Miller Combination machine under the Pro level?
Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:45:52 GMT
We are in the forestry business and, consequently, have our share of welding done. With this in mind, I was recently asked to recommend a combination welder for someone doing sheet steel work and up to about 1/4" mild steel jobs. He also seems keen to [eventually] learn to do some aluminum work. I quickly told him that everyone I know (that takes their welding seriously) has Blue machines in their shop(s), but I also admitted that I don't have a clue when it comes to modern combination machines. If you were running a part-time auto shop, which Miller combination welder would look at? By the way...although this guy has a small shop, he's clearly above the oil/belt change level. He's done several nice frame-up auto restorations that I've seen with my own eyes, and he does have some stick and MIG welding (Daytona/ Lincoln) experience. I just think he's getting tired of having someone else do most of the "visible" welding jobs for him and, more importantly, he wants a machine that will help him get better results. Thanks for your time... I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. - Thomas Jefferson
Reply:Hmmm not really a combination machine out there- assuming you mean Mig and Tig- that will do aluminum.Probably best to buy a good Mig machine and a separate AC/DC tig machine for aluminum tig.A good mig machine will handle the sheet steel, add a Spoolgun and it can handle 1/8" and thicker aluminum. Max thickness depends on power of the machine.What's his budget?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:A Miller XMT 304 with a wire feeder and spool gun will do just about any general purpose welding you'll ever need, sans aluminum TIG. The spool gun will still handle a large variety of aluminum jobs on a general level. It's a very good stick welding machine too. You can get into one used in the $1200-1600 price range on average. A wire feeder can be in the $300 and up range for something decent. Spool gun (Spoolmatic 30A & WC 24 control) can be purchased plug and play for between $500-800 on average for both pieces.As far as AC TIG goes, you're best off buying a dedicated machine for that purpose. There are machines such as the older Miller Shopmaster that would do AC/DC CC/CV, but by the time you put all the accessories on it to do everything you end up with a big, cumbersome contraption that has a lot of limitations as far as the AC TIG end of things goes.Checking CL and places like HGR Surplus can yield good prices on equipment but there are drawbacks to buying from those outlets. Just make sure whatever you buy works and you have the ability to return it if it doesn't.Good luck.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I know we're on a miller forum and I'd be the first one to say blue all the way, but I've recently seen one of the most awesome machines, Arcon, it's a redesign of the powcon and USA made, one model is called the stud horse, well by God.. Lol.. $3900.00 and not sure if it'll weld aluminum but I think one of them did, it looks like it's a real well built machine, made for abuse, the yeti coolers of welders. Now before anyone sets me straight and says I'm way out in left field, this is just my opinion of the machine as I saw the ad, didn't read much but it looks like an old powcon and they're still going after 30 years, I use one daily at work and love it..
Reply:Arcon is a great machine. Updated technology based on SCR inverter design (PowCon)They are all DC machines, but the MIG models will run spool guns. The Stud Horse machines are for stud welding which is sort of like spot welding, only using pins, or studs fused to the base metal. They also manufacture the Iron Horse which is a DC powered DC inverter specifically designed for welding in subway tunnels off the DC energized third rail which powers the trains. It's pretty cool.I would love to get a demo machine, but they're quite expensive. If the price was a little less I would probably already have one.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Very true, stud horse is stud welding, workhorse is the model for $3900.00 what's the deal? They just starting out? I'd love to have any one of these equestrian modeled beauties!
Reply:They have been around for awhile. The price is quite high tho. For that kind of money, I would buy a comparable model made by Miller since they have a nationwide network of service centers and the resale value will be much higher if I decide to liquidate it down the road.They have customers in heavy industry that have no problem paying those kind of retail prices, but for guys like us it's just too much of an expense for a welder. At least for me.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
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