Opinions on running .052 dual shield (which machine)

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Firstly my limitation, I only have single phase power in the shop.  But we do have an 800 amp service.  We have been running more and more heavy steel and I need to step up the weld pace.  250 amp machines and .035 solid wire coupled with 5/32" 7018 are not cutting it.  Been debating buying a couple Miller 350P machines and running .052 dual shield with 100% CO2.  Or another machine that may make more sense, which is why I am asking.  The one thing a package machine like that is certainly missing is an auto trigger.  And I would really like to have it.  But the price point of around $3K per is attractive.  Looking at running a feeder with power source is certainly an option, but it needs to fit into my limitation.  Please give me your advice and approximation of what amp requirements the needed circuit will have.  I am thinking it will need to be an 80 amp breaker with #8 wire.  Thanks!Lots of toys.
Reply:What are you running your 7018s off of. Maybe a suitcase feeder? I too am looking to up size was looking at xmt 304 or maybe old 220 volt dial arc power source.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:What are you calling heavy brandon?With the Lincoln PM350 single phase, the 100%DC is 230amp and no 2t/4t trigger, Im not sure of the Miller350 but I imagine it's similar. These are great pulse machines but not a replacement for a NEMA1 300+ amp welding machine (all of them gonna be 3 phase).Thermal Arc and ESAB both build tapped transformer single phase machines with 2t/4t but the 100%DC on each is still in the 200amp range. This is barely enough to get .045 solid happy but should be OK with .052 cored wire but cored wire that size is pricey.If your doing lots of 3/8"+ single pass production your in a kinda tough spot.Matt
Reply:Originally Posted by Matt_MaguireWhat are you calling heavy brandon?With the Lincoln PM350 single phase, the 100%DC is 230amp and no 2t/4t trigger, Im not sure of the Miller350 but I imagine it's similar. These are great pulse machines but not a replacement for a NEMA1 300+ amp welding machine (all of them gonna be 3 phase).Thermal Arc and ESAB both build tapped transformer single phase machines with 2t/4t but the 100%DC on each is still in the 200amp range. This is barely enough to get .045 solid happy but should be OK with .052 cored wire but cored wire that size is pricey.If your doing lots of 3/8"+ single pass production your in a kinda tough spot.Matt
Reply:How close is three phase power to your shop. There are a lot of cheap deltawelds out there. Factor the price savings along with energy savings running them at 460 volts and you start paying for a service real quick. Can run a lot of stuff off a 200 amp 460 panel. We have a 600 amp single phase service that we are  gradually discontinuing. Put in a 800 amp 460 service man motors are cheqaper and last longer. Can sell a used 10 hp single phase and just about buy new three phase. Might be worth checking.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopWhat are you running your 7018s off of. Maybe a suitcase feeder? I too am looking to up size was looking at xmt 304 or maybe old 220 volt dial arc power source.
Reply:If I could find one within driving distance I would buy one usually alot cheaper than the xmtMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopHow close is three phase power to your shop.
Reply:I would price a smaller service. 460 volt no way do you need that much service. Plus in MN over 800 amps you are required to have more grounding etc which increases costs. $60 volt machines will draw 1/2 the amps as a 230 volt plus higher voltages have less line loss and provide beteer arc from what I am told.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:$45,000 is what I'd call a tough spot...Maybe someone is using the Invision as a NEMA1 machine and could drop by and pipe in. I can imagine as mature as Millers inverters are, that it's likely they are efficient enough to go for the long run against a 3 phase transformer. I just don't know myself.With machines like the Delta Weld you expect the machine to run 100% for 8000 hours without ever turning the machine off and not break down. In the real world they get to rest but that's the idea when you build a direct connect production device.It used to be when you had 4 machines running 7/64" or 3/32", producing your own 3 phase power got attractive. That was before de-regulation when demand charges were painful.Matt
Reply:Producing your own power is a thought we did it on our dairy farm for nine months with one generator with no back up power. Shut it off every 10 days change oil and back at it. Gets real old real quick.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopI would price a smaller service. 460 volt no way do you need that much service. Plus in MN over 800 amps you are required to have more grounding etc which increases costs. $60 volt machines will draw 1/2 the amps as a 230 volt plus higher voltages have less line loss and provide beteer arc from what I am told.
Reply:Yeah then you are up against it. Know all to well what its like to be overloaded. Before we started switching to three phase we used to trip our 600 amp main breaker and our stand by generator couldn't handle the load transfer kill a 300 hp diesel generator.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer