Buying Equipment - Big Time Help Needed

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Right now I am in welding school (seeking certification). I really do love welding. When I graduate, I plan to have my own little welding outfit. Nothing major and I'm not in it for the money. I just want a nice little shop and to earn a decent living.My desire is to have a good setup that can weld whatever comes my way. Right now, I pieced together a Oxy/Fuel setup for only $410. I bought a Lincoln 225 Stick Welder for $60 that only needed a new plug. But for my future work (be it my own "business", or working for a shop) I want to have professional equipment.My budget is $4,000 - $6,000. I am looking at Lincoln equipment. I am considering something like the Precision 225 w/ 140c Mig Setup. Or maybe the precision 275 with the 140 or 180Mig setup. They seem like good values, and professional quality.I know $6,000 is not a "ton" of money, but I SHOULD be able to setup a nice little shop with that amount. I may even go used if the right deal comes along. But that is where your all's experience comes into play. I want a solid Tig / Mig / Stick setup and my ceiling is right around $6,000. What do you suggest? It does not have to be Lincoln.
Reply:Watch Craigslist in your location or use Search Tempest for a wider area of searching.  I picked up a SP 175 Plus for $75.00 a couple months ago.  Took a new liner & gas flow meter, but works great.Craigslist: www.craigslist.orgSearch Tempest: http://www.searchtempest.com/MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I think you're gonna be a little shy of "professional"  with the equipment you listed.  I wouldn't go any smaller than a 250 class MIG.  And definately wouldn't go any smaller than a 200 TIG/Stick.  250+ for the TIG/Stick would be preferable.Also, from my experience trying to act like a legit shop....working out of my garage....welders are not where the majority of your money will be.  Other things like hand tools, power tools, saws, a press, and maybe even a mill and lathe, will eat up more cash than a welder will.  Having a welder is great, but if you can't straighten, shorten, lengthen, make new, etc.  you will be up **** creek pretty quick.  I have been doing a lot of repair/fabrication work for farmers cuz they always need stuff fixed, and the welders are used for a small fraction of the time spent on a job. Just my .02.
Reply:A small portable mig, a self generating stick welder and a good powerful dc stick/tig for the shop will allow you to weld everything but aluminum.I think in terms of Miller cause I'm familiar with their stuff so I would look for a Millermatic 135 or 140, a Bobcat or Trailblazer and an XMT.    You'll have every process except aluminum and  you can add that later when the time comes in the form of an AC tig or a spool gun with the XMT or Trailblazer.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by FranciscoJWhen I graduate, I plan to have my own little welding outfit. Nothing major and I'm not in it for the money. I just want a nice little shop and to earn a decent living.
Reply:You won't be sorry with Lincoln products.The Precision TIG 275 will weld everything you will ever want to do including aluminum with an in-shop welder.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I like welding. Is it wrong that my first preoccupation is building my skills rather then how much money I can make? In my opinion, I think it is better to want to become a better welder before you worry about how much money that better welder can make.Good point on the issue with machinery. I already have air compressor with a big assortment of tools, mechanics tools, plenty of power tools. Only thing you listed that I DON'T have is the mill/lathe...lol
Reply:Originally Posted by rode2rouenBefore you go too far with equipment purchases, you might want to look into an attitude adjustment. If you're not in it for the money you won't earn a decent living.I'm just sayin'.Rex
Reply:Originally Posted by FranciscoJ Only thing you listed that I DON'T have is the mill/lathe...lol
Reply:You mite want to check out Longevity WeldAll 200P, 250P.   Like the name implys you can weld all, stick, TIG, plasma cutter.    Yes it can weld AL.  The machine is NEW and has a guarentee.  They go for under $2000keith The older the boys, the more expensive the TOYS!!Previous owned;Linde 300 Amp welderMiller Gas drv welder, Tumbstone,Dayton Miller ac to dc converter,High frequency unitLongevity LS60PCurrrently owned;Longevity WeldAll 200PI
Reply:Most everything i have other than the vantage 500 and two LN-25's has been bought used.    Let someone else pay the depreciation especially if your just starting out.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:stay with the big 3 miller lincoln and hobart or while your in the field working and you break down the lws can't help you... your done for on the job if you buy local the dealer may have loaners or get you going quicker than playin around on the phone tryin to get china parts shipped from the factory that may take a while even if they have good parts on the U.S. side...my 2 cents....starting out with china junk is not the way that is wrong on so many levels you need the reliability of the big 3 for sure....don't let em lie to yaLincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:Best thing to do 1st is get tall the training that you can. Also consider an apprenticeship! Also consider going around to some shops to see what types of equipment and tools they have as that will give you a better idea of are used and needed in a shop.  Look around for some good used equipment  and tools.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I really liked this one on the Longevity WeldAll just check it out...Like Tony D said stay with the big 3.. I would go with Miller or Lincoln I have a little Lincoln welder and love it but I weld with Miller stuff at school and love them to we have one Lincoln their and it does really good also..