I just picked up a brand new Hobart Stickmate AC/DC stick welder. It comes with a 5 foot power cord, 10 foot ground clamp, and 15 foot electrode holder. To extend the reach it seems I have two choices. (1) Make up a 25 foot extension cord. (2) splice in 25 feet on the ground clamp and electrode hold...

But I can't really call it a weld. More on that later. I got a brand spanking new Hobart Stickmate AC/DC welder (Free, it was a gift), a Harbor Freight auto-darkening helmet ($35 and works like a charm), a box each of Lincoln 1/8" 6011, 1/8" 6013, & 3/32" 7018, a chipping hammer, ...

I'm the OP. See this post concerning the welder I finally ended up with, and why.
http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=2&t=1395

Don <><

I have a lady friend whom I've known for 10 years. I'm a computer instructor at a tech college and she's taken many of my classes. As we like so many of the same things, 5 years ago we started hanging out together. Recently we were shopping in Green Bay. I had a $35.00 gift card from Fleet Farm whic...

So, Genesis, what did you end up getting? I bought a welding helmet ($34.95 on sale at Harbor Freight), but no welder yet. I do like that PowerArc 200. But I hear they now charge for shipping. That could be a deal breaker. If I could get it for $300 "delivered", I might just spring for it...

Don, If you would decide to change to something like this I would have some design changes based on what I found but I could send you images of the design, drawings, and even 3D if you wanted me to. Let me know, Joe <>< Hi Joe: I sent you a private message with my email address. I would appreciate ...

From my perspective the weak point will be the attachment of the axles. Without a suspension wheels passing over uneven ground will transfer a lot of stress to the single point axles. I recommend a "U" shaped fork with a single attachment point above the center line of the wheel. That how...

Hi Guys: I'm a wannabe which means I don't own a welder (yet). I stopped at a little welding supply shop to browse. I wanna get a "new" stick welder. The owner of this store was an older fella and seemed very knowledgeable. But he had his prejudices and biasses. He had a few new Miller's o...

As for the axle, if it was me I would add another piece of steel across the bottom on the back, or maybe even in the center. The center has to be kept clear as that's where the log goes. Watch this video to see an atv log arch in actual use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJoPemfV5zI The one I wann...

I think the weak point here isnt going to be the steel or the welds its going to be the tires and axle. I agree with you kermdawg. Those stubby little axles are gonna have to be welded on and/or bolted on pretty good. Between square tubing and angle iron, which one is easier to weld on? Or doesn't ...

Saw your pic of the tubing after I posted. Thats some serious overkill brotha :) But at least you know it would never break! I dont think you need anything thicker than 3/16" myself, but you might wanna play it safe and go 1/4". But anything above that would be overdoin it. So if I go wit...

Hi kermdawg So you think I could buy all the steel square tubing for around $150.00. What size square tubing would you recommend? And do I have to use some kind of special steel? Would something like the square tubing below work? Would this be over-kill, or under-kill? I guess what I'm asking is ho...

Hi Guys: I don't have a welder yet, but plan on getting a stick welder soon. It will be either a Hobart Stickmate XL 235AC/160DC (transformer) from my local Fleet Farm for $444.99, an Everlast PowerArc 200 (200 amp DC only inverter) for $300, or a Longevity Stickweld 250 (250 amp DC only inverter) f...

To kermdawg:

I'm the OP. I appreciate your "blabbing" kermdawg. You make some interesting and insightful points.

Don <><

WOW ! I'm the OP and I'm very impressed with your responses ! I think many will benefit from these explanations. I'm kinda surprised that there have been no votes for the Hobart. Maybe I'll do one of those corny videos of me opening the box when I get a welder. I have to admit that I enjoy watching ...

Hi guys: I want a new "toy". And that's just what it would be, a "toy", as I don't really need a welder, and have no particular application in mind. (i.e. I don't know what I'll be using it for.) I just want a stick welder to play with. Don't ask me why I want stick ~ I just do. ...

I to have noticed that this forum doesn't have anywhere near the activity of some of the other welding forums. When I visit the Miller Welding forum, it usually shows around 100 viewers at almost any time of day or night. As a welding wannabe, I truly appreciate, enjoy, and benefit from these forums...

I have never purchased anything from Harbor Freight, but I am considering this very same welder (just to play with, and with no particular purpose in mind). I don't know a thing about welding, other than what I've picked up on the internet over the past year. Below are some links to videos on the HF...

I'm not a welder, and never will be. I don't know much about welders, but I want something cheap, simple, and with reasonable power for my first welder to "play with" and learn a bit about stick welding. I was going to get the Everlast PowerARC200 stick welder for $300. http://www.everlast...

For what it's worth, watch this video on welding helmets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUhD63fmB-k. If you're interested in the cheap one he tested, click here: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200311850

dON <><

jpence38 : Thanks for the info about the generator. GWD: What do you mean by "$100 towards a new torch would be better spent." The Everlast internet page for the PowerPro 200 indicates that a "Carbon Arc Torch" is available as an accessory. When I click on the "Carbon Arc T...

Nice shop GWD. My shop is like my "man cave". They're both in need of some TLC. I thought about having a woman come over and do a bit of cleaning, but I think it's cheaper to get married. :) But then I couldn't shoot out of my front window. I have a target range set up at 25, 50 and 100 ya...

Hi Guys. I'm the OP. All I wanted was a simple, no frills, inexpensive welder, that I can play with for awhile, and then maybe build one or two projects. After that, the thing will probably just sit and collect dust like so many of my power tools (toys), that I seldom use (But they sure come in hand...

Woa ! Now fight nice guys. Seriously, if we all lived closer together, I'd take ya all out for a beer. I bet we'd all get along pretty well once we really got to know each other. A valid difference of opinion is healthy and constructive. It's true (from what I can find on the internet) that the Linc...

I'm thinking of getting the Everlast PowerARC 200 which is a DC only machine. What kinds of welding situations would call for AC?

dON <><