deal of the century this past weekend...TB302g

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My names Rob I'm new to this forum.18 y/o with 3g 4g and 6g certs. i work for a privately owned fabrication shop were i do the tig welding and some heavy steel jobs like excavator bucket rebuilds and commercial aluminum boat fab jobs. on the side i work out of my house doing odds and ends but i also work part time at a sign shop welding with mm350p w/ 30a setup - love them- doing many types of signs. channel letter fabrication reversed channnels , raceway frames bending .40 skin- they keep me busy. but anyway i have had my eye out for a welder generator like a bobcat225. I was not planning on spending too much that's why i was looking for that range of machine, but i stumbled upon 3 trailblazer 302's for the price of one. Dont ask me how but the previous owner parted out 3 welding rigs each with these welders. He didnt have a clue on how to read the hours of the machine when i got there so i hit a home run. The #1 welder has 209 hours on the kohler with minor scratches and runs immaculate. changed the fluids and welded with it  very happy. Now for the second machine it has 789 hours on the onan/robin with a little more scuff/scratch damage but nothing that sticks out. This machine starts right up but seems to be running on one cylnder and is alot louder than the first machine. I will be tearing it down and slowly replacing the damaged parts once i get time to breathe. Now for the third machine it was sold to me as a parts setup with a kohler25 motor, missing the starter, battery, dip stick, exhaust and i recently took the body off and found behind the right side face of the machine, there is a fin looking cooler of some sort that i don't have a clue how it broke, but partly broke in half. I will be posting pictures soon and dissecting that machine after i tinker with #2 welder.  Uploaded with ImageShack.usUploaded with ImageShack.usMy questions are has anyone installed an air compressor to retro fit it like an air pak? Im trying to steer away from on board air on my rig because i would rather have a seperate motor driven compressor , and leave the truck  for getting me places - rather not providing air power for a job.my syncrowave 180sd is going to be my tig setup- plug in and gosoon i will have a 30a with a wc-24 for the tb and i am wondering were i can buy a power block for the gas connect ?also checking out the optima pulser for the 30a but i think i will wait before i really go in head over heels.so i plan on keeping the best machine and figuring out how to go about selling or fixing the #3 machine. The second machine will be no trouble to flip once its running properly.. i will give it up to a friend that has been begging for me to sell it.
Reply:From my experience, the Onan motors that start and run, but seem to run on one cylinder, have one or more burned valves. A compression test should give you a good indication, or you can make an adapter to fit the spark plug hole and put compressed air into the combustion chamber while the piston is on the compression stroke and at top dead center. If significant air comes out of the exhaust then the exhaust valve is burned. If it comes out of the carburetor, then the intake valve is burned. If a significant amount comes out of the crankcase, then the rings are worn. Be very careful when doing this because the motor shaft and flywheel can suddenly turn if it is not at absolute top dead center. Watch where your body parts are when you apply the air and keep the pressure at 30 psi or lower. The best place that I've found for Onan parts and tech help is www.onanparts.com. CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:i have heard of people doing the air pak outfit on this forum but my co worker or myself could not find any info about it. thanks for your input i hope it is a easy fix i will do some more research on the #3 machine..and yes all 3 millers for under three grand.
Reply:yes i agree i was just curious, i will take advantage of the machine the way it is and use my 110v 5gallon craftsman compressor when my makita's cant handle the task. thanks
Reply:TB 302 airpak is longer to accommodate the compressor/oil sperator and variable drive shivs and the condenser  The big advantage is that it is a screw compressor no piston compressor will ever keep up with it for air on demand @ pressureOr life span of the compressor unitThere is no such thing as a cheap screw compressor  As with piston compressors you get what you pay forI have never seen anything about retro fitting a compressor of any kind on a welder and i would be leary of doing soBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:that explains why the air pak is so much steeper in price. what is the maximum working pressure with your air pak? and how large of a tank
Reply:31 CFM at 80-160 psi of air at 100% duty cycle..Air on demand No tank needed..3 out put settings 17 cfm @ idle..21 cfm @ 3000 rpm..26 cfm @ 3600 rpmI have run plasma cutters and impact guns and abrasive blasters off of it with no air shortage ...If you crank the pressure to way high over 150 PSI and you stop using the air out put it will turn the compressor off and you have to turn the switch to off then turn it back on again..Pop off is set to 200 psiTo me it was worth the money not to have to have another separate compressor taking up truck space and burning fuel especially when you consider you would have to have 2 + piston compressors and a large tank to equal it's output and be welding at the same timeI pick it up with my Kabota loader and put it the back of either my tundra or my 59 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 ..in the tundra there is not a lot of spare roomI have never tried CAC on this machine because i went to plasma gouging instead ...Before some a$$ stole my 625 extreme But with it's output on the welder...CC/DC- 280 amp @ 100% duty cycle your limited to 5/16 carbons @ maximum you could push to 300 amp max at a reduced duty cycleBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:great score ! as far as compressors go, i use a puma compressor with 5.5hp honda. always plenty of air for impacts and such.MM 251MM 135Lincoln Pro cut 55Bobcat 250Miller Thunderbolt ac/dcolder ac forneyJackson nexgen 3n13-Smith OP setups97 Dodge dieselMakita chopsawJet swivel head bandsawlincoln tig 300/30030a spoolgunpuma port. gas air comp.