Multi garage welder

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I searched this type of thing already to no avail, so sorry if i missed an existing post.I'm searching for a multiple use welder for use in my garage. Ideally i would like it to be able to handle mig, stick in 110 or 220. I don't have access to a 440 line, i checked with my electric company already. Tig and plasma cutting would definately be bonuses. I have seen units from ESAB, Lincoln, and Miller but don't feel like shelling out $2000+ for a casual use garage unit.The reason i would like an all-in-one sort of unit is for space, i'm only allowed one stall in my garage and my girlfriend won't let me do anything fun within 10 feet of her car. Otherwise i would just go buy seperate units to fit my needs.Any help with this will be greatly appreciated."Engineering is doing well with one dollar what any amateur could do with 2."
Reply:Another girlfriend might be an option.  John!!!!! But welcome to our forum.SMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Only a portable "does it all", like a Ranger or Bobcat, but you still need accessories. $2,000.00 though, you will need to find the deal of the century!  It is little wonder guys throw in a list of gear into their signatures. It don't come cheap, easy and quick, maybe 2 out of 3! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Here's the problem, Mig is a constant voltage process and stick is a constant current process. Unless you spend big bucks and usually have lots of power this takes 2 machines. There are some chinese machines that claim to do it all at a fair price but I've never met anybody that was happy with them. It's easier to get TIG and stick out of the same machine. If you were to buy a nice used 225 or so amp stick welder and a new or slightly used mid line 120 volt mig you could build a cart that could hold them both and take up no more floor space than the stick welder. Best yet, you could do this and get change back from $1000.
Reply:Nice thing about a Stick machine is that it's easy to chuck it deep in a corner and just have leads coming from it.  The MIG is the only one that needs to roll around the shop.
Reply:A used AC/DC buzz box, Ready Welder, and a argon/co2 tank.  Add a tig torch and you could do some tig on steel steel.  There are a couple of write up on the Ready Welder.
Reply:I have a Miller Shopmaster 300 amp machine for my shop and with accessories can do it all. It is CC and CV and with my old S52 feeder is a potent MIG setup. With my Miller HF unit I can TIG anything. But it was`nt cheap to set up like this. And the HF unit and my Spool gun or suitcase MIG plug into my Trailblaser as well. One machine in shop and one machine for portable. But like I said-not cheap.
Reply:I sell the Chinese 3 in 1 machines, if you're interested send me a PM.Regards, Larryhttp://www.PlasmaMetalCutter.comGiantTech Cut40DGiantTech Cut50DGiantTech CT520DGiantTech Tig200sGiantTech Arc200GiantTech Tig200PACDCMiller MM210No Brand Chinese Chop SawNo Brand Chinese 4" Angle Grinder
Reply:You mean garages are actually for parking cars in? Sounds like you need to go Chinese if you want a multiprocess power supply for under 2000. You can get a used Miller XMT304 for around 1600 -2000 for the 220/440 single or 3 phase cc/cv model. That's a high quality 400 amp power supply that weighs under 80lbs and draws 50 amps max on 220 single phase. I have less than 200 in the tig torch and flow meter for dc tig. Hefty wire feeder was 400. Add a set of leads and you can do just about anything except ac tig.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I see two options for you if you are set on a all in one power unit, quality old used equipment, or go Chi-Con.Good LuckMe!
Reply:Thanks for all the advise! I've decided to go the stacking route with 2 units on a cart. Seems like the best 2 outa 3 option i've got."Engineering is doing well with one dollar what any amateur could do with 2."