Power Wave C300

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Does anyone have this machine?It was in the Lincoln Lab up in Scottsdale when I bought my Power Mig 350MP. I didn't try it out when I was there and didn't ask any questions. But since I saw it I have been looking at some documentation. I can not seem to find if you can or can not hook up a push/pull gun to it. The one thing it seems to have on the 350MP is it can do pulse/tig and it has Power Connect. Power connect seems kind of goofy for a shop machine...why are you plugging it into different power sources???I am not looking at this machine with any "buyers remorse", it's not what I want. I am just curious.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:According to the Lincoln site it has a Magnum connector on it which will take a Python-Plus gun.
Reply:My LWS has a few powerwave 400 or 450, I forget.  Big Ol mean machines with a control panel that I couldn't figure out.  When they work, they are the balls.  They will do pulsed spray, mig and STT.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Nice machines, the "power connect" is virtually the same as Millers autoline. It's not so much as using different input power, its if the power surges or drops out.Say if a compresser starts up on the same buss, or a big shear starts, your weld won't suddenly become erratic on that system.
Reply:I don't really know how to compare the 350MP to the C300, but I would call the C300 a great transition machine to an advanced process welder.  Its about half way between a 350MP and a 355M in capabilities.  The C300 has 59 selectable programs which include rapid arc pulse (in metalcore and hardwire) as well as "Powermode". Rapid arc becomes invaluable once you have it, it all but replaces the need for stick in out of position welding.  Vertical-up and overhead welds become as easy as using a chaulking gun with great penetration in heavy material.  We do almost all our structural welding in metalcore rapid arc now.  I suppose some explanation of rapid arc is required to if you've never heard of it, its a hybrid spray/short-arc pulse.  Powermode is a great program as well to have, especially in thin guage and open root.  Essentially its the Miller RMD process in a red case (thats actually how the Lincoln engineer explained it to me).  Of course RMD is just a knock of STT that is purely software driven and doesn't work as well.  With powermode you can control your penetration quite well with enough fiddling, but its still not STT, but its also not $10,000.  My experience with it is expect more setup time and more spatter.Where I've found the C300 really shine is doing service work, thats when it really shines.  You get alot of the functionality of a 355 or 455 in a portable package that you throw in the back of the truck.  Thats also where the power select comes in handy.  You can go to any plant with the machine and just plug in, you never have to crack the case to change lugs or taps.  And once your going, you got rapid arc at your disposal.Hope this helps, I've found that power waves are well worth the price given the versatility.  The C300 would probably make a great next step for you once you've reached the limits of the 350MP.
Reply:I thank you all for the replies!!!!!I think I got a smokin deal on my 350MP, enough that I don't think the C300 was going to lure me away. I also don't think 300amps was a good trade for 350 on the MP. I don't know that I will use 350 with this machine, but it's nice to know it's there. We shall see as time goes on.Again, it's a compromise of machines.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Had my C-300 since they first came out. I have owned a 300 powermig and used a few 350 MP too. The tig is way better then the chopper machine. Pulse or no pulse. The rapid arc works great, in that it's more forgiving on stickout variations. Really adaptive in other words. I  have never really been a fan of the soft type arc on these Lincoln machines but at least this C-300 wets the bead out better then my 300 pm. Wish Lincoln could get a Esab 350 mpi type of arc programed into there machines but it is what it is. Still nice enough but not the best in (IMO)  I prefer a decent setup Multimaster 260 in the short-arc over the Lincoln machines I have used. Still the C-300 is a great portable all in one unit. It's pulse programs work very well. Had to give up something to get something. I am sure Lincoln could program a bit sharper arc into the C-300 or PM-350 if they wanted too. Inductance or slope setting really can't get it where I like it but others might not care at all. I like a driving arc that wets out. Not as easy to get as it seems. The C-300 still is very easy to use overall.  Better then a PM-350 in user interface.
Reply:PS- The Lincoln Powerwave techs do a great job on handling software issues. My machine was one of the first released and it was missing some software. They keep me in the loop very well and got things handled right. I just went back to the download center and found a new update. Need to remember to bring my patch cord to upgrade. Super easy too.
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