Suitcase feeder with Ranger or Bobcat?

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Just wondering if anyone wishes they had bought a bigger generator/welderthe first time.    I was thinking about one of these guys( Ranger or Bobcat range) instead of the Trailblazer size.  NO  I don't need one that big now....but you know the drill you buy a plasma or a welder ect. and before long you have out grown it pretty quick and had regrets. I know I have.    As long as I can run a suitcase feeder and run the stick for a couple hrs and ofcourse the 120v tools I would be happy.  Any thoughts.  How bout ya Ranger and Bobcat owners. weld it like you own it
Reply:No regrets on my Ranger 250DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Trailblazer is the same size, 600 pounds. The thing is a TB has a hell of alot more features(a much better arc). I have a TB, the Ranger 250/305 are great machines too if you dont need AC for AL TIG. The Bobcat/Ranger10,000,GXT are in the same boat of less than great arc characteristics.  I would go with a TB or a Ranger 305, and not be wishing I bought it.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I had a Lincoln G7 (similar to a bobcat).  It suited me fine for almost 20 years.  Last year I upgraded to a Ranger 250.  ONCE I could have really used a 305 to get the job done faster.  I was using cored wire and getting paid by the hour, so.......   I gouge with 220 amps. If I could use 1/4" carbon, I could gouge with more amps.  I am not going to push the ranger 250 like is was a 350.  I hope it lasts as long as the last one.    I do occasionally run 3/16 7018, or 5/32 7024.  If I had more amps, I could run 3/16 7024, but not much call for it at all.    I would like a diesel welder, but it costs 3X what the ranger 250 did.  I bought this thing to make me money not broke.I MUCH prefer the Chopper technology to the older style lincoln I had.  It truly welds better especially with bare wire and Co2.  It took about 100 hours of running time to get the hang of it.Does that answer your question?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:yep sure does .... thanksLots of good info here.. I enjoyed reading the post on the GXT  and the 250.  Most of my work is done in two different shops and have only recently needed to look at the portable stuff.  So this is new territory.Got that hole burning in my pocket     weld it like you own it
Reply:I am in that boat now.  I need a new welder generator but can't afford the high end ones at the moment.  I don't want to regret my purchase.
Reply:I wish I had.  I have had the bobcats for years, and just replaced one on my welding trailer my helper uses with another 225-250 amp machine, but I am also upgrading another bobcat (the one on my truck) and it will be a larger machine.  In my line of work I see too many times I max out my little bobcat.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:since I've been working for my self, all I had been using was my trailblazers.Nice machines,but when I bought my big blue 400 last year I re-discovered how nice it was to have more power than you need and to not be pushing a machine to its max all the time.If it wont break the bank i would always go a little bigger than smaller.I have run tons of wire thru my 12rc feeded hooked up to the trailblazer with no problem.Last edited by Eric C; 08-02-2007 at 10:46 PM.
Reply:If you want to run wire, get the 250 at least. My 225G was always maxxing out with .045 dual shield. I could have really used more amps several dozen times. Now, I am running a TB302 and have yet to maxx it out......some day I will and will use that as an excuse to get a bigger toy...err.....machine.
Reply:Yesterday I checked the price on the BB Air Pack.......................................then they hit me with the defibrillator__________________________^__________  ^_^___^_^__^_^___! It may be awhile before I look at one of those again!Last edited by tanglediver; 08-03-2007 at 12:32 AM.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:I bought a trailblazer with the diesel (3 cyl kubota).......... wish I had gone with a bigger machine myself, like a big blue 400 ._________________Chris