Welding Tips and Tricks

Alright, I am new to welding. I am thinking of taking a class on it, sometime this year. I have a cheap stick welder. I want a good one. I want a stick, mig and tig welder. My dad used to have a Miller. He died in 03 and I have no clue what happened to the thing. I saw these Bobcat 250 (Kohler), GFCI. This one seems as if it can do everything I would ever need. All but for aluminum welding. Then I saw Syncrowave 250 DX 200/230/460 V. This one would let me do aluminum, as well as some other stuff. BUT, they are expensive as hell. I thought, say I saved for the Bobcat, then got a cheaper one for aluminum stuff. So, I just joined this site and thought I would ask actual welders what they thought. Is the Bobcat 250 any good? How about the other one? What are some others that compare to these two?

We really need to know what you intend to use the machines for any what type of stuff you will be welding to make a recommendation.

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I would use it for everything I could. I like the art thing. You know, designing something, then making it. Also, if ever anyone needed something fixed, I could bust out ye ol welder and fix it up.

Buy a used Syncrowave and don't pay more than $1500-2000 for it. You will be quite happy

Cool. Any ideas on a good place to get a used one? I live in Maryland. Right around a Roberts Oxygen. Not sure if they have them there or not. Also, thank you for the price tip. Very helpful stuff.

Glowzinski wrote:Cool. Any ideas on a good place to get a used one? I live in Maryland. Right around a Roberts Oxygen. Not sure if they have them there or not. Also, thank you for the price tip. Very helpful stuff.

Louis paid $450 for his Syncrowave, so deals are out there. I bought a few Miller 330AMP machines complete for between 200-500 bucks.

Glowzinski wrote:Cool. Any ideas on a good place to get a used one? I live in Maryland. Right around a Roberts Oxygen. Not sure if they have them there or not. Also, thank you for the price tip. Very helpful stuff.

Louis paid $450 for his Syncrowave, so deals are out there. I bought a few Miller 330ABP machines complete for between 200-500 bucks.

Whoa, really? I know, I'll sick my mom on it. haha She can find anything.

Also look for the Miller 330 abp in a different color - they made my Airco 300 (my avatar).

Paid $225 for it. 900 lbs of 1963 awesome

Craigslist is a good place to start. Be willing to search in a 125 mile radius or more.