bobcat question

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hey guys I got a miller bobcat 225 nt 2006 model what is the best cheapest way too hook up a mig to it I have a 15a spool gun I would like to use but I didn no if it was cheaper just to buy a 110 mig and run off the generater whats your thoughtsMILLERMATIC 212 AUTOSETMILLER BOBCAT 250MILLER DIALARC HFMILLER 15A SPOOLGUNMILLER S32P WIRE FEEDERTHERMAL ARC 186 AC/DCPAKMASTER 100XL PLUS
Reply:You need a WC 115A with contactor  Kit #137546011 to get the 15A spoolgun to run off the Bobcat. Another option would be to get a VS type feeder and run that. Used VS feeders can be found for $500-800.I'd go with the VS feeder or WC115 for the 15A myself. Duty cycle and output will be way higher than a 115v stand alone mig where you'll be limited to 1/8" material or less. With either the spoolgun or VS feeder you could easily do 3/8" or more off the Bobcat and even thicker stuff with the VS feeder..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 have the setup DSW described with a bobcat and a contactor kit and miller spool gun (I'll have to look tomorrow for exact model numbers).  I also bought a S32P suitcase wire feeder, used on craigs list.  Since then I have used the suitcase for flux core, but most welders tell me the bobcat is not going to run hard wire well through it.  I have played with it, and it seems to be acceptable, but haven't used it enough with hard wire for a good opinion yet.  The spool gun works decent on aluminum, but not like it does on the shop machine.  I have hooked a miller 172 challenger to the AC side of the bobcat, and that seems to work.  I don't think it quite puts out the 8000 watts advertised as I have tried to run a plasma with it with less success. The 110V migs (Hobart 120 handler) work fine off the bobcat, as long as you use them for what they are designed for.
Reply:Bart in your case that Bobcat will run solid wire just fine from a VS feeder, as long as you are running it in CV mode rather than CC. It's only when you try and run solid wire in CC mode that you will have issues. With the Bobcat since it's a CC/CV capable machine, there's no reason not to run wire in CV mode. My S32P runs solid wire exactly the same as the S22 feeders do when running on CV, say off an XMT..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 am doing it in CV mode, and it seems to work OK in my tests, but I haven't played with it much.  I have done a lot of flux core with it in CV.  I have just been told by several welders its not good for solid wire, that it maxes out the machine.  I am not sure I believe it since the machine is not set even close to max when I tested it. I only used it for an hour or so, just to set it up and test it, so I don't have enough time on it to comment yet.  Are you usin .035 or smaller wire?
Reply:Last time I ran it I was using .035. I don't get to use it as much as I used to since I don't currently have a CV capable power source at my place. I actually had planned to take mine into the tech school this past Thursday to run it off the XMT's there, but I got out of work late and didn't have time to run and pick up the feeder. We'll see how this week turns out..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:Originally Posted by BILL Dhey guys I got a miller bobcat 225 nt 2006 model what is the best cheapest way too hook up a mig to it I have a 15a spool gun I would like to use but I didn no if it was cheaper just to buy a 110 mig and run off the generater whats your thoughts
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartI have just been told by several welders its not good for solid wire, that it maxes out the machine.  I am not sure I believe it since the machine is not set even close to max when I tested it.
Reply:I forgot that I also made an adapter to take one leg off the 220V side to get max power for the 120 hobart.The 20 amp circuit breakers seem light and wear out quickly when tripped a lot. The smaller 220v miller challanger seems to run well.  I was just hoping to run my plasma off the bobcat when I first bought it, but it really wants 50 amps unless I turn it way down.
Reply:hey guys thanks for all the responses does anyone have a used feeder that will work with my bobcat or the WC 115A with contactor Kit #137546011 for sale I am having a hard time finding one here where I live in Jamestown ten and I am working on a budget just bought a new thermal arc 186 but let me no if you got one and price and again thanks for the advice  from everyoneMILLERMATIC 212 AUTOSETMILLER BOBCAT 250MILLER DIALARC HFMILLER 15A SPOOLGUNMILLER S32P WIRE FEEDERTHERMAL ARC 186 AC/DCPAKMASTER 100XL PLUS