Opinions on 305G Lincoln

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Im going to be buying a new engine driven welder in the next couple of months.I have kinda been looking at the 305.Im pretty picky about my welding machine.Has anybody used one much?This will be used at home and to do small side jobs.But ocassionally i may want to use it at work.We have a Lincoln GXT and a Lincoln 250 at work.The GXT is a POS especially on pipe.The 250 isnt bad,but not great.Is the 305 a better machine?
Reply:Way better that both the GXT and the 250, if thats what your asking...
Reply:If I wasn't a Miller man, and I was putting a non-diesel welder on my truck, the Lincoln 305G would be it, period.  You will be very happy with that machine.Just like I would never buy a Miller Bobcat, but would definitely get another Trailblazer, I would never buy a Lincoln Ranger below the 305G, but wouldn't hesitate to get the 305G.
Reply:I was pricing them out a month or two ago and praxair has(d) two of them.  They're pretty.  If I ever finish my twuk, I't what I'm gonna throw in the back!  I don't have any personal experience, but they've got a good rep as long as you don't plan on doing any ac tig.
Reply:Thanks for the responses.Im wanting something i can use at work when it gets serious.All my superiors care about a welder is how much does it cost and does it start.
Reply:I have the 250.  The 305 is the same machine on steroids.  BOTH have chopper technology which is almost an inverter.  They run at about 20,000 hz on DC.  I love the ranger 250.Both are supposed to have output like an SA200 when put on Downhill pipe.  I have used mine quite a bit and it welds awesome.  The CV output is MUCH smoother than my older Weldmanpower G7. Co2 runs like C/25.  The adjustable arc force makes dry 7018 run like butter.  If its not dry, you turn up the arc force and it will still run great.I did some tests.  If you put it on 90 amps and weld, it stays at 90 amps give or take ONE amp no matter how long or short the arc is.Come on over and try it out.The 305 was $500 more than the 250, so I bought the 250.  My G7 was a 200 amp machine and big enough for almost anything I needed.  I paid ca$h for the machine, so an extra $500 was not in the picture.  Only twice in a year and half have I been able to use more than the 250 puts out.DavidLast edited by David R; 04-08-2008 at 06:18 AM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:The Ranger 250 is a great machine. Don't let anyone fool you. It welds pipe exactly like an SA 200 except for one thing. On a hot day it does't cool off a little like the old 200's. Set it and forget it. I base my opinion on using a lot of different brands of machines over a lot of years. Nothing will do a better job with stick electrodes than a Ranger 250.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerThe Ranger 250 is a great machine. Don't let anyone fool you. It welds pipe exactly like an SA 200 except for one thing. On a hot day it does't cool off a little like the old 200's. Set it and forget it. I base my opinion on using a lot of different brands of machines over a lot of years. Nothing will do a better job with stick electrodes than a Ranger 250.
Reply:I swear by mine. Runs great and the arc is smooth. I would highly recomment one to you with no reservations at all....KennyYeah, yeah, I know you are a weldor too. But, are you a good one?