ARCON Workhorse 300MS

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Hello all,To all of the other diehard Powcon enthusiasts here. I've had the Arcon Workhorse 300MS for about a week now and have been using it daily. I'm not going to put down my old reliables but I have added a new member to the family. This machine is sweet. If you can believe it the arc is even smoother than my powcons and to me, that's saying a lot. I've been burning 3/32, 1/8 and 3/16 7018 with it and am quite happy. I've run about 10lbs of 3/32 with it (on the lowest possible amps and still get a proper/passable weld)  to try to get it to stall and it didn't.  In a nutshell if it had a muffler on it they would call it a SA200. If I get caught up i'm going to run some wire with it toward the end of this week or next.OK, you ask why this blurb about Arcon? Well, I call up Arcon looking for some help/parts for my SM400. (The last time I needed parts was in 2000 from RJ Cates in San Diego) These guys know nothing about me and spent 20 minutes on the phone with me helping diagnose my problem.  I used the standard electrical terms such as thingymajigger, that aluminum thing, the deal that looks like a....... Anyway they were excellent. Of course the machine still didn't work so after 3 more phone calls, over the next week at least 15 minutes each time, I think I have it.  Anyway I was impressed and these guys have been around awhile and they hung in there with me and I ended up buying a $30 part.  So to pay it forward this is my 2 cents worth.  If you have questions about the machine don't hesitate to ask. If your serious send me a pm for my# and well talk over the phone. Oh, the Workhorse 300MS I have is about $3500. They say this is possibly the last machine(of the type,...can't have enough welders) you'll probably have to buy, I believe it. My Powcons are 1991-96ish. Wish I could find a woman that lasted that long.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:If I ever come across an Arcon used at Powcon prices, I will snap it up in a heartbeat.   Love the Powcons.   Arcon was started by one of the inventors of the Powcon brand.  Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Me too! If anybody else wants to know Arcon still has a lot of the same parts(or ones that will work in a powcon) in their machines. If you happen to have a 300sm that, Heaven forbid, has a bad pc board the one they use is supposed to work in a Powcon. And the yikes part, almost 600 of my favorite dollars. Good thing is its covered by Obamacare. Just login.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:That's why I sold off all mine before they did need a repair. Have a 300sm that I picked up at auction cheap.  So kept that.  If I find a 200sm, I'd trade for My 300sm cuz about 30 lbs lighter. Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkLast edited by soutthpaw; 11-13-2013 at 07:41 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Your not supposed to carry it to town with you when you go shopping. Put it in a wheel barrow like me! I haven't seen a 200sm in a while. If I run across one i'll send em your way. Hopefully be cheaper also if you need to ship one. That Arcon weighs between 90 and 95lbs.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:The 200 is about 50lbsSent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Well im a fan of the Arcon. It is pretty awesome. I also like and have wanted the xmt304cc/cv and maybe someday......That started about 15 yrs ago. If I thought the 304 could take the abuse or use depending where your at I'd prolly have one. You probably already know but theres a lot of outfits that will rebuild the boards in about any machine. From what ive seen its about 250 on up. If your looking for a board I can keep an eye out for you. You could also talk to John at Mountain States Welder Repair in Grand Junction, Co. John has some folks who buy treasures at auctions and he might have a used part or two. Keep your eye out for more powcon treasures that I don't need.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawThat's why I sold off all mine before they did need a repair. Have a 300sm that I picked up at auction cheap.  So kept that.  If I find a 200sm, I'd trade for My 300sm cuz about 30 lbs lighter. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:I'd like to see a Powcon section , that would be nice. Anything that can help folks who cant pay the 6-7-8 hundred for a rebuilt or repaired board or the like.  These machines were built to last and 30 years or so is built to last to me. I'm kind of a drive it until the wheels fall off then weld them on again and figure your only halfway through the lifespan of your equipment. Some good maintenance and care of your equipment in between of course. I don't know if the Arcon guys would say how much but I believe a large percentage is original technology. I believe they upgraded a lot of stuff especially for corrosion. Ive called about a lot of parts and they have new Arcon parts that will fit/work/replace in my 300sm.  My 300sm came from Charleston, SC (used) in 1999 or 2000 and its still in very good shape. I think its a 92/93 model. Im such a freak I feel bad its sitting on the bench till the new wears off the Workhorse. Well anyway if I have something somebody needs I never have tried to get rich off that person like some of these other guys do. Like you say some of these parts suppliers want to sell you a $500 part for a $200 machine.  And yes I do plan on having my 1968 SA200 Redface plated in bronze and used as my headstone. I have to go see my counselor now about some OCD thing she was talking about last time.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:I just purchased an Powcon 300sm and am very excited about this machine. I have switched it over from 480v to 230v for my location. Simple enough to do, took about an hour. I did have some problem when first trying it out with wire burning back to the tip every time time I tried to weld. I figured out the wire was not feeding right; the welder had sat so long in the sellers shop that the dust had permanently attached itself to the wire. I put some clean wire in and it started running great. I will replace the liner but overall I am very happy with it so far. Seems like it will be a great machine. Thanks for sharing your experiences with these welders helped me greatly. One thing does anyone know where I could find a cover for the wire? The wire feeder was missing the cover, it is a pier drive ie feeder. Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawThat's why I sold off all mine before they did need a repair. Have a 300sm that I picked up at auction cheap.  So kept that.  If I find a 200sm, I'd trade for My 300sm cuz about 30 lbs lighter. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk