I suppose this fits here.

[enil01]

I'm looking into buying a welder so I figured I'd run this deal by you guys first. This package is on sale for about $600, how does it look? I haven't welded since high school, so I'll have to relearn everything, but my room mate's dad owns/runs a welding business. Think this would be a good rig to play around with, that will also last a couple years?

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=61249

Thanks for your help, and feel free to throw out better suggestions.

[Dragline]

That's a nice package, I went the cheaper route and bought a Refurbished with Warranty for Price: $220.00. CAMPBELL HAUSFELD 85 AMP MIG FLUX CORE WELDER # 300000. I don't claim to be a welder but for me, it will do the job.

Provides instant arc welding and comes with the MIG conversion kit,
115-Volt Input helps to save cost of wiring for 230 volt, welds steel as thin as 24 gauge, up to 3/16 thick, and aluminum up to 1/8.

[enil01]

115-Volt Input helps to save cost of wiring for 230 volt

Unless I'm mistaken I was just figuring I could unplug the drier and use that outlet when I want to weld. That should work yeah?

[Dragline]

It probably would, I only ever used the 110 side of mine.

[enil01]

It probably would, I only ever used the 110 side of mine.

The more I think about it the more I wonder if I'll ever need any more than that myself.

[Dragline]

Yea I did everything I need to do using 110, rebuilt the rear body mounts on the cross bar on my CJ7. Worked fine...

[Truck]

I would buy as big a welder as you can afford and definitely 220V. Always go with Miller, Hobart or Lincoln in that order. I wouldn't get less then a 175 amp welder and probably would stick with over 200. Once you get to welding stuff you will quickly out grow a smaller welder. And definitely use gas, makes for much cleaner welds.

Just my .02

Truck

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Unless I'm mistaken I was just figuring I could unplug the drier and use that outlet when I want to weld. That should work yeah?

You can go that route, but the dryer is only a 30 amp circuit. If you want to get all of the performance out of the box, run a separate 50 amp circuit for the welder.

The Lincoln is an excellent choice though...I am a pretty dedicated "red box" (read: Lincoln) weldor myself. Everyone has their own preference, but mine happens to be Lincoln Electric.