Pigeon_Droppings2
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As some of you know I've been dabbling with stick welding recently...helped my neighbour build a set of stair rails for example.
The welder I have is a cheap 200A Hyundai machine (bought to give stick welding a go and see if I like it!)...it did the job really well and I was pretty good when I could move the steel to be in the ideal position, but positional stuff I wasn't that great. It could be entirely down to experience but the upside down stuff was particularly difficult...if I kept the arc real short the power would just dropped off (was using 6013 rods)!
What I know for sure is I really like MMA welding....it's an amazing process....a £200 box and some sticks and you are away (well kind of simplifying things but you get the idea!)
So now I know I like the process I'm eyeing up an upgrade. I'd quite like the ability to play with settings (like arc force for example).
Both the Fronius and the Paton allow that....and the Paton has the added benefit (I think) of being able to power a mig process too (I've been eyeing up a 250A mig for quite some time too so have a plan to add a feeder at a later date).
Anybody have any opinions....I'm struggling because these really are 2 very different machines. I'll generally be using max 3.2mm rods...and nothing too fancy either 6013/7018 maybe.
I suspect the Fronius will be very easy to use...anybody using the Paton for MMA work out there...would it be suitable for a beginner?
The question isn't which is the best stick welder...looking for opinions on which I should buy.
The welder I have is a cheap 200A Hyundai machine (bought to give stick welding a go and see if I like it!)...it did the job really well and I was pretty good when I could move the steel to be in the ideal position, but positional stuff I wasn't that great. It could be entirely down to experience but the upside down stuff was particularly difficult...if I kept the arc real short the power would just dropped off (was using 6013 rods)!
What I know for sure is I really like MMA welding....it's an amazing process....a £200 box and some sticks and you are away (well kind of simplifying things but you get the idea!)
So now I know I like the process I'm eyeing up an upgrade. I'd quite like the ability to play with settings (like arc force for example).
Both the Fronius and the Paton allow that....and the Paton has the added benefit (I think) of being able to power a mig process too (I've been eyeing up a 250A mig for quite some time too so have a plan to add a feeder at a later date).
Anybody have any opinions....I'm struggling because these really are 2 very different machines. I'll generally be using max 3.2mm rods...and nothing too fancy either 6013/7018 maybe.
I suspect the Fronius will be very easy to use...anybody using the Paton for MMA work out there...would it be suitable for a beginner?
The question isn't which is the best stick welder...looking for opinions on which I should buy.