lincoln 175 MIG is about 13 years old and has had zero issues (knock on wood). They are very versatile, economical and efficient to use. You can get into a Lincoln 180 (they 175 has been replaced by the 180) for about $700. Very good deal!

I'd definitely vote MIG, but, on the other hand, I've done a heck of a lot of stuff with an AC-only Lincoln buzz box; I started out with a 110v MIG, then got that stick machine because it was a cheap way to get to 225 amps for heavy farm equipment welds and such.. I've since upgraded the MIG and use it all but exclusively, but I'll still break out that stick machine from time to time.. I welded a long time with it before I even had an inkling that there was such a thing as DC stick: I never knew the difference, I just welded with what I had and was relatively successful with it. The ease of the MIG is pretty much hard to get around for a "casual welder", however, but money is money.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
I think I have enough info to make a choice.

the little red Lincoln is a perfectly fine welder for home and farm use. Has been for many years. All my pits that I have built have been welded with the Lincoln "cracker box".

BladeRunner wrote:Well... Shoot.
How then do I get this project done?

You want a MIG. Versatile, easy to learn.

AC stick for a newbie? Not happening.