A coworker has an older Miller Maxstar 140 STL for sale that I'm considering purchasing, but don't know anything about welding and want to use it to learn. I'd just use it to learn stick as trying to get gas and **** for TIG and MIG seems like a pain in the ass, plus I don't have a lot of room in my shop for that **** and the 140 is tiny.
I'd actually like the ability to weld aluminum, but this is a DC only machine. I'm fine with that as most of this **** I'd weld would just be general purpose stuff like my lawn mower or other basic repairs, plus I want to make a few things like a brake modification to my 20 ton press. The ability to weld aluminum would be a plus, but not completely necessary for now.
My question is since this machine is old, is it worth $600 and is it powerful enough to do general welding... plus are parts available for these older machines (this one was made in 2002)?
I was also curious that if welders are any different than most other things in that a $1500 welder 20 years ago is lacking the technology and is about as good as a modern $500 machine. That may not be the case.
I also see that Hobart has a Stickmate 160i and 290MVP and 190 MIG welders for under $1k from Tractor Supply. I'm not sure if I should go one of those routes.
I've been wanting a welder for about 25 years, but the more I research them, the more confusing it is. Therefore, I've just never bought one.
I'd actually like the ability to weld aluminum, but this is a DC only machine. I'm fine with that as most of this **** I'd weld would just be general purpose stuff like my lawn mower or other basic repairs, plus I want to make a few things like a brake modification to my 20 ton press. The ability to weld aluminum would be a plus, but not completely necessary for now.
My question is since this machine is old, is it worth $600 and is it powerful enough to do general welding... plus are parts available for these older machines (this one was made in 2002)?
I was also curious that if welders are any different than most other things in that a $1500 welder 20 years ago is lacking the technology and is about as good as a modern $500 machine. That may not be the case.
I also see that Hobart has a Stickmate 160i and 290MVP and 190 MIG welders for under $1k from Tractor Supply. I'm not sure if I should go one of those routes.
I've been wanting a welder for about 25 years, but the more I research them, the more confusing it is. Therefore, I've just never bought one.