New field welder, mostly mig

admin

So I have been using 2 miller passport plus mig welders for many years and I now have 5 maxstar 161 sth machines. I am looking for a new passport machine. I would obviously purchase another passport plus, but they havent been made in 6 years now. The passport plus combined with the maxstar 150 created millers first multimatic. I really love the ruggedness of the plastic enclosure the passport has and I want to stay with something my guys can beat to hell on the job sites. I know the miller multimatic 200 is a plastic enclosure, but that is about to see the discontinued line shortly and I dont want to do this again soon.I dont need a 3 in 1 machine as I like having the maxstar. I have always been miller from initial choice of convenience, and training, but I am looking for the passport type welder in general. So any good quality brand will work.Do anyone have any good suggestions for a new mig? Like I said, it could be a 3 in 1, but I would rather have a single machine. That helps keep the weight down when brining it up 3 stories.
Reply:perhaps something from ESAB fits the bill .https://store.cyberweld.com/tharcwe.htmlEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Isnt the Passport one has self contained C02?  As I recall it had a lot of power.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

Isnt the Passport one has self contained C02?  As I recall it had a lot of power.
Reply:The Hobart had some concept with the Trek, I see others now are on it but they focused the marketing on the 4 wheel gang and needed to push it where it made money first.  I am not ready for the expense of battery but its coming, it will get cheaper and like a cordless grinder, yes not good for everything but I do 90% of ot outside with a rod or 2 anyway.  I cleaned out a welding truck a while back, big ole handfull of 1/2 rods.  Some of those have battery in the loop, they got loto power.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Country has enough going on the machine cost not such an issue and new will or can pay, what is good is when its an expense on the books but makes money out there with reduced labor.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

Country has enough going on the machine cost not such an issue and new will or can pay, what is good is when its an expense on the books but makes money out there with reduced labor.
Reply:There lot good brands today. The name brand seem like going very high price. Keep the welder simple and last longer. The wire feed if are careful most will last a long time. The name brands are for employees and are very tuff. Most here will say machine there's is best good luck. When doing field welding I used stick but shop I used fluxcore. But today I use in field fluxcore as faster but did all QUOTE work no by hour. I do not know state but California does not like solid wire for in the shop and the field.  When I had I used mostly Miller Also used Airco and Hobart too.They all work with employees Dave

Originally Posted by Country Metals

So I have been using 2 miller passport plus mig welders for many years and I now have 5 maxstar 161 sth machines. I am looking for a new passport machine. I would obviously purchase another passport plus, but they havent been made in 6 years now. The passport plus combined with the maxstar 150 created millers first multimatic. I really love the ruggedness of the plastic enclosure the passport has and I want to stay with something my guys can beat to hell on the job sites. I know the miller multimatic 200 is a plastic enclosure, but that is about to see the discontinued line shortly and I dont want to do this again soon.I dont need a 3 in 1 machine as I like having the maxstar. I have always been miller from initial choice of convenience, and training, but I am looking for the passport type welder in general. So any good quality brand will work.Do anyone have any good suggestions for a new mig? Like I said, it could be a 3 in 1, but I would rather have a single machine. That helps keep the weight down when brining it up 3 stories.
Reply:Does it have to be a self contained MIG unit or could you go with a wire feeder and separate power source? Its a lot of money but the Arc Reach wire feeders still use the pelican case. They make a new Maxstar multiprocess that will power those wire feeders.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I found a video on it.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I like the reach setup. I have been thinking of it for a while now because of the ability to have a 480v portable mig welder. The last time I looked, besides engine drives, the smallest power source was a dynasty 280. Which is quite heavy to move, and expensive to bounce around in a truck. Potholes can cost you lots of misc money. If a maxstar 200 could power it, I would be all over it. I also already have a dynasty 280 in the shop. So kind of worthless getting another one.Field work for is includes being 40 feet up on a hopper or even 400 feet inside a building. So that is why I like a self contained machine.