1000 amp AC/DC Sub Arc

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We have recently overhauled a newer Sub-Arc we have with two Lincoln 1000 amp machines like this.Has any of you on here had any experience with these machines? How popular are they? We do a lot of inconel overlay on this machine.
Reply:Not those Tigwldr, are you welding with wire or strip?MattBtw; did you get that other sub-arc issue figured out?
Reply:No matt, Other issue is not fixxed yet. Lincoln has been in and the stuff we were sent was worse than what we had.We are welding with of all things .045 wire. Its not doing very well with it either. Its beginning to be a real headache so far.
Reply:Sorry to hear that, maybe you should fire them... It wouldn't take me a second to call ESAB (they do sub-arc too) in that case.045? How many torches?Matt
Reply:Well, We did more testing with 1/16 wire. We are using 622 inconel and we have to keep the iron dilution to a max of 12.5The 1/16 wire ran alot better.We have tried ESAB. The ESAB Factory is actually only about 60 or so miles from us. We just didn't like there machines. I guess it was personal preference. Kind of like the guy that has bought and dealt with ford all of his life and now you tell him he has to buy a Kia or something. What don't you like about the 1000 amp machines?
Reply:Im sorry Tigwldr, you asked for experience with the modern 1000 ac/dc and I don't have any.I was about to post up that if you are having trouble with ANY DC SUB-ARC try a SA400 or SAE900 lincoln welder to take the power supply out of the loop (diesel SA400's are stinky, SAE 900/1200's are hard to find). After the power supply is eliminated then you need help.All transformer and rectified power supplies try to mimic the characteristics of the Lincoln SA's (drooping volts to a point then amps up until you stall or thermal the machine). The Lincoln sheild arcs still can give the lowest loss of chemistry with the right operators, and the last I knew computers weren't helping.I have never met (been some time back) a rep that given a chance at selling flux, wire and consumables NOW, and maybe a FUTURE machine that wouldn't jump at the chance to sell. If I have reason to think they like my competitor, I'll go to their competitor, the job is getting done, over their back if need be(no bribes, no golf clubs, no vacations!)!I have experience with older Hobart's, Linde's and Lincoln's(SA, SAE and transformer) and opinions on each but as far as poor performance experience goes, the power supply never was the problem, it was always something else...As for AC sub arc experience I have only one, a 2" section Z channel full pen weld that was different and I'm still not sure what was going on and why it worked (very narrow fusion zone). Somebody else figured out the process/parameters...Matt
Reply:Looks expensive to run.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Now I reviewed your post and was kinda stuck on your last problem. Sorry!12.5 is double the iron for 622/25 are you running two torches? If not I'm not sure that can be done, it may be close with 1/16 at 175/190amps but the wire would be way below parameter and a section might be ugly.Matt
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterLooks expensive to run.....zap!
Reply:We are running two machines and one head on each machine. Its a dual head machine but two head aren't welding in the same groove. It welds in two different grooves at the same time.The Iron usually ran around 5-7 when we ran the job in the winter. 12.5 is the max it can be. We have to keep chrome above 19.5 and tungsten above 3. We are in the process now of changing out all the liners and stuff to run 5/64 wire. I feel we will have a better running machine... not burning as many tips and such with the bigger wire.