SOO who has the best welder in here?

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I´m welding web Ill with no cure avaible rather than post threads. No one has any post recently so I´ll make my own. I would like to know, from all the peeps in here, Who´s got the best welder. (their OWN welder, not from his work cause the guys who work for the NASA would probably win without even competing). And would like them to defend their welder too  by saying why it is the best. AHH I feel so much better now
Reply:Trying to start a fight?
Reply:Of course not =) just wanna hear everyones oppinion and their arguments  probably people with best machine could just do a weld that might not hold enough. C´mon people  wanna hear your thoughts!
Reply:Bobus Catus... IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Everyone knows that the lincoln ranger 250 is the best (of course whatever a person has is gonna be the best, even if it's a set of jumper cables hooked to a car battery) .  This probably isn't the best topic to post in a forum full of proud, possibly big, welders. DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:The best would just be wasted on me.  I got what fits the combination of least expensive, best quality and what I can make use of without completely re-educating myself, a dialarc 250 with a high freq box, a powcon 300sm, a couple of powcon 300ss (really good buys used that I would highly recommend), a millermatic 130, and an assortment of cv/cc wire feeders.  All are more reliable that I am.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:of coarse  its Lincoln idealarc 250 stick/tig  with pedal.... but all i do is alum/SS..  I still miss me old red cracker box
Reply:Lincoln Invertec V350pro , advanced process................... Lots of p**p!We need to protect Freedom of Speech, otherwise, how would we know who the A-holes (like me) are.
Reply:Originally Posted by prop-doctorof coarse  its Lincoln idealarc 250 stick/tig  with pedal.... but all i do is alum/SS..  I still miss me old red cracker box
Reply:Not really a question worth asking.    I have what I consider to be a very good wedler but  it is not like it is the bast by any means.    It is  amatter of money and unfortunately a lot of my dough goes for more pressing needs.     Considering that a purchase of another more signifcant welder is off in the future there is no telling what will be ideal then. Sure it might be a Lincoln or it might be something else.    Maybe even something built some place besides here in the US.    It all depends on who is innovating and delivering good pricing at that point in time.     Miller is good at innovating, the Passport being a perfect example, but they aren't to good about pricing that innovation.     So even if I upgrade to a new welder in the future it is likely not to be bleeding edge simply because of costs.Dave
Reply:I don´t know if it is worth asking but it´s nice to hear what people think the best welders a normal person could buy. Also wanted to hear their comments about it. In this welding world you have to know what is the caddy of the machines
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboyThe best would just be wasted on me.  I got what fits the combination of least expensive, best quality and what I can make use of without completely re-educating myself, a dialarc 250 with a high freq box, a powcon 300sm, a couple of powcon 300ss (really good buys used that I would highly recommend), a millermatic 130, and an assortment of cv/cc wire feeders.  All are more reliable that I am.
Reply:Originally Posted by elvergonWhats that powcon 300ss smithy??
Reply:The 300ss is just a dc stick welder.  It is an older inverter just like Mac said.  The first, I got off ebay pretty cheap.  The second, I got not-working for a steal and found out that it was just a bad fuse on the board...fixed it for pennies and neither have broke yet.  I use the ebay one as a power source for my starcut plasma cutter.  The other is my traveling stick welder.  I have been toying with the idea of hooking them in parallel to get a single phase 60% duty cycle, 400 amp dc welder/plasma/mig power source.  Folks here have given me all the info I need, and I got everything ready....I just aint made the cables yet.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by prop-doctorof coarse  its Lincoln idealarc 250 stick/tig  with pedal.... but all i do is alum/SS..  I still miss me old red cracker box
Reply:i have a chicago electric mig spraying fluxcore something or another in the shed  ...zap! I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:my bobcat is the best machine ever because its mine, it does everything I need it to, I could afford it when I bought it, its never let me down, and best of all ITS PAID FOR!IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Oh and it helps it carries its own powerIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:my BEST machine ? really hard to say- my S A 250 is so sweet on lo-hy , and my  S P 250 is so sweet & easy on mig , it just  depends what process i need to use at the time . And, my Miller Dial Arc 250 H F welds tig fine- i guess you  pays yer money and takes yer choice .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:That´s what I wanted to hear from y´all C´mon Redneck, tell us more about your bobcat....Type? (knowing you it must be stick ,....duty cycle...custom mods)You should say that too Roy, explain more about your welders
Reply:I'm pretty certain that I have the best MIG welder around.  That would be a PowCon 400SM with a Miller S-64 feeder and a 400 amp Roughneck gun.  It also works quite nicely on aluminum with a Spoolmatic 30A.  It's got a few notable features (fan on demand, 24VAC accessory power) over the 300SM, but is otherwise just about the same with a bit higher duty cycle.  It'll get into spray transfer up to .045 on single phase and 1/16" on three phase.  Now, I just wish I had a pulser for it.-Heath
Reply:THe bobus is the 225 NT with the 10Kw generator.   It is primarily a stick machine, but can scratch tig, ac and dc, but steel and stainless is all its realy good for, alum without a remote is not something I am interested in.   Plus I think the price they ask for a HF is unbelievable.   It can weld wire, but you are limited to a Voltage Sensing type feeder.  Not that these are bad feeders, there are pros and cons to each.  However, most folks would say if given a choice, they would prefer the remote control type.  As mentioned before, 10Kw genny.   This is real nice.   I lived in a trailer before and the power went out for a day and a half.   I was able to power all the necessary things; most lights, the stove, the fridge and freezer and microwave.  I cant remmeber but I think we had to be cautious how we operated everything, but we were able to run all necessary things.  This was important with a brand new baby in the house.   I think this to some degree adds to my love for this machine.  It took care of us when we needed it most.IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:It sure aint me, everything I own is JUNK...  I weld just to keep my snow plows ready for next Winter!
Reply:Originally Posted by Roy Hodgesmy BEST machine ? really hard to say- my S A 250 is so sweet on lo-hy , and my  S P 250 is so sweet & easy on mig , it just  depends what process i need to use at the time . And, my Miller Dial Arc 250 H F welds tig fine- i guess you  pays yer money and takes yer choice .
Reply:How about Thermal arc TA-185 TSW.  Slick little inverter and best in class for the $.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-DrillDo ya like it?  Is it paid for???   Has it given you good service?  THan its the Best!    I feel this was a very satisfactory question....its just asking a question, that while cuts deep, to offer a legitimate and fair answer to the question is to explain why one guy drives a chevy, one guy a ford, another a foreign.   I mean to say I dont know why anyone would want to drive anything but a dodge with a cummins...but you know thats one guys opinion.   Yeah I think SA 200 is the Cats tail end, but you know I aint got one...so what good does it do me?   Not a bit.  Anyway, its late bringing this up, but just to help Elvergon with a justification for why he posed the question...I think it was a great topic!  IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Originally Posted by TxRedneckI mean to say I dont know why anyone would want to drive anything but a dodge with a cummins...
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702I'd take a Cummins in a Ford anyday.  Someday I'll just go get the F-650 and be done with it.
Reply:I would rather have the CAT in the 650, Cummins in the Dodge. I am kinda picky that way.
Reply:Originally Posted by TxRedneckDo ya like it?  Is it paid for???   Has it given you good service?  THan its the Best!    I feel this was a very satisfactory question....its just asking a question, that while cuts deep, to offer a legitimate and fair answer to the question is to explain why one guy drives a chevy, one guy a ford, another a foreign.   I mean to say I dont know why anyone would want to drive anything but a dodge with a cummins...but you know thats one guys opinion.   Yeah I think SA 200 is the Cats tail end, but you know I aint got one...so what good does it do me?   Not a bit.  Anyway, its late bringing this up, but just to help Elvergon with a justification for why he posed the question...I think it was a great topic!
Reply:OK Ok I'll throw in mine. I just got my first mig welder and am very happy with it. I weld a lot of decks off mowers and have been doing it with stick for years. It takes some doing on the real thin ones so I treated myself to a Hobart 180. I know it's not red or blue but it welds so nice I don't notice the color. 024 wire, thin metal, what a difference in time.Thanks for asking,David
Reply:Originally Posted by stronicsOK Ok I'll throw in mine. I just got my first mig welder and am very happy with it. I weld a lot of decks off mowers and have been doing it with stick for years. It takes some doing on the real thin ones so I treated myself to a Hobart 180. I know it's not red or blue but it welds so nice I don't notice the color. 024 wire, thin metal, what a difference in time.Thanks for asking,David
Reply:Sometimes an "oldie, but goodie is the BEST!"  an I'm finally gonna say it . My S P 250 (nla) is the best !  Better than the best . I dare any  of you guys to try an S P 250 (or S P 255) &then say you don't like it . You don't have to remember ANY settings  or read a damm chart to set it  !turn it on , tap the panel to desired thickness you're gonna weld , pul the trigger & you are on your way. NO time lost finding the setting everytime you want to weld a different thickness .  End of story , no contest .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:P  S  :  the S P 250 (or S P 255 )  are LINCOLNS  ..........[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:I  still want to hear from LINCOLN ,  why did you quit making  the S P 255-& the larger sp350    or whatever number it was ?      REFER   TO  #33  above -[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:The Best Welder - certainly subjective based on your point of view and what you do.In my case the best (and only) welder I have is a Miller Big 40.  Of course 98% of my welding is outside.  100% duty at 300 amps and 60% duty at 400 amps.  The most I've run it hard was at about 275 for 2 days straight putting steel plate in the bottom of a rock dump bed.  Rush job of course.I would definately have to consider another machine if I had to do much thin stuff.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:Don't you just LOVE jobs like that ? ALL they want is a fast, CHEAP, & perfect job - Yesterday?[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:i dont think the question should be "who has the best welder"....i think i should start another thread.... so lets go start another thread......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:i run miller big blue 400, lincoln vantage 500,bobcat 250 , ranger 9.all are great machines to pick one that is the best , i think you have to look at the man or woman behind the stinger that's what makes the welder a great welder . its what you can do with the machinethat counts.
Reply:I have a Lincoln AC tombstone, great little machine and have welded miles with it. I just bought an old SA-200 for $550 and that is a wonderful machine. I cannot get over how smooth the arc is. Plus it is self powered. I'm running around welding everything in sight these days. I told my wife to keep me away from the nice cars....
Reply:I'm very happy with the HTP MIG200 I bought new almost 15 years ago.  It welds good and has never let me down.   Have made some good money with it too.  It's a great all-around MIG machine.The Millermatic 350P's with Python push-pull torches I weld with at work are good machines too.   The computer controls can be kinda finicky but once I got use to them I really like welding with them.   I weld thin gauge aluminum all day long with them and they make very nice welds.   Each one has it's own personality and none use the same settings even though the metal is the same, but I've figured out how to make each one weld just how I like it so any of my welds look the same no matter which machine I'm using.  I like the digital controls cause I can memorize (or write down) the settings and repeat them later after changing to other settings for other uses and come up with the same weld characteristic as before with practically no re-adjusting so my first weld doesnt end up as scrap.   Miller should add memory features on the next generation of this machine .I was quite happy with the old Miller CP250TS power supplies and MK Cobramatic feeders with push-pull torches and MK pulsers we used to weld with at work.  They made very nice welds and were easy to adjust to weld just how I wanted them to.   I liked the all-analog adjustments and complete user control of the machine.  Computers can be great, but they take away some control from the operator.  Adjusting and welding with them was fun.  However, after some 25 years of hard use every day, they were finally starting to break down so the company bought new machines and I got to keep what was left of the old machines that still worked.  Great deal for me .I think the best machine is whatever machine you have that welds like you want it to, is reliable and gets the job done.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-23-2006 at 02:14 AM.
Reply:TA-185 not shore its my (or anyones) best, but its my newest and that makes it best for me cuzz its letting me lern a new skill. and with its new blue cover it keeps the all my millers from finding out its a TA, i just gotta get the miller name and logo on the side and the others will just think its a short dyn200. it is about the best bang for the buck like said above.would have to say my most used is my MM135 got over 5 years of flawless service out of it and have always been realy pleased with its performance both flux and sold wire. but i supose all my welders are the best cuzz there paid for and they were the best i could aford at the time and have all been well werth the $$ i spent on them. Attached Images summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I reckon my old transtig is the best because it works great and it was free used it at work for 8yrs left that job came back 6 yrs later whenwe  upgraded another 4 yrs later I brought it home   Last edited by wello; 10-23-2006 at 03:45 AM.Creative metal Creative metal Facebook
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsteri dont think the question should be "who has the best welder"....i think i should start another thread.... so lets go start another thread......zap!
Reply:Well not sure who has the best, but when I was looking for recommendations the loudest heard was ....Millermatic 210Is it 'the best', wasn't really sure until I bought one. Now that I own one, I know it's the best welder !!!  ( that I own )
Reply:i think its been said befor but i think we all agree that the best welder is the one we have, mostly because we have it.8^)) summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by harcosparkyWell not sure who has the best, but when I was looking for recommendations the loudest heard was ....Millermatic 210Is it 'the best', wasn't really sure until I bought one. Now that I own one, I know it's the best welder !!!  ( that I own )
Reply:only thing O/A realy has to offer over the spec is the ability to heat, provided you already have welding coverd. i love my spectrum but i still cant heat and bend with it. O/A will be around for a wile yet i think. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:i like my lincoln squarewave 255, it welds awesome, bernard ss cooler, its big rugged tranny design is indestructable.  and it impresses everyone who see's it with all the buttons and digital displaybalance   pulser  2step/4step 315amps   its all i need    todd
Reply:At school, I stick weld with an XMT-304, I TIG weld with a Dynasty 300DX, I MIG weld with a Miller Matic 175, and I do the rest of my welding with a medium duty Smith torch setup.  I personally prefer the torches.