I am in need of a welder, primarily for sheet metal currently so, a 300 amp machine is not needed. My desire is for a multiprocess machine. I like Lincoln because, of their position regarding availability of parts and a local dealer is 20 minutes from my home should service be required. It is difficult to state that AC is a necessity because, I do not see aluminum on the horizon but, it makes less sense to forego this additional capability. Can you refer me to a solid used machine in the 180-200 amp rating?I missed an Airco Dip-Stick 160 a few weeks ago and was not happy with myself at the time but, support for this machine may be challenging to obtain.
Reply:AC could be useful if you ever want to mess with oil drilling pipe. The stuff is highly magnetized and having an AC welder can really help.Currently working as a Paralegal, but still interested in hobby welding.Miller Bobcat 225ntOne- Character Fractions: ¼ ½ ¾ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
Reply:The Lincoln PowerMig210MP is a great little starter machine. However I would order it from the dealer with the footswitch module preinstaller.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Multi process, what processes?Tig plus stick?Mig plus plasma?You are talking sheet metal, so let's start there....and you stated you don't foresee the need for A/C, so why ain't we talking 120V gas migs?
Reply:I had a dipstick 160 many years ago. I did not like it very much. Arc quality was not very good on mig or stick. I got it for $200 and sold it for $400 about 6 months later. The new inverters will make you much happier and you will be able to get lift arc or HF start too so you will be able to tig,mig and stick. I am not familiar with what Lincoln offers in multiprocces but there are several good units on the market. You might want to get one with pulse feature since you do a lot of sheet metal. That would cut out a lot of makers though . I have an Everlast MTS250S that works pretty good but it is more than you need. They make an MTS200S and an MTS211ie. That would fit the bill. The Miller multimatic is ok for what you want too. Tweco and victor make one also.
Reply:Sorry, I have been looking at a lot of welder specifications yet, I suspect some are just this. That is, specifications.I think the best combination of processes for me will be AC/DC TIG, Stick and, plasma. I just had to cut off the OE leaf spring mounting brackets to have some floor pan replaced and the plasma would have made removing these much more efficient. Most people I have mentioned my needs to have recommended MIG in view of the convenience of wire feeding and the flux core option. This may be the most convenient method but, I have a friend that is an excellent fabricator and he sold me on TIG years ago. I also (hope) to be able to build an experimental tail dragger in a few years and this will require TIG for the 4130 tube.Now that I have looked at it more, the new Lincoln Square Wave TIG-200 looks better than the 210 MP because, it is currently being offered as a more complete kit. The HTP 201 and 221 look quite good but, I am deviating from multiprocess with these so, I need to assess my needs carefully. I know my car will need more sheet metal replaced in 2016 when the warm weather returns so, I need to plan for this. I even like the Thermal Arc 185. The only Aisian welder that seems to fit into these needs is the Everlast. However, their product literature has also taught me to ask, "What the heck do we really need?" By this I mean, pulsed TIG operation seems to be a sensible need. With regard to my near-term needs to perform sheet metal work I have to openly convey my ignorance in determining what a desirable range of frequencies are needed for this feature. Further, AC and DC pulse...why? Again, revert to what range of frequencies are necessary for a given material and task.The only other off-brand welder I have seen that appears to be robust and meets my needs...actually exceeds them is the Avortec AV5X. Does anyone here know much about these? They are built near me in southeast Michigan so, I was considering contacting them to see if I could visit to become familiar with their products. I learned of them by seeing the AV5X on ebay.Time to get back under the car...Thank you for getting involved in this discussion. More later, after I continue reading about welders and features.
Reply:Originally Posted by RVC60I think the best combination of processes for me will be AC/DC TIG, Stick and, plasma. The only other off-brand welder I have seen that appears to be robust and meets my needs...actually exceeds them is the Avortec AV5X. Does anyone here know much about these? They are built near me in southeast Michigan so, I was considering contacting them to see if I could visit to become familiar with their products. I learned of them by seeing the AV5X on ebay.
Reply:You probably want it to cost $500 or less too. When YOU get back from fantasy land, we will help you select machines that will accomplish this. But no such device exists as you are looking for.How about spending time using the search function as ask these questions have been asked many times instead of wasting everyone else's time and use some of your own instead.Last edited by soutthpaw; 11-09-2015 at 04:21 PM.Tiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:RVC60 - based on your posts, and my personal preference for separate machines, I'd recommend separate: mig, plasma and tig/stick machines.I'd buy the mig and tig/stick first and the plasma as more money was available as almost everything can be done without it.If not needing AC tig for aluminum, then a mig/tig/stick machine - and then a plasma.What is your overall budget?Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
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ecided to pursue separate machines. Thanks Dave. Currently focused on the AC/DC TIG power sources. There is a lot of useful information here and the product offerings are more dense than I anticipated.
Reply:If you have the power to run it, a good older (20 yrs) Miller Shopmaster can do all 3 processes fairly decent and are built like tanks.
