Lincoln sa 200 vs. miller bobcat 225

admin

i have a question as to why you get looked out for having a miller 225 instead of the Lincoln sa 200 on a job? simple and direct question...and i don't mean to offend anyone as i have brought this up before and found it be a touchy subject.
Reply:Have you welded with both of them? That would be the best way to get you answer. Of all the machines I've used, I would rank the Bobcat in last place.
Reply:Lincoln has the pure dc current exciter. Robust and proven itself over time. The smooth weld current prefered for for portable pipe welding.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OHave you welded with both of them? That would be the best way to get you answer. Of all the machines I've used, I would rank the Bobcat in last place.
Reply:I have both of those machines on my rig and when it comes to welding the Lincoln will out do the miller all day any day the only thing i use the bobcat for is power and to run the feeder
Reply:Does the bobcat 250 provide better weld quality than the 225?American by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:I'm not aware of any Miller machine that runs as nice as a SA-200. But I need to get my hands on an XMT-304, and XMT-350. Years ago I ran a Pipe Pro for a few rods, I've been told a Pipe Pro is an XMT-304 with an engine attached to it. Is this true?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:The XMT 304 and 350 are inverter power supplies. I have used both at work. They are cc/cv machines. They are nice machines. Lift start tig, stick and CV mode for an external wire feeder.I have no experience with the Pipe Pro.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:The SA-200 is a low RPM machine made to run all day long day in day out burning rod.  its taylor made to run stick electrodes and NOTHING else.    the machine can be adjusted to tailor to arc to a very fine degree for the discriminating pipe welder.   its amazing what a great hand can do with one thats set up the way he likes it.The bobcat is a disposable high rpm low displacement welder that will do CC/CV has a fair amount of AC power on tap and is built much lighter and smaller than the SA-250.    It will also be getting tired around the 3000 hour mark.   I have seen SA-200's with 10,000 hours.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:I don't think anyone would look at you funny if you had both rigs on board. Nice to have the AC power and innershield capability. I will steal a quote from a member here, don't remember his name. He said "Every once in a while, the engineers get it just right the first time, That is the SA 200, survived the test of time and the critics with few changes in this many years" think about that , how many pieces of equipment stand the test of what, 50-60 years, and not only are they still in use but are higly sought after, and apply that to any field or equipment , not just welding."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I own a Miller Bobcat 225 and I have found it to be a very reliable machine for general construction welding but I have learned the hard way that it is a terrible machine for pipe welding. A good pipe hand with a lot of experience and skill could probably work magic with a Bobcat just as they do with an SA 200, but I'm certainly not one of them. I have found that with mine I just cannot fine tune the arc well enough to weld pipe with it, especially on the bead, it's either too cold or too hot.
Reply:Lets just say that anybody can make a good weld with the SA200.  The SA's are just so buttery smooth with 7018 it's almost impossible to get undercut.  As has been said, lay some beads with the SA200...  you'll see why people feel the way they do about them.  They run 7018 better than any generator, transformer, or inverter welder I have ever used and the difference is not subtle.
Reply:well now that i have bought my first sa 200 and  i am currently welding for elkhorn cons. on pipe all day6 days a week 11 hrs a day. I fully understand the difference in the two machines. Ignorance is bliss i guess.livin the dream...git er done!!!!