Farm welder Suggestion

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Looking for suggestions on what to buy for my farm? 1. I need something that can handle up to 1/2"2. It has to be able to weld steel, aluminum, and on the rare occasion stainless.I have constant projects it seems on the farm, and my friend who was always around to help, has moved west, so I have start doing myself.  It's been a few years since I did any welding but I'm sure it will come back with all the practice I will be getting around here.Thanks ..PC
Reply:for a farm trailblazer 302dynasty 200dxmc-24 and 30a spoolgunsuitcase wire feeder
Reply:Hey 2dogs,You provided a fair assessment of your needs & to just offer a fairly simpler solution, you may want to consider going basic to start & keep your initial outlay within reason. You can generally find some real good buys on a good used MIG welder such as a Miller or Lincoln 250A & a lightly used generator on Craigslist or classifieds in your area. Since you indicate usage may entail material up to 1/2", the 250A would be better, although you could get away with a Miller or Lincoln in the 210A range. As far as a generator, I would suggest at least a 10kw minimum/12kw better, with 30-40A/220V outlet so as to run the welder at max if needed. If you have a bit time & not imminent demands, you could probably get both units for $2500 or less. It wouldn't take much to pick up a small trailer if you don't have one, or make one, or just set up on a pickup bed. With the economy in such a ragged state, it is definitely a buyers' market....cash talks...BS walks. Last year I picked up a pristine Miller 130A/110v MIG for $125 with cash in hand. If you do a lot of aluminum, I would definitely go with a spoolgun & they can be found reasonable on CL or EBay. You could run alum with the MIG gun, although the liner would be another issue & 5356 would create less feed issues. Other than having another complete MIG gun/cable assembly to changeover, which would be less than a spoolgun, you are limited.ed mac's listing would be quite nice, although that sweet list would be in the $15K area used & in excellent condition.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by ed macfor a farm trailblazer 302dynasty 200dxmc-24 and 30a spoolgunsuitcase wire feeder
Reply:Check out www.brocoinc.com. I think it might fit your needs. Also if you don't need aluminum to a great extent, I would take a look at www.zenna.com. These are industrial quality maintyenance units. they will cost more than a couple of hundred but no where near 12 grand.
Reply:Used PTO generator preferably 25KW and Thermal Arc AM185.The TA is a wonderful stick welder as well as its amply demonstrated TIGproperties.  The portability of it is great so you don't have to put more than 25ft. leads on it.  It runs 1/8 5P+ and 5/32 7018 just as well as my DialArc 250.Bob seND
Reply:yes $12,000 but he did not say what his budget is but what would be bestfor his needswhat is a farm i would say atleast 20 acres  so youll need a gasair comp. another 2 grand and a truckto get around most farms have irragtionand other things that can not be towedback to a shop to be welded
Reply:As long as we're goin' BIG, then I say a Big Blue Air Pak engine drive with a Dynasty 350 tig and a bevy of Suitcase feeders, all 4 of them, 8RC, 12RC, 8VS and 12VS, along with an XMT350MPa and XR feeder and gooseneck torch for aluminum mig and a Powermax 1000 plasma, all on an F650 Cummins 4x4 conversion with 15' contractor utility bed and 30' pto crane.   MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Uh............How about a little crackerbox AC/DC, and the new little Lincoln 140 Mig welder which is set up for a spool gun(optional).Crackerbox will handle all your steel plate needs, and aluminum in a pinch.  Little wire welder will handle sheet metal, and thin aluminum.  Somewhere around 1200 if both units purchased new.I dunno about stainless, don't do any.  I don't know what equipment is required for stainless, but if it's TIG, best hire it out instead of dumping big bucks on the goodies to do it.I got by without a portable engine driven welder for over 12yrs, and the place didn't fall into ruin  The little Ranger 250 GXT has been a good welder, and excellent for standby power if you decide you really have to have a portable.Buy lottsa clamps too"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:AC/DC cracker box in the shop. Any engine drive with AC/DC. You can buy electrodes to stick weld any steel including stainless as well as aluminum.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:Stainless can be done with stick. I agree with FarmerSamm.
Reply:Thanks.. Lots of good ideas.Actually, it's a 103 acre farm with 3 metal buildings and 2 barns and a whole lot of animals.Unfortunately, farming don't pay all the bills so, I have to work also.Thus the reason I am looking for help in what to get so, down the road have to buy something else.