Mig welder for bobcat 225 10kw

admin

Have been looking into getting a mig welder for my bobcat 225. I do welding /climbing for a cell tower modification company. I mainly use there own equipment in the field with the head welder, however sometimes they ask me to weld some parts up for projects while our head welder is out in the field welding. This means i get some extra money for welding with my equipment (100 a day) plus my hourly rate. A few times i have used 7018 stick but would like to get a cleaner weld and faster weld. I do alot more climbing and cell tower technician work these days then welding so im a bit rusty. I have been looking on craigslist and found severallincoln 220v 175 migs for $400 which i think will do 3/8 w fluxcore .i was also looking at the hobart 190 or even 210 mvp.Ilike 220v migs instead of suitcase god forbid my generator **** the bed or even the possibility to use my companies inhouse power @ warehouse instead of my truck and welder.Is there a huge difference between say lincoln 175 v hobart 190 or 210? I would be running fluxcore , lincoln advertises 5/16 gas shielded up to 1/2 fluxcore, hobart advertised 3/8 pen with gas shielded. Obviously its running 35 amps more between 175 lin and 210 hobart.  Just wondering if its worth buying a new 210 mvp  for 900 at tractor supply!
Reply:You wouldn't prefer a suitcase because . . .??MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by johnnyfirebluetorchIlike 220v migs instead of suitcase god forbid my generator **** the bed or even the possibility to use my companies inhouse power @ warehouse instead of my truck and welder.
Reply:OK.  I understand now that I slowed down and re-read his statement.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I do not have a 14 pin on my machine .  Can i use a miller 8vs or 12 vs with my machine? I  thinkthe 8vs is sufficient for the 225 not sure though. I was steering towards the 220v migs because i wouldnt have to run my generator or put more wear on my machine, but maybe i am better off with the suitcase in the end and forking over the money now. Weight is not so much a concern most tower work if i ever used it on the tower we use capstan winches to lift heavy things w a rope winch.
Reply:Yes the 8vs or 12 vs will work with the Bobcat. The RC type feeders are the ones that need the 14 pin connector. The real difference in the 8VS/12VS feeders is how big a spool they will take, with the exception that I think the 12 VS will take larger wire.Other options that would work are the LN25, Hobart Hefty and the older Miller Super S32P suitcase feeder. I'm not 100% sure the Hobart and the Ln25 always come with a contactor. If not they would be hot guns all the time. My Super S32P does have the contactor.  It's only hot when you pull the trigger. It's basically the older version of the 8/12 vs feeders Miller sells now. You should be able to find a nice used VS feeder in the $500-800 range. Note that some feeders with the S32 designation like the newer Miller S32S are shop type VS feeders not suitcase feeders. they will work just the same, but aren't really designed for field use.A quick look at Sutton Garden shows they have 12VS feeders used for $750-1600 depending on age and condition. Note they also have an S32P 12 for $600. That's the older version of the 12VS feeder. http://suttongarten.thomasnet-naviga...ing-equipment?I hear you on not wanting to run the Bobcat all the time and burn up the hours for no reason. Unfortunately you will have to make a choice. Do you want/need the extra power and duty cycle of a suitcase feeder at the expense of using the Bobcat full time, or can you make do with the lighter duty cycle and power of  one of the smaller shop migs like the MM180 and MM211 and their Lincoln/Hobart counterparts. That's a part of this we can't answer all that well. Only you really know how much shop vs tower work you will be doing and what sort of materials you normally need to do and how much you do at one time. I could make arguments on both sides of this as to which is a better choice.Last edited by DSW; 10-02-2011 at 10:59 PM..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:Wow i think i will definitely go with  wire feeder and be much happier that way. Thanks for the advice! You guys are alot of help!