Help me decide what to get !

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I need advise for a project. I plan on taking some old rock crushing and conveyor equipment apart and building something else out of it. There will be 3 in sq. tubing, 1/4 or better angel iron and some heavy guage sheet metal to be welded. Back in the 70's I worked in a factory a few months, wire welding various parts for snowmobile trailers that went to an assembly line. I could keep up with parts for the line but I don't consider myself a "welder". I have had very little luck with stick welding and don't know one stick from another. I will be out in area with no power. I can borrow a TB 301 from my boss that bought it just for the generator power on construction sites. He doesn't have any welding gear for it.I stoped by an AIRGAS dealer where he got it to see what I needed and what it could cost. I have also looked around for used gear. Now I need to decide if I want  a suitecase feeder or would I be better off getting something that just plugs into the 220. If I get something big enough for 1/4 inch +, I could use it later on in my garage or sell it. When I finish this project I can't think of anything else I would need it for. And if I got a feeder wouldn't I always need a gen/welder machine to power it? I don't want to be stuck borrowing the TB all the time. My own gen. now is only 4kw so that's too small.This project could take a few weeks and it's outdoors. So, from what I have read I need flux core wire. I worked with gas in the past.Help me pick something out by size, type and what consumables should I have when I'm 200 miles from the city. Thanks for the help!
Reply:Hey Vegas, if you are able to borrow a generator with 220v, i would go with the HH187 using fluxcore.  The only down side is the sheetmetal (fluxcore and sheet don't go well).  Some of the experts may help you further.Luke********************LukeNorth Salem, NY********************HH 187Orbit 16 speed drill pressEvolution Rage 2 14" dry cut SAW87 Buick Grand National96 Ford Mustang GT (vert)
Reply:I would be tempted to get the Miller DVI2. It's a dual voltage welder that will run off 110 or 220. It will do 1/4 inch and sheet metal easy. It's rated up to 3/8. I think after you used a welder again you might find it very handy to have around. With the DVI2 you would be covered for just about everything. I bought the DVI2 myself and love it. I just thought I would mention it incase it fit your future plans.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I'd get the MM Passport to plug into the TB 301.  I had this exact set-up for many jobs when I lived in Las Vegas.  Although I also had two feeders for the TB itself.  The Passport will be the easiest plug-in machine to lug around like a feeder.  If budget-constrained, the HH187 is probably the ticket.  Get an .035" self-shielded T-11 flux-cored wire, like Lincoln Innershield.  Last time I was in Las Vegas, Home Depot, of all places, had the absolute best deals in town on it.The other option is to get the stinger and some rods.  It won't take much practice to be proficient enough to weld that together.  How critical is the weldment?  Will it kill people if it breaks?  In truth, with limited experience, you are more likely to get a sound weld with the sticks than with the MIG.  And since you aren't factoring in a long-term return on welding productivity, Stick is looking better and better.  If you were to use some 6010 or 6011 for a first pass, covered with fresh out-of-the-sealed-can 7018, you will likely have a very sound, good-looking weld, especially if you do most of it in the flat position.
Reply:I agree with MAC about the stick welding being the best deal.   Your boss might even put in a little $$ for the cables if you can convince him he might need them some day.I  use the Millermatic Passport with a Bobcat 250 and that's a great combination for mobile use.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op