Welding machine recommendation

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Hello, combo welder out of Florida here with a question for whoever can answer it. Any recommendations for a cheap welding machine for the house that I can practice for tests on. Most often 6 inch schedule 80 or smaller carbon and stainless steel. Usually Tig/stick combo on carbon and tig all the way on stainless. Maybe a Miller Maxstar 150? Any help is appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:The Maxstar is a good little unit, but I would seriously look at the Victor Technology's Fabricators line. I think they list them now under Tweco Fabricator 141i. They are a good little unit and give you all the options, GTAW, SMAW and GMAW. You should be able to pick these units up new, cheaper than the Maxstar. I have 2 of the Tweco 252's in my welding school, along with the rest of the equipment being Miller. For training and welding purposes, the 252i's  perform flawlessly.
Reply:Maxstar 150's are really nice machines. However it does have one down side that's common to many small inverter stick units. It doesn't run 6010 in whip and pause well. The electronics in most inexpensive to mid priced inverters aren't optimized to run 6010 well when you keep changing the arc length. They'll run them OK if you are used to maintaining a consistent arc length with 6010, but not if you whip and pause. The more expensive Maxstar 200's and Dynasty 200's are designed to run 6010's though. I'm not 100% sure if this is still true with the newer Maxstar 150's though. Miller used to specifically not recommend the 150's for 6010 use, but I don't see that mentioned any longer in their lit.If possible, I'd see if you can't demo the unit 1st if you need to run 6010 a lot. That way you know and understand whether it's going to work the way you want it to. Most LWS can make arrangements thru their local Miller rep to get a demo machine out to the shop for you to try if you are serious.Also remember the Maxstar 150S is pretty much designed as a stick unit. The 150STL and 150STH models are stick/tig units.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Wouldn't need to use a 6010. Just Tig and 3/32 7018 mostly Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:Before we recommend a machine how much are you willing to spend? whats your power input at your home?Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Opinion_ation. Keep it simple. Get a Lincoln Square wave.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:What part of Florida are you in? I've got a Maxstar150STL you can test out if you are near Jacksonville.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I would like something that would just run off a 220 outlet. Something that wouldn't have any trouble running on schedule 80 pipe , max about 125 amps. Somewhere in the $1,000 price range would be ideal.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:I'm in Panama City man thanks for the offer though .Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:Both ESAB and TA make a 161 model.  Both are less expensive than Miller and very good machines.  I believe TA changed their product line.  The TA161 with tig is around $700 all setup IIRC.  I think the ESAB is cheaper.  Check them out as an option.  A Maxstar is ALWAYS gonna trump them in resale value though.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:what size 220 volt outlet? 30 amp or 50 amp? if I were you I would buy a thermal arc fabricator 181 but then again its easy for me to tell you how to spend your money.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Did you take a minute and google the Tweco 141i? They have decent ratings and you get ALLOT for the buck. I have Millermatics 252s, Miller Syncrowave 250, and Miller Maxstar 200DX's at my training center, along with a Tweco 252i, and the Tweco works just as good as my other equipment. I paid the same price for a Miller 252 as I did for the Tweco 252. The Miller 252 is for GMAW/FCAW only, being a constant voltage powersource. The Tweco I can do GMAW/FCAW/SMAW and GTAW. Worth taking a look at and reading about especially for using to tinker around with.
Reply:If you are willing to consider a used machine, you may want to look at the Miller CST280 and the Lincoln V275S. these are professional grade welders with very good stick performance as well as lift-start TIG. You should be able to find decent ones within your price range.Also, in addition to the 161 that DRF255 mentioned, the Thermal Arc 201 TS seems very nice. It has HF start for TIG and adjustable arc force for stick and is designed to run 6010's. More $$ but a more versatile machine.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps