150STH vs. V160

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I'm trying to choose my TIG. Red vs. Blue again.I like both but my MIG is red. Should I make the TIG match or not?RyanLincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:Blue is a very complementary color to red.  Seriously, I have a Maxstar 150 STL and it is one awesome welder for its size.  I used one at a nuke during a refuel outage and I laughed when I was given this "toy" to weld with.  Wasn't laughing when I was finished.  Went and bought one myself to use at home.  I would take a heavy wall tube test and not feel like I was at a disadvantage.  STL is not the STH but I can only imagine the STH to be even better."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:Stick with the blue one on this. Main reason is, the Maxstar has been a real reliable power supply for Miller. The Passport, and the small plasma are been based on it. I have been real happy with the small Sarex Thermal-arc machines too. Lincoln would be last (out of that group) as far as small tigs. They all weld nice, but pick reliability first. I also have a red mig machine, but I would not color match with a small Lincoln tig.
Reply:Please tell me how the Passport, a constant-voltage-only mig power source with wire feeder, is based on the Maxstar 150, a constant-current-only stick/tig machine???  Seem like two completely different animals to me...The little Maxstar 150 STH would be my choice for a very portable 110v/220v dc output tig welder.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Go ask Andy at Miller or do a search. It was posted when the Passport first came out. I had one of the first ones. The 304 has a CC and a CC/CV version.
Reply:i too have a maxstar 150 stl just bought it a month ago  and i love it it burns 1/8in rod  plenty of power and small compact  and all i need is a generator to go with it  go with blue you wont be disappointedmiller maxstar 150   hobart handler 210 w mig conversion hobart 250 arc force plasma cutter    boston ind cutting torch miller performance auto darkening helmet milwalkee 14in chop saw 10,000 watt generator huge drill press and industrial band saw
Reply:Thanks for the replies. Shopping.....Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:The 304 is an XMT, which is yet another completely different machine than the Passport or Maxstar.  All cars on the road today are loosely based on the Ford Model A in idea and theory and basic function, but that doesn't mean they really have anything technicaly in common with it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Just using the 304 as a machine that has a stick/ tig version and a stick Mig/tig versionMiller could of added a stick/tig to the Passport at any time. Just like some of the import tig/mig /stick machines. Reason was leaving it out was room to grow and a few other things. Andy answered why a few years ago. I could of sworn you knew everything about Miller, there is to be known?
Reply:The only draw back with the maxstar is its ability to run 6010 rods.  If you need it for that also then you may need to look into another unit.
Reply:My point, Brand X, is that the Maxstar 150 and the Millermatic Passport are two completely different machines.  Neither one is based on the other.  They are both Miller inverter welding machines that run on 2 voltages with auto linking, but that is about where the similarities end.   It's like saying my Ford Ranger is based on my F350.  They are both Ford trucks, but neither is based on the other.  They each have their own completely different designs, purposes and parts.  There are some Miller welding machines that do have a common base of design.  The Pipe Pro 304 and Millermatic 350P are both based on the XMT 304, as is the XMT 350.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Brand X,You need to do a little more homework into what constitutes a "welding machine".DR has politely tried to make the point that while the Passport and Maxstar 150 share a few similarities (inverter based, dual power, portable units) they are entirely different in their design and capabilities.  The Passport is a CV (Constant Voltage) machine, whereas the Maxstar 150 is a CC (Constant Current) machine.  Miller COULD NOT easily add a stick/tig capability to the Passport.If the Maxstar 150 could do stick, tig, and mig (wirefeed welding) it would probably be called an XMT 150.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.