nb11
Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2010
- Messages
- 389
- Reaction score
- 10
- Points
- 18
- Location
- South Georgia
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3l
- Transmission
- Manual
Well, I'm considering purchasing a welder. I don't need something worthy of opening a fab shop with, I just think it would be a cool/useful skill to have. I'd probably practice on stuff around the house, and maybe eventually do a bumper or something. But I have a couple questions:
1. Stick or mig? I'm considering a stick because a good stick can be had for considerably less than a mig. Also, I don't intend to do thin stuff, such as body work, so I think a stick would be good for general purpose stuff, and would have the power to tackle some heavier stuff if needed. Also, I like the idea of not having as many parts with a stick, such as wire spools, gas, etc.
2. If I went with a mig, I could get a cheap HF unit for, well, cheap, and just do flux core. But, from my understanding gas mig is the best way to go as far as wire fed machines. Would a cheaper welder be worth it, maybe one that offers the option to later add a gas setup?
I guess what I'm really asking is, would a stick welder be able to handle most general fab jobs? I could be mistaken, but aren't there a couple members on here who do everything with a stick? I'm thinking Bray D did a SAS/doubler/bumpers/welded diff etc. on a stick. With practice, could I get my stick welds to be strong and look half-way decent? Any input would be appreciated.
1. Stick or mig? I'm considering a stick because a good stick can be had for considerably less than a mig. Also, I don't intend to do thin stuff, such as body work, so I think a stick would be good for general purpose stuff, and would have the power to tackle some heavier stuff if needed. Also, I like the idea of not having as many parts with a stick, such as wire spools, gas, etc.
2. If I went with a mig, I could get a cheap HF unit for, well, cheap, and just do flux core. But, from my understanding gas mig is the best way to go as far as wire fed machines. Would a cheaper welder be worth it, maybe one that offers the option to later add a gas setup?
I guess what I'm really asking is, would a stick welder be able to handle most general fab jobs? I could be mistaken, but aren't there a couple members on here who do everything with a stick? I'm thinking Bray D did a SAS/doubler/bumpers/welded diff etc. on a stick. With practice, could I get my stick welds to be strong and look half-way decent? Any input would be appreciated.