Thermal Arc 181i or Esab Caddy mig

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Hi, Everyone.  I'm looking to buy a lightweight portable mig welder,  I would welcome anyone's experience's and opionions  with either of these welders, Price seems much the same for each  Would either one be easier to weld with or run better on CO2 gas or work better off a generator? I already have a Ranger 8 for repairs on the farm but a handy mig would be good for the lighter stuff,  ''Thanks for any replies,
Reply:r you wanting to run it both in a shop and mobile or just mobile use.   If the latter you would do a lot better getting a suitcase feeder to run of the Ranger 8.  much more stout components and 100% duty cycle for what a ranger 8 can put out.   I vote for the ESAB300AVS if you go suitcase.  I like it much better than the LN-25 I had... have not used the Miller suitcases...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I have the CADDY160,,great light weight little machine with power to spare,I havnt run it off a gen yet or with CO2 but heard from a reliable source its outstanding for that..,heres a link to some photos of the day I got it setting it up https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...653/ESABCaddy#Esab Multimaster 260Esab Caddy160IEsab 161 STLESAB powercut 650Esab 220i tigLincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln IdealArc 250INE SKYLINE 1500Klutch 140iMEASURE TWICE IS FOR MORONS
Reply:Thank's South paw  for your advice and suggestions,  What do you drive your wire feeder  with? What amps could a Ranger 8 225 put out through a wire feeder?  What are they like to weld with do you use gas or flux core wire? And Thanks Jim for the well illustrated and interesting photoes. that looks like a very handy and easy to weld with machine, What are your Pros & Cons after 6 months with it ?  "Thanks,
Reply:No regrets at all,I was impressed enough that I have 2 now,,I got a great deal on them a few months back on ebay,,check out the link looks like a good price  http://www.weldfabulous.com/p-6179-e...lt-welder.aspxEsab Multimaster 260Esab Caddy160IEsab 161 STLESAB powercut 650Esab 220i tigLincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln IdealArc 250INE SKYLINE 1500Klutch 140iMEASURE TWICE IS FOR MORONS