Inverter welder for home use???

[Jock_Jock]

Anybody using an inverter welder for home use. Any recmmendations on what to buy.
Should I steer away from the ebay cheapies even though I'll mnly be using it to learn to weld and some small household jobs.
All opinions greatfully appreciated.
Cheers
Jock

[Grahame Collins]

Jock Jock

You must ask to yourself what are the jobs you can expect to do with your inverter welder.Remember you only get what you pay for. Expect to pay in excess of several hundred dollars for a half decent machine.
Why on earth do you need an inverter welder for? The inverter welder won't make you a better welder or make it much easier to learn the skills needed.

I would not buy anything less than a brand name from a company who makes machines well known to the industry. Even the big name machines can fail and when they do you are up for big bucks to repair them.

For most a small stick welder is all and more that is needed for around the home projects.The school janitor has a little GMC machine and I borrow it for jobs around school as it is light weight and packs a good punch.It will run a 3.25 rod if you don't have it on a long primary lead.

Save your bucks and spend them elsewhere. In industry inverters have not really taken off in the stick weld range of machines.They are limited to specialist work beacause of the high purchase price.

Positives
Can weld on lower amp requirements.
Efficient use of available current - no heat loss
Light weight great for maintainence people

Negatives
Expensive to purchase
Expensive to repair
The squealing noise made during welding - sends me bananas

I hope this helps
Grahame

[Jock_Jock]

Thanks Graeme,
I was considering the cheaper inverter welders from ebay. I have used a mates and it did seem easier to weld with to my limited experience. What seemed to make the biggest difference was the auto darkening helmet. I could actually see what I was doing.
I have access to an old arc welder at school too. Perhaps I should invest in the better helmet and continue building up my skills.

I generally buy the best quality tools that I can but you are making me think that for my needs it might be going overboard.

Thanks for the reality check

Cheers
Jock