Which stick welder? Miller thunderbolt or Hobart stickmate lx?

Either would work. You might also keep an eye out for a Lincoln Tombstone 225v AC/DC 50amp. There are a ton of them out there. I just got one last week for $40.

I actually had a electrician out today to help figure out how I'm gonna power it.
 
Those are both good and proper welders.


I have used a Miller Thunderbolt like that.


As far as I can tell they both have similar specs
Full DC, full adjustability of amperage, the tombstones are tapped not fully adjustable. It's nice to be able to fine tune the power level.

I'd base it on how much lead they have to go with it

Although between those two, I'd take the TB because of my familiarly with it.
 
I have only used the Lincoln tombstone model(not sure of the model number). They are great and you can find them cheap. But, either one of those will be fine.
 
I know almost nothing about welding machines. However, I am a first year welding apprentice and I work on many large industrial sites where equipment is used for weeks at a time and hours upon hours straight. Failure of equipment is also a big no no, so quality tools are always chosen. From what I have seen, Miller welding machines seem to be the go to machines for industrial sites. The same can be said for Makita hand tools.

I simply know that I would likely go with the Miller.
 
The Miller also looks almost new even though he says he bought it 15 years ago. I would think they really last a long time.
 
I'm too lazy to look it up, but you might want to compare the duty cycles on the two machines. It mentions that in the Miller thread, but not the Hobart.
They are both good brands, and as a matter of fact I think Hobart is now owned by Miller. I've enjoyed welding with Miller stuff the most over the years, and right now I'm running a Millermatic 250 all day everyday, an excellent machine. I've used others such as the Trailblazer stick welders (also excellent) in the past, and missed out on a Thunderbolt just like the one you linked to, recently. I'm still kicking myself over it. Maybe if you buy this one it will help me feel better.
 
I have a thunderbolt. Awesome welder. My dad gave it to me when he retired from farming. I think he bought it in the 80's.
 
I have used and owned both. Save a hundred bucks and get the hobart. They are both simple machines that do the same thing and will last a long time.
 
Look at a new thunderbolt on Miller's website and It will look just like that Hobart, why, because miller made the Hobart. I had a machine just like the Hobart(only it was Miller blue) and lost it in the sale of a company. Still wish I had kept that welder off the equipment list when we put the company up for sale. Both machines are good general purpose welders and can even be set up to do scratch start tig with the addition of a tig torch and gas bottle.

Jeff
 
I've been thinking about getting a welder, also. Lots of welders going for 1/2 to 2/3 new price. Outside of the oft stated proven technology (ie durability) are there any other advantages of these over the newer inverter welders?
 
From what I read the new inverter welders are superior. New tech drives improvements. But for a hobby guy like me a whiz bang welder would be like buying really really expensive golf clubs. I wouldn't be in a position to really use it to the fullest anyway.

My .02
 
Bo T said:
I've been thinking about getting a welder, also. Lots of welders going for 1/2 to 2/3 new price. Outside of the oft stated proven technology (ie durability) are there any other advantages of these over the newer inverter welders?
Click to expand...

Durable and 1/2 the new price

What more do you want ?

Good aftermarket support, old proven standard equipment with good aftermarket support of parts and repair.
In those tranformer type, maybe you have to take a switch apart and clean it, maybe replace a big diode or capaciter.


The inverter welders, especially the offbrand/offshore ones are unreliable
Even the name brand inverters are expensive repairs when you have to buy replacement electronic boards at $1,000 or more a pop


I can't afford to spend $1,000 on something that fails and is unrepairable
 
Picked up the Miller today guys. Planning on firing it up and welding a hand sanding fixture and a 90 degree work rest for my disc grinder.
 
Have you welded before? You might want to do a pad or two before trying something important.
 
I've just welded a wee bit years ago so I do pan on burning up electrodes practicing on scrap I have lying around. Then at the minimum there is the angle grinder to hide my shame heh :)
 
Maelstrom78 said:
From what I read the new inverter welders are superior. New tech drives improvements. But for a hobby guy like me a whiz bang welder would be like buying really really expensive golf clubs. I wouldn't be in a position to really use it to the fullest anyway.

My .02
Click to expand...

The newer machines make welding easier. What used to take more hand eye coordination, can be controlled with machine settings. I learned and taught on the Miller Thunderbolts, and my facility still has 3. Check Miller to be sure the DC works correctly, one "small" circuit board on them is what wears out, and it's $300 for a new one. Strike an arc with both AC and DC to check. Good luck sir!
 
Thanks! I burned up quite a bit of 7018 EP this weekend so I know the DC works. Haven't tried the AC yet but I will maybe tonight! My project list so far:

Rotating knife vice for hand sanding and handle finishing
Hand Sanding Jig with bolts underneath (Wheeler style-you have a style!)
90 degree work rest for the small wheel in the horizontal position to get those inside curves without the "waves".
Clamping addition to the current work rest for the flat platen to extend some "ears" behind the belt face so I can utilize the work rest (90% I do freehand) on occasion without having the tip drop between the rest and the belt.
 
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