Lincoln 305g

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Hello all, Im currently looking for a welder.  Right now I have my eyes on a Lincoln 305g.  Does anyone have any experience with this machine and could give me some information on it.  I really like the chopper design.  Which is why I'm leaning on it.  Any info will help.  Thanks
Reply:What are you looking for it to do?   Their alittle light in the shorts for doing .072" NR-232 but their just enough to run the .072" Esab core-8for everthing else their a pretty damn good all around machine.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Well I would like to chase some pipe.  But I know I need some more experience under the hood.  So I'm looking for an company that will take me on that would let me be a helper or have me weld on anything.  So I really just wanted a machine that I can practice on pipe with until I can chase it.  I just read your post on the new miller.  Sounds like they had to pry you off of it.  Are you going to pick on up soon?  ThanksLast edited by Ryer; 12-17-2008 at 09:03 PM.
Reply:I have the Ranger 250, similar machine.  Its the balls.   Welds 7018 "buttery smooth" just like they say.  It puts out more than its rated for  and is easy on gas.  Mine has 330 or so trouble free hours on it.  I love it.  I used to use a G7, the old alternator type, Its 20 years old sitting by my phone pole as a back up generator.  That is why I bought another lincoln.  Chopper technology took me about 100 hours of use to get the hang of, but now I love it.  I use it for stick and Mig.  Today I ran it up to 210 amps with no trouble.  It will gouge 3/16 carbon, but no way 1/4".A 305 was $500 more and I didn't think I needed it.  So far One time I could have used more amps. The rest of the time 200 amps is enough.  I was running dualshield doing a 24 foot 1/2" fillet.  It was putting out consistent 300 amps @ 28 volts.  I could have used more to go faster, but I get paid by the hour...... go figure.DavidLast edited by David R; 12-17-2008 at 09:01 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:So what do you mean that it took you 100 hours to get use to chopper.  I have only used inverter machines.
Reply:My old machine was an alternator with diodes.Similar to a ranger 10,000 If I wanted to change the heat while stick welding, I varied the arc length.  The ranger 250 keeps the amps EXACTLY where you set it regardless of arc length.  I checked it with an O Scope.  Its true.  Set it on 90 amps and you get 90 amps give or take ONE amp.  Just a flat line.  It also has Dig or Arc force and inductance control that I had never used before.  It took me a while to figure out just what it did.  Now that I know what its going to do, I can dial in any type of arc I want both Mig and Stick.  It is close to an inverter, it operates on the same principal.I wouldn't buy a machine with out those adjustments again.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Wow, ya I do see now why it would take some time to learn.  Do you feel like losing the minor temp adjusting with arc length a major lose.  To me there has been plenty of times I would run it to hot and have to shorten arc length to cover my butt.
Reply:There is a setting called "Down hill pipe" that Lincoln told me it emulates the exact same wave form as an SA200, so that option is there, I never use it.  I tried it and it does seem to weld just like an SA200.    I decided to get the hang of using it right and don't regret it a bit.  It seems to weld better on CC Stick now that I know how to use it.I am NOT a pipe weldor.  I do structural and repair welding.  Mostly 7018 and Mig or pulsed Spray Mig.David.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Love it.I got mine for structural work, and I'm on the verge of putting it to work!  I need to talk to a local company to find out if they're hiring, it's one of the few places in town that do field work.  Funny thing about it, I would have been working there sooner, but I needed my CWB all position SMAW...Since I passed the test today, I'm going to go bug them again tomorrow.  "Can you hire me now?"  For sh*ts and giggles,The 305G is a great machine for the cost.  It's a nice size...a civil and versatile machine good for general welding.And unlike this BEAST OF A THING, it doesn't take up the full length of a 3/4 ton's box!   (Company truck, rented machine.  Past job, yadda yadda!  I just do what I'm told!)Last edited by mb_welder; 12-18-2008 at 06:52 PM.