All in one or specific process machines?

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So what do you prefer? An all-in-one wonder, or a machine specific for the process?I've been thinking about getting a mig/flux welder, but its a pain in the arse to find JUST a mig welder with decent specs.I know now days you've got basically two processes in one machine stick/tig and mig/flux.So whats ya'lls thoughts?
Reply:I'm no master welder, but I prefer separate machines in welding, the same as in other tools and appliances.  If one device fails, I can possibly still finish the job using another tool.  If they are all the same tool, I'm just out of luck.  You can also replace a single process tool much cheaper and easier than buying another integrated device, most of the time.From combo TV/VCR/DVD players, to mutliprocess welders, it just makes more sense to me to have separate tools.That being said, I do have a TIG/Stick box, since that's how it came to me in a deal, but if I ever find myself doing a lot of stick welding, or get anywhere near professional at TIG welding, I'd definitely consider getting a dedicated welder for that process.  The Chinese combo box that I have does work, but it's not perfect by any means.
Reply:I’ve been very impressed with my Lincoln V350-Pro since day 1!  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Combo might be easy way to et started then upgrade w individual machines.I have all separate process machines…Used to feel same way about electronics. Still have separate gps, camera, etc.However, it is nice having all-in-one iPhone…always on me!DB
Reply:I prefer separate machines , looks nicer then just having one machine on a cart.    It depends on the process you want to use. I like stick for thicker material and mig and tig for thinner. You should check duty cycle on the combo machine too. You may find that a single process unit may have greater duty cycle. More info would help on the type of work or projects you are considering. As for ,  ''its a pain in the arse to find JUST a mig welder with decent specs.''  What '' specs ''are you lookin for ??  Do mean decent specs for your budget ?
Reply:Originally Posted by neuralsnafuI've been thinking about getting a mig/flux welder, but its a pain in the arse to find JUST a mig welder with decent specs.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou lost me with this. Most decent wire feed machines will run solid wire/gas, fluxcore wire, or even dualshield on the upper end machines. For practical purposes Mig/FC are pretty much the same. Granted polarity is different and they use a different type of shielding, but they are much closer to being the same than say stick / tig is. Usually once you get into the stand alone cabinet "migs" or the industrial CV power sources and feeder you shouldn't have any difficulties  with "decent specs". It's only the smaller "hobby" units that have serious limitation.
Reply:I don't think I've seen a "tapped" wire speed, though many of the budget priced units simply read 1-10 on wire speed vs actual inch per minute. On those wire speed changes based on what voltage tap the machine is powering the drive from, so a wire setting of 4 on tap 6 won't give you the exact same wire speed per minute as setting of 4 on say tap 3. Same is true with tapped voltage machines, but not always. Older quality migs often had tapped settings. My MM185 or an old MM200 both had 1-10 on wire feed and tapped voltage settings. Both have very good specs, just older analog designs. In fact many feel the MM200's have one of the nicest mig arcs out there even if they are pushing 20+ years old. My MM185 would stack up favorably with todays MM212 and the MM200 would stack up with the MM252.Continuous voltage is overrated many times. A good mig welder can get plenty of settings off a tapped machine simply by adjusting his stick out and wire speed. If you really think a few 10ths of a volt are going to make you suddenly a "better" welder, you're wrong. Same goes with wire speed. To me it doesn't matter what the dial or digital readout says, it's how the machine is performing that matters. All the dial or DR readouts tell me is where to set the machine next time I want to run similar materials. The dial could use Chinese ideograms or be written in  Yiddish for all it matters to me..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWTo me it doesn't matter what the dial or digital readout says, it's how the machine is performing that matters. All the dial or DR readouts tell me is where to set the machine next time I want to run similar materials. The dial could use Chinese ideograms or be written in  Yiddish for all it matters to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPRemember the old days when we put pencil marks on the face of the welder?
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerI have a 69' SA200 with pencil marks on the original faceplate. However, they are not appropriate for public forum sharing.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPRemember the old days when we put pencil marks on the face of the welder?
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI worked on the water front all my life, don’t think you can shock me! So go ahead and post pictures.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPRemember the old days when we put pencil marks on the face of the welder?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWToday you'd first have to explain what a pencil is to half of these kids.... Isn't it amazing how some of the "best" machines out there like the SA200 and MM200 don't have flashy digital readouts and wiz bang gizmos yet have withstood the test of time?
Reply:I like idividual welders, not just because I like collecting welders, but because if you only have one multipurpose machine and it dies it's game over until it's fixed. If you have more than one welder you can use the other machine to get the job done even if you're using a less than ideal process for the weld you're doing.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:I don't think you can go wrong with one of the new Lincoln inverters, like the powermig 210. If you are leaning more to TIG, try the square wave 200. They are not all in one machines, but they do combine some functions. (MIG, stick and DC only TIG or TIG with HF and aluminum capability with stick)Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Personally I have a multi process machine. When I bought my Imig the version of the machine without stick welding capability's was only a few dollars less than the one with that option. For a guy just starting out and not running a business with them it was a no brainer. I put the money I saved not having to buy a second machine into a K bottle of oxygen and a set of smith torches set up for oxy propane. If I get more serious with this stuff down the line I would probably go for dedicated machines but for the hobbyist whose main uses are building and repairing stuff for himself around his hobby farm a mig/stick combo machine and a set of torches suits my needs fine at the moment.
Reply:Look at it this way . Since you are young guy 28, how many iphones , laptops, PC'S, ipad tablet, gameboys, intendo's, and whatever else is avaiable in electronics today do you have ???   And you want only ONE machine ?
Reply:I am a guy who primarily TIG welds.  When I look at the multi-process machines, I see some missing features.  First, they are DC only, so it is difficult at best to TIG weld aluminum.Second, they lack pulse, a feature that I use a lot for TIG welding copper.Third, they lack HF, a useful feature.It is hard to be all things to all people.  Generally the multi-process machines are optimized for the MIG process, and the other processes are a bit of an afterthought.Note also that many of the multi-process machines will not run 6010 stick rod well, due to low voltage.   Some of them will not run a very low current, which would have an impact when TIG welding very thin metal.The multi-process machines have a place, especially if you do not have the space/budget for two welders, but don't kid yourself that they are as good as two or three dedicated welders.Sculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I like separate machines for 2 reasons:1) you don't have all your eggs in one basket - inverter dies and you have no welder (had this happen).2) I like to have each machine set up and ready to go. A simple quick weld turns into an ordeal when you have to change leads/gas/settings.Hobart 210 MVPHTP Invertig 221 + coolerEverlast SuperUltra 205
Reply:My experience with all in one type tools/gadgets, etc. is that they typically offer many capabilities, but don't do any particular function as well as a dedicated unit. Eg the combo MIG/TIG/Stick machines don't offer AC for doing aluminum TIG work (though I understand you can revers the polarity of the leads, run straight helium, and DC weld aluminum). Since MIG and Fluxcore welding is essentially exactly the same process, it makes sense to it to be a 'combo' unit. I am running a MillerMatic 175 MIG machine, and then an AHP TIG machine as separate machines. I Am debating up[grading the MIG machine, but to get a MillerMatic 252 or the Tweaco 252i Fabricator that also offers TIG? I'd prefer to have the Miller XMT 305 w/ wire feeder, and a Miller Synchrowave 250 DX as separate units. But, as a hobbyist, that is WAY more money than I can justify.James AHP 200X TIGMillerMatic 175DaytonaMIG 135Chinese O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by neuralsnafuSo what do you prefer? An all-in-one wonder, or a machine specific for the process?I've been thinking about getting a mig/flux welder, but its a pain in the arse to find JUST a mig welder with decent specs.I know now days you've got basically two processes in one machine stick/tig and mig/flux.So whats ya'lls thoughts?
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Because any machine that can MIG weld can run Fluxcore. You've lost me on the Tapped Voltage and wire speed thing too???Tig and Stick are both Constant Current process so it is relatively easy to make the machine do both processes. No Magic there either.Now there are new machines that will do the Mig,Stick,TIG in the small package. Hobart has the Ironman 230- probably the best bang for the buck if you are looking for a decent sized machine for your shop that won't bust the budget too much.
Reply:Your original query doesn't quite make sense though.there are plenty of Mig machines that do the job quite well.MM211MM252350pLincoln's Power MigsESAB has some as wellEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge