i would stay away from any wire feed that you cannot add gas to. that flux core ***** sucks. when i got my wirefeed i used flux core for a month, when i got the gas i put that crap away for an emergency. what are you trying to weld?

omegaman, next time you plan on welding with 7018 try throwin the rod in an oven for a while. the flux on the 7018 rod soaks up alot of moisture compared to all the others. heating it will dry them and make them easier to start. ever notice a still hot rod restarts easier than a new "cool" rod?

i have never tig welded but i hope to somday. i prefer my wire feed because i can rest my hands on somthing while i weld where as with stick i cannot. since i have athsma i take medicine for it and that causes me to be shakey(reason i prefer the mig over stick) somedays at work i can weld no problem and somedays i have to have somone else do it for me.

vwbuge, i would stay away from a cheap machine if you want to learn to weld. if you are looking to spend very little i would advise you to go with a lincoln stick welder. they are cheap and are of good quality.

*edit*
i just noticed what you are planning to do with it. i would still recommend against a flux core only machine

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