Looking for welder/generator please advise

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I looking for a welder generator any suggestions?  I want something that I can add AC tig capabilities to in some way.  If I'm not mistaken newer welders are capable of adding tig attachments to the welder itself.  About what model year did this start?  I have also seen were some people run a seperate tig welder (like a Dynasty 200 DX) off of the generator power.  What generator output is optimal for this?  Is one of these setups better that the other?  What would be ideal is the ability to use a spool gun as well (for heavier aluminum).  I've also read a little on here about wire feeders too (like suitcase feeders).  Don't know much about them.  I understand I would need a CC/CV machine for all of that but don't much more beyond that.  I do't have much experience w/ engine driven welders.  Our shop has a Hobart Champion I've used a couple of times that's it.  We don't do much out of the shops reach.  I guess what I'm looking for is something I can add AC tig capabilities to when I get a welder and then add gmaw capabilites to later on down the road.  I'm not brand loyal either.  I've used Miller and Lincoln products and like them both.Any advice on the subject?....
Reply:Here's a link from Millers that shows some of what you'd need to do AC tig with an engine drive, and one for the spoolgun.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...ve_ac_tig.htmlhttp://www.millerwelds.com/products/..._spoolgun.htmlThe added accesories are similar for both, except for the fact the TB has the built in contactor for mig and the remote function. As far as suitcase feeders, there are 2 types, the voltage sensing feeders (VS) and the remote feeders (RC). The VS feeders have a built in contactor for machines that don't have one like the bobcat or for CC only machines. On CV they run almost as well as the RC feeders. On CC they have some issues that have been discussed in other threads. An RC feeder is no different than any standard shop feeder, except it's in a more rugged case for transport and portability. You need the machine to be CC/CV and to have a contactor and remote function for an RC (or standard feeder) to work.I'd vote for the Trailblazer over the Bobcat because of the remote function, both with mig and tig. Thats the way I plan to go when I find a nice used one. There are several guys here who run a Bobcat and then run a Dynasty or other inverter for AC tig, and run a Passport or XMT/feeder for mig off the aux power. 10kw is usually enough power (42amps @230v on the older units, IIRC) to run most inverter power sources and mid sized migs..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:In the small machines, your choices for ac/dc/cc/cv/remote are Trailblazer or Ranger.  In the big machines, the Big 40 CC/CV Deluxe or Big Blue Air Pak are your choices.  I don't know of anything in between those extremes in large/small machines that has ac/dc/cc/cv with remote control.   Maybe something from Lincoln, but I know the Vantages don't have ac. Possibly the Big Red 500?  If you drop the ac weld output requirement, there are alot more choices in mid size diesel machines with dc/cc/cv/remote output.  Using a separate inverter tig machine for aluminum is by far a better way to go than running off the weld/gen with only very basic ac tig functions in an hf box.  The new inverters totally blow away that old tech ac tig welding by a million miles.  Using a separate portable inverter also allows you tig anywhere can you go with a 220v ext cord (or 110v if the machine will run on it, for light stainless jobs).   Tigging directly from the engine drive, you're limited to just within 25' of the truck, or whatever the length of the torch is.Some dc/cc/cv/remote mid size diesels to look at are the Miller Pro series (Pro 300, Big Blue 300 Pro, Big Blue 350 Pipe Pro, Big Blue 400 Eco Pro, Pipe Pro 304) and the Lincoln Vantage series (Vantage 300/400/500 compact).You need a constant voltage machine with remote if you want to run a spool gun or remote control feeder, like a Suitcase RC.  You can run a volt-sense feeder, such as an LN25 or Suitcase VS, from a cv/non-remote machine, like a Bobcat.   You can run fluxcore from a constant current only machine, but constant voltage is really what you want if wire is your game.I do just what DSW was talking about.  I have a Bobcat with 10KW genny output and I use that to run my Passport mig, Thermal Arc 185 acdc tig, and the XMT 304 cc/cv for stick and for running the Suitcase RC feeders, spool gun, pulser and controller for aluminum mig, and sometimes for dc tig, if I don't have the TA tig on the truck.  I sometimes stick directly off the Bobcat, but the XMT is a much nicer machine to stick with, so the Bobcat is basicly just a generator to me.I'm looking at quieter, mid size, more powerful diesel engine drives to some day replace my Bobcat with and so far the Pro 300 and the Vantage 400/500 are looking like good choices.  The Pro 300 is much less money than the Vantages and is very quiet and fuel efficient.  The Vantages have higher output for carbon arcing and 3-phase genny power.   I definately want a low rpm quiet diesel, so the high speed diesel Trailblazers and Rangers are out, for me.You say you 'dont do much out of the shop's reach'.  Are you sure need a self generating welding machine??  If you can just plug into shop power, may as well get a shop or portable size machine you can just plug in, instead of running the motor.  If that's the case, there quite a few multi-process shop machines out there.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-22-2010 at 12:21 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op