multi process welders

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just wanted to get some professionals opinions.I currently have a lincoln sp135 (don't laugh).  I got it for learning mig and it has served its purpose.  However, I find myself wanting to do jobs that exceed this machines capabilities on a regular basis now.I am a hobbist not a proffesional welder nor do I rely on this for income.  With that being said I want to upgrade to some big boy toys.  I would like to have a more capable mig machine.  I also currently have no stick welder nor TIG.  The latter two are concerns because I find myself being draw into some heavier steel welding (1/4"-1/2" =stick, upgraded mig) and towards stainless and AL wedling (light guage - 1/4" =TIG).I could buy individual machines but was wondering about a multi-process machine that can do it all.  I know there are going to be trade offs to get an all-in-one.What would you professionals reccomend on the individual machines vs 1 multi-process and what tradeoffs have you seen that are detrimental?Thanks for your help.Steven
Reply:Well, I have both-I have a 304 xmt inverter, and it is a very cool machine. Excellent tig, DC only, so no aluminum. It will do scratch start or lift arc, and I added a high freq unit as well.It will stick weld as well as any machine I have ever used.And it is the best power supply I have ever used for a wire feeder as well.But it wasnt cheap, and to add high freq, a water cooler for the tig torch, and a wire fee head, you are talking thousands more.It is small, light, doesnt use much power, and will auto adjust to any input voltage or phase.I also have a stand alone wire feeder, spool gun and push pull, both of which we hook up to the 304 when we can.I have another tig welder, a couple of sticks too.If you work alone, and on one thing at a time, one multiprocess is a great way to go- just dont think you will save much money that way- probably more expensive.
Reply:I have something that is similar to what Ries has, just a bit lower tech.  I use a powcon 300sm and a hobart hefty for my mig and occasionally for stick.  I use an old dialarc 250 ac/dc with a hi freq box for tig.  Total cost for everything is about $1500, but that required a bit of shopping and some quickness on my part.  To get the same capabilities all in a single unit would be $3000+ and that's a very low guess (noting that I dont have a lot of new features that some of the newer stuff has).  I have other welders, but these items represent the most often used equipment I have.  If cost is an issue...all-in-one units are, in my opinion, bank breakers for hobbiest.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Lincoln Power-mig 350!!!!!!!!!!!Awesome machine! Better than the miller 350p...... YES, guys, I said it!!.in that it will stick, tig, mig, air-arc, pulse, and does all very well.The miller 350p, will only mig/pulse.I'm sure i will get a stearn response form the Blue side, BUT come on guys, admit it. While the 350p is a great welder, it wont do alot the red machine WILL.I was looking at millers comparo, on thier site, and they said they said thiers was better because....... less functions, means less operator confusion.!!WHAT A CROCK!!!! they claim thiers is better, because it can do less??????Yeah right..... Like I find myself confused because my lincoln will stick weld AND mig!...... and pulse, and pulse on pulse, and tig, and...........Will your mighty millers do that?...........Great mig machines, I'll give you that, but thats about all they are!Sorry for the rant........ just some preemptive justification on my positionWe need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:lmao  JimIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:BB:That was actually the machine I was looking at.  Glad to hear such a glowing review of it So it looks like maybe a little more expensive but at least the liconl LOL! has a supporter..Keep um coming guys..PS.Went by a shop yesterday (to drop off some paperwork) that does alot of stuff for the AF.  I mentioned that they had a great shop and would love to sit and learn at the side of some of thier master machinist and welders.The shop boss gave me a tour of the place bragging all along.  We went out back to the water jet machine where I got a demo cutting a 4'x8' pc of 6" armor plate into widgets.  WOW!  Then we walked back around the building passing the scrap dumpsters.  I jokingly said I could live off thier scrap.  I had a hard time scrounging practice stock.He put his hand on my back and said...  "Since your learning and all we do is dump this for a recycler paying cents on the dollar..  My scrap dumpsters are your. Get whatever you want out of them just check in with me before you do.Today I got alot of AL sheet to practice on as well as 20 sections of 1/8 stainless 2'X4' long.  Also got some heavy steel to practice multi-pass on.Looks like I have to add a name to the Christmas Booze delivery list.Have a great on Steven
Reply:good job manIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:I Also have a Invertec v-350 pro, adv. pro., and it is an Amazing machine,But i also have a ln-25 feeder, and am in the market for a new lf-72, or 74 feeder.While a GREAT machine, it is probly less practical for a hobbiest.I love it for its size and portability, and often take it to jobsites, but often find myself using my power mig , and spool gun,around the shopWe need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:I like my bobus   I can do mig tig and stick with it...flux core too but I aint got the suitcase cause I dint have the money when I was offered the good dealIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Yup......... I love mine too. Good little engine drive!I'm looking into a new Vantage 400. My little Bobus-catus, is too small when I air-arc on heavy equipment. But more so, 'cause I want more gen power.8500 is great to run power tools, But i'd like to be able to run my plasma maxed out.We need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:what do you need to max?Ive got 10KW on mineIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:I've got a esab 1125......70 amp machineDraws 65 amps maxed, and I use it alot, in the field, for thick SS, and Alum.the bobus dont have the power, and my plasma shuts down for low voltage.10KW. is only about 40 amps @ 240v, and I think thats surge, not continuous.AND.......... with the bobus cranked, 3/16 carbon rods, run, but perty splutery....... is that even a word? splutery?know what I mean ...... Vern?We need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:sputtery  I think it is  adjective ?IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Yeah when I do the math...cause im pretty sure..could be wrong welding machiens and plasma are running off 230V technically...so at 65 amps you need 15KWfor the 40 amps you need9.2KW and thats pushin the machine pretty hard.I think the machiens we have at work, the smaller ones are spectrum 625 and I thought they were 40 ampersI was told my bobus could power one right up to full power but it was pretty close to max.  YEah that sounds about right to me.  Mine is 10kw max9.5 cont I thinkmaybe 9 but I think its 9.5IF it Catches...Let it Burn