Competitive comparison ?

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I am looking for a good MIG welder. Although my primary interest here is the MIG operation (to accompany a TIG welder already on the floor) I am interested in the future use (stick) and portability of a multi-process unit. Can any one offer any advice or opinion between these two welding units as far as a better all around machine/investment, particularly as a MIG welder?…Miller XMT 304 (cc/cv) with 22A wire feeder, OR the Lincoln Power MIG 350MP.I’m more familiar with Miller products and attracted to the portability of an inverter, but the Power MIG looks like a quite the MIG welder. Thank you for any input.- JR SmithLast edited by smithjr; 05-15-2006 at 11:19 PM.
Reply:I have a 304 with a 22A. Its a great mig welder. If I take the 22A off the 304, and pop it onto my old Regency power supply, the quality of the weld is noticeably worse. The inverter just welds very nicely.I also use the 304 for tig, and stick. We use it on job sites for scratch start tig, as it automatically adjusts to any voltage, and is light and easy to move around.So for a good all around shop welder, it does everything well.But a power mig is a specialised mig, with mig features the 304 doesnt have. If I was going to be running it Mig, all day every day, I might go for the Powermig.If I wanted max versatility, 304.
Reply:Quick question, if you have a tig why bother with a multipurpose machine?   Reason,  a tig machine is the same power source as a stick, just a high tech version.   Kinda like using a cadillac to buy go to the post office to mail a letter.  So I guess what IM saying is, you can stick from you tig, just buy a stinger and the leads.  If you get them long enough, more money, but cheaper than the machine youre speaking of, you can carry them leads out a good distance.  Now the catch here is you gotta buy them leads with the multipurpose machien too.  Just a thought.  After this do you still want the multiprocess?IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Yes, I’m well aware that the TIG welder is a Stick Arc welder (same electrics) and I have leads and stinger all rolled up with the welder ready for stick operation, and use it for both. Primarily for precision TIG welds, and intend to keep this unit well maintained on the shop floor. Thus, I’m investigating the idea of a portable inverter to take on site for MIG, stick, even TIG operations. However I presently do not intend to be doing too much “on-site” jobs. The welder will primarily be used for MIG in the shop, but I guess I’m looking down the road towards possible uses and needs. I’m actually an artist/sculptor, working some site-specific ideas and also experienced in fine functional works such as gates, railings, screens, and such which is nice to have a portable unit for installation. (nice but not always absolutely necessary) So if I’m looking at Multi-process but primarily leaning on MIG process for it, should I get the Power MIG for best mig results? I could also just get a millermatic to meet my immediate in-shop needs and save the money, but thought that I would entertain the debate between multi-process units to see if I could convince (or un-convince) myself to invest more on a machine now with more applications in the future. And the inverter portability could be very helpful in the future, but expensive now.
Reply:Couple things to consider, the XMT is a multi voltage single or three phase unit, the Powermig 350MP is single phase only, but has the ability to pulse. The XMT can also pulse, but you have to add the optional Optima control. (about $1,000) If portability is important to you consider the XMT @ 80 lbs. Versus the 350MP at about 250 lbs. Would you ever want the ability to run a push-pull gun for aluminum? If so consider the 350MP push-pull unit and add the Python gun, then you can always change the unit back to the regular gun for steel. Adding push-pull to an XMT is more costly, due to having to purchase the seperate push pull feeder. Then again if you wanted to get by spending less, you can add a 1# spool gun to both units if you need to do aluminum. Sorry to throw all these options at you, but I sell this stuff for a living, and always make a point to ask every customer what he's doing know and what he sees himself doing in the future because if a guy is going to part with about 5 grand, I'm going to make damned sure he gets exactly what he needs to do the job, yet have the ability to expand down the road without having to lay out a few grand more for another machine. Both units are excellant machines built by reputable companies, you just need to pick the one that best fits your needs. Good Luck, and let us know how you come out.
Reply:I personally like the option of engine drive.  But this causes problems.   But the XMT is a good machine.   Very goodThe pipe pro 304 is an xmt with a diesel motor behind itIF it Catches...Let it Burn