Outfitting The TB302.

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Hello guys, im new to the forum and was looking for some suggestions and help with outfitting my trailblazer 302. I'm not new to the welding scene but i am new to the engine-driven machines and the accessories that are offered and required to run correctly in unison with each other. My goal is to build the ultimate welding rig utilizing all the processes that the machine is capable of doing besides from air carbon arc cutting until i purchase a air compressor. So far besides the machine itself i have the high-freq box and coolmate 4, other than that i am pretty set on getting the suitcase x-treme 12vs wire feeder and the bernard dura-flux gun and probably another gun for solid wire along with the spoolmate gun. Price is not a issue suggestions and comments are appreciated. thanks
Reply:screw the spoolmate go for a xr feeder and xr gun, u will be happier in the long run , i have found its just not a big enough machine to air arc off of so i use my big 40 for that , i like the way the trailblazer runs not real interested in screwing it up anyway. and if i had a unlimited budget id go for the dynasty a 330 cf bottle of 75 helium 25 argon and the remote for the trailblazer.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:I have the 302 air pak so that i don't need a separate compressor for which i plasma gouge. no more carbon arcI find a lot nicer and cleaner than airarc I have a suitcase 12RC but i have yet to use it as i have been just doing small repair welding and just using smaw and the plasma cutterBacked 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:lol, im sorry i don't know why i wrote the spoolmate but yes i agree the xr combo is topnotch. now as far as tig torches im leaning towards trying weldcraft's crafter series ive only used ck torches in the past. And i would of liked the air pak model myself but i picked up the standard model used from a friend with 17 hours on it for only 3,150 so i couldn't pass it up.
Reply:Originally Posted by royalblue302lol, im sorry i don't know why i wrote the spoolmate but yes i agree the xr combo is topnotch. now as far as tig torches im leaning towards trying weldcraft's crafter series ive only used ck torches in the past. And i would of liked the air pak model myself but i picked up the standard model used from a friend with 17 hours on it for only 3,150 so i couldn't pass it up.
Reply:I know its probably not common for people to do alot of tig welding with a engine-driven machine if a electric machine is available but i don't in my case. i was just curious about the following torches and if anyone had any positive reviews or reasons why one is better than the other. ck230 rigid/flextec weld wt-20hweldcraft wp-18
Reply:i use radnor torches , alot cheaper and as far as im concerned they have been the same quality, as for as engine driven tig welding its alot of my business. just because i dont have all the bells and whistles dont mean i cant make the same weld. i used a aead200le that was given to me, religiously for two years until it blew up , u would be amazed how much aluminum that machine welded.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:are you running air cooled torches, btw i do understand even the best equipment won't weld for itself but im not really concerned with cost seems everything is expensive anyways.
Reply:Yeah i run a 26 series and 17 series tig torch, i have about 200' of argon hose and just connect the lug to the stinger. trust me i have burned up more than one tig torch but i find it alot easier then only bein 20 feet from the water cooler , and by all the bells and whistles i meant pulse tig lol variable frequency bla bla , i have found i dont need all that stuff out in the field, i rarely make the same welds twice so its good to me to know my machine and my capabilities, if a customer wants me to tig weld food grade stainless im more than willing ya know ? but i have also found i rather enjoy the 120hz ac tig welding that comes out of my machine and it works well with my style. maybe someday ill get me one of them there dynastys but for right now im ok with what i got lolI forgot how to change this.
Reply:I have a TB301, 2 Hobart Hefty feeders, miles of lead, HF-251-D with a WP-26 for aluminum, WP-17 scratch start TIG rig for piping and SS, Arcair K-4000, an old LN-22 for big flux core work, and all kinds of other stuff on the truck. A Trailblazer will run anything well, dont worry about "matching" components. I can't complain I have beaten this machine for 7 years and it still asks for more.Last edited by TozziWelding; 07-19-2011 at 06:41 PM.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:lol, ya the dynasty is a sweet machine i used the 350 and was very impressed with it, thanks for the responces. how has the welding business treated ya being self-employed thats kinda the direction im hoping to head myself.
Reply:lol, seems like the tb301 has treated you well
Reply:Next machine is gonna be a Vantage 500 compact case thoughDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:My business is beginning to pick up again kinda slowed down and now actually i have some plates out bein shot for a big aluminum job that starts first week of August. As far as matching components i used my xr feeder with my esab mig master 250 for quite awhile ! it runs amazingly well.  I am in love with the trailblazer the one i currently have has approximately 3 hours on it , although i did pick it up late last week haha. its like 110 heat index im lazy and unless someone calls i aint going out in it . My next machine will probably be another trailblazer as i found a truck set up with welder high freq and all the gizmos for 6500. plus i love old school chevy 1 tons.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by royalblue302 outfitting my trailblazer 302. . My goal is to build the ultimate welding rig utilizing it
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingNext machine is gonna be a Vantage 500 compact case though
Reply:Originally Posted by Xtreme FabricationSorry I just have to laugh at this comment.  Trailblazer 302 and the ultimate welding rig just should never be in the same post.   Don't get me wrong the trailblazer ain't a bad machine, but its a cracker jack welder.  You really need a diesel driven machine like a lincoln vantage to truely have a machine that can do it all well 100% of the time.   In the bridge and pipeline world you would get laughed at by having that machine.  Try welding with a diesel machine once and you won't go back. I have said it before and will say it again.  These little gas poweder welders have ruined the welding business.  Back when you have to lug around a lincoln sa200 to weld with, you have deciated welding rigs and real welders that know how to use them. Now with these little rangers and trailblazers everyone has one on their work trucks and thinks they are a welder.   Tozzi has seen the light, but I won't give him any crap about owning a trailblazer as he also has a lincoln sa200 and sa250 on trailers for when he needs to do the real heavy duty work.
Reply:Well its very clear that the trailblazer 302 isnt the best machine out there but as far as my statement goes to rephase it for you i would like to use the tb302 to its fullest potential you took the word "ultimate" out of context, hell i would love a sa200 and sa250 myself but we all gotta start out somewhere. but thank you for your comment it made me laugh.
Reply:Hey LawsonWeldingLLC i just wanted to say thanks and i do appreciate your help, didnt mean to create any ruckus in here.
Reply:Originally Posted by royalblue302Well its very clear that the trailblazer 302 isnt the best machine out there but as far as my statement goes to rephase it for you i would like to use the tb302 to its fullest potential you took the word "ultimate" out of context, hell i would love a sa200 and sa250 myself but we all gotta start out somewhere. but thank you for your comment it made me laugh.
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCSo im takin it because i use my trailblazer most of the time im unqualified to be a welder...huh interesting enough. Perhaps the reason i use it over the big 40 is because its easier to haul around, it does ac/dc and since im not licensed with the state to weld on "bridges nor am i interested in cross country pipelinin" This piece a **** cracka jack box suits me just fine. It not only paid for itself but pays for my insurance my truck , my rent, my tools, my fuel, my ciggarettes, and most importantly it gets the job done and puts money in the bank. lets see the reason i bought it, it suits my needs well, i dont want to have to go find a diesel gas station in the city all the damn time as its a pain in the *** for one thing. I dont mind the fact i can put it in my enclosed trailer and not have to worry about it. perhaps when the need arises and i need another big machine ill go pull the sa-400 with a 3-53 detriot attached to it out and start using it again. but like i said the crackerjackbox  works for the work i do "oh yeah sa's dont have ac output......Wait for that matter neither do the Vantage's"  And ive found it reasonably a pain in the *** to tig weld aluminum in dc, its either no penetration or no cleaning action.  But me and my crackajack box will move along as helping someone who seems to want to try to do something with themselves and giving them some suggestions is apparently not welcome on this site i have figured out.  Its pretty much my dick's bigger then your dick.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manSwitching to red?..... Or, stainless? What about the BB500 or AirPak?
Reply:Originally Posted by lincweldI second this statement.  Diesels are nice don't get me wrong.  Not everyone has a need for a diesel.  Ive talked to several people about the longevity of the f 162 and f 163 engines found in the SA 200.  Most say "you change the oil and air filters (or air filter oil) and keep fresh gas in it and you'll get 20,000 hours out of it."  That's in the territory of diesel engines.  Pipe is what I do.  With non critical pipe (non xrayed) I use my bobcat 250.  It's easy on gas, extremely portable, 250 amps @ 100% duty cycle, good AC power.   With the exception of pipeline work, all my customers don't give a sh*t what equipment I use to get the job done.  Although I prefer my sa 200 for critical work, that's my preference.  I've seen plenty of guys doing gas well hook-ups using their 2 cylinder gas machines and pass xrays all day, every day.  I don't own a diesel machine but, have welded with plenty of em.  Until I get turned away from work because I dont have a diesel, i am not buying one.  Like I already stated, most don't care what equipment you run, they just want the job done, bottom line.  I 've seen plenty of guys with beat-up f-150s with a 2 cylinder machine in the back, out-weld the guys with decked-out rigs with diesel machines.  If you're working, and passing x rays, why does it matter?  Most of the time, when I meet an arrogant welder with his nose in the air about equipment or whatever, he can't weld worth a damn anyway.
Reply:Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a Trailblazer have a higher output than an sa-200?  325 amps vs 200
Reply:An SA200 will blow the load bank at over 300 before she smokes, 200 is 100% duty cycle all day long.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."