Which welder for pipeline usage?

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I am new to the welding world and have a few questions about some welders.  All i know is Lincoln welders cause im going to Lincolns welding school. my hopes are to get onto a pipeline job for part of the year while in the off season of my business. I have been doing lots a research and havent found a definitive answer. I like the Ranger 305D for many reason. Its light enough that i wont have to put it in my dually, i can use it to run my camper trailer when i cant get power, and its a multi process welder. Will it hold up to basic pipeline work? from what ive read it will do it but wont last as long as say a classic 300 or a vantage (which ive heard horror stories about) i would like a SA200 but i cant seem to find one of these mythical ones for $500 and i just cant justify paying 3-4k for a good one thats still almost 40 years old when i can spend around 10 for a ranger with accessories like a wire feeder or controller or whathaveyou and have a warranty.  Ive heard of people having ranger 305s on pipelines but not many. if the ranger wont do it what will? keep in mind i REALLY REALLY REALLY like the AC generator and multi process abilities of the ranger. im also not dead set on lincoln. just dont know anything else yet. i will by no means be making a living on the pipeline. i own a small seasonal business, im just tired of staring at the walls during the off season. im only 20 so the price of the ranger is also very attractive. sorry for the novel, ive got a million thoughts in my head. thanks in advance for the advice!
Reply:Tozzi has an SA200 for sale. I think he's lookin to get $2200, but I'm not 100% sure. But that machine started up, on a really cold day, and ran like a wet dream!!! He has a video and pics of it."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 have a 305G. I don't see the wisdom in paying nearly twice the price just to have a diesel engine in it, but if you want to buy it...I do like mine for general purpose work but then again I'm not out there building a transmission pipeline, either. I wouldn't have any qualms about taking it on the pipeline and running it until I had enough money to step up to a better rig, though. Personally I'd look at getting yourself a used SA200. You'll spend less than a 305D. Then save your money while you make your money with that first SA-200 and decide where you want to go from there. Miller makes some good machines, Lincoln makes good machines. Try 'em out once you have some experience. If you're thinking about making money off of the pipeline, i.e., doing general welding tasks, then something like a 305 might make more sense.Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:You will be run off the job with a 305 will not let you test only Lincoln watercooled or Miller Pipe Pro on Lu. 798 spreads.
Reply:i thought the ranger 305d was watercooled? and i hadnt really thought about the traveling aspect of it. i do that for my business as it is. idk that i would want to do it year round. being home sometimes is nice. but who knows where i will end up. i have barely scratched the surface at lincoln so far. i think im gonna wait until i am at least done with these classes to buy a welder. no sense in shelling out that kinda money if i dont know what im gonna be doing.
Reply:i think im gonna wait until i am at least done with these classes to buy a welder. no sense in shelling out that kinda money if i dont know what im gonna be doing.
Reply:the pdf file i have on the 305 says it is water cooled. but it says it where they are talking about the motor. and the biggest thing i like about the ranger is that its got 9500w continuous AC power. i havent looked too hard but from what i see thats the highest rated ac generator power lincoln offers aside from the vantage 300 but i have heard those are problematic. i could be totally wrong tho. please correct me if i am
Reply:If I were you, I'd PM member Hillbilly Delux, and ask him. He is starting a Pipe lining school in the late spring. You want to break into Pipe lining? Pick a man's brain that does it for a living. http://weldingweb.com/member.php?541931-Hillbilly-DeluxDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:You won't even get a test on a pipeline with a Ranger machine. You need one of those old 200's because they do that type of welding better than any other machine. Those pipeline welders will make you look silly trying to keep up with them with anything less.I had a brand new '98 Classic 3D back when I was rig welding, couldn't even think about keeping up with those older machines. One guy had a '56 year model that had all the modifications necessary to optimize speed and he just flat out left me in the dust.
Reply:Pipe welding and all thats related to it is a hot topic around here should we sticky a thread about it?Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Basically if you're gonna pipeline... With a Lincoln I'd go SA200, 200D, SA250, 300D, SAE300, or a Vantage.  Miller would be the Pipepro... The Vantage or Pipepro would be you're best options for multiple processes and having lots of AC power.  I've forever been a Lincoln person, but out of those two options, i'd probably go with the Pipepro...  I have two SA200's right now, but would like to try either a SAE300 or a Pipepro personally...-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:The miler big blue 400 would work well on the pipeline also.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Lincoln tried to push the 305's on pipeline contractors.  Lincoln claims they can handle the work.  The guys I've seen use them on the row do fine.  A lot of contractors didn't think they would hold up.  They have become more common in recent years.  Hell of a bang for the buck.  You need to know how to use them, arc force/downhill mode, and they will roll; but, if you have a choice an can afford a 200 pipeliner, classic 300, ect. you will much better off and probably get better use of those machines.  They are the standard for pipeline welding at one time SA 200's were in the contract.  It's more about tradition.  The army kaki carhart shirts, pancakes, pipeliner 110 hoods, and Lincoln 200 pipeliners.  I don't know if I would take a vantage over the ranger 305 they are really similar but not in price.  In my experience it's been the Miller's frowned upon by the hands.  I've never seen a miller on a 798 job.  Not on a rig anyway.  Just my experience.  If you've never worked on a pipeline your most likely gonna have to help first to have a chance at making it.  There is no messing around.  Most intense welding environment I've ever been in.  Making x-ray welds on 24-48" pipe about as fast as you can go with a  3/16th 6010 and a very small window for repairs.  You'll figure it out once you get involved but you will most definitely need something to practice with.  Good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by bluelightmanLincoln tried to push the 305's on pipeline contractors.  Lincoln claims they can handle the work.  The guys I've seen use them on the row do fine.  A lot of contractors didn't think they would hold up.  They have become more common in recent years.  Hell of a bang for the buck.  You need to know how to use them, arc force/downhill mode, and they will roll; but, if you have a choice an can afford a 200 pipeliner, classic 300, ect. you will much better off and probably get better use of those machines.  They are the standard for pipeline welding at one time SA 200's were in the contract.  It's more about tradition.  The army kaki carhart shirts, pancakes, pipeliner 110 hoods, and Lincoln 200 pipeliners.  I don't know if I would take a vantage over the ranger 305 they are really similar but not in price.  In my experience it's been the Miller's frowned upon by the hands.  I've never seen a miller on a 798 job.  Not on a rig anyway.  Just my experience.  If you've never worked on a pipeline your most likely gonna have to help first to have a chance at making it.  There is no messing around.  Most intense welding environment I've ever been in.  Making x-ray welds on 24-48" pipe about as fast as you can go with a  3/16th 6010 and a very small window for repairs.  You'll figure it out once you get involved but you will most definitely need something to practice with.  Good luck.
Reply:I must say that when you show up on a job with an old red face or a short hood you are treated different. I have a ranger 305G as my back up machine and to be honest i dont like it. My 1960 red face is the best machine i have ever driven.
Reply:SA-200 or 250 & the 305 for backup .
Reply:Originally Posted by subsonicthunderclapI am new to the welding world and have a few questions about some welders.  All i know is Lincoln welders cause im going to Lincolns welding school. my hopes are to get onto a pipeline job for part of the year while in the off season of my business. . i will by no means be making a living on the pipeline. i own a small seasonal business, im just tired of staring at the walls during the off season. im only 20 so the price of the ranger is also very attractive. sorry for the novel, ive got a million thoughts in my head. thanks in advance for the advice!