looking for advice on machine and anything else from experienced welders

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looking for advice on machine and anything else from experienced weldersIm a combination welder been in the industry only about four years welding in refineries, Chem plants, and smelters but i love it thinking about getting a Lincoln to put on my truck and hopefully catch some rig jobs in or outside of the plants, just got a older duramax 2500hd diesal to kinda get my foot in the door any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Reply:Vantage 400! http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...olnElectric%29Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Lol that's a big one do you think I could fit that sideways in my duramax?
Reply:A lot of rig welders, and pipe liners use the Vantage 400 welders. They are only 5-feet long.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:money spent on a sa series machine will suit you well.i think the prices on the newer ones are outrageous, but there is some sort of magic to them.one of our rig hands has a 2012 sae300 sideways in his new dodge dually, but he did have to hack the bed a little bitbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:I would look at a low hour newer model Miller Bobcat 225 it fits sideways with plenty of room in the back of our packed full service truck.Miller Dialarc 250Miller Bobcat 225Hobart Oxy/FuelCouple of Dewalt and Milwaukee GrindersJET Bandsaw and Drill Press
Reply:If you're a combo welder then you need good stick and good tig, Vantage all the way in my opinion. You have excellent lift start tig, excellent stick adjustability and excellent aux power for rod oven/etc.A 300 would work just fine, I have had a 400 for several years.If you buy used, make sure it has the new board or has been upgraded. Get a remote.Your tig capability will be mo better than a SA200 (and I love 200's), your ALL capability will trounce any bobcat (no combo welder will be able to happily live with a bobcat), and your aux capability will be usefull in combo type work.You can rent one for a week and give it a test drive in all modes, Also see if you need to hack the bed to make it fit.You'll be much happier with a true welding bed than working out of a pickup bed (specially if you have to haul oxy/acy plus argon) but do watcha gotta do.My take only.J
Reply:Jtmcc I appreciate the advice I knew to go with a Lincoln was looking at some older sa200 but now I'll expand to vantage 300
Reply:What's your budget? Maybe a Ranger 305G would be good choice to start off with? It's multi-process and runs 6010 and 7018 great as well as having a good size AC generator for tools.