please school me on engine driven welders

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i posted a few threads on the miller / Lincoln 302 and 305 before ive thought about a sa200 also .here is the deal good running sa200 1,000 to 5,000 for 200 amps now dont get me wrong 200 amps is fine but why not have more than you need for the money you pay ?miller 302 and lincoln 305 great welders but again cost these can do more than the sa200 weigh less but there still up there in price .i was on ebay and looking found the world of miller big 40 they look nice and have almost double the amps of a sa200 for around the same price and i noticed they have big blue 400 and 500 and 50's so for the cash layout of a max of 6 grand for a used welder with a lot of amps what one would buy choices sa200 sa 250 or sae 300 pipeline standards for sure.miller big 40 , 50 , 400 , 500 lots of amps here and more than enough to weld a cats butt to a pane of glass.the 302 and 305 are just about out of the running now .i did find these but i dont think they would work   http://www.ebay.com/itm/GMC-LINCOLN-...item3cd07d6596im planning on a carrier on a pipeline and mobile welding on my down time with some boiler making also i just want the best bang for the buck
Reply:Never owned an engine drive welder myself, but if you're planning on a career on pipelines I would go for the SA200.
Reply:A few things in general to think about when looking at engine drives.DC only or AC/DC? Some of the smaller units are AC/DC, some are just DC only. Most of the larger machines are DC only. Do you have a need to run AC, say to do portable alum tig? The older Trailblazers made a great all around machine because you could do AC tig with them quite easily.CC or CC/CV? Do you have a need to run wire, or are you just going to use it to run stick and tig? Not all machines will allow you to do both. CV is often an option on larger engine drives. Not all big 40's and so have it for example. On the other hand Bobcats and Trailblazers are standard with CC/CV and are good machines if you need to use wire for repairs.Remote capabilities? Not all engine drives are set up to allow you to run a remote. For example a Bobcat is a CC/CV machine, but lacks the 14 pin connection to allow you to attach a foot pedal or use a remote connected wire feeder. A big difference vs the older Trailblazer that had that 14 pin connection. If you want to run wire and the machine doesn't come equipped with a remote, you will need a VS feeder vs an RC type feeder. Same goes if you want to do tig. If you don't have that remote connection you can't adjust your amps with a pedal or finger tip controller.Aux power... Many of the bigger engine drives aux power is an option. Make sure it has the aux power you need. Many of the smaller machines have a much higher aux output than bigger units. Some big units only have an aux output of maybe 3KW compared to the 8 to 12 KW output on the newer small engine drives. They don't expect you to power the house with the big units, but just run a few lights and grinders. Engines.. Gas vs Diesel... You'll find the majority of small engine drives are all gas, though some have a diesel option. Bigger units are often diesel. Diesel units are often much more expensive than their gas counter parts..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Here's my "lesson" for school.....THE BIGGER THE ENGINE, THE BETTER!!!!!'Nuff said.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHere's my "lesson" for school.....THE BIGGER THE ENGINE, THE BETTER!!!!!'Nuff said.
Reply:can the big 40 say a mid 80's model run a xmt 350? im looking at buying this 8VS w/Q300 gun  http://www.millerwelds.com/products/..._350/index.php figured with a big 40 and this i could do any dang job i came across also would the same big 40 be able to run a tig foot pedal ? wont use it that much but want the option . guess i could run the foot pedal off the xmt as well .
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloancan the big 40 say a mid 80's model run a xmt 350? im looking at buying this 8VS w/Q300 gun  http://www.millerwelds.com/products/..._350/index.php figured with a big 40 and this i could do any dang job i came across also would the same big 40 be able to run a tig foot pedal ? wont use it that much but want the option . guess i could run the foot pedal off the xmt as well .
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugI don't think the Big40 generates enough AC power to run an XMT.
Reply:http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o450n_mil.pdf Hope this helps.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Tylersloan,Buy a machine that fits the work you plan on doing.  Buy a machine that fits in the truck you own; or plan to buy.Smaller gas driven machines will fit in the smallest pickup trucks.  Diesel powered welders will need at least a 3/4 ton truck to move around and carry other equipment.Miscellaneous repair work and most structural welding can be done with most any engine driven welder.  Heavy equipment work with a lot of arc gouging to remove broken welds will benefit from a bigger machine; 300+ amps.  High productivity pipeline welding, work where your welder runs all day long for weeks at a time, will benefit from the durability and fuel economy of a diesel powered welder.So, my advice is think long and hard about what you want to do with the tools, and buy the best tools you can afford for the work you aim to do.There's no sense in buying a 1 ton dually with a 600 amp diesel engine drive if you're going to weld residential railings, build carports, and fix lawn chairs in your spare time.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I was surprised to hear from a guy here on WW that he pipeline's with a Trail Blazer...He says it works greatBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:thank you for all the replies im mainly planning on pipeline work but i figured i could also weld up farm equipment in my down time since i live around corn fields .i have a 1/2 ton truck now but im planning on buying a one ton after school found a few for 3 grand old service trucks .i guess what i want is a welder that can go to a pipeline weld all day every day and on my down time at home weld farm equipment .
Reply:I own a 200, that machine has the smoothest arc of any machine I have ever welded with. The 200s provide plenty of power. I can burn 3/16 lo-hi rods all day and the machine not skip a beat. The only reason you would change from a sa-200 is preference between Lincoln and Miller .filling up your tank every 2 days to every 7 days if you go diesel. I plan on going diesel once I get on my feel a little more. Fuel economics. That's all that it boils down to. The rest is personal preference. Ya those big blues might have spatter control, REALLY nice engines, perkins and cat motors not to mention built in coffee makers. Then comes the cost. 18,000$ for a big 40? or 4000$ for a machine that does everything you need it too. Its all up to you.
Reply:A solidly rebuilt SA200 will take you a long way in that business.  A 200D is a good long term choice.  It'll cost more to buy, and you better be comfortable working on a diesel engine before you rely on it to make a living.  Gas engines units are more common, less epensive to buy, easier to work on, but will cost more in fuel in the long run.  Miller diesel units are solid machines, generally not as easy to find.  There are some Canadians posting here and I've heard that they use the smaller, air cooled Miller trailblazers on pipeline work.  Not so common in the lower 48. Your 1/2 ton truck will need to be replaced.  Good to hear you're already thinking about this...What truck is best is the subject of a whole other discussion thread... Originally Posted by tylersloanthank you for all the replies im mainly planning on pipeline work but i figured i could also weld up farm equipment in my down time since i live around corn fields .i have a 1/2 ton truck now but im planning on buying a one ton after school found a few for 3 grand old service trucks .i guess what i want is a welder that can go to a pipeline weld all day every day and on my down time at home weld farm equipment .
Reply:as far as a truck what i want is a 02 dodge crew 4x4 duelly with a Cummings and a manual but what i can afford is another story i want my truck to work for me not me working for my truck .