I would love to have one of the portable band saws, Back when I was doing
chain link fences that was high on my wish list.
> I sense a prejudice in Don towards the Lincoln stick-welder.
Only because they are so common therefore can be had cheap, new, used, and
maybe even free, and are a decent welder. The only thing I have against
wire feed is the cost, a good one is about twice the Lincoln. Other than
that a novice can lay a very good bead with a wire feed.
My stick welder is a very old Marquette as sold by NAPA many years ago. It
is a good AC welder and has a 30% duty cycle. I had an even older General
Electric shipboard stick welder. Weighed a ton and did not know what abuse
was. I am trying to remember why I no longer have that welder.
I do have a Hobart wire feed. I like working with it and it does not need a
220 outlet.
As for skill, I grew up welding on the farm and my uncle operated a welding
and Diesel repair shop but it has been many years since I have welded. All
my stuff is in storage waiting for me to get another shop.