[Pipedrummer]

I'm looking to get into welding and I"m looking for an entry level Arc welder....Lowe's has one for 250 or so but it's 220v, and I don't have 220 where I live really.....Are there any relativly cheap 110V arc welders out there?? Thanks

[bryans98tj]

By Arc you are talking stick?

[chuckie]

arc welding is stick welding

[mfalik]

Originally Posted by chuckie

arc welding is stick welding

Welding with a wire feed and flux core wire, is also arc welding.

[Jeff in PA]

Originally Posted by mfalik

Welding with a wire feed and flux core wire, is also arc welding.

That's usually referred to as "MIG".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pipedrummer,
Do you have an electric dryer at your house? If so, you have 220 single phase. Look in your electric panel and see if you have any double pole breakers.

220 single phase has two live wires and a ground compared to 110 which is one live wire, a neutral and a ground.

[RussoGuitar]

Originally Posted by Jeff in PA

That's usually referred to as "MIG".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pipedrummer,
Do you have an electric dryer at your house? If so, you have 220 single phase. Look in your electric panel and see if you have any double pole breakers.

220 single phase has two live wires and a ground compared to 110 which is one live wire, a neutral and a ground.

Its also refered to as arc welding, as there is an elcetrical arc going on.

[unrealtrip]

I'd recommend a Lincoln Pro-Mig 135 around $350-400, you can run it on 110v.

For the non-welders and wannabe's, MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas which is a subtype of GMAW which stands for Gas Metal Arc Welding. In fact, TIG welding is also arc welding...

Basically, arc welding, does not mean stick.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by RussoGuitar

Its also refered to as arc welding, as there is an elcetrical arc going on.

While technically true, I've never ever heard of anyone referring to a MIG welder as an arc welder which would be confusing. A MIG welder is a MIG welder, as a TIG welder is a TIG welder... neither are called arc welders by those who use them. If I hear "arc" I think stick welding.

[chuckie]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

While technically true, I've never ever heard of anyone referring to a MIG welder as an arc welder which would be confusing. A MIG welder is a MIG welder, as a TIG welder is a TIG welder... neither are called arc welders by those who use them. If I hear "arc" I think stick welding.

ditto

in the welding world, stick is arc, tig is tig, and mig is mig...

the fact that the op is buying an "arc" welder for 250 at lowes shoulda clued you in

but to answer the origional question, in my experiance 110 is crap, unless you want the extent of your welding to be tacking sheet metal... ive got one of those little amp boxes to use when i only have 110, and it always shorts on me when i use it, im no electrician... to do any usefull welding you really need 220

[RussoGuitar]

I agree, but ive heard it used to decifer between torch welding and "arc" whether it be MIG, TIG or stick.

[mk20rockeye]

my dad just picked one up the other week from home depot for about 350 or so. a lincoln flux welder that can be upgraded to a mig welder. 120 volt input and can handle up to 1/4 steel. i used it this last weekend and it seems to work good for a 120 volt unit. good enough for the average joe for home with a budget. or look for a used one, but be very careful that way, and make sure to check it out first.

[sharpie]

lincoln is so far ahead of anyone in the welding game. I am getting a 140E when pay permits.

[bdmonist]

Originally Posted by mk20rockeye

my dad just picked one up the other week from home depot for about 350 or so. a lincoln flux welder that can be upgraded to a mig welder. 120 volt input and can handle up to 1/4 steel. i used it this last weekend and it seems to work good for a 120 volt unit. good enough for the average joe for home with a budget. or look for a used one, but be very careful that way, and make sure to check it out first.

If your gonna go this route, go ahead and spend another $50 bucks and buy a brand new Lincoln 175, 220 volt MIG/Flux Core welder. There's plenty of stores selling them new for $400 on ebay.

[rickr]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

While technically true, I've never ever heard of anyone referring to a MIG welder as an arc welder which would be confusing. A MIG welder is a MIG welder, as a TIG welder is a TIG welder... neither are called arc welders by those who use them. If I hear "arc" I think stick welding.

you kids ever heard the phrase "heli-arc?"

[RussoGuitar]

Sure, but i wasnt going to go that indepth in defendence of any type of eletrical welding being refered to as "ARC". Heli Arc welding is when helium is used as a sheilding gas, and though argon is commonly used since its cheaper, TIG is still reffered to as Heli Arc by the old schoolers.