Portable set up suggestions

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Lookin into setting up a portable repair/fab set up. I'm currently working within a 10 to 12k budget. I'm 24 and currently I work a normal full time job welding strictly aluminum mig and tig but have also held jobs with all other processes. Just lookin to start something on the side. Looking for advice on what would be the best portable set up. I would like to be able to do all processes out of my truck. So essentially I'd like to spend 5 to 6 k on the welder. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Reply:Nice idea. What thicknesses metals are you looking to weld. Are you leaning to engine drive welder or generator/welder rig. A member YorkiePap here does portable work from his trailer using a Generac 8000 watt generater to drive his equipment.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:Originally Posted by shovelonNice idea. What thicknesses metals are you looking to weld. Are you leaning to engine drive welder or generator/welder rig. A member YorkiePap here does portable work from his trailer using a Generac 8000 watt generater to drive his equipment.
Reply:Lincoln ranger 250gxt is the way I am gonna go when I buy a new engine drive
Reply:Miller Trailblazer 302. With the 14 pin plug you can use any auxilliary equipment they make like suitcase mig, spool gun, remote amperage and high freq unit. Also the weldor generator and aux electric are separate so welding and grinding can be done at the same time. It is an awesome machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by fab_man21Lincoln ranger 250gxt is the way I am gonna go when I buy a new engine drive
Reply:Here is what I am running so far. I have the Miller 302 EFI with a 3 in 1 Thermal Dynamics 252i for DC tig,Mig and Stick. Thermal Dynamics Pack 52 plasma, Quincy 200 psi compressor with a 11 hp Kohler motor. Chop saw,  a Oxy/Acetylene torch setup. Works for me so far as portability and at home as well. Also have a 30a Miller spool gun that I can run steel, aluminum,and SS wire. Great addition to doing GMAW and quick to change for different materials in the field.GalenMiller TrailBlazer 302 EFIThermal Dynamics 252i w/WeldCraft WP 9F tig torch and foot controlThermal Dynamics Pak 52Millermatic 250 w/Spoolmate 30aLincoln SA-200 gas driven welder from grandfatherBlacksmith shop
Reply:Originally Posted by OUTBACK FORGEHere is what I am running so far. I have the Miller 302 EFI with a 3 in 1 Thermal Dynamics 252i for DC tig,Mig and Stick. Thermal Dynamics Pack 52 plasma, Quincy 200 psi compressor with a 11 hp Kohler motor. Chop saw,  a Oxy/Acetylene torch setup. Works for me so far as portability and at home as well. Also have a 30a Miller spool gun that I can run steel, aluminum,and SS wire. Great addition to doing GMAW and quick to change for different materials in the field.
Reply:Yes it will with a HF-251D-1 High-Frequency Arc Starter and Stabilizer from Miller. So far I havent needed this as I have Aluminum on my spool gun. Another accessory down the road.GalenMiller TrailBlazer 302 EFIThermal Dynamics 252i w/WeldCraft WP 9F tig torch and foot controlThermal Dynamics Pak 52Millermatic 250 w/Spoolmate 30aLincoln SA-200 gas driven welder from grandfatherBlacksmith shop
Reply:Is anybody familiar with the shopmaster 300's? Considering a shopmaster and generator set up. I'm aware that I'd have to run a high freq box  to get that set up running aluminum tig efficiently. Any thoughts on the shopmaster?
Reply:Originally Posted by JlathigeeIs anybody familiar with the shopmaster 300's? Considering a shopmaster and generator set up. I'm aware that I'd have to run a high freq box  to get that set up running aluminum tig efficiently. Any thoughts on the shopmaster?
Reply:All I know about the gxt is what I have found on the net.  I plan on buying the machine and a spool gun setup first. I have a t/b 251 now and have never needed to tig ALU in the field.  I want the spool gun for ALU,and steel. That saves me money on a ln25. Then I can figure out what I need more a ln25 or a gig module.  I can do all my mig with spool gun.  All moast all of my work is rebuilding the insides of concrete mixers
Reply:Leaning toward a Miller 302 trailblazer, suitcase feeder, cooler and high freq box. That should get me stick, mig (steel), and tig all metals. Sound right to the 302 owners? I'm most focused on being able to tig aluminum, that will be the bulk of my side jobs around here. And no one does it at the few repair shops we have
Reply:sounds good to me!the tb302 is a cool machine for the money, jack-of-all trades. I have never run hi-freq off of it, but everything else performs well. its a solid platform that will make you happy.oops, almost forgot to throw a shriek and a 2 handed snare whack at you! nice avatarLast edited by 92dlxman; 05-03-2014 at 01:57 PM.bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Originally Posted by 92dlxmansounds good to me!the tb302 is a cool machine for the money, jack-of-all trades. I have never run hi-freq off of it, but everything else performs well. its a solid platform that will make you happy.oops, almost forgot to throw a shriek and a 2 handed snare whack at you! nice avatar
Reply:about the shopmaster  i have  one in shop  works  great,,,,,,,  but u need a 100 amp  breaker,,,that  anit  happin  in the  back of your  truck
Reply:What about running a dynasty off the 220 plug on the tb? What's the price on the hf box vs an actual tig machine
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69What about running a dynasty off the 220 plug on the tb? What's the price on the hf box vs an actual tig machine
Reply:The HF unit is definitely less money than a standalone TIG machine but if you get mobile work that is indoors with a power supply, you can also set up shop and not need to run the generator for no reason. I run a trailblazer and then my Dynasty off of that for majority of my mobile TIG work. If it isn't TIG then I use a Miller suitcase xtreme 12vs off of the Trailblazer. Obviously, standard SMAW is the go-to for a quick repair since it's the easiest to set up and just burn some rod without having to worry about dragging out unnecessary equipment.Trailblazer 251Dynasty 200DXSuitcase Xtreme 12vsCarolina HV-12Old Delta drill pressVictor and (old) Craftsman torchesMobile work out of a trailer... Still acquiring my fabrication arsenal.
Reply:Originally Posted by First-Due-MobileThe HF unit is definitely less money than a standalone TIG machine but if you get mobile work that is indoors with a power supply, you can also set up shop and not need to run the generator for no reason. I run a trailblazer and then my Dynasty off of that for majority of my mobile TIG work. If it isn't TIG then I use a Miller suitcase xtreme 12vs off of the Trailblazer. Obviously, standard SMAW is the go-to for a quick repair since it's the easiest to set up and just burn some rod without having to worry about dragging out unnecessary equipment.