Need advice.

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Need your honest opinion, I am wanting to buy a multi process welder for use around the by house.  I am not going to be using it to build anything massive, but for general repair and metal art. I also want a plasma cutter to cut up to 1/2 inch, I have seen that there are a few multi welders that have a built in plasma cutter.  Is it best to invest in one wire welder and one plasma cutter or go with one machine??  I am not brand specific and want a good machine with access to parts/consumables...
Reply:Welcome from Virginia.  As with most multi-function things in life, compromise is rampant and no function is done very well.  I'm no welding machine expert by any means but suspect you would be far ahead with a dedicated plasma.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:^^^^^^What Storeman said.Hypertherm for period. They make it easy. Dealers around every corner and rock solid support. You can get decent welders almost everywhere.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I am personally not a believer in putting all my eggs in one basket.Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:Originally Posted by SedanmanI am personally not a believer in putting all my eggs in one basket.
Reply:There are a few different brands of multi process welders that are very good units. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a thermal arc, ESAB, Lincoln or Miller multi process welder. They are all good machines. The ESAB rebel is getting very good reviews in all processes. Then add your separate plasma cutter. How much plasma cutting will you really be doing? Can you do that cutting with a grinder and zip disc? Often, plasma cutters end up being a novelty for some folks and don't get used much at all. A good quality 1/2" plasma cutter is going to cost you $1500.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:A plasma cutter integrated into your welding rig?  This reminds me of those old TV plus tape players that are all in one unit. So if the tape player goes bad, you end up with a half-*** TV set ….
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThere are a few different brands of multi process welders that are very good units. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a thermal arc, ESAB, Lincoln or Miller multi process welder. They are all good machines. The ESAB rebel is getting very good reviews in all processes. Then add your separate plasma cutter. How much plasma cutting will you really be doing? Can you do that cutting with a grinder and zip disc? Often, plasma cutters end up being a novelty for some folks and don't get used much at all. A good quality 1/2" plasma cutter is going to cost you $1500.
Reply:I've been using industrial "" inverters "" multi process for years now. Lincoln VR350 pro , and Miller has a 350 inverter multi process as well. They work great in all the processes they supply. So in an egg shell you shouldn't be afraid of the inverters multi process machine. They've been put thru the grind and without any problems. The only question I would ask myself is which  brand I  trust.