What one to buy??

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Am looking into getting a portable welder with the option of using it as a backup generator for the home. You know gotta have a double purpose or the wifey to sign off on it. Here are the ones or the class im looking into. I would like to know some of the ins and outs from you gurus out there. Never owned a self powered machine so this is all new to me. Please any info on durability, longevity, ease of operation, or better ideas on other equipment.Lincoln Ranger 250 GXTLincoln Ranger 305 GHobart Champion EliteMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:The Hobart's not in the same league as the others it's strictly a stick machine. Even a Miller Bobcat's got more options that that.I'm not all that familiar with all the specs on the Lincolns. The Miller Trailblazer 302's got the Lincoln Ranger 250 GXT beat in almost every category I saw. The Lincoln Ranger 305 G has a few points going for it but it's not  an AC tig machine like the Trailblazer 302  or the Ranger 250 GXT.What sorts of welding do you do? Do you need AC tig? CC or CV output? Remote capability?Personally I'm keeping my eyes out for a nice Miller Trailblazer 302 preferably in diesel. I'd probably use it as much as an emergency genset as a welder. With all the storage issues with the new gas blends, I'm hesitant to get an gas aux genset myself. I've had enough issues with bad gas in other small engines, and since gas doesn't keep more than 45 days or so now (recommendations by most small engine mfgs lately) storage for emergency's an issue. This issue kept me from grabbing a nice older used gas TB in December. I've had trouble in the past not being able to get gas to run the small genset when powers been out more than 24 hrs. I usually have 100-250 gal minimum of diesel for the trucks on hand at any time, and push comes to shove I know 2 others with 200+ gal diesel tanks if I need fuel..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:Thanks for the reply DSW, i will most likely use it for a stick welder only. Im not familiar with all the different things those things can do. Im a recreational welder at best. Have a small Hobart wire welder and can weld actually pretty good with it using the chart on what settings to use based on the steel im working with. I want a generator that i can also use for other things, cant justify the $$$ for single use machine. Most all the welding i will be doing with it i can use stick i would think. Building my fence, working on my trail rig, and various other things that around the property. I think the diesel is out of my price range. I dont mind used or a craigslist special but around here there are a lot of people with truck welders and im a little leery because i know how most people use them. I was leaning toward the Lincoln Ranger 250 GXT or Lincoln Ranger 305 G because i simply know they are worth the money. Im not too worried about learning them, my Grand dad and dad both know there way around welders in general real well just not these newer style ones. They are used to the ol pipeliners.
Reply:I was just going to comment on DSW's fuel comment.  The small engine manufactures say that gas is bad in 45 days but if you can find fuel that has no ethanol the fuel has a shelf life closer to a year.  E-10 has a shelf life of 3 months at the most.  But opec states that winter blend will easily last 6 months.  Just a FYI I would still run my fuel out every 4 to 6 months to keep things clean
Reply:Every time I fill a gas can, I use Stabil. Wether or not I will use it right away or not. A small engine repair guy told me this back in the mid 90's and I haven't had a problem with my small engines since. But if the can sits around more than 3 or 4 months, it goes in the car.Also don't rule out propane. If I happen to win the lottery (which I don't play) I will buy a Miller Big Blue 500. More realistically, if Illinois can get their heads out of their arses and we get some work, I will be looking into a Miller Trailbalizer 302 propane. I haven't heard any disadvantages, but most guys have said they prefer gas. Any thoughts DSW? For a  house backup a 100lb propane bottle would last a long time. Around here you get one filled for $54.00 or approx 20 gals of gas. I will GUESS that the propane will last longer. And I've also been told propane does not go bad. Around me you can't drive 1/2 mile without seeing a 20 lb propane bottle exchange."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:i was thinking of the 302 with LP dontwant a hi rev diesel and have a 225 bobcat gas, the lp mount for the 302holds a 33 or 43 gal tanks im not shure how long a tank would last
Reply:I kick myself for not grabbing a Nat gas genset I was offered 15 years ago, but I had no where to store it while I was in an apartment.I'd go natural gas over propane for a dedicated aux set simply because I already have natural gas at the house for the furnace, stove H2O heater etc. My buddy's got a propane Aux gen set for the same reason, he already had a big propane cyl for the stove, fireplace, dryer etc. The cost of most dedicated aux sets is close to what it would cost for a basic gas weld/gen. though.Propane's not as efficient generating HP as gas or diesel. Usually they derate the machines when running on propane. I can't find a current reference about how much you loose in aux power / welding power, propane over gas right now. That's the only down side I see to propane. I have no idea how long a cyl would last.Stickman the Big blue 500's a lousy Aux gen set BTW. You only get 5.5KW out of it. Though you could probably force me to take one for free. Last edited by DSW; 02-25-2010 at 09:42 AM..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:DSW, yeah I saw that, but it also says additional generator power while not welding is 1 phase - 12kw & 3 phase - 20kw. I like the Big 40 Diesel but would NOT own a small CAT motor.As far as a dedicated aux gen set for the house, nat gas is the way to go. I was thinking you meant getting a new welder that could/would be used for an aux gen for the house, IF needed.As far as derating the welders, like they used to (I think 10%), Miller now uses a bigger engine instead. The new TB's are propane 25hp Kohlers and gas 23hp Kohler or Subaru (Robin). I wouldn't be using it everyday so I would justify the "driveability" issues, for the extra expense of a propane unit. My old Bobcat 225G, I bought used after it sat for awhile (I wish I never sold) had the problems of a gummed up carb and dry rotted fuel line. I only kept enough gas in it that I would use."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Yeah I'd rather have a welder that doubled as a backup given a choice. Although I've also toyed with the idea of a decent sized tow behind genset that I could just run my regular machines from if needed..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:RANGER 250 GXT11k peak, 10k steadyWorks beautully with suitcase welder as well as stick (CV, CC capable)HAS AC also  Ok ok, I know AC is frowned on, but wait till you have some serious arc blow issuesI power 2 houses with it during emergencies.  Heater, refrigerator, tv, a few lights  And as soon as I get around to adapting a cord, the well too for occasional toilet tank refillsReasonable on gas during full load.........1.5gph (makes you appreciate the electric company)AND IT HAS THREE KNOBS"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:About eight or nine years ago my buddy had three diesel powered gensets he salvaged from a wrecking job. Not on wheels, just a fork liftable frame and enclosed box. One needed repair, two were fine. He offered me one or two for $200.00 each. My STUPID arse didn't know what I would use them for and I didn't really have the room to store them at the time, so I turned them down. He ended up selling them for $400.00 ea. Man, I am still kicking myself."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I dunno, sounds a little overkilly for a hobby welder. If all you are doing is hobby stick and fencework you could get a nice 5000W Cummins-Onan Generator for under $1000 and get yourself a nice AC/DC stick machine, build yourself a trailer and Bob's your uncle.Unless I found a super deal on the Trailblazer I don't think I would go down this road, a trailblazer is a LOT of machine for a toy and also a lot of $$ for a toy.Last edited by salem747; 02-26-2010 at 07:44 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by salem747I dunno, sounds a little overkilly for a hobby welder. If all you are doing is hobby stick and fencework you could get a nice 5000W Cummins-Onan Generator for under $1000 and get yourself a nice AC/DC stick machine, build yourself a trailer and Bob's your uncle.Unless I found a super deal on the Trailblazer I don't think I would go down this road, a trailblazer is a LOT of machine for a toy and also a lot of $$ for a toy.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammRANGER 250 GXT11k peak, 10k steadyWorks beautully with suitcase welder as well as stick (CV, CC capable)HAS AC also  Ok ok, I know AC is frowned on, but wait till you have some serious arc blow issuesI power 2 houses with it during emergencies.  Heater, refrigerator, tv, a few lights  And as soon as I get around to adapting a cord, the well too for occasional toilet tank refillsReasonable on gas during full load.........1.5gph (makes you appreciate the electric company)AND IT HAS THREE KNOBS
Reply:Yes you can, as well as running grinders etc.The manual is available online at Lincoln's website.Maximum Permissable aux power draw while welding in the 180amp range is 5100watts according to the chart.  Halogen worklights should draw much less than that."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Go with the Miller Trailblazer 302. My uncles friends son hangs out with a guy whos brother works with a top pro weldor who went to the nations top welding school and his instructor was told by the head of the welding dept that he once taught a kid with so much talent he passed all of his certs on the first day, all because he used a Miller Trailblazer 302! I mean this happened, REALLY!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"