Mobile welding setup question

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In the near future I will be setting up a mobile welding trailer and have a couple questions. The two options I am considering is 1. having separate setups (mig, tig) powered by a separate generator. 2. getting an engine driven multi process mig and tig. What are some of the pros and cons of these 2 setups? I think option 1 would be good for mobility with the welders on wheels and I could get machines that I feel weld great for each process. The only down side I see with this option is losing power with an extension cord. Will it be that much of a power loss? I would like option 2 but I feel like a machine that does both process's might not do one as well as the other or could break and then I am out both mig and tig. With this option I would have to buy the weld cases which I am not very familiar with as well. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Reply:Get a multi process engine drive something like the ranger 250 because it eliminates the need to have 2 machines on the trailer so that means more space for tools and it means less to watch over so you don't have to worry about someone walking away with a machine.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:I plan to mostly mig steel but will probably tig aluminum as well so I would need AC. I'm not very familiar with multi process engine driven machines. I know you buy the suitcase for the mig gun but I have honestly never used the tig function on one. What would you need to get in order to do that? Does it come with a foot control? Where does the argon hook up to the case?
Reply:What Fluxcore said X2! If you lok back on my postings, you'll find I've settled on this config after much trial-and-error and a TON of recommendations by the friends I have here and in the end, the Ranger or the Bobcat is the way to go for a core set-up and then build the extras around it; a compressor, plasma, etc. With the help of Ed Broccoli and Al Killdozered and multiple Daves and everyone else, make your core an engine-driven system. You'll never regret it. As always, JMHO.Last edited by jlames; 10-07-2013 at 10:30 PM.
Reply:jlames and fluxcore hit and  will recomend the same pick up a engine drive red or blue and build around that. Most all of them are mig and tig (dc) capable out of the box with the right suite case or separate portable tig setup with a bottle. If you must have ac weld output shop for a machine with it (ranger gxt). For ideas flip through all the pages here http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...highlight=rigsRanger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Thanks for the advice guys! I think I'm gonna go with the GXT with mig case and then a separate tig set up. More than likely I will be doing my tig in shop anyways. But if I do have to tig in the field what steps could I take to eliminate the power loss from the gen. to machine?
Reply:Going with an engine drive is going to eliminate a whole lot of bs vs using dedicated machines running off a gensetThe engine drives of today ain't my dads old hobart which was DC only and CC only both welder and generator were DCthe new machine are cc and cv and ac genset all in oneI am not going to talk about SMAW since that is a givenYou want FCAW and GMAW you get a wire feeder VS or RC and it plugs in and you go.most have the gas setup built in for GMAW just have to get you gas bottle and a regulator and a hose ..I run a Q300 gun on my 12RC that can take all my TB can put out and it allows me to run GMAW and FCAW . and run both self shielded and dual shield wire.....plus the fact i'm to cheap to buy a dedicated flux core gun..But i did but a heat shield that goes on my glove.. Because that muther can really get hotYou want GTAW you just need a torch a power/gas block and the leads ...this is DC only you will need a converter like the HF251D for hi freq ac..Gas cool only with gas valve on the torch you will need a gas bottle and regulator , hoseProviding your welder has AC output...That was a bad move MillerDrawbacksThe small machines cannot give full output on the generator and the welder at the same timeso running a compressor and a plasma cutter off these  simultaneously will not work same for doing CACThat is the reason that the mid sized trailblazers are popular because the generator and welder are separate..You can get max output from either or both at the same timeAnd if you go the way i went you don't need a separate compressor either i have it all in one unit... expensive ...yes Worth it you betcha   to me anyway...Would i do things different a couple of things I have a 12RC feeder would not get rid of it but i am going to get a VS feeder also and i will find an HF251-D box at a price i can payDon't forget you will want quick couplers on your machine and your cables and what ever you get for attachmentsBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I run a tb251. It is great for most every thing I do, but lacks a little in the aux power department.  A 302 with10,000 watts aux power would run just about anything. That, a set of leads, an LN-25 or miller suitcase, and a manual valve TIG torch will do most anything you could want. Add the miller HF box if you want a/c TIG. Honestly though, I have not used my TIG torch or spool gun in the field in a long time. Almost all work that comes in is steel. Other metals that come up can usually be taken into the shop.