only one....

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Ok.....; If you had to pick just one welder, that could do it all, including aluminum, Molly, stainless, thick and thin etc, etc, which welder would you chose? and why? You can chose either engine or plug in. Not trying to start a brand war, but I am thinking about getting one that can do as much as possible, so I don't have to buy several machines. I have never tig welded, but really want to, I also haven't welded professionally for years, and haven't even used my little 135 plus all that much, although I love it. I would like to get back into it and have some fun. The last thing that I want is arc gouging capability when needed. Thanks!Daryle.
Reply:Is this a trick question?    Can't do it.  Need a bunch of welders like a woman needs 50 pair of shoes.  Each one shines in its own application. DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:You're asking an awful lot from one machine!Both Lincoln and ESAB make multi-process welders that would meet your requirements, except neither offers AC tig for aluminum.  Your only alternative might be an AC\DC engine drive for stick, add a suitcase wire feeder LN-25 for mig, and a hi-freq box for tig.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:I'd get myself a Zapster. Bob RosenbaumFormer PublisherPenton's WELDING Magazine
Reply:This bad boy that we have where i work does it all, there is a wire feed that sits on top not shown in pic  Attached ImagesVictor SuperRanger O/A                                         Solar migLincoln Powermig 140Southbend 9in lathe350# kohlswa anvilMiller Maxstar 150 stl etc....
Reply:Originally Posted by David RIs this a trick question?    Can't do it.  Need a bunch of welders like a woman needs 50 pair of shoes.  Each one shines in its own application. David
Reply:Shoes?  Nah, we just realize that we need to use the right tool for the job.There is no one tool to do it all.  They all have their uses and there are varying amounts of usage 'overlap', but trying to get one tool to do it all is using a lot of compromise.To the man with only a hammer, everything looks like a nail.Use the right tool for the job.If you get the one 'main' multi-process machine, then you would add the wire feeder and then the high frequency TIG box.  That would pretty much cover it all.
Reply:For a guy doing hobby stuff in his garage, a good AC/DC TIG welder is your best bet. You can weld any weldable metal, from thick to very, very thin. TIG welders are very good stick welders too, to handle not-so-clean repairs, and even thicker stuff. MIGs are cool, but the only real advantage I see is time saving.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Dynasty 700
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob at WeldingMagI'd get myself a Zapster.
Reply:This is the exact reason I purchased a couple of Miller Shopmaster 300 AC/DC CC/CV power sources....... MIG ,TIG(DC and AC) SMAW, Carbon Arc Gouging...._________________Chris
Reply:I was gonna say a shopmaster as well.  I don;t think you are gonna get an all in one unit rather a multiprocess power source and add on the equipment like a feeder, high frequency, etc...I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Thanks for the feed back guys! I was thinking about a multi-process, but didn't know that you could add things to it like high freq ( is High freq, the ac part of the machine or is it something different ). Why don't the multi process or engine machines ( at least from Lincoln ) have ac for tig? Is it too hard to design, or just that they want us to buy one of everything to be able to do it all ? Please forgive my ignorance, as I'm pretty green after not doing anything for 17-18 years. Even when I did do it for a living, I worked in a foundry for Joy manufactureing and the machines were already bought and set up, so all I had to do was set the heat and/or feed or flip the gouge switch, so I've never learned much about what features to look for or what combination of machines to hook together to do things well  . I did love those big mig/gouge machines at the foundry though! I will look at the miller 300 as mentioned, but if I have to go with seperate machines, what should be bought to cover things? I just like to buy things once, of the best quality when I can afford it and then have piece of mind that the items should be more than capable and will last a long time. So have at it one more time, if you don't mind, and tell me what combo you would buy to do it all. Thanks again gents for your patience, and sugestions!Daryle.
Reply:For home, how about HTP America Inc.'s MTS 160, M= mig, T= Tig, S= stick?Looks like a nice little machine!
Reply:Is htp their own company, or does someone else make them? Thanks for the sugestion! I do want to have something for home, other than my lincoln 135 plus, but I would like something to do anything that I run across, for myself friends family etc. Maybe if I learn enough, I can do it for a job again and be happy to go to work like I use to! Daryle.
Reply:Lincoln, does have an engine drive with AC output,  It's called the Ranger GXT.  I purchased one to mount on one of my welding trailers for the very reason of being able to hook a high freq box and a foot pedal to it and tig aluminum in the field.  If you want a portable machine to do everything I would recommend the GXT  Granted I will admit I have not welded alot with it since I bought it, (it's on the trailer my helper uses), but the times I have I was very pleased.  The only reason I don't have one on my truck, is because I really need a larger machine for the majority of the work I do.  I am going to be buying a ranger 305G for my truck in the next few months.  good luck on your decision.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:My Miller TB has AC output for Tig....... as well as the Shopmaster. I own 2 Shopmasters and 1 Miller TB....... I can use all of my attachment between any of the machines....... for attachments I have a couple of S22P wire feeders.... and a HF251-D high freq unit for the TIG. Miller doesn't offer the Shopmaster any longer and I don't think they have ever offered a machine(in a single phase unit) that compares to the output of the shopmaster. There maybe something now but last time I checked there wasn't. Then again I keep up on every product that gets introduced. I don't regret everbuying the way I did._________________Chris
Reply:Miller Air Pak.
Reply:I think for the money if I could only buy one welder it would be a MM252, with spool gun.  It will do up to 1/2" Steel, stainless and aluminum.  Now how thin do you need to go?
Reply:If I go with the multi-process, or even seperate machines, what power ranges should I look at for each process? I don't want to buy a ton more tig than I'll use, so here I need your input on how thick of material is actually foolish to tig ( time wise ), when you could mig or stick weld it. What is the thickest material you guys fuse with Tig, mig, etc? I will keep my 135 plus lincoln for the thinner mig tasks, but I am kinda back to square one, as I believe you guys when you say that I need to either buy seperate machines, or multi-process with attachments.Thanks once again gents!Daryle
Reply:Originally Posted by dadIf I go with the multi-process, or even seperate machines, what power ranges should I look at for each process? I don't want to buy a ton more tig than I'll use, so here I need your input on how thick of material is actually foolish to tig ( time wise ), when you could mig or stick weld it. What is the thickest material you guys fuse with Tig, mig, etc? I will keep my 135 plus lincoln for the thinner mig tasks, but I am kinda back to square one, as I believe you guys when you say that I need to either buy seperate machines, or multi-process with attachments.Thanks once again gents!Daryle
Reply:having 300A on hand if you need it is nice  But it comes with a considerably larger price tag than a 200A machine  You can never have to muck power...
Reply:This one gets my vote.  We already know there is no ONE welder.  This one dose most of it.  TIG 5 to 425 amps Lift start.  Hot start 0 to 100% of welding amps. It also has a gas option with a solenoid and hose directly to the - output.  Can also use Hi freq start.5 to 425 welding amps  60% duty cycle at 425 amps, 100% at 300 or 350 amps, TIG or stick.10 to 45 YES forty-five welding volts.  It'll spray with C/25.  No control of the arc, but its got the kahuna's.  It'll weld as good as my SP100 with small wire.Adjustable arc force from smooooth to Crisp for stick.  Separate settings for 6010 and 7018.Adjustable inductance in CV wire and inner shield modes. I can run bare wire on Co2 just like it was C/25.  In inner shield it sort of has a hi freq.  Let go of the trigger and the arc wants to continue.When set to gouge, It sets the OCV to 70 and gouges like crazy and smoooth.  You can burn a hole through 3/8 plate with 6010 like nothing.Stick welds razor blades.....NO AC.Sound like a commercial?Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.