Question regarding Multi-Function Machine

admin

First let me say I am not a welder by trade, I am a hobbiest. So, I have a question for someone who has more knowledge than I.  I have been looking at Multi-Function units - wanted some opinions on the specs of this machine. I already have a Lincoln mig pack 180.  Any info on this unit would be greatly appreciated. ARC MMAInput Current: 22A Rated Output Current: 15-160ANo-Load Voltage: 62VWorking Voltage: 26V CUTTINGRated Input Current: 27.3ACurrent Range: 20+-50AWorking Voltage: 120VNo Load Voltage: 250VARC Leading: HFGas Flow: 0.4MPAL/MinCutting Thickness: 1-12mm TIGRated Output Current: 15A-200AInput Current: 15A No-Load Voltage: 62VWorking Voltage: 16.5V ARC Leading: HFGas Flow: 2-5L/CT600D COMPACT, PORTABLE, VERSATILITY READY TO GO ! The CT600D :• PLASMA CUTTER ,ARC MMA ,   TIG Welder• Single Phase 120/220/240V• Capacitance: 6KVA• Dimensions: 355x425x205mm• Weight: 13kgPRICE : $649.99Last edited by grim jeeper; 11-24-2013 at 06:21 PM.
Reply:Multi function units that include a plasma cutter have a bad reputation of going bad. Don't know if any of the newer units are any better, but personally I'd avoid one.Other than that, I'm not sure what info you want on the specs? What do you want to do? I assume the machine is DC only. 180 amps of Dc stick will let you do 1/8" rods easily. 200 amps of tig will easily do 3/16" steel. Can't tell if that unit has a remote for tig control or not with the info you have listed.If you want a good tig/stick machine, I'd look at a Miller Maxstar or one of the Thermal arc units myself. If you want a mig/tig/ stick, I'd look at a Thermal arc. ( The small Miller is nice, but I think the TA's are a better value) or go with a nice used Miller XMT 304 and add the parts you want to do..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'm just a hobbyist too. Don't know how true it is, but I've heard any machine that offers high frequency, and a plasma cutter to stay away from them. From one hobbyist to another, just buy one of these and be done with it! http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us.../invertec.aspx Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:The question I've thought of w/ multifunction units is: if one function quits will it affect the other two?                                                      MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:mla, yes it usually will. There are still several multi process powcons out there that do well to this day. Those machines are probably 20 years old. Those powcons were built with a lot of mil-spec parts and the price reflected it. My recommendation is to stay away from kotex machines(use them once and throw them away). INVEST in some quality. Even if you have to wait. Or buy a quality used machine. I preach buying quality because if you have to sell it or trade it in for an upgrade you can still get something out of it. Good luck.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:You get what you pay for.  The machine you are looking at (and all of its cousins that look the same) is a low quality unit with a bad reputation for reliability with any of its purported processes.  You're not saving anything, you're throwing $650 in the garbage. The warranties are tough on the machines as well, and they have a history of frequent infantile death.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by grim jeeperFirst let me say I am not a welder by trade, I am a hobbiest.  Any info on this unit would be greatly appreciated. ARC MMAInput Current: 22A Rated Output Current: 15-160ANo-Load Voltage: 62VWorking Voltage: 26V CUTTINGRated Input Current: 27.3ACurrent Range: 20+-50AWorking Voltage: 120VNo Load Voltage: 250VARC Leading: HFGas Flow: 0.4MPAL/MinCutting Thickness: 1-12mm TIGRated Output Current: 15A-200AInput Current: 15A No-Load Voltage: 62VWorking Voltage: 16.5V ARC Leading: HFGas Flow: 2-5L/CT600D COMPACT, PORTABLE, VERSATILITY READY TO GO ! The CT600D :• PLASMA CUTTER ,ARC MMA ,   TIG Welder• Single Phase 120/220/240V• Capacitance: 6KVA• Dimensions: 355x425x205mm• Weight: 13kgPRICE : $649.99
Reply:Thanks to all for the info...and to shovelon if it's not to much touble can you explain why you say it's junk...so i have more info when looking at other options.
Reply:I bit the bullet and searched and searched for a great deal on a Miller Multimatic 200. It works so well that it makes me feel like I can weld. LOL.Maybe if you gave more details on exactly what you want to do with it, these guys could give you a better recommendation.
Reply:Same rebranded "Import" items, just in the color blue. From the parts I see in the pic, they are the lowest quality you can get. Most of which are items you would want to upgrade later. That low of quality on the outside, I shutter to think what is in the inside. Just look at the switches on the torches. Yikes!Beside, something like it is usually mailorder. Hence, Mailorder-Mayhem. Good luck when it breaks. They only warranty for one year. A low cost mulifunction machine like that does nothing well, and not for long. Best learn how to bend the points every hour or so.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:You absolutely positively get what you pay for. Like shovelon says, low quality parts. See again Kotex welder. Use it once, throw it away.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 you get a multifunction machine, get a multifunction welder mig/dc-tig/stick/spoolgun, and buy a separate plasma cutter.. Spend the money on a good multifunction welding machine such as the Thermal Arc 181i, 211i or 252i or the miller multimatic 200.. Then you could buy $300 ebay plasma cutter and use it until it blows up or if it doesnt you could eventually sell it, recoup some of your money then buy a nicer plasma unit such as a hypertherm, thermal dynamics or esab.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerIf you get a multifunction machine, get a multifunction welder mig/dc-tig/stick/spoolgun, and buy a separate plasma cutter.. Spend the money on a good multifunction welding machine such as the Thermal Arc 181i, 211i or 252i or the miller multimatic 200.. Then you could buy $300 ebay plasma cutter and use it until it blows up or if it doesnt you could eventually sell it, recoup some of your money then buy a nicer plasma unit such as a hypertherm, thermal dynamics or esab.
Reply:x3.  I picked up a Thermal Arc 211i last year and have been very happy.  I like the arc performance better than the Miller 211 and bought it for almost the same money.