[AT] Welders

[k7jdj at aol.com]

Mike, 

I agree with what others have said.  I got by with a Craftsman 1950 vintage 200 amp buzz box for many years.  Then I got a Lincoln SA200 engine driven DC welder.  I have welded crawler dozer tracks for friend and didn't think they would last a day with the SA200.  That was years ago and they are still holding.  They wouldn't have, had they been mine.  I now have a Lincoln Ranger 8 engine driven as well.  I use the Craftsman and the Lincoln SA200 and rarely use the Ranger 8, mostly because of convenience. I have borrowed a MIG welder for light sheet metal work. That works better for me on light materials.  If you decide to go with a stick welder spend the extra money and get one that also has DC.  I have never had formal training but can do a decent job.  Eye sight, a steady hand, and having to be a contortionist have been a problem in recent years.  I have used my son's TIG for fun/demonstrations but not for anything that needed repair.

Gary

Renton, WA. 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com>
To: at <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sun, Dec 4, 2011 3:49 pm
Subject: [AT] Welders


Hi all,
I'm in the market for a welder and would be interested in getting opinions as to 
what type to get. It would get used for machinery repair (tractor, brush hog 
etc). I was looking at some of the MIG welders at TSC the other day, and they 
looked nice, but were pricey if they are able to weld thicker steel. I've never 
used a MIG welder, but have used an arc welder in the past. An arc welder seems 
like a simpler choice, but I would be interested in other opinions. 
Thanks,
Mike M
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