Replies

1. 
   ponytl | Apr 14, 2005 05:26am | #1

   I like stick welding if it's something over 3/16 vs use'n .30  mig wire...  which is what most small migs i've had mostly use.... nothing wrong with a buzzbox... i have an air prod & chemicals one that has a killer "buzz"...  I've looked at the inverter welders but never used one... i do have a 110v buzz box that really welds pretty good... welds better off my generator for some reason than it does pluged into the wall...

   I've seen some inverter types that bolt to your truck motor and have an A/C type clutch... and read that they work really well... but they aren't cheap...

   pony

1. 
   alanj | Apr 15, 2005 06:39am | #2

   thanx for your reply
   Alan

2. 
   caseyr | Apr 15, 2005 07:34am | #3

   I don't know about the specific welder you are looking at.  However, small welders in general have very low duty cycles at anything approaching rated amperage.  I bought a Hobart 135 wire feed welder and found out that the duty cycle at the rated 135 amps is 8%.  That means that you are supposed to weld only 48 seconds out of every ten minutes and then let the machine cool off the rest of the time.  So, if you want to avoid frying the components, be prepared to spend a lot of time drinking coffee while you are welding.

1. 
   alanj | Apr 15, 2005 10:29pm | #5

   Thanks for your input.I am aware of the duty cycle aspect. One of the appealling things about the invertors is their relatively high duty cycle. Some are 60% at max, and 100% at IIRC 90 amps.Alan

3. 
   steelbuddha | Apr 15, 2005 01:10pm | #4

   I have a Miller Maxstar 150 STL, and it's quite a bit smaller than the cooler I carry my lunch in. It'll run on 110 or 220, does clean TIG , and is a good little stick unit. It's my first inverter machine, and I have no complaints.

   That said, for "general purpose" work I would go with MIG. Take a look at Readywelders. They'll use multiple processes (FCAW, GMAW) with different materials, and you can run them on batteries. With two 12V batteries in series, you can weld 7/8" plate. The "machine' itself is really small, and is gaining popularity with hardcore off-roaders because you can hook it up to the vehicle battery and weld your frame or suspension back together in the bush.

   If you really want an inverter, look at HTP. I have one of their plasma cutters, and it works very well. They have a new inverter machine that does multi-process (MIG, TIG, stick) for about a third of the price of the Lincoln multiprocess box.

   Miller and Lincoln are comparable (the joke is, "do you prefer a red or a blue box?") Miller's tech support is just outstanding.