What do you guys think about this welder? I am a newb and have no welding experience, just looking for something to weld up stuff around the house and do an occasional exhaust job...

Link:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920569000P

 

i think they are actually clarke welders? Not really sure and i havent used one. I think you should also look into a lower end lincoln or hobart machine, they both work well and are comparably priced.

 

not sure if its the same model but my buddy had one a while back
it was good for thin ---- like sheet metal
but he said it had problems with something thicker (not sure what or how thick)

 

I read the same thing, and Clarke welders are made in Italy not in China like everything else...

 

I have the lowest end Craftsman flux core and it rules. The only things I don't like about it are the low power (duh it's a cheapass welder) and the arcing without holding the trigger in. If you just graze the wire across anything grounded even without pulling the trigger it'll arc, it can be a pain sometimes. Other than that it's sweet, even after the brass tip melted down on me I guess from being too hot it works. I imagine the higher end Craftsmans are even more badass.

 

Thanks man I am gonna get it! I just gotta make sure it is adjustable on both heat and speed.. The only bad thing is once i started MIG welding I need to buy regulators and line and all that crap...

 

lincoln's at home depot are about the same price.

I've only used lincoln's but they work really good to me.

 

I wouldn't worry about all the expensive gas ---- if you're just getting into welding. Flux can do steel and ----, it's cheap but it's also ugly so cleanup is key. If you're going commercial I'd say learn gas, but for your own private stuff flux that ----. Everything I do is flux even though I've done gas mig before. Flux you can just pick up and go with it.

 

If thats the case is there a point in spending $400 on a welder??

 

More control, higher power, ability to add gas later if needed. My cheapo Craftsman can't have gas added to it. All the gas welding I've done has been on another welder.