I was contemplating down the road, maybe buying a small welding unit for attachment modification, and repairs. I only have a 115 outlet. Which would be the best affordable rig, and also an adequate unit?

I did do some welding way back in high school Arc and Acetylene torch, but that is pretty much the extent of my knowledge.

I'm sure this isn't "the best" for an experienced welder, but I'm seriously considering one of these:

Hobart 125EZ Flux-Core Wire-Feed

I'm not a welder, but these are designed for the total novice.  Note that there's a $40 rebate good through 6/30/06, Northern has cut the price by $10, and offering free shipping.  At $300, delivered to your home, with a 5/3/1 warranty on a brand name product, that sounds like  a pretty good deal.  It will only weld 3/8" mild steel, but that's likely all I'd ever need....

Must be selling pretty well (it's an introductory Father's Day promotion) since Northern has them backordered 3-8 days.

Looks like a pretty good system for the price.  I'm slightly disappointed it can't use sheilding gas instead of dedicated flux core, but not having a gas cylinder to keep full is one less thing to worry about too.

I have the oxy-acetylene and an old buzz box.  The former is really too slow for welding (though does nice work if patient), but is so versatile (brazing, heating, cutting) I'd call that the indispensable welding tool.  Of course, then I use the old AC for heavy welds, which also does fine [if I keep my rods dry and my skills a bit polished  ].

Actually it says 3/16 mild steel, but still looks like a nice unit considering my skills are also about 0. I’ll have to book mark this one. Thanks for the link.

Spiffy, what do you think of this unit? Comes with a solenoid valve for use with gas shielding. Will weld a thicker gauge steel.  

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200127024_200127024

Don't take too much stock in my opinion [my welding skills would barely qualify as hobiest  ], but depends upon what you want to accomplish.

Looks like the two are the same capacity (even if the write up looks slighty different than the description on the MIG capable).  Since the MIG (over flux core) will do sheet metal cleaner [and I have the buzz box for heavy stuff], I wouldn't want a wire feed without gas capability.  But they do get you on initial price, and then again when buying the gas kit.   I guess it comes back to what you want to accomplish.

If you're working on a wide variety of things, especially those like the PT where 1/4" steel is common, I'd still be inclined to go "old school":  Spend $200 on a good Oxy torch (unless perhaps tank rental or purchase is nasty in your area) - I'm partial to the Smith torches [who also labels torches for Hobart], but then they happen to be made in South Dakota, so I might be biased - actually I have a Harris, but do like the FIL's, and other Smiths I've used, better.  Then pick up a used buzz box for under $100 for heavy welding (1/16 and thicker).  But that means more techniques to keep sharp, not  to mention stick welding having a tricker learning curve than MIG.  Then you can buy a MIG later, and have even more skills to keep sharp!

Best I can say is that if you never plan on buying the upgrade, I wouldn't spend the extra for MIG capable.

Thanks, sounds like good advice. Gives me something to think about, and add to my long long long list of things the get for the inexpensive base model PT I just bought.    

I've been going back and forth on this issue for quite a while -- go with a 110V that's easier to use or go with a 220V DC "buzzbox/tombstone" welder that's much more difficult to use (as I understand)...

So far, I've done nothing -- but I just can't rationalize several hundred dollars for a welder right now. 

I have neither the time nor skill to build enough things to justify that expense.  That's why I've been leaning toward a smaller 110V that's pretty quickly mastered.  Then, should I need to weld something heavy, I could tack the pieces in place and take it to someone with both more skill and a bigger welder...

IMHO, a good old buzz box is easier to get results (I didn't say master, but I really don't know there - partially because that term would be well out of my leage   than a 110 wire feed.  If it's 110 it'll likely be pushing it's limits after 1/8" and without MIG [MIG - as opposed to flux core] and I like the MIG for thin stuff  (so very limited range; of course, a skilled welder - or perhaps anyone, but me - can probably extend both directions vastly). 

Finally, for some reason the real cheapo ones frustrate me: finicky wire, trigger, arc starting, or something it seems everytime.  Could easily be just me though.   For some reason I never break anything normal: it just has to be stainless, or cast iron, or aluminum, or hard to get too, or really thick, or really thin......

If I could only have one [barring $$$$ multitasking units], a good torch set up, to me, seems obvious: weld, braze, heat, or cut.  I'd compement that with a buzz box (but if you stumble across a good $50 used one, just as well grab it first  .  Then I'd save for a really nice MIG - actually, I'm using the former two and planning to someday get a nice multitasking: MIG, AC/DC, TIG, SAW......more power!!!!!, but I use the FILs little MIG [I think somewhat like the one posted here earlier - not too bad a unit] for thin stuff so I can wait longer.

Of course, if you find a really good deal on a MIG, go with that first!

3/8 instead of 3/16.   I thought your earlier post was just a typo.

Sounds like you have the right idea keeping your eyes open though.  Maybe you'll find a good AC/DC; maybe get a great deal on a really nice MIG, or maybe you'll get a torch set or old AC buzz box really cheap. 

I haven't had much internet time lately; looks like the latest post was this one on welders....everyone else busy &/or outdoors too?

A wide tangent, but posting here just to show I take my own medicine sometimes [i.e. whether it's the cheaper or more expensive tool, get the right tool for the job] - and, this being the third time I've typed about it, perhaps I just like everyone to know I must be nuts.

Anyway, needed new chainsaw: too much little stuff for the little saw at the farm, and stuff a little too big for my Craftsman (AKA Poulan Pro 295).

A Stihl 290 would have worked and the 390 would have been a good choice, but the dealer noted the power weight ratio of the 361 and low vibration would be money well spent over the 390.

While I kept looking at the 361 and trying to figure out why I'd ever spend over $500 on a saw, I also imagined all the tasks the MS200 (straight, not the 200T) would be soo much better at; but really thinking I'd be nuts to spend over $500 on a 35cc saw.

Getting to the point, I couldn't justify either, especially since I wasn't even sure which I really needed worse.  So, I bought both ["justified" it because I got a decent discount that way, but still 4X what I planned to spend].  24" and 16"

On the positive, I took the 200 out back (the dealer has test logs; and I didn't test either until I had things figured out - knowing I wouldn't be able to resist the Song of the Sirens if I tested one) and while it impressed me [believe it or not, even more than the 361 - though certainly not interchangeable], my wife fell in love with it (previously hated chainsaws, and did all her trimming with a big hand clipper)!  She wants to do the small stuff herself now.    His&Hers chainsaws.  

And I really do think I'll never need to buy a chainsaw again.  Might still be nuts though.