Well, my friend picked up his welder a few days ago so hopefully when he gets that setup we'll be able to compare the stick and MIG hands' on.

I talked to my buddy's Dad the other day and it turns out he used to be a welder for NASA and all kinds of places around here in Florida. He does some kind of buisiness with sharpening and welding the lawnmowers for big fields like Farms and Baseball Stadiums. Makes extremely good money doing it to. A few grand a week he says. He kept telling me that the stick is his favorite tool. I guess it's just more versatile and easier to use. He says he uses it 10 times more than his mig. I know it's all opinions and personal preference, dont get me wrong, I'm just adding info to the thread.

i did like the stick more for having alot more control in my hand then having to go play with knobs, but i have used my stick welder 2 times since i got my mig and that was ust to blow holes in stuff.

the pro-mig 175 is a 175 amp welder. does 1/2" with flux core and 3/16" with gas, but it has no problem throwing a helluva weld on the thick stuff.

don't breathe when flux fumes are swirling about
- MIG is definately cleaner , in that regard.

GEt a self darkening helmet( a cheap clone works fine).

Looking at the arc burns out your eyes. It's cumulative.

keep the arc gap to a minimum, and watch the weld puddle.

dangle angle should be *away from the direction of travel

*unless you're doing verticalUP weld

The preferred travel direction for mig (GMAW)is 10 degrees from perpendicular, pointed in the direction of travel. This is how we train manual welders and robots to AWS D1.1 as well as Cat, Komatsu and Deere standards.
Notice, I said "preferred".
Drag a stick, push a Mig, generally speaking.

quote:

Originally posted by Reserector:
...Drag a stick, push a Mig, generally speaking.

Yup, I was talking stick welding.

I'd like to hear any opinions on this welder:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91110

Are these features of any advantage?

I have a Sears 110V hobby welder. I can do OK....IF I have the piece out in the sun...the clamp right next to the weld...and the welded area UP and flat...I can really get a good flow for the weld.

Other wise I mostly cuss a lot. Can't get the arc going...stick the rod...welds usually not hot enough. Like my recent adventure with an exhaust pipe. Bummer.

probably the most popular welder ever is the old "tombstone" style lincoln AC 225 stick welder. it's available for about 250 at lowes. it will weld any reasonable thickness of metal. with a thick stick, cranked up high, that welder will really kick some ass for a cheap price.

As far as harbor freight welders, i wouldnt buy one. some stuff at harbor freight is just peachy and fine, other stuff is pure sh!t. i own a ton of stuff from them. a good welder will last you a very long time. i think it would be well worth the extra 100$+/- to get a nice 230v stick welder if you want a stick.

sounds like you already have a weak welder so i dont think you want another weak one.
with my ac 225 i dont think i have had it past 150 amps and that was super powerful. it goes up to 225.

Mines a Sears Craftsman 235 dual range Not sure what the lower amperage range is for exactly, the arc starts a little easier and it goes to 145 amps or so. It works great, I just am waiting for the Home Despot to get a new spool of #6 stranded so I can get 40' and make an extension cord off the dryer plug to the garage

I've seen that welder at Harbor Freight, I'd suggest waiting and gettign the lincoln 225 or haunting ebay till one comes up. I found mine in my home state for something like $70, no one else bid on it because they were skeerd of the shipping. Heh, Shipping to my door was $60 so my total investment was $110. Well worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by lostonabackroad:IF I have the piece out in the sun...the clamp right next to the weld...and the welded area UP and flat...I can really get a good flow for the weld. .

Get a weed flamer( big propane torch) from Harbor Freight to preheat your weldment. WOrks for me using only a 70 amp POS stick welder- for 3/8" steel.

Heat to red hot then strike the arc.