Bought used XR feeder &XR15 push pull gun -which welder/ source to buy to connect to?

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I broke down and bought a used Miller XR wire feeder and XR15 push pull gun, locally.  It is 20 years old but lightly used, and in good shape.  It was hooked to a very large 3 phase Delta 450, which I choose not to buy, as I only have single phase, and am leaning more to a Mig welder as a power source.  My thought is that the mig could have steel wire left on it's feeder and gun, and the XR feeder and push pull gun will have aluminum.There are a few used Mig welders for sale, with a few hours drive and I would like some input into which you would choose, or if anything is required to connect them to the Miller XR wire feeder.The XR feeder has a plug to remote voltage control and another for 115V to power it. It uses miller’s old style twist lock connectors for the wire feederCould anyone tell me if the following welders will accept that remote plug, or what it would take to make it work??- Esab Migmaster 250, about 10 years old- guy wants $900, but would likely take a bit less.- Thermal Arc Fabricator 250, about 5 years old or more, guy wants $750 - in nice condition, little use.- New Thermal Arc Fabricator 251, runs for about $2000 taxes in, and comes with 5 years warranty.- New Miller 252, runs several hundred more than Thermal Arc, and both new welders are more than I want to spend.- Used 304XMT CC/CV on ebay, around $1200 -1500.
Reply:if I were you, I would go with the xmt hands down. An optima pendant can be attatched to give you pulse capability, and if you need it, it can stick and tig too. if you have any interest in running off a generator I have heard that 304's don't like to, but the xmt 350 does just fine.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:I am leaning towards one of the Mig welders, and not the 304, mainly because the 304s are not available locally, so I would buy on Ebay and have shipped.Any idea if the Mig welders above can connect directly, or with an adapter?    The XR feeder has the old style remote connector, with 2 curved prongs, and another 115V connector.
Reply:I'd go with a xmt, very versatile machine. Either will run on single or three phase. Just be careful not to buy a three phase only xmt as they are out there. I have a optima pendant if you find yourself looking for one, will make you a good deal on.
Reply:I checked the on-line manual for the XMT 304, and see it has a 14 pin remote connector, where my (older) XR feeder has the old stye 2 prong remote connector.  Is there an adapter to make those to work together?  Anyone has a pic or part #?
Reply:A guy on the millerwelds formum told me taht the prevoius owner likley had changed the connector.I figured it was a stock connector, as it fit the deltawled 450 front panel.Anyway, after reading his advice I took off the other end of the cord at the feeder (feel really dumb for not doing thos before, but just assumed it was stock) and sure enough it is a 14 pin connector. So, I can get a new 14 pin connector, or a new cord, with 14 pin connectors on both end ( It would be nice to have it longer anyway)
Reply:I would love to hear a few more opinions of whether I should buy the Miller XMT 304 for about $1500, or buy the Esab Migmaster 250 for about $800.- Both are about 10 years old, I think.  - The 304 will do Tig, if I ever get into that- The Esab has separate wire feeder, so I could leave steel/ copper wire on it and leave alumium on the XR wire feeder ad push pull gun.- I think they are both about 300amp.  I think the 304 will do more, but not on single phase, I don't think.- the 304 has 14 pin connector, so I just have to put a 14 pin end back on my cable, or get new cable- I would have to wire out the important conductors to fit the 8 pin Esab, but I think that is doable.Give me your thoughts!  Help me decide!
Reply:I'd go with the guy from Millerwelds who'd pick the XMT 304. 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:Another vote for the XMT. I've got a Millermatic 252 but I use my XMT to power my XR setup. I've got a 12RC suitcase for the steel welding with the same setup. Much more portable than my 252 and takes up about the same amount of room on my cart.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Again another vote for an XMT 304. Thats the way I want to go when I have some spare cash to upgrade my mig. With the ability to do mig, stick and DC tig, it's an awesome machine.$1500 is a bit on the middle to high side for one. I've seen them on CL for $1000-1200 depending on condition and sometimes down to as little as $800. I've seen them as high as $2K in almost new shape with feeders.Last edited by DSW; 09-30-2011 at 06:49 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I run my XR on my 304 XMT, and it is one of the sweetest wire feed welds I have ever used. I run the exact same XR on my old transformer Regency (basically a Millermatic 200 wire feeder power supply) and the weld quality is noticeably worse. Not bad, just not as nice.So if only for weld quality reasons, I would go 304. But the 304 is lighter, easier to move, uses smaller breakers and wires, and will also stick weld better than any wire feeder ever made, and will also do scratch start tig welding.
Reply:I have wired the xr to the esab mig master 250, bypass the gas and go to the xr with it, hook up the lead, basically u wire the xr into 115 input power and then the other two to the spoolgun contactor on the esab, it runs amazingly well off the esab power source.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Thanks for all of the great posts. Duane- I would have given you full credit, for the helpfull Millerguy post, but don't like puttin peoples names down, without them knowing. Thanks again.  I am really in a position of not being able to quite afford the 304, at this time, and wanting to get some aluminum practice  time in.I may lean toward buying the Esab and using it for a year, two or more, and eventually, if I want to do TIG, or want more portability, selling it (should hold value pretty well) and getting a used 304 when I find one at a decent price.
Reply:There is a used Lincoln wirematic 255 for sale locally, about the same price as the Esab Migmaster 250.  How would you rate these two welders against each other (to be used on aluminum mostly with the used Miller XR feeder and push pull gun?
Reply:Originally Posted by NortheasterDuane- I would have given you full credit, for the helpfull Millerguy post, but don't like puttin peoples names down, without them knowing. Thanks again.
Reply:I knew you were kiddin, as was I.