Need Advice

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Augh. i have been welding for years for fab shops. i want to start doing side jobs and such, but i want to be able to tig aluminum and ss. i am set on buying a electric machine, but my father keeps trying to talk me into buying a generator/welder so i can go out and do jobs. imo, with a electric/in house machine that tigs and sticks, i can eventually save $ for a portable machine if i choose later. why am i set on buying a syncro 250 or dx rather than a bobcat or trailblazer? can someone tell me the pros and cons please? thank you.
Reply:Long ago, I started with electric and my next machine was gas / portable. That worked for me. But again..... every welder is different. Get what "works" for you.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:It depends on what kind of work you want to do.I mainly Tigged & Migged at my jobs before I started my own shop, so it was a lot easier grabbing sub-work from some of my old employers when I started.*Another reason that you don't burn bridges at jobs!I only had a syncro 250, & a lincoln wirematic 255 for the first 5 years that I was in business.For starting out it was a lot cheaper than setting up a welding truck.And a whole 2nd set of tools to go along with it...And a lot more $$ for insurance..But...Having a portable machine has opened up a whole new world of business to me.  (It literally doubled my business income in the first year that I had it)Good luck in your endeavor, which ever way you go!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Originally Posted by hobohiltonLong ago, I started with electric and my next machine was gas / portable. That worked for me. But again..... every welder is different. Get what "works" for you.
Reply:Look at it this way. You can use an engine driven machine in the shop at home (machine outside leads inside) but you can't use an electric machine in the middle of a corn field.
Reply:I payed my ac/dc tig apparatus in about one year from walk-ins with small aluminium jobs..--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:bang for your buck simple as that. The mobile unit is going to be WAY more versitile than an in home unit.So you need to ask yourself, Do you want to start the race with a tricycle or a blown V8?Business is all about the most bang for your buck. Thats why you buy industrial equipment. Sure you could find something cheaper, but it wouldn't last as long which means in the end you're either looking at a wash or more than likely more money because not only are you buying two things, but you've got to take the time and energy to get it again, or upgrade to the one you should have bought in the first place. It sounds to me like you want to save some money on your machine to be able to use it for other things. Like play. And there is nothing wrong with that, but on a business standpoint it's the wrong way to go about it. work hard now, play hard later. You'll be far ahead of the curve if you do.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger