Engine Driven Tig Questions

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Here is my question.  Thinking about getting into the mobile side of work, I do mostly tig work so I'm just curious about running an inverter tig machine, thermal arc 186 or miller dynasty if I can afford it, off of a welder/generator.  Or would I be better off running a tig module and using the welder/generator.  Not sure how smooth the power would be if I ran an inverter tig machine.  Anybody got any experience with this?  Best engine driven machine for tig work both ac and dc.  Thanks in advance for your comments.
Reply:Originally Posted by jwm8830Here is my question.  Thinking about getting into the mobile side of work, I do mostly tig work so I'm just curious about running an inverter tig machine, thermal arc 186 or miller dynasty if I can afford it, off of a welder/generator.  Or would I be better off running a tig module and using the welder/generator.  Not sure how smooth the power would be if I ran an inverter tig machine.  Anybody got any experience with this?  Best engine driven machine for tig work both ac and dc.  Thanks in advance for your comments.
Reply:The dynasty is what miller recommends. Just make sure the power source is enough. The new bobcat/ trailblazer series has a 50 amp (11--12000 watts) breaker. The older bobcat is 8000 watts I can't get it to run the econotig, but I believe the dynasty takes less input power.
Reply:Thanks for the input, just wonder how smooth the power is on a generator.
Reply:I run a HF-251 for doing aluminium off my Trailblazer. Everything else that needs to be tigged I use my scratch start rigDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by jwm8830Thanks for the input, just wonder how smooth the power is on a generator.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI run a HF-251 for doing aluminium off my Trailblazer. Everything else that needs to be tigged I use my scratch start rig
Reply:I have the new trailblazer (no AC weld option) and the 8000 watt bobcat.  I believe both would run the dynasty, however the bobcat will not run my econotig, but I believe it demands more power than the dynasty. I have been told the dynasty is much better for AC tig than a high freq box. The aux output is very clean on both machines, we use them for backup power of a commercial store with plenty of electronics in it. I have been told the miller aux power is cleaner than the lincoln by a store that sells both.   For DC tig, the trailblazer does fine on it's own ( I haven't tried it on the bobcat)
Reply:I heard the miller was cleaner power, even though i'm kinda partial to lincoln.  I guess I'll have to decide weather to go with the trailblazer, or a big stand alone generator.  Thanks for the input guys
Reply:You will find most stand alone generators of that size are close to the same price. The new bobcat has the same aux power as the trailblazer. It also has AC so you can use a high freq tig starter on it.  I have just been told the dynasty is way better for AC tig.  The trailblazer has a better arc, especially when hooking up a feeder, or mig.
Reply:And don't forget the Bobcat does not have remote amp or contactor control if that's important to you or an absolute must.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:The remotes going to be important if you want to spool gun al. Otherwise you will have to buy a conactor and control box.  The remote also works well for DC tig straight off the machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55And don't forget the Bobcat does not have remote amp or contactor control if that's important to you or an absolute must.
Reply:It just means the older Trailblazers and even older Legends will be a hot commodity among us guys that want to do everything from one machine. That is the reason I bought the TB new in the first place. Miller shot them self in the foot by deleting AC from the TB. I will buy a new Miller for the shop, but why bother with an engine drive if it won't do what you want.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI run a HF-251 for doing aluminium off my Trailblazer. Everything else that needs to be tigged I use my scratch start rig
Reply:Originally Posted by grumpycricketWhy scratch start? I have a hf-251 with my TB301 and I tig everything I need to with the high freq.
Reply:Not too worried about hf unit, just probably bite the bullet and get a dynasty.  Guess a new trailblazer is on the list to.  My biggest concern was running an inverter machine off of generator power, but I guess it's hasn't been an issue from what i'm reading.
Reply:I have run my Invertec 201 many times off our shop weld rigs out in the field. We have some old SA 200, and 250's. It ran fine off the ones that output A/C power. On our Vantage 300, it's a non-issue. We ran the vantage doing stick on a pipe, while I tigged up an aluminum stair about 100 feet away at the same time. No issues with the HF or anything; machine runs just fine like this.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.