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researching a new mig for where i will be working, looking at 3phase 350amps,looking to use mostly innershield wire as its mostly outside, windy. and save us having gas.Will do some bits and pieces of alu welding with gas  up to 20mm steel welding on excavators excavator  with inner shield wire?I have only really used gas and mild steel wire with some bits if alu welding.Have options of inverter type or standard type migs, are inverter more fragile?So for a remote area, wet tropical, running off a big genset,What opinions, suggestions does anyone have as to what you would look for if you were buying for this application.Last edited by Bala; 07-01-2011 at 04:38 AM.
Reply:I'd look at a multiprocess machine. (cc/cv) You can run innershield on cv as well as use a spoolgun for welding aluminum with argon.I know you didn't specify a cc machine, but for your work being able to arc gouge and stickweld will come in very handy.As for inverter or xformer welder they each have advantages.  Inverters have a lower input power for the same output while either machine needs a dry place to inhabit.  I am not sure if today's inverters are "more fragile" but the jury is still out whether they will still be working 20 years from now like some of the old xformer machines.  I'm using a Lincoln Invertec 350 Pro, so far so good.  Welds as good or better than anything I have ever used, but I'm keeping my old xformer welder around just in case."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:We run a Lincoln Invertec V-300 Pro, and a Miller XMT 350. We run Miller Suitcase X-treme 12VS on both. I prefer the way the Lincoln runs, I can't really put my finger on just exactly why, I just like it better. If I were buying another, I'd get the Invertec V350. The voltage sensing feeders are great. Run a lead and a gas hose and you're welding! We have the XR-A feeder for aluminum. It's fairly new, and I don't like it as well as the old Cobramatic feeder that it replaced. Just my 2 cents!
Reply:Thanks for the replys,Im only used to smaller migs running gas, so the running innersheild, gouging etc i understand but am not experienced in.The only company to get back to me so far has offered 3 options,One I did not put up it is a basic mig, chinese built.The attachement shows the ones I have been quoted on,The 351 and the 351iIt look like the 351i will do arc but not not the 351?opinion would be most appreciated Attached Imageswelders.pdf (138.2 KB, 92 views)Last edited by Bala; 07-01-2011 at 04:58 PM.
Reply:Those machines look more like shop machines to me. I understood your OP to say that you were doing field work in harsh conditions.
Reply:It is workshop work, not field work, but the work shop is not great, it is quite open and in a wet tropical area,  lots of rain humidity.So the humidity is my concern for more technology/circuit boards? in an inverter unit?So yes it will be a shop unit rather than say a 400a diesel and LN25 or similar set up that would be used in the field