xmt 350 or 304?

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I dod a search, but never came up with much.i have a 12RC feeder that runs of my TB302.I'd like to gr an inverter that runs of 220v single phase so i can extend the range in the field.looking at the 304 and 350.apart from the $1K more and the more volts of the 350 is there any other practical differences?How useful is the extra volts of the 350?I'd use it for structural and repairs probably for 1" thickness and less.Dont need the tig function.304's are more common used.i was looking at a 456 as i have three phase in the shop. they can be cheap used, but that wont help me in the field.I already  have 100' + of 6/4 cord.G
Reply:i know this doesnt answer your question....http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/2195489123.htmlbut maybe this will help..at my work we have xmt 350s and ALT 304 (like a xmt 304)"My" machine is an ALT 304 and i can weld anything others with XMT 350s can, including building this.... Attached Images
Reply:The 350 has ~20 volts less OCV. I haven't run them side by side, so I can't comment, but I recall a member here (slowhand if IIRC) did not appreciate the "tailout" from the excessive OCV of the 304. Makes sense to me, but I've never run a 304...JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:I use both 304's and 350's and for most work you will never know a difference. If your welding x-ray pipe for a living like Slowhand you will then realize the differences but for the average rod burner you'll never notice. Fwiw when our 304's bite the dust they all get replaced with 350's.
Reply:thanks for the answers.AMC.....that CL item has "stolen" all over it.wasnt interested in a XMT VS anyway.interesting that the difference between the 304 and 350 doesnt show up in the real world.BCRD: i thought i heard/read something about the 304's arc being somewhat unusual, but i couldnt remember the details.and showdog, yes you might be correct, im probably not at the level that would notice the "tailout".Thinking that im going to go 304...probably used and see how that works out.thanks agian for the reassurance.G
Reply:Where are you located and i will keep an eye on CL for youAaron
Reply:eastern MAG
Reply:I have the xmt350MPA.  I bought the 350 so I could have the pulus MIG option for welding alumium with a push pull gun.  I really love my XMT350 is has one of the best arcs of any machine.   love the arc control on the mig settings, you can accutually see the spray of the mig width change as you turn the dial on the machine while welding.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers