Passport Plus - Did I make the right choice?

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Hi guys,After what seems like countless hours reading the threads on this and other welding forums, I've asked my LWS to order me a new Passport Plus. Trouble is, I've kept on reading the forums, and the more I read, the more I second guess my choice.My "wants" are to basically have the flexibility of a single machine that will allow me to weld whatever I'd need to, but I've of course I've learned that it just doesn't work that way. I've tried to pin down my actual "needs", but it's not that easy when you're a newbie with not much more than a head full of design ideas for everything from work tables to art.Realizing that I need to pick someplace to start, I've narrowed things down to a few projects that I'd like to begin with. These projects will have me working on mild steel from 18ga to 1/4", and aluminum from 1/16" to 1/4". The LWS recommended a Miller 252 with a 30A spool gun, and that was what I was originally prepared to purchase. Then I started to read about the Passport Plus, and the more I thought about it, the more attractive its small size became. Space is always at a premium in my 22x24 garage, and it would be easier to find room for a Passport than a 252. In addition, the portability, though not an absolute requirement, would come in handy from time to time. The price is also attractive, at about 60% the cost of a 252 with spool gun.I've run a sub-panel out to the garage to feed the machine with 220V, so it looks like I'll have up to 180 amps on tap out of the Passport. From what I understand, this will be enough to short-circuit the material, but won't be enough for spray. Spray sounds like an easier way to make strong welds that are also "pretty", but with enough practice I'm hoping I can achieve similar results using short circuit.I do have some concerns about the ability to mig weld thin sheets of aluminum. I've read it's pretty difficult to do, so my thinking is that I may need to fall back to O/A for the thin stuff, since my budget doesn't allow for both a good quality mig & tig unit at the moment.I've already found so much information on the internet that I don't have any specific questions that I need answered at the moment, but am in need of a bit of reassurance I guess. Am I asking myself the right questions, and making sensible choices? Or am I heading down the wrong path altogether?Is anyone out there using the Passport Plus for aluminum work? What are your thoughts?
Reply:I was looking at the PP myself a month or so ago then I found out about the plus model with the ability to add a sg.....the passport is great for field work and can hang in the shop as well....but the $ is up there for a 180 amp machine......it does do well on al running from a 110 circuit ....I went with the Hobart 210...it was $1300ish with sg and tax from NorthernTool.....it's not as portable as the PP, but it does have more top end than the PP...... for thin al MIG is not the way to go.....you are correct that the PP will not spray.....the main reasons I went with the HH210 were $ and the top end....so if the $ isn't an issue and you don't mind a little less top end then the PP+ will serve you well.....and if in the future you get a TIG the Miller dynasty would be a great match to the PP+ and you would have a nice set up for repair work at friends houses....trust me once they find out you have a welder they will be calling on you.
Reply:I have the regular model Passport, from before the Plus model came out.  It is a great little machine.  I bought it expressly to use on my welding truck.  I needed something easily portable that can run on both voltages and something that is tough and can handle being bumped around a bit.  The Passport was just the answer.  I'm very pleased with it.   However, the Passport is very expensive for what it is- just a 180 amp mig welder.  I have other welders for the shop that do just as good as the Passport and cost less money.  If I was a first time buyer looking for a small mig welder for the shop, I would not choose the Passport.  It's just too expensive for what it is, if you're not intending to use it for what it was really made for: mobile welding.  I would not hesitate to recommend it for use on a welding truck.  For your intended use of it though, I would recommend something else. The Millermatic 180 is just as good, costs less than half as much, can also be used with the same Spoolmate 100 spoolgun as the Passport uses, and is still reasonably portable and doesn't take up much space.  It is 220v-only, but you said you already had 220v service installed in your shop, so no need to run it on 110v.  The Passport runs better on 220v anyways.  The Millermatic 180, or maybe the Hobart 187, would be my choice for a first time mig machine for the shop, on a bit of a budget.  It sounds to me like you don't really need the 110v power feature or the extra portability that you're paying so much more money for with the Passport.   The way I see it, that money would be more useful put toward other shop equipment you may not have, like a good air compressor, chop saw, grinders, drill press etc, or maybe a small plasma cutter or a more powerful model of mig welder with a higher duty cycle that's better suited to use in a shop.  A Millermatic 212 with a spool gun and dual tank rack would also be a good shop welder for steel and aluminum.  I've seen some great deals on them lately.Anyhow, not trying to rain on your parade about the Passport there, just giving you an honest opinion, which I take it is what you were asking for.  Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun welding with the new machine.  Last edited by DesertRider33; 02-02-2008 at 12:48 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks for the feedback guys. You're right, there is a definite premium to be paid for the portability with the PP. I have another day or two before the machine arrives, so I'll give it some more thought.
Reply:I agree with desert about the 110v feature.  If you really don't need this, there are MUCH cheaper options...he mentions some of the best alternatives...By the way, spray transfer is achieved at different amps/volts based on wire thickness using gas mixes with lotsa argon.  I'll see if I can find a good chart.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I have the passport original and I love it.  It can only do up to 3/8 on a single pass with 240, but the fact that I can carry it on to a roof or take it on a scissor lift and plug into a 110 outlet makes this machine irreplacable.
Reply:Here is a really simple chart, but with smaller diameter wires, you can spray at lower output levels. Attached ImagesSmithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:You didn't mention your intentions with this welder other than stock size.   So no comments with respect to that.I went looking for a small MIG a couple of years ago, before all the updated models came out.   The original Passport was on my list but the price was just to much for me and my goals.   That being said don't dismiss the portability and multi voltage nature of the unit if you can afford it.In any event the reality is that there is no perfect welder.   If you get into things you might end up with a collection of welders.Dave