Ranger 305 G and Bobcat

admin

Hey guys looking at getting a Ranger 305g in the next month and just wondering about arc quality.  At work we have a Miller bobcat 250 and well it welds like $hit doesnt hold its amperage (amperage climbs as you weld),  hard starting, etcWill the Ranger weld as bad as the bobcat ?   I know the Rangers and Bobcats are cheaper machines which is why im asking.   Im thinking the guys at work may have damaged the bobcat with excessive gouging...Journeyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:Gouging with a bobcat = dumb idea.  I wouldn't judge its characteristics from that machine.  I've run a Bobcat 250 quite a few times in the past, my dads machine and one at work, they seemed to weld fine.Matthew MortonTexas A&M '06Logsdon Seminary '13"Who Dares Wins""AFTF""WH2PH"SA 200 (Code: 5337)TB 302CP 302 w/22A Wire FeederMillerMatic 200Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 252BurnTables 4x4 CNC MachineHypertherm 65
Reply:Ive welded with both welders. The bobcat seemed to weld fine until it crapped out. It was newer back in 06/ 07. It never was right after they brought it back from repairs. At a different job they had the 305G and I knew i had to own it. Its a beautiful welder. It was always my welder of choice, whether with stick or hooked up to an LN-25 wire-feeder. Is the one u are looking at used or new?Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:A buddy of mine owns a 305G, it runs 7018 every bit as nice as either one of my red face machines. Can't say I've ever run a bobcat, too many machines, and too many years to remember!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:My bobcat 250 runs 5/32 7014 just fine Along with 1/8 7018 & 1/8 6011The main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:In my craft, we use a lot of different welders, most are millers, when it comes to engine driven machines we have used both miller and lincoln, the millers weld ok, but honestly the rangers weld better, the 305g welds smoother and I prefer it over the millers, personally I own a ranger 250 and the guys that have struck an arc with it immediately comment on the smoothness of this machine, my next one will be a 305g without question, just MHO
Reply:As far as portable engine drive welders, the Lincoln's are usually viewed as the superior machine, gas or diesel.We have a classic 3 D Lincoln at work. It don't get any better than that.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Matt1morton,  I agree gouging with the machine is a bad idea, but when the guy who owns it (also signs the check) tells you to do it thats all you can do.   Its good to hear the 305 welds good its the machine I have settled on,   So CEP how did you find the 305 in comparison to your PA200 ?  I also own a PA 200 good little machine for pipe...Thanks allJourneyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:Originally Posted by Newfie_1986So CEP how did you find the 305 in comparison to your PA200 ?  I also own a PA 200 good little machine for pipe...
Reply:Funny you bring up the PA 300, im looking into getting one, currently im in the process of starting up a small welding business The Ranger will be my portable machine and im looking at using the PA 200 and maybe a PA 300 as shop and portable machines (incase I have to go inside to do any pipe welding where its just not reasonable to drag leads).Journeyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:Originally Posted by Newfie_1986Hey guys looking at getting a Ranger 305g in the next month and just wondering about arc quality.  At work we have a Miller bobcat 250 and well it welds like $hit doesnt hold its amperage (amperage climbs as you weld),  hard starting, etcWill the Ranger weld as bad as the bobcat ?   I know the Rangers and Bobcats are cheaper machines which is why im asking.   Im thinking the guys at work may have damaged the bobcat with excessive gouging...
Reply:The Bobcat is the only small portable machine I have used.  Could have asked how it compares to a Big Blue 400 but thats a $14000 machine and it is also the only other portable I have ran,  they weld decent.Thanks allJourneyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw