which machine / machines?

admin

Ok on December 8th I will be making a new purchase.  I currently have a monkey ward 250 AC/DC.  I'm not planning on getting rid of it.  I was looking at purchasing a Maxstar 200 because I need / want a portable stick welder and I like the 115v capability.  However I have come into a situation where a Mig welder is more important.  I'm really digging on the Thermal Arc 252i. I don't have a lot of room in my garage and it would allow me to store the monkey ward and only have one machine to do both processes I need.  For some reason I'm really intrested in this machine.  I was thinking if I buy this machine I could pick up one of the 95s stick welders for portability or save up a bit more and get a Maxstar 150.  I think the 95s would suit my portability needs.  My other option is get a Millermatic 211 and a Maxstar 150.  I could mount the Millermatic and the monkey together on a rack store the Maxstar 150 away for portability use.  I like both options. I like the higher duty cycle of the thermal arc. I like the fact that if I get the Millers I can run one on 115v and run one of my other machines on 230v that way my brother in law and I can both run machines at the same time.  Which we could do if I bought the 252 and either the 95s or saved up for the maxstar.  Right now my 230v circuit is only 40 amps which won't allow me to run the monkey full out it needs at least a 50 amp circuit. The thermal arc will allow me to cook full power on the 40 amp connection.  Not that I need 250-300 amps but its a thing to me.  Other thing is I would like to eventually get a bobcat 225 but that is in the future but I don't know if that should help guide my decisions right now. I would install another 230v circuit but I rent right now.  My land lord said I could have a 230v professionally installed but I don't want to spend 300-400 bucks just to have a second plug installed in a place I don't own.  Anyway what would you do?
Reply:I would move.I perfer the Miller.But are you stuck on new? depending on where you are you might could get a good deal on a used one. make sure you test it.....
Reply:That is a lot of options.  You could consider the ESAB MiniArc 161 LTS weighs 18 lbs and will run a 5/32 7018 rod.  it is 230 or 115 and runs on 30 A.  You could add the CaddyMig 200i weighing in at 26 lbs + a full 10 lb spool= 36 lbs.  Which runs on 230V and max of 15 A.  This means you could wire up a splitter for the one 230 outlet you have and run both of your machines at the same time!  The other really nice thing about the CaddyMig 200i is that it has power factor correction and will run beautifully off of a generator.  Since it only draws 15A you can run a really long power cord at 12 ga for really cheap compared to 1 ga or 2/0 cable to run a stinger and ground.  Its like a mobile feeder but you can plug it in at home and weld with it as well.  Just food for thought.I play with Robots and do some welding.