I know this has been discussed a dozen times over, but here we go again.

Regarding the arc/tig/plasma cut welders similar to this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CT416D-Pla...wItem

They seem to be no-name brands selling for 500-600$ in general. I know the moto "you get what you pay for" but for small jobs and general playing around, do these welders actually work half decent?

 

garbage that's my opinion

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Automations &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">garbage that's my opinion </TD></TR></TABLE>Any suggestions for a novice welder?
In our welding class we used some new Lincoln multi-process welders. But I can't imagine how much those things cost.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Automations &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">garbage that's my opinion </TD></TR></TABLE>

Save up and get a nice tig machine you can also usually find good deals on syncrowaves just shop around

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mrlegoman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any suggestions for a novice welder?
In our welding class we used some new Lincoln multi-process welders. But I can't imagine how much those things cost. </TD></TR></TABLE>

4 grand or so

 

since your already on ebay, search for a welder within so many miles and pick it up, you can go wrong with red or blue both are well made and I own both

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Howitt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">since your already on ebay, search for a welder within so many miles and pick it up, you can go wrong with red or blue both are well made and I own both</TD></TR></TABLE>"can't" I assume.

I was leaning towards to Syncrowave until I saw the "Competitive Comparison" on the Miller website (lower right):
http://www.mylincolnelectric.c...39579

Either is still going to run 1,7-1,8K.

But I really like the cleaning action of the squarewave, and I don't see that on the cheaper models.

 

Like dude above said, check within a certain mile radius to where you live....red or blue used will serve you fine.

I had about 1900 to spend at the time when I bought mine (2.4 years ago) and I went with the Lincoln PT185...was cheaper than the comparable Miller (180SD) and had more amps/features.

I imagine you could get either of these welders now for around 1k-1.2k used

 

My mig is a miller millermatic 300 3phase I bought for $700 @ an auction I saved about 2300 versus buying a new one.
my tig is a lincoln precision tig 275 which I paid about 4k for with a bottle and extras brand new with a 3 year warranty. you can pick this machine up used on ebay in the 2k range.

 

The worst thing to do when beggining to weld is starting with a crappy machine..

One thing i Do suggest, is the Plasma Cutter from harbor frieght, ive had mine for about 2 years now.. works amazingly

anyway, you can get a used Miller maxstar 150 tig/stick welder for like 800 bucks.. there very nice machines easy to use and great to begin on

 

my first welder was farm hand from tractor supply it was the biggest piece of ****. I paid 300 for flux core welder and 100 to convert it to mig. then I used a real welder and the difference is beyond night and day but if you weld witha farmhand you can weld with anything